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Marte Cliff, Your real estate writer (Marte Cliff Copywriting)

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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

It depends on the situation. If they are out of town buyers, they typically ride with me. If they are local, we typically meet at the property. Last year I had a couple who were both legally blind, so I did all the driving to and fro.

Mar 26, 2019 09:57 AM
Rainer
14,420
Teresa Cripps
Crye-Leike Realtors - Mount Juliet, TN
Patient, Compassionate, Caring.

I always ask what they prefer. Most of the time they want to drive their own vehicle.

Mar 26, 2019 12:20 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I have never taken a client in my car for more than 15 years - the last one had a complete panic attack because we left pavement and had to travel on a gravel road!!!  She freaked and it took every ounce of my patience to NOT leave her on the side of the road like she was demanding!!  Now, I learn everything I need prior to seeing the 1st house ie Needs vs Wants.  I think we both appreciate having quiet time in between showings.

Mar 26, 2019 11:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Both. Most buyers we work with want to drive their vehicles. It does give me the freedom to contact agents between properities without the buyers being privy to the conversation. I prefer they take their own vehicle. 

Mar 26, 2019 11:21 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

When I started in '05 I had people ride with me a lot. Now no one rides with me. They all drive themselves & use GPS to find the houses. 

Mar 26, 2019 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

either or Marte. If they have kids that needs car seats, they ride in their car. I can jump in or meet them there.

Depending on how many of them are coming, I'd prefer the quiet of my own car.

It is easier as you say to discuss what you just saw & get better feedback I think. It's just gone out of favor. 

Mar 26, 2019 12:38 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Usually meet me at first property and then follow

Mar 26, 2019 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

no one in our office takes buyers in their vehicles....

Mar 26, 2019 11:57 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It has definitely been asked many times. 

My clients are in my car 99% of the time. On rare occasions we will meet at a property.

Mar 26, 2019 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

In the early days everyone rode with me. In the later years sometimes we met at the property. I still preferred them riding with me but the times they were a changing!

Mar 26, 2019 11:32 AM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

They drive their own.

Mar 26, 2019 10:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

If you come from different directions we meet it there. I had a buyer age 27 drove a Tesla X Pxxxx who drove me around from his $135K popup door car.  We got along just fine although I drive a Civic.  

Mar 26, 2019 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

see you there....don't be square and perhaps afterwards a lunch-fare 

Mar 26, 2019 10:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

My car.  I'm the designated driver.

Mar 26, 2019 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Our broker demands that our car insurance properly cover the brokerage for liability deriving from automobile use.

I hardly ever have a client in my car these days. The opportunity for bonding and gaining additional understanding of each other that used to be available during that time together is now lost.

Mar 26, 2019 10:06 AM
Ambassador
5,230,102
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I agree that it's great to have them in the car - listening to comments about each home after showings is so very helpful for future tours.

Relocation clients typically ride with me and local clients often meet me at the property - sometimes they follow me, sometimes they leave the car at a convenient spot near the 1st property. It really depends upon the client.

If they have children, they typically want to drive (due to car seats).

Mar 26, 2019 08:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

It depends on what makes the client more comfortable. 

Mar 26, 2019 04:07 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Most of my showings were in model homes where I had an office Marte Cliff but out side of that I preferred to meet them.

Mar 26, 2019 01:39 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Indeed, this has been discussed many times - even recently, you may want to search the thread. I have not put clients in my car for years and years - maybe 20 or more. It's a 'huge' liability and risk.

Following? It's kind of silly in this day in age. Nowadays, everyone has a free GPS on their phone. They don't even need to follow. Clients know in advance which homes will be viewed, so they make their way there as planned and scheduled.

With so many distractions while driving a car, why even add one more by adding people. Having the conversation you reffered to in your car while driving is very old school and a terrible practice. How will you be making notes? Why not ask them while at the properties?

Let me ask this: have you talked to your car insurance company or your policy about putting people in your car, driving them around from house to house as a business?

What if you are involved in an accident, while you have clients in your car, and your client gets severely injured, or worst killed? Or your client's child? The latter is a true event in my market....

Just saying and food for thoughts...

Mar 27, 2019 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
931,002
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

We meet at the property.

Mar 27, 2019 04:06 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

We always used to drive buyers around.  Now we suggest separate cars.  Easier to leave questionable buyers plus the buyers can leave us if the showings do not go well.

Mar 26, 2019 09:08 PM
Rainmaker
628,814
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Most of the time they follow me unless it is an out of town relocation Buyer who is not familiar with the area

Mar 26, 2019 04:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I usually lead and leave a traail of bread crumbs

Mar 26, 2019 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

I take my car; they take their car. 

Mar 26, 2019 02:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I almost never drive clients anymore. Rarely we drive together and it is my or their car 50/50.

Mar 26, 2019 12:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If I know them, I like to have them in the car.  It's much easier to control the conversation and help them pick a house that way.  Exceptions would be if car seats or little kids are involved.

Mar 26, 2019 12:13 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Marte,

In commercial real estate the only time we did that is because they were from out of town.  We would pick them up from their hotel.  We already knew their bonafides (they were usually exec in publicly traded companies).  It was easier for us to drive as we knew the ins and outs of LA traffic.  Otherwise, we would meet at the property.  A

Mar 26, 2019 11:07 AM
Rainmaker
177,849
Dr. Karen Lewis, Broker 954-2489149
Align Right Realty K1 Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL
No Compromise When it Comes to Our Clients!

It's rare...I do not really like to drive anyone in my car but if it's absolutely necessary or a certain circumstances, I will..

Mar 27, 2019 04:14 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

They meet me.  29 years of being a cop, most people don't like riding with me.  Old habits are hard to break.

Mar 27, 2019 02:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

My option is option C it makes everything better there is less a tendency for clients to misunderstand your role

Mar 26, 2019 07:10 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It depends.  First meeting, we take separate cars.  If they have kids, we always take separate cars, or if we take one, it's their car.  Every once in a while I'll get a buyer or a couple that wants to ride with me.  I find they like their private space to talk, or think, in their own car.

Mar 26, 2019 06:48 PM
Rainer
4,505
Penny L. Blackwell
Berkshire Hathaway HomeSales Crest Real Estate - La Crescenta, CA
Commercial and Residential Real Estate

I mostly meet clients at the property.   I have a few special clients that ride with me.

Mar 26, 2019 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Travel with my clients to build the relationship.

Mar 26, 2019 05:14 PM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Both, although more often they drive on their own, especially if they live locally. However I prefer to drive the relocation clients in order to talk more about the communities they are interested in and answer their questions as we drive around - it's NOT just about touring houses.

Mar 26, 2019 05:13 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I prefer to have them in my car unless they have children or other relatives with them.

Mar 26, 2019 04:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

It depends on the situation. If they are out of town buyers, they typically ride with me or if they have many to see. If they are local, we typically meet at the first property; two or less to see. I prefer them in my car, important conversations take place in the car.

Mar 26, 2019 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Most often they come in my car, I like to hear between homes their thoughts and share my knowledge of neighborhoods.  If they have a car seat and the kids come with, they follow.

Apr 01, 2019 04:02 PM
Rainer
128,509
Pam Gordon
Colorado Springs, CO
Your Colorado Springs Realtor!

Marte,

I usually meet them at the property, however if time/schedules allow, I offer for them to ride with me. I feel the time driving between properties allows for more communication, and a better understanding on my part of what they want/need.

Unfortunately, most people like to just meet at the properties and caravan.

Hope you are having a fabulous 2019!

Mar 29, 2019 09:17 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I generally let buyers follow, although I agree it's a missed opportunity for chatting and for getting additional, fresh feedback. On the flip side, while driving alone, I can catch up on making or responding to phone calls, as needed. Would never take a child car seat into my car as they need to be installed properly. 

Mar 28, 2019 07:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I used to but can't remember the last time I did...it's probably been 5+ years. Now we meet first at the office or a public place toreview the listings on the tour then they follow in their car.

Mar 27, 2019 10:04 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Depends on how many homes we looking at. If it’s just one or two we just meet...

Mar 27, 2019 09:51 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Do both... if the buyers have lots of kids, a dog... and car seats all in place, I put the tractor beam on and pull them from property to property. I can make calls, do lots while being the Rudolph pulling them around. But hearing feed back and learning about the buyer happens when I can be the local tour guide in the jeep.

Mar 27, 2019 06:22 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Marte for years I used to drive but probably the past 8 years or so buyers either meet us at the house of follow me. And when they've got kids that's better as they've got the correct safety things for them - we don't.

Mar 27, 2019 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

For risk management purposes they are always in their own vehicle.  Secondarily, for my convenience.  Once finished, I do not have to transport them back to their vehicle. I can continue to my next commitment. 

Mar 27, 2019 09:16 AM
Ambassador
3,125,842
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Have done both through the years and depends on situation Marte. Repeat clients are usually in my car and those meeting for the first time, I drive mine, they drive theirs, meeting at each house. I have jumped in with clients who had a pup or a small child as well and became a back seat driver.

Mar 27, 2019 05:50 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I ask them what they prefer, and in most cases they drive their own vehicle.

Mar 27, 2019 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I prefer buyers ride with me. A LOT of discussion and analysis can take place in-transit instead of in the driveway of the house for sale.

However, if they have critters, kids in tow or refuse to get a pre-approval they should follow in their ride.

Mar 27, 2019 04:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Most often they meet me there or follow me. The exception is a relocation that flies in and has no car. 

Mar 27, 2019 04:36 AM
Rainer
370,200
Jay McHugh
SendOutCards-Appreciation Marketing Expert - Acton, MA
YOUR SendOutCard Mentor

Great question...often out of state buyers yes....to share more information with them.....local buyers normally enjoy having the freedom of using their own car after finishing the last appt to get on with the day etc.....

Mar 27, 2019 02:34 AM