The real estate business is without a doubt one of those businesses where your image is projected through your professional appearance. As much as it may be poor form to do so, some clients will put as much weight on your appearance as they do your reputation, how knowledgeable you seem, or how well spoken you are. In this business, first impressions really do matter.
Fortunately, this will be a reality that most who’ve entered the profession could have foreseen being one, and so it won’t take much convincing if any to ‘look the part’ as an agent who’s helping people make one of the biggest decisions of their life. Here at Real Estate Leads, our online real estate lead generation system won’t have you looking sharp, but it will take care of another aspect of being a new realtor that’s not so easy – prospecting for clients.
To help you project the right image and a proper professional appearance, here’s a collection of sensible tips on how to look and dress the part of a successful real estate businessperson.
When in Doubt, Be Conservative
Appearance will always be extremely important in this business, as most clients tend to choose their agents based on appearance and a measure of ‘gut feeling.’ The standard has been and continues to be that men wearing freshly pressed shirts with a nice tie and clean shoes look professional. However, it’s been proven that too much jewelry makes many people perceive you negatively. A watch is fine, and maybe one other piece of jewelry. But that’s it, and keep in mind that all this goes hand in hand with good visible hygiene traits. For example neatly trimmed and clean fingernails.
Keep up with current fashion trends also benefits you, and having a fashionable hairstyle helps too. Male agents will gain from keeping up fashion and clothing trends via magazines like Esquire, GQ, and so forth, while female agents can do the same with Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue. One thing that can’t be overstated enough is the suitability of wearing conservative-length skirts.
Then there’s the idea of dressing for your market by wearing attire appropriate to your surroundings. For example, a sharp blazer and dark-wash jeans work better for young, hip regions.
Appearing Professional Other Ways
Your choice of vehicle can go a long way with potential clients too. Consider this; a broker in a US big city always traded for a new Jaguar sedan every year, and then let her agents borrow it to drive wealthy buyers around fancy neighborhoods for showings. Apparently the way the car had an effect on potential buyers was very clear.
The appearance of your office also sends a strong message to clients, or would-be clients, the first time they visit. Keep it organized and meticulously clean, and displaying attractive curios and artwork is a good choice. A messy desk is a big no-no, no matter how well established you are.
One other tips is to always have a change of clothing ready when the situation requires it, especially if there’s a chance you’ll be with entirely different people in an entirely different environment within the same day.
Professional appearance tips for real estate agents will vary depending upon the individual’s situation. Different types of property, weather, and clients should lead you to make different decisions regarding the professional attire that is most appropriate. This is of course something of an art, and much less of a science, but if you hit the ground running as a realtor while still keeping your appearance in mind you’ll very likely figure it out before long.
Sign up for Real Estate Leads here and receive an monthly quota of qualified, online-generated buyer and / or seller leads delivered to you exclusively for your protected region of any city or town in Canada. It’s a smart investment, particularly with the way it gives you so many more opportunities to lead leads into clients. That’s something established realtors do well because they have learned to do it well.
