Okay, we know this question is quite strange. So, is there a link between real estate and cars? Really? What do cars have to do with an agent’s ability to sell a house? Well, you may fall into the trap of thinking that a nice car can propel your real estate career. To some extent, you are right. Clients can be naive. However, if we were in their shoes, we would probably have the same thinking pattern. But what are the best cars for realtors?
An agent who steps out of a luxury vehicle may be perceived as more competent and successful. In this article, though, we would like to shed light on this topic and help you pick the best car for real estate agents in order to impress clients while, at the same time, make them feel comfortable. Too much pizzazz can be damaging in any industry, including real estate.
Do you need a car to be a real estate agent?
When you chose to become a real estate agent, you must have taken into consideration the fact that you were not going to stand still at your desk all day. In this industry, you have to be on the move, constantly doing something to keep your business going and growing. You will often need to go across town to see a new property or meet with a customer and commuting by bus, tram or subway isn’t an option when your presence is required fast. So, besides the marketing activities that bring you new leads, you also have to search for properties and visit them together with the interested home buyers and renters. That's why driving a client to a property is not only professional but also necessary. Just imagine meeting your client at the subway, hop on, hop off and then walk the remaining blocks on foot. In a car you complete your service by taking care of the logistical part, actually picking up the client to see the new house. Not having a car or no longer being able to drive is one reason why real estate agents get out of business.
Therefore, you can’t rely on public transportation all the time. More or less when you are not pressed by time and you go alone to see a new property, not with a customer. Besides, many homes might be in the suburbs, where without a car, you are left with very few and costly options. (Rest assured, though - hitch-hiking is not among them.) So do you need a car to be a real estate agent? Absolutely, yes. Get your driver’s license first and if your real estate brokerage doesn’t have a car ready for you, buy one. For real estate agents, the car is like any other tool of the trade - you can’t reach your highest potential without it. The last thing you want is to turn clients down because you can’t get to their address simply because they are too far out of town. And how would you sound if you had to wait for someone to pick you up for a meeting? Not very professional nor trustworthy, that’s how.
Why do you need a car as a real estate agent?
Well, the reasons are quite obvious. Who can live without one these days? In the US, 272.5 million cars have had an owner in 2017. It seems that every adult in the US drives a car, however, there are many households with more than one car. Today’s society is dependent on them for daily activities, like going to work, driving children to school and they are highly convenient when you need to get somewhere fast. Another question that may arise is, “Should you have a separate car for your business or can you use the family car to drive around for business purposes?” This depends on what type of family obligations is the family car used for as well as the type of car that your family has. For example, a motorcycle might not be the best choice for a real estate agent but they are very common in the US.
It is a good idea to have two cars as a family. If you’re just starting out, don’t put too much emphasis on the car you drive. Don’t fret over the best car to impress clients. Focus, instead, on learning and investing in yourself. Invest in marketing! Once you become successful and your business has picked up, you will be able to drive a more expensive car and work with a different type of clientele that you couldn’t have reached before. A real estate agent’s car is supposed to be comfortable for the clientele niche that you’re aiming for. A Bently might not be the best car for a real estate agent if their clientele is looking for affordable housing, nor is a Prius a good option when you’re presenting a luxury waterfront property. However, driving a nice car that you can afford is a way of proving your success after all, but showing off isn’t a good idea. Upgrading your car as you upgrade your clientele is one way of securing more commissions in the future.
And another piece of advice for rookie REALTORS would be to buy a used car at first, especially if they also have a mortgage to pay every month. The best cars for realtors don’t have to be expensive. So don’t put too much pressure on your finances by leasing a car. Cars, like other commodities, don’t last forever and in just a few years, you will be able to replace it. The best cars for real estate agents have to be clean and professional. If you change it with a better-looking option that was recently launched, know that the best car for a realtor is one that drives you from point A to point B.
Why do real estate agents need a car:
- They have to drive around the city quite a lot.
- They have to be able to get from point A to point B in a relatively short period of time.
- They have to meet with clients as well as with other real estate professionals in different places throughout the day.
- They can’t waste time relying on the public transportation network.
- They need flexibility and a car provides just that.
- They use the car for their business so they can deduct some expenses related to it and lower their taxable income.
- They may use the car to advertise their business with a nice car wrap.
- They can also pick up the clients when visiting properties, thus getting to know each other better.
Why do so many real estate agents drive nice cars?
As we said earlier, clients are often struck by the first impression. But it depends on the real estate niche you have chosen. A luxury car may help if you’re dealing with high-end clients in upscale neighborhoods. But if you’re focusing on affordable housing for an average person, then driving an expensive car may intimidate your clients, making them think that you are not the right match for them. Some clients may want to feel that you are all on the same level. Sometimes, an ostentatious appearance is a turn-off. It doesn’t foster communication. You want to be able to relate to a client that’s interested in affordable housing and not show up in a car that’s too flashy that might make them feel intimidated. However, if you show up in a car that’s been taken care of and is clean, and if the model is more average then high-end, they will feel more comfortable. The opposite applies to high-end customers. Know the phrase, dress for the job as it applies to your car as well.
However, real estate agents drive nice cars not because they want to show off, but simply because they can afford them. After tightening the belt for years, they now enjoy a well-established place in the real estate market, a good reputation, and many positive reviews. And how did they get there? By listing their business on RealEstateAgent.com among other things. If you take your real estate career seriously and your name doesn’t come up in searches on The Official Real Estate Agent Directory®, then you are losing valuable leads. Find out how to take advantage of the REA Directory and call us today at 1-866-495-4953. We will help you choose the right marketing plan for your business.
The best cars for realtors to impress clients
Every year, car manufacturers have a new model release, a new alphabet letter and a higher digit attached to it. Even if you purchased a car last year, it is already old and outdated. It fades in front of the latest model, although it may still look modern and luxurious. Who can buy a new car every year? Well, that’s not the point. Even when it comes to the best cars for realtors they aren’t exactly like mobile phones, commodities that you change every year when the new model is released. I mean, you can, but it’s not sustainable for your business or for the environment. To impress clients, all you need is a clean car. And if you carry yourself in a professional manner, you stand very high chances of being hired by your client, thus making more sales.
However, most people like to do business with “their kind of people”, so when meeting with a client, try to understand their expectations, and if you feel that your car may suggest that you are overcharging, rent a car for one day or use a relative’s to maintain a low profile. At the end of the day, your job as a real estate agent is not to impress your clients with your possessions, but to help them buy, sell or rent their home.
The best green cars for realtors
The year 2020 came along with a few kinks in its system that we are struggling to cope with. The economy has been hit on most fronts and many blame countries or governments for not handling the crisis correctly. If we go to the base of the problem, however, we can’t hide behind the trees anymore. Why? Because there aren’t many left. We can hide behind refineries. There are plenty of those. Or … we can be responsible real estate agents and try to implement sustainability in our business.
As there are new cars coming on the market every year from every car manufacturer, it is easy to see that there are more and more eco-friendly options available. We all know of Tesla and its focus on green cars, but they aren’t the only ones who see the economical advantages of focusing on environmentally friendly cars. In 2020 Audi, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda and many others are launching new eco-friendly automobiles that are independent of fossil fuels.
Seeing as global warming is getting more and more attention, clients might appreciate a realtor who cares about the environment. Investing in an electric car will not only benefit your image as a real estate agent, but it will also help your own budget and the environment as well.
The best cars for real estate agents in 2020
Of course, we could give you plenty of brand names and outstanding models but, as you know, these will be considered old in a few years so we would have to update this article every year. You probably know what a luxury car looks like. It’s probably a BMW, Mercedes, an Audi or a Lexus. However, the best cars for real estate agents in 2020 stay somewhere in the middle - not too cheap that you would feel ashamed to drive it on the streets, but not too expensive either.
Nevertheless, we can help you decide by revealing which brand sold the most cars in 2018 and that is Ford. According to Statista, Ford sold 411,000 cars in the second quarter of 2020, followed by Toyota with 348,000 and Chevrolet with 330,000 units. However, consumers seem to have more trust in the cars that proudly carry the logo of Porsche or Subaru, according to the same Statista.
Pickups are also very popular in the US and seem to last longer. Ford sold a record number of 797,238 SUVs in 2018, especially the F-Series. During 2019, Ford Fusion and Ford Escape were also in high demand. Other cars that you can spot quite frequently are Toyota Camry, Toyota Corollas, and a few models from Honda such as Accord and Civic. What makes the last two brands so popular? The fact that they offer affordable and dependable cars that are easy to purchase by people from all income levels, regardless of their credit scores.
Conclusions for the best cars for realtors
Remember, a car works as a business card, a well tailored suit and a means of transportation. Don’t let yourself be deceived by the popularity of a certain brand. Since you’ll spend a lot of time on the roads, a low fuel consumption is of utmost importance. According to motor1, the top three models that drove the farthest on one gallon of fuel were Mitsubishi Mirage, Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Sedan, and Toyota Corolla Hatchback.
However, if you are a fan of Tesla, the company has sold over 367,500 vehicles in 2019. For example, Model S is priced at $70,115 and can be yours with only $2,500 down if you can afford to pay about $1,000 per month on a loan or $824 on a lease. Tesla is for sure among the best cars to impress clients. But don’t underestimate Ford. In 2020 they launched the new model, Ford Mustang Mach-E that is priced at $43,895 and is completely green. Well, they have other colors, I’m sure, but the car is electric as well.
As your real estate business thrives and brings you more and more commissions, feel free to add to your luxury car collection and enjoy more horsepower when you’re not working. For your everyday meetings, though, try to maintain a balance between your car and your level of professionalism as well as your car and your clientele. There is no point in driving an expensive car when you’re just starting, still trying to get a hold of this huge and dynamic industry. Choose wise and drive safe!
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