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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Not in my world.  I think what we drove was a big deal in years gone by but in today's world keep the ride well maintained, clean and smelling good and you're cool.

Mar 21, 2015 11:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've certainly never felt that way. As long as it's comfortable for my passengers and clean, it shouldn't matter.

Mar 21, 2015 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It can also back fire, people with a $125,000 mercedes with a personaized license plate may turn off some. Driving a junker spewing black smoke may also turn off some. You car does not have to be new, but should be neat and clean. People do judge a book by its cover with their initial thoughts

Mar 21, 2015 11:20 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I hope not, Paul.  I drive an 8 year old Camry Hybrid.  What does that make me?

Mar 22, 2015 04:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,026,994
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

As long as it is clean I would think that people should not be taken back.

Mar 22, 2015 02:18 AM
Rainmaker
778,826
Laura Sellers
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com - Auburn, AL
www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com

Hopefully, people will value the agents services and not they type of car he/she drives.  Some of the most wealthy people I know don't drive the latest and greates vehicle.

Mar 22, 2015 02:02 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,129
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Jason Potrzeba provided a strong recommendation. Keep your vehicle clean.

We are sometimes too quick to judge people by their material possessions when other attributes are much more important.

Mar 22, 2015 01:44 AM
Rainer
246,371
Jason Potrzeba
Home Loan Investment Bank - Warwick, RI
Senior Account Executive

Whatever you are driving, keep it clean!

Mar 22, 2015 01:40 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Paul. I hope that is not the case, as I don't want to be judged by what I drive.

Make it a great day!

Mar 22, 2015 01:03 AM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

One of my wealthiest clients drives an old, well-worn car.  It's a mistake to judge clients (or agents) by the vehicle they drive.

Mar 22, 2015 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

There are people who believe that ....and we think it a warped sense of applying their values to the rest of the world.

Mar 21, 2015 10:58 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

Yes.

Aug 04, 2018 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Keep your apperance neat, wash your car.  I show multi-million dollar homes in a new Civic.  People who rode inside often asked about the car and its great performance. Many Silicon Valley affluent live in a frugual life style.  Many techies do not even drive often, they come in bicycles. 

Mar 22, 2015 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

In the winter I drive my favorite Jeep ....it's totally restored and is a 2001 grand cherokee 60th anniversary edition..... the rest of the year I'm a BMW hardtop convertible driver....fast little number.... does that denote who I am??  old and fast!!

Mar 22, 2015 09:24 AM
Ambassador
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Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

I would think that as long as your car is clean and runs well, then that's what should matter.  We used to live down the street from the owner of a publishing company.... his car?  A yellow VW Bug.  

Mar 22, 2015 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Paul -- this is always a good question to ask because you'll get lots of responses.   

Some will be impressed while others may be repulsed by you, your clothes, your car -- name a reason.  I believe it's about what's inside that really matters. However, I live in car-centric Southern California -- I drive a clean, late model hybrid that is paid for -- there are plenty of agents in my office and market who drive much more expensive vehicles.  

It doesn't define who I am and if a client feels I'm not right for the job because of what I drive - we're probably not going to be a good match whether it's for that reason or another.   I have no issue with those who drive nicer or more expensive cars than I do whether they be co-workers, clients or my plumber(hmm -- let me think about that last one for a minute....).

Mar 22, 2015 06:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,194,668
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

While it may be a mistake to judge a person by the car she drives, it's the way things are, as you can tell by my photo of me in my car. I don't fight it. I'm not gonna change people's perceptions, so I go with the flow.

Mar 22, 2015 03:03 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

My vehicle certainly reflects me and my standards of professionalism. I keep it clean. I drive a honda accord for affordability and practicality reasons. If I were to drive a car that truly reflected who I am it would be the small bmw.

Mar 22, 2015 02:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,362
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Paul - Generally, a clean car in good working condition is accepted.

Mar 22, 2015 02:04 AM
Rainer
210,865
Ron Buck
The Ron Buck Group - Laguna Niguel, CA
Associate RE Broker at Keller Williams Realty

In the OC of CA it seems to be expected. There are very wealthy clients along the coast and they want to do business with successful people like themselves so the agents mirror that. The flip side is that there are many agents who drive luxury cars and still rent their home. I would rather pay off my home.

Mar 22, 2015 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Surely, a great car does not make its owner a better driver, therefore the concept that it could result in making a better real estate associate is even more far fetched. Whether my cars were Bentley's or VW's no one ever critiqued them Paul Henderson and there have been many. 

Mar 22, 2015 12:21 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

The last million dollar plus house I sold was to a fellow driving an 11 year old Honda Civic. 

I would caution agents to not exibit that the homeowner equity if financing an opulent life style. But that's just me.

Mar 21, 2015 11:50 PM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No, but some people may draw the wrong impression from what you drive.

Dec 30, 2019 11:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Answering an old Q, Paul.

I usually am not much concerned as I drive Hybrid cars.

Mar 22, 2018 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
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The Julie Morales Team
RE/MAX Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Questions? Call (832) 367-3412

We don't know this persons situation and your encounter proves that you it is rewarding to accept people from all walks of life. They may be honestly trying to work their way up and that is the best they can afford. Though it is difficult not to judge, not judging is the right thing to do. This is a great question!

Mar 27, 2015 07:07 AM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Paul, I remember a time when many agents were diving Linclon Town Cars (early 1980s).  The reasoning was to have a car big enough to load a client family, ride in style, and to look successful.  I remember a similar idea about BMWs.  Car payments are a high price to pay for status.  The most successful agents I have known started out driving Old Faithful, and put their money into marketing, investing or saving.  The agent you mentioned demonstrated the most valuable asset is what you bring to the client.  Discipline is such an asset.

Mar 23, 2015 11:19 AM
Rainmaker
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Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I just now read your explanation to the question and I must add that I don't judge people anymore by the clothes they wear or by their cars. Many years ago we were invited by a very rich man to his multimillion mention for dinner. He was a bit late and I could not believe when he drove in on a very average( almost ugly) Toyota. His outfit was really simple, he had a plastic watch( !!!!!!ha???). It changed my mind forever.

Mar 22, 2015 07:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I drive Prius and Buddy ( a red very cute scooter). Since I believe in green style of living, this is the best choice for me. When they finally launch cheap Tesla, I'll get it( sorry, paying 100k for a car has no sense for me).

Mar 22, 2015 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I don't drive a Lincoln or a Cadillac or Lexis like some agents do, but it is a late model and clean.  We have had comments that they were more at ease because we didn't appear to be above them. (First impressions mean a lot)

Mar 22, 2015 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
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Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Some people do not care about image.  Though I do believe it does make a difference

Mar 22, 2015 09:31 AM
Rainmaker
856,021
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Maybe not so much what you drive but the condition it is in. How it is kept up overall. I have seen many 20 year old cars put across a much better impression than new luxury vehicle.  Mark

Mar 22, 2015 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Of course. I drive a 2007 Lexus RX-350 with 165,000 miles on it. What it says to my investors is two things: first, I don't like to invest in anything that depreciates, and second, my only debt is mortgages. 

Mar 22, 2015 04:01 AM