I believe there are agents who spend more time worrying about their car, their hairstyle or their attire than they do about being competent and knowledgeable. In the end, you can have the nicest, cleanest vehicle and be the best-dressed agent in town, but no amount of preening or grooming will make up for a lack of professional skill.

Russ, did you see a picture of my car?  I live in it and the birds love it  too!

everybody is correct

Yes.  The only time I don't worry about getting my SUV washed is when I'm heading out to raw land on dirt roads. 

When the car is clean and the tires shined (have to add that) then I feel more confident myself.

I think it makes me feel better which makes be look more professional

I agree with Cindy Davis . I don't think it helps your business to have a clean car but a messy car creates a situation that is open to negative interpretation. The possibility exists that your client might think, "This guy is a slob" or "This lady is disorganized". Not the kind of thoughts we want our clients to have about us. 

I don't know that a clean car helps your business. What I do know is that a dirty car will likely hurt it!

Its doesn't hurt.  I keep my black truck looking and running smooth, and I have had several clients comment about it.  I dont do it to impressive them,  I do it because I care about the things I own, and I take care of them.   You will never find a wrapper, discarded piece of paper, or any trash in the inside either.  Just how  I operate.
I saw the other response about some agents caring too much about their appearances.  I get it.  However, lets face it appearances do count.  In fact, studies have been done on them, and you only get 1 first impression.  Is it "fair", no but it is the way some people perceive.    My trucks appearance is an extention of me, how I operate and run my small business.  It shines.

My busness car squeeky clean. (but I don't put Realestate signs or numbers on it so I can still drive on the sidewalk)

My farm truck...not clean, infact you have to get your shots updated before you can ride with me......

Its part of making sure there isn't anything for a client or a potential client to object to. Clean and neat is part of a professional presentation. Slovenly is un-professional. 

Russ, I think a clean car adds to your professionalism. Besides who wants to get into a dirty car!

It sure doesn't hurt...that's enough for me. I"ll be cleaning my car today for the weekend showings. (It needs it)

I knew this agent who had a small older rusted sports car Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239 .  She was smart!  She had the CLIENT drive her around and pick her up!  After 15 years, she now owns several million dollars worth of properties and still drives a beat up car.

Your car is a reflection of you and your professionalism.   I have never met a good agent that looked like a slob.

You should always look your best and you car should be spotless...and smell good too.

Eve

I've been in cars where the back seat is a trash bin. I believe I'm not one to judge a person on anything other than the job they perform but thinking back to whenever that's happened, something went off in my brain that said "ughhh". That can't be good for business.

Hi Russ;

Yes, I do think it helps business.  As others have posted, I feel better when the car is clean.  Also, I wouldn't think of meeting a client without first washing the car.  But here's another reason: as I am out and about in town, running my errands or whatever, other agents may see me (I have a vanity plate that spells out SPINAKER, so my car is readily recognizable), and so may other clients who might be in town, or local, as well as vendors I work with.  In other words, you never know who is noticing you - so why not always put your best foot forward?  Just my two cents...  

Absolutely.  I keep my car clean, inside and out.  Presentation matters!

Of course.

I think every thing about our appearance says something.  Some people are more impacted by it than others.

That's just a given, this is like asking if you should show up in clean cloths.  I can tell you stories of some agents.  I remember once I was opening an appointment only home, the agent was meeting his clients at the home for the first time.  When the agent arrived the clients and I were already there waiting for him, when he got out of his car the trash from the last few fast food joints also followed him out of the car.  It was great for me, the buyers called me after the showing saying they would really like to work with me and asked if I would help them find a home.  As a buyers agent, as a listing agent if you don't show up ready to work, clean and prepared, stay at home.  I even have different cars, The Prius for the green or budget buyers and sellers, and The Lexus for my upscale, and of course the Big Ford for my ranchers, farmers and Rodeo Crowd.  Our cars are one of our tools to success,  I can't believe Eric Kodner's remark that it's not important.  The first thing I did when I started in the business was buy a cream puff used Lexus, and it made a huge difference in my business when I was taking buyers to look at Million Dollar homes.  Buyers and seller really do care, they don't want to work with a bum, and there is a fine line that's why I have more than one car as I have found some don't want to work with a show off.

I think clients care more about your driving skill than the appearance of the car - at least once they are inside, and it is moving.  But I agree with those who say first impressions do have an impact, so I try to keep my car spotless if ever meeting a prospective client.  But don't forget about being a very safe driver.  Their lives are in your hands...

Love all the responses.  Overall it makes us feel good about ourselves with exudes confidence which ends up in a good impression ... overall!  Business increases!

I try to keep my car looking nice but I live in an area with a lot of dirt roads so it is next to impossible to do.  I do keep the inside clean but I have to say, I have yet to have anyone refuse to buy a house from me because my car wasn't spit polished. 

It depends, doesn't it, how clean is defined? I imagine most professionals already drive a clean car, don't you?

Definitely Russ!!     I think everything is a reflection on you and your organization.

Well, we've never had anyone tell us they didn't hire us because of a dirty car, nor have we had anyone say that our shiny auto was the reason they signed on with us either. We do try to keep our cars clean as a matter of personal pride, but we like to think it's our keen business acumen and good looks that get us business! (OK, just kidding. Well, about the good looking part anyway...)

Some landlords check out a prospective renter's car to see if it is well kept.  New, expensive cars don't impress me.  Lots of wealthy people are frugal and drive older cars. 

The better question is does it hurt to have a dirty car and the answer is yes, just like bathing and wearing clean clothes don't hurt.

Customers think you are organized, paying attention to detail and thus will get the same from you for themselves.

Does a clean car make a person better, or just different?

I have to say that it does show what type of person you are. I notice A types who's cars are detailed when they pull up. I also know that I won't ride in some agents cars because they are so gross with food wrappers & junk.

Keep it clean. Just like your attire. Look professional. Speaking of that. Time to wash the car!

Actually being in possession of a dirty car will have no relevance or impact on your business at all.

It is when others SEE you driving that car, and your logo and tagline "I'll get you moving" registers.....now you have a problem, You lost control of the context in which your business will be discussed.

Of course...If everybody's car is grimy and muddy and dirty...it's then ok.  NOT!

The grim you find on my ride will be TODAY's grim, not grim for 3 days ago.

I am not obsessed about having extremely spotless car( I don't really drive my clients that often), but it definitely should be clean. Why would I want to be myself in a dirty car?

If I am with clients, I expect my car to be shiny and clean. Better comfort level for me.

With most clients yes. Some are I've had, whom I'd already spent time with and had a solid relationship with were relieved when I let them in my "less than perfectly clean" car. 

Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239 - not exactly. Although with the winter like what we had, all cars are almost so bad - and need car wash!

I have no doubt. A clean car definately helps my business.  So does clean clothes.

Get business? no, keep clients that you meet or drive around? certainly

Hi Russ -- it makes me feel better.   A positive attitude is important for business.

I believe it shows you are prepared for clients and take pride on cleanliness.

Yes Russ it shows you are serious and clean. It give a feeling of a good business person.

I've been in the business for years and I feel it used to be more critical that it is now. I used to drive customers and clients around all the time. Now it seems many of my clients want to meet me at the homes and drive themselves. But I do keep my car very clean, more for me than anyone. :-)

People hire me for my skills, not my car.

Never had a seller inspect my car at a listing appointment!

A clean car is important to many clients.

You get one chance to make a first good impression, everything contributes to that impression.

I wanted to add I also think it makes a different where you work too.  If you are working in an area with a lot of corporate types or a luxury home community, I believe your car appearance would matter a great deal.  In my area no one has a clean car, even the clients, so no one thinks much about it.  If you see a sparkly clean car or a suit and tie, you know they are not locals.  Boots and jeans are the norm, even our summer visitors are going to be in shorts and flip flops. 

I think it depends. I think most folks care how good you are at what you do. Certain neighborhoods might need certain requirements.  But if clients are getting in your vehicle then you have a little more grace

Dear Russ,

It makes me feel better, but I doubt my clients care much.