This came up in a comment from a bubble head a few weeks ago. In truth, it’s nobody’s damned business, but it is a matter of concern around here:
What kind of car do you drive?
I drive a Hyundai Elantra Wagon:
Her name is Beatrice, after the gorgeous Weimaraner in Best In Show. “BHND-01” is our brokerage code in the MLS, so “BHND ME” is me, the broker.
I have a problem with Realtors who drive big, obnoxious cars. This job pays very well, if you do it right, but I think it’s both a poor use of money and poor salesmanship to drive around in an Escalade or a Hummer. Each man to his own saints, but my Beatrice is the best girl for this job, in my opinion.
Technorati Tags: arizona, arizona real estate, phoenix, phoenix real estate, sellsius 101, real estate, real estate marketing
Jay T. says:
I drive a Jeep Wrangler. Last week I was in Snottsdale and was approacing my car as I heard one lady ask another, “What kind of Realtor drives a Jeep?”. Just before they crawled into their Lexus, I said, “A damn good one!”. The look on their faces was priceless.
And actually, the Jeep is quite practical. My lovely bride and I list and sell a lot of fairly remote desert land. Unless you enjoy getting stuck and hiking out for miles, you NEED a high profile 4WD vehicle to show this stuff. And I can get my Jeep into places a Hummer is too big for.
September 26, 2006 — 9:36 am
Geri Sonkin says:
I think the best car for a Realtor is one that runs . . . all the time. Unfortunately I cannot be counted in that group since I made the questionable decision to get my second Jaguar (the small one so I doesn’t qualify as a big obnoxious car). My car has gotten more attention each time it was hoisted up onto a flatbed to be unceremoniously delivered to the dealership.
September 26, 2006 — 10:19 am
Cathleen Collins says:
> I think the best car for a Realtor is one that runs . . . all the time.
Priceless! I was about to respond to Jay, but you said it best.
My other criteria is for the car to be practical – Jay’s example – and affordable, preferably paid for in cash. Right now we’re both driving cars we bought used, of course, each of which have numbers exceeding 150,000 on their odometers. We have a third car, a ’92 Toyota Tercel with over 200,000 miles that we keep solely for schlepping large, slobbery dogs in order to keep them out of the cars we drive clients in. When I get my next car, and it will probably have to happen sooner than I would wish, I’ll probably end up with something bigger, like a van or SUV (boo hoo), so I can transport larger groups of clients plus have something that will work better for our family life.
September 26, 2006 — 11:54 am
jf.sellsius says:
I drive my wife crazy 🙂
September 26, 2006 — 6:33 pm
Jim Gatos says:
I drive a 2004 Volvo S60.. Very practical, easy on gas… Very sturdy and safe car. Handles almost like a BMW and cost me a reasonable amount…
Big enough to seat 5, yet small enough to drive easilly
December 19, 2006 — 8:22 am
Chris says:
Mercedes, because they are the best cars in the world.
January 9, 2007 — 7:01 pm
Brian Brady says:
Agreed, Chris. They are the least expensive over time, also.
January 9, 2007 — 7:57 pm
Michele says:
A BMW…it depends on the market you are selling in. I like a reliable are that does give a certain image. I have never liked regular boxy cars, but when I was a sales rep and had a free car it was fine. When I bought my first car into real estate…I leased a beemer…and I love it and so do my clients…it…is RED!
January 24, 2007 — 1:09 pm
Jeff Turner says:
I’m not a real estate agent. So, I’m held to a lower standard, and I reach it. Ford Explorer, which I purchased used.
January 24, 2007 — 6:08 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Interesting topic, and for some reason it is important. My car does say something very real to my clients- it says I’m one of them. I’m in a working class town. We don’t cotton to pretention here. I usually drive a Toyota Matrix- it gets great gas mileage, it’s practical, it hauls signs and tool boxes more conveniently than an SUV.
And we have a minivan as my husband frequently entertains out of town guests, and I use it when I’m touring with clients.
We also have a 13 yr old Taurus wgn that is fondly referred to as the “dog car”. 😉
I agree that it isn’t anyone’s business, but at the same time I’ve had people remark that they are impressed I’m a Realtor who doesn’t drive an obnoxious car. In a different market, however, who knows?
April 19, 2008 — 8:33 am