My BMW makes clients think I am successful!

I will pat you on the back when you sell that listing using the image of driving that BMW.

Thats great Donald!  good for you and your company has a very nice website, I like the video at the beginning.  I hope you sell that listing.

Some people like fancy cars - some people do not.  I personally do not think a fancy car is a sign of success because with todays leases anyone can lease an expensive car and still not be successful. So hopefully your client picked you for more reasons then just a nice ride - hopefully he recognized your skills as an agent.

I agree with you... we never get a second chance to make that first impression. BMW's scream success (it's what our clients want to hear, isn't it?) Best of luck and keep doing what you do.

It's funny - I got a listing because of the car I drive! Mine is a Cadillac STS and in January I will be upgrading to the new 2008 model (seen left) which I'm really excited about.

Certainly I feel success breeds success and I know I wouldn't have got that particular listing if I'd of shown up in a Yugo!

Thanks for your comments Simon  I appreciate the feedback

Don

Donald, I agree with you, although, it is a fine line between the car screaming success and screaming "I make too much money." I used to drive a Toyota Sequoia which I was a little self-conscious of because of the anti-SUV backlash.  I got an Audi Q7 a year and a half ago and I DO think that my clients equate a nice car to success. Now if I can just keep it clean so that it shows my attention to detail :).

Holly Kirby Weatherwax, Your Realtor in Reston:

Donald, I agree with you, although, it is a fine line between the car screaming success and screaming "I make too much money." I used to drive a Toyota Sequoia which I was a little self-conscious of because of the anti-SUV backlash.  I got an Audi Q7 a year and a half ago and I DO think that my clients equate a nice car to success. Now if I can just keep it clean so that it shows my attention to detail :).

Thanks for the feedback Holly

Don

First impressions are first impressions.  I would make this a members only post just in case your clients stumble upon it.

I've heard many times, that people judge an agent's success by the type of car he or she drives. Kudos on getting the client, and I hope it continues to work for you.

I drive a Ford F150.  I tell potential clients they have to use me, I need money to fill up the tank!  

People do judge on the car though at times though.  I met with a potential client and we ended up talking more about my truck on the intial meeting because he was on the fence as to what truck he wanted.  We talked real estate as he inspected my truck.  He bought his house and bought his F150, I can say our true connection occured because of my car. 

I like think he would have used me ragardless (i'm sure he would of), but hey, it was another point in my favor.  So what ever gets the buisness.  Hopefully I beat you blogging how my Ferrari landed me a client! 

I have Ferrari dreams and a Ford budget :( 

Chad Baird:

I drive a Ford F150.  I tell potential clients they have to use me, I need money to fill up the tank!  

People do judge on the car though at times though.  I met with a potential client and we ended up talking more about my truck on the intial meeting because he was on the fence as to what truck he wanted.  We talked real estate as he inspected my truck.  He bought his house and bought his F150, I can say our true connection occured because of my car. 

I like think he would have used me ragardless (i'm sure he would of), but hey, it was another point in my favor.  So what ever gets the buisness.  Hopefully I beat you blogging how my Ferrari landed me a client! 

I have Ferrari dreams and a Ford budget :( 

Thanks for the feedback Chad

Jackie - Mortgage Virtual Assistant:

I've heard many times, that people judge an agent's success by the type of car he or she drives. Kudos on getting the client, and I hope it continues to work for you.

Thanks Jackie  I appreciate the feedback

Don

Sandra Carlisle - Corona del Mar Luxury Homes:

First impressions are first impressions.  I would make this a members only post just in case your clients stumble upon it.

Thanks Sandra Carlisle

Maybe it's time to upgrade.. Congratulations on getting the listing. People DO look at what you drive.

Don, what a great story! It's true that people judge, human nature I suppose. Congrats on all of your success and good luck with your new listing.  

I almost lost a client because I drive an escalade...not because he thought I was getting rich off of my clients, but because I wasn't ecologically friendly!  I convinced him that I was an avid recycler and got him back into the office!

Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Flexit Realty, West Michigan:

Maybe it's time to upgrade.. Congratulations on getting the listing. People DO look at what you drive.

Thanks Robert.  I appreciate your comments

Don

I almost lost a client because I drive an escalade...not because he thought I was getting rich off of my clients, but because I wasn't ecologically friendly!  I convinced him that I was an avid recycler and got him back into the office!

Interesting story Rich.  I am glad you were able to still work with the clients.  Hope you made the sale

Don

Debbie Malone, Lynchburg, VA Realtor:

Don, what a great story! It's true that people judge, human nature I suppose. Congrats on all of your success and good luck with your new listing.  

Thanks for the comments Debbie

I also have a  Beemer and in our San Francisco Bay Area  (Silicon Valley) it is important to look successful. I had a luxury car for over 20 years. Initially it was "Fake it till you Make it" I no longer feel the need to prove myself.  The problem I now have - it is time for new wheels and should I go "green" or stick with the luxury vehicles like BMW, Lexus, Benz?  

Joanne

thanks for commenting Joanne Fraser from San Francisco.  I appreciate the thoughts

Don

Some very interesting comments for both sides, I think my Lexus does convey success but my business is great more so because of my attitude and belief in the law of attraction where I manifest all the money and the clients I want/need. I know the #1 reason is God is blessing me in all things.

I think I might be in trouble! We no longer have our BMW but a Mini-Van!!  It is nice one though. LOL

Good Luck with the listing, hope that it sells quickly for you!

Dana Forster Realtor, A Home 4Sale Inc, Va:

I think I might be in trouble! We no longer have our BMW but a Mini-Van!!  It is nice one though. LOL

Good Luck with the listing, hope that it sells quickly for you!

Thanks for commenting Dana Forster

Don

I own two BMW's so this should be a breeze

I think we Realtors put too much emphasis on our cars....which are usually overpriced, gas guzzling luxury cars or SUVs.  I hope that you were hired for your skills and marketing ability.

I appreciate your comments Chris.  Actually as a Realtor, we are not hired, and are not empolyees either.  We are independent contractors.  We have a product to sell, and it is ourseves, and one of the reasons we are here on Active Rain.  The whole image we project, helps the public see that we are successful, which breeds more success.  Have a great day

Don

Steve Loynd:

I own two BMW's so this should be a breeze

Good luck Steve.

Don

My BMW (X5) makes my clients think I spend all my money on gas! Ha!

I drove a Honda Accord until a few years ago and now I drive a Volvo.  My clients generally drive similar cars.  I choose to spend my money on real estate, not cars.  I think if you have a clean car in great condition, it doesn't really matter what you drive.  If someone is hesitant about hiring me because I don't have an expensive car, then I probably don't want to work for them.

Beth Incorvati ~ REALTOR, ASP:

My BMW (X5) makes my clients think I spend all my money on gas! Ha!

HA!  thanks Beth.  DO you?

Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate:

I drove a Honda Accord until a few years ago and now I drive a Volvo.  My clients generally drive similar cars.  I choose to spend my money on real estate, not cars.  I think if you have a clean car in great condition, it doesn't really matter what you drive.  If someone is hesitant about hiring me because I don't have an expensive car, then I probably don't want to work for them.

Thanks Tina.

Donald, I also drive a Bimmer (the autos are Bimmers, while Beemers are motorcycles) and have had many positive comments from clients, about half of whom ALSO drive BMWs.  It makes for an instant ice breaker and topic of conversation with new clients.  I feel this car has definitely paid for itself many times over.

Susan-

Thank you for the correction of Beemer vs Bimmer. I am not into the car thing but am still curious how many people think it would be a wiser decision to look into the hybrid cars on the next go around rather than a luxury car.

Joanne

I have read a number of articles recently about hybrids and there is some concern about the true cost of building hybrids...too lengthy a discussion for this blog, but in a nutshell, hybrids can require more energy to build and their batteries can utilize "dirty" technologies to charge.  As well, the recycling or disposal of those batteries may not be environmentally friendly.  Anyway, it's apparently not as cut and dried as some would claim;  again, I have only scratched the surface of info that is out there, but I'm not yet convinced hybrids are the way to go and I'm not giving up a luxury ride for an unsure thing.

Great information. Thank you.

I have found many of my clients drive luxury cars and I'm not sure how important it is to them that I drive a similiar car. Guess I'll stick with a nice ride and go luxury once again.

I think I better go car shopping!!! lol 

Congratulations Donald...

 Have you ever had someone come up and say "That sure is a nice company car" ?  Would be nice if the company padi for the car....  :)

Susan Haughton Alexandria, VA REALTOR®:

Donald, I also drive a Bimmer (the autos are Bimmers, while Beemers are motorcycles) and have had many positive comments from clients, about half of whom ALSO drive BMWs.  It makes for an instant ice breaker and topic of conversation with new clients.  I feel this car has definitely paid for itself many times over.

Thanks Susan. 

Joanne Fraser,CRS,GRI,SRES,e-Pro,Broker Assoc:

Great information. Thank you.

I have found many of my clients drive luxury cars and I'm not sure how important it is to them that I drive a similiar car. Guess I'll stick with a nice ride and go luxury once again.

Thanks Joanne Fraser

Roland Woodworth "Ft. Campbell Area Realtor":

Congratulations Donald...

 Have you ever had someone come up and say "That sure is a nice company car" ?  Would be nice if the company padi for the car....  :)

You are dreaming Roland Woodworth.  I would be happy for health insurance! lol

Donj

I drive a BMW 650i convertible. The only time my car is a problem is when it is worth more than the house I am selling. 

Don,

  The "first impression" with the vehicle can happen BEFORE you ever meet the potental clients. I was doing an open house and had my Jag xj-6 parked in the driveway that I found out later, made my future clients "believe I must be successful" driving that car. They came in,met me and I sold them a very large property and picked up the mother in law "Investor" as a client as well that bought and sold at least 4 more properties with me. It is a few years later, now and I currently have that large property back on the market and ,oh yea, I am now driving a Mercedes Benz S 500.

                    Doug

Don, great post

thanks for sharing....1st impressions mean a lot, having too nice of a car will work against you at times...can't win them all 

I had an agent once who had the worst old junker you ever saw, heard, or smelled. I used to beg him to borrow someone else's car when he went on appointments. :o)  As old Floyd Wickman used to say and I am sure still does :  "Look Sharp"

Funny.  Owners are looking for an excuse to do business with the person in front of them.  Lucky you that the guy liked BMW's.  I have to be careful when I park mine, people live to hit them too.

Robert Machado, CPM, MPM:

Funny.  Owners are looking for an excuse to do business with the person in front of them.  Lucky you that the guy liked BMW's.  I have to be careful when I park mine, people live to hit them too.

Thanks for the comments Robert.  Good luck

Don

Trey Thurmond, College Station , Texas Homes:

I had an agent once who had the worst old junker you ever saw, heard, or smelled. I used to beg him to borrow someone else's car when he went on appointments. :o)  As old Floyd Wickman used to say and I am sure still does :  "Look Sharp"

Good COmments Tray Thurmond from Texas.  I appreciate you stopping by

Don

Eric Egeland (Chicagoland Realtor / Broker):

Don, great post

Hey THanks Eric from Chicago.  I appreciate the good words

Don

We all connect for different reasons, whether it be something we have in common or something we have to learn from each other. If it takes a car to break the ice or a group that you belong to it is all good! Congrats Don!! 

BTW I to also drive a BM'er :)