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It seems to me that many real estate agents tend to drive higher end cars.

Do you think this is the case, and are you influenced by your career when choosing a vehicle?

I think it depends. I guess if I were a potential client I could look at an agent who drives a high priced vehicle as either being successful or charges too much for services.

In our area, agents tend to drive vehicles (4x4’s) that allow them to get into areas during the winter that regular two wheel drive vehicles may have difficulty. Although there are fewer home sales in the winter, an agent has to give the potential customer the idea that traveling during the winter is no big deal. If the agent is driving a car that gets stuck in the snow, the customer can get turned off by the area because the customer may not want to invest in a new car. When riding with the agent, the customer doesn’t really even think about how hard it’s going to be for them to get around.

It is necessary to have a working, comfortable, and very clean car if you are going to drive potential buyers around.  In very upper class areas, it is probably good to have a high-priced vehicle.  It is all part of the image you are creating for the client.  Rainy - you have a great example of how you must tailor the vehicle to fit the area.

That’s an excellent point about the 4x4 in the snowy areas.

There are some agents in the city where I live who have their image on their cars. I suppose that’s more of a strategy for the mainstream markets than the higher end sales?

There’s also an agent who specializes in condos with his picture on the garbage/recycling containers.

I think having a clean car is more important than having an expensive car.  I’ve often wondered if my clients worry I’m making too much of a commission if my car is too nice. 

I think having good model car affects the personality of a sales agent. Talking about representation, it somehow creates a good impression to prospects. By good model, I don’t really mean some expensive luxury car or the likes. It doesn’t have to be the latest model but at least a presentable one. You’ll never know when a prospect or client would ask for a ride, and of course we wouldn’t want him to have to push the car when it doesn’t start. 

I agree that if you want to look professional as an agent you cannot drive a beat up POS. This is not the way to impress a client with your professionalism.

I agree on the whole look aspect of this. A lot of times, especially lately, I tend to drive my clients from home to home or property to property.  I don’t want to do this in a beater or an older car.  most of the agents in my office update cars every couple of years.

I think that have a clean, mid-range, good condition car is a good idea.  Also, you might one one with extra seats . . . for when clients show up with Mom and Dad, best friend Bob, and Aunt Sue . . . AND expect you to haul them all around.