New Agent Question: Do I Need A Shiny New Car?

[Cigar56]

Hello all.

Later this year I plan to begin my real estate career in Florida. For budget reasons my wife and I have been driving used cars for years and years. Her car is old, but good. Mine is reliable but not suitable for driving around clients.

I can't afford to buy a new car and probably would not even if I could. So what to do?

My thoughts:

1. It will probably be a few months, at least, before I get any clients, so I'll have some time to think about this.
2. When I do start to get clients, I won't have all that many at once.
3. With relatively few clients to serve initially I could probably get by with renting a car for a day or two when I needed one.

Any opinions on this? Surely there must be somebody out there whose main car is a beater but they still find ways to get the job done.

Anybody?

Thanks,

Cigar

[rvolk75]

You don't need to have a new car. Make sure you have a shiny car. You can always have them follow you during the showings. I've been doing it for years and never had any issues.

[Dallas Broker]

technically you don't need a show car to show, but it also depends on type of client you are serving.

keep one old car you've paid off and one new shiny car on monthly payment. also look into lease options which often offer lower monthly payment.

[BarryC]

You don't need a Benzo, but something nice and presentable is definitely a plus, especially if you start selling the high dollar homes. Most million dollar buyers want to do business with people they perceive as being successful in the real estate world.

The 96 Cavalier with the peeling paint and Auto Zone spinner hubcaps will get you by for a while, but as you start advancing your career definitely think about moving up a bit. Also, make sure you save up about 6 months of expenses prior to entering this business as it may take you a while to start closing deals.

This is a great forum for questions such as yours, so whenever something pops up, fire away!

[jamesww]

I ran around in a 6 year old Dodge Neon and closed 6 million my first year in the business. Now I did keep that car sparkling clean though.

[FairwayandIsle]

I agree! I have a 15 year old BMW wagon, I keep it clean and presentable.

[FindCRE]

NO new car or expensive car is needed, even if you sell million dollar homes. On of my agents sells million dollar condos, homes etc and drives a Toyota.

People do business with you, not what you drive. Heck if anything if you show up in S500 Benz they'll think your making to dang much money.

[Micheal Pannell Realtor]

I agree with rich. They buy from you not your car

[BarryC]

By the way Michael, change your signature. The Cowboys are horrible.

[Cleo]

I agree with everyone here about not needing a new car but a clean, presentable one. I do have an agent that drives a new car, but it is a 2 seater so we either rent a car for a day (we are lucky she knows someone and gets a great price) or they follow her - some like to do that anyway, but we do try to get them to drive with her. It works for us but ultimately, she sells not the car!