Buying A New Car As A Real Estate Agent? Here Are Some Details To Think About
For real estate agents, the vehicle that they own can be just as important as having a cellphone and business cards. A busy agent may spend several hours each week driving clients around to see houses for sale, so it's important for the agent's car to be clean and run well. If you've decided that it's time to buy a new car — possibly because you're getting more successful and feel that you need to upgrade your vehicle — there are several important details that you should know. Here are three.
Classy Vs. Flashy
You want to buy a vehicle that is classy to some degree. When you pull up to meet a client for the first time, a glimpse at your vehicle should suggest that you're successful in your profession. However, you don't want to appear too flashy. A client may feel as though his or her real estate fees are going toward a flashy, unnecessary purchase, and this might bother some people. Whether you go with a domestic vehicle or an important, you should endeavor to keep these two considerations in mind to send the right kind of message.
Ease Of Access
Many real estate agents favor luxury SUVs, and while the size of these vehicles can be ideal for carrying your clients around, SUVs aren't without their issues. One potential problem that you might encounter with some clients is that SUVs can be difficult to climb in and out of. This is the case for elderly clients or perhaps some clients who have physical limitations. You don't want to be unable to drive a client around because of your choice of vehicle, so make sure to select a vehicle that people of all abilities can access with ease.
Expense To Operate
Most real estate agents spend a considerable amount of their workweek in their vehicle, so whether you have clients traveling with you or not, you want to select a vehicle that doesn't cost you a fortune to operate. SUVs, for example, will cost you more money in gas than smaller vehicles. Luxury vehicles generally carry a heftier price for their tires, which you may need to replace frequently given the amount that you drive. Imports, in many cases, may cost you more when repairs are needed because the replacement parts are slightly higher in cost. By evaluating each of these factors, you'll ideally be able to find the right car for your job.
