The foundations of an agent’s long-term success include education, training, and continual research. Agents must leave a lasting impression before they can demonstrate their value. An agent’s personal “curb appeal” determines whether a potential client advances the connection, much like how well-kept the front yard of a property for sale looks.

Although though the real estate sector doesn’t have a formal dress code, what you wear does matter. The appropriate attire can help you succeed in business.

Regardless matter where you live, you should always dress professionally. While meeting clients, agents who reside in warm climates like Florida or California may feel fully at ease dressing in classy dress shorts and a button-down shirt or a sundress. If you live in Atlanta or Chicago, it might be more appropriate to wear a suit and tie or a pair of jeans and a smart blouse.

It was common wisdom for Baby Boomers to be told things such, “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.” “Dress for the job you desire, not the job you have,” is another wise maxim. But in today’s more relaxed society, is such counsel still applicable to realtors? In addition to many other factors, it depends on who you ask.

To a question, the business environment as a whole has evolved over the past few decades to appear less formal. Casual Friday came first. business casual is next. So, when is casual clothing just too casual? Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg looked great in casual clothes, but they weren’t selling homes, were they?

Jobs and Zuckerberg are two outstanding self-made billionaires who worked for businesses that promoted a relaxed and creative work atmosphere. and hardly any passing pedestrians outdoors. Who cares what Steve Jobs was wearing when he introduced the first iPod? I have my doubts.

Of course, “selling” houses is a part of the job. Yet, you can’t sell a house unless you can convince a seller to list with you or a potential buyer to request that you show them various houses. So, the first thing that real estate brokers need to market is themselves.

Why are Realtors Hot?

A good first impression is something that agents only get one chance to do. Be spick-and-span, polished, and appropriate for the setting and the situation. Always have business cards on you, and hand them out to anybody you meet. Every encounter offers the chance to network and meet potential clients. To market your company, dress professionally and choose your advertising materials intelligently.

Read Also: What Does TDR Mean in Real Estate?

Do customers anticipate their realtor to arrive in a three-piece suit? Obviously not. Do they want to see you wearing shorts and flip-flops? Most likely not. You only get one chance to create a first impression, so you’d better seize it, as the saying goes. You only have seven seconds, according to experts, to make an impression. Only seven seconds, really. What then do you hope to say at that time?

Consider it this way: Who do you believe they would be most likely to trust? Which real estate agent will arrive looking professional or the one sporting ripped jeans and a baseball cap? An expensive financial commitment is making a property purchase or sale.

Most individuals probably have a tendency to trust someone with their money who appears to have the knowledge and experience to guide them. The majority of realtors agree that you need to strike a balance between professionalism and informality, even if wearing a suit is typically unnecessary unless you’re filming an episode of Selling New York.

A seasoned real estate professional is aware that knowing your market is one of the most crucial things. This is something that many prosperous realtors have learned after relocating to a new city or state! The ideal strategy in New York or Los Angeles could not be the one that works in rural Wisconsin.

And we’re not just talking about huge cities and tiny cities; the way to dress in cool (but colder) NYC and casual sunny California is definitely quite different! The culture is more important than the size.

Most real estate brokers would freely admit that they would never walk a rural property while wearing a suit or high heels. Also, it may be assumed that commercial real estate specialists dress more formally than their residential counterparts.

Below are some tips to keep in mind:

Learn How to Blend

The first step in choosing the ideal outfit for a real estate agent is defining the target demographic. An realtor selling vacation homes, for instance, would dress more casually than one selling commercial properties. Farmers’ communities may have agents that dress casually, which would not be appropriate in a luxury market where customers want the greatest standards of professionalism and service. Agents who fit in with the target audience come off as more likable and approachable.

Be Aware of Personal Hygiene

Always be mindful of personal hygiene. Have toothpicks, breath freshener, and a comb on available for last-minute adjustments. Avoid donning strong scents that can irritate allergy sufferers. While dealing with clients, keep your appearance immaculate and timeless. Maintain good hair and nail care. While accessorizing is enjoyable, wear the subtle items to work and the daring ones on the weekends.

Maintain a Professional Appearance

Your attire should be professional given that being a real estate agent is a professional career. Dress pants or slacks, blazers, cardigans, and blouses or shirts are classic choices. Save your jeans for your free time unless you work in a farming town. To maintain organization while using electronics and documents on the road, carry a stylish briefcase. Take close attention to the little things, like replacing worn-out shoe heels or patching a ripped seam.

Besides from personal care and attire, real estate agents also have to travel to closings, open houses, and house showings. An agent’s toolkit and reputation both depend on having a well-kept vehicle. To meet clients and display properties, you need a functional car. Choose an automobile that accurately represents the usual consumer, such as a minivan for young families or a high-end luxury vehicle. The car should be in tune with the lifestyle of the target market, much like an agent’s wardrobe should. An agent’s vehicle should not only meet the agent’s budget but also be related to normal clientele.

Real estate agents frequently stay in the office for a day or two to answer calls, look over leads, and browse the newest listings. Modern agents should be at ease and prepared to engage with clients, thus business casual is appropriate. While working on normal office tasks, casual ways to seem professional include turtlenecks, coats, and cardigans. Of course, when an agent works from home, practically anything is possible.

When showing homes, an agent must be ready for the topography depending on the area. Bring boots, an umbrella, and jackets on snowy or rainy days. To prevent slippage, real estate agents showing waterfront houses might want to wear flat, closed shoes. A real estate agent presenting a penthouse in the city would dress differently than one displaying a chicken farm.

At the closing, agents should blend in with the other members of the professional team, including the attorneys, bankers, and title agents. Keep your wardrobe classic and neutral. Pick out sharp shirts, fine jackets, and tasteful shoes. To win your client’s trust and reassure them of your ability, be prepared to sit at a table with smartly dressed professionals who are ready for business.

An agent should know the appropriate attire as well as what not to wear to work. Avoid wearing gym gear, ripped jeans, leggings, and t-shirts with bold graphics and lettering. Of course, the one exception would be the premium branded attire affiliated agents with Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate can use to advertise their services to clients and wear to meetings.

The answer to the question, “What do real estate brokers wear?” may not be as straightforward as first thought. Always act professionally, consider the audience’s comfort level, and pay attention to the meeting location. An agent who presents themselves professionally will gain the respect and trust of more clients. whenever you meet with clients, make sure you look professional!

What Should my Day Look Like as a Real Estate Agent?

When it comes to the day-to-day activities of a real estate agent, there are a number of outright misconceptions. The enduring misconception is that you don’t have a defined timetable. As the boss, you can labor hardly at all while yet earning a sizable sum of money. You can arrive at work at 3 o’clock and leave at 4 o’clock. You are free to take extended vacations anytime you like. You are not required to manage your time with organization or discipline.

Here’s the truth: despite the fact that you may be an independent contractor with complete control over your schedule, you do have a boss. Your client is your boss.

Your schedule is determined by your clients, therefore if you want to succeed in real estate, you’ll plan your day around both your existing and potential clients.

You can divide your day into two parts:

1. Lead Generation
2. Business Servicing

You must concentrate on both as a rookie real estate agent. But, creating leads will probably take up more of your time. Leads are the lifeblood of your business, which makes sense. You cannot close a sale if there are no leads. A sale is also necessary for making dinner. Lead generation is therefore crucial.

However, don’t forget to service your company as well. You work for yourself and are frequently independent. Your brokerage and professional network may offer some assistance, but the strength and viability of your firm will have a big impact on whether you succeed or fail.

You’ll need to dedicate a significant amount of time each day to investing in yourself and your business, whether it be through local research or networking with influential figures in the field.

Read Also: What do You Need to Start a Real Estate Agency?

Depending on whether you’re primarily a seller’s agent or a buyer’s agent, your duties will change (and remember, you can be both for different clients).

Your duties as a seller’s agent could involve:

• Preparing a comparative marketing analysis (CMA) report to research listings that are active, pending, or recently sold
• Determine the right listing price for the property
• Preparing a listing presentation
• Taking photos of the property
• Coordinating with stagers
• Listing properties for sale
• Hosting open houses
• Presenting offers to your seller
• Negotiating for the seller
• Reviewing the offer to purchase contract presented by a buyer or buyer’s agent
• Representing the seller during a buyer’s walk-through inspection

As a buyer’s agent, your tasks may include:

• Browsing the MLS for new and appropriate listings
• Touring new listings every week or at least once a month so that you can find the right properties for the buyer
• Sending new listing to clients
• Showing the property
• Coming up with a counter-offer strategy
• Preparing an offer to purchase contract
• Walking through inspections
• Providing the buyer with important contacts (real estate attorney, lender, movers, etc.)
• Meeting with other agents in your brokerage to discuss listings (what’s new, recent reductions, etc.)
• Meeting with loan officers to expand your network and establish a referral source

Regardless of your specialty, a big chunk of your administrative tasks will include the following:

• Completing and submitting real estate documents (such as agreements or contracts)
• Creating promotional marketing materials for yourself (buyer’s agent) or for your properties (seller’s agent), such as flyers and newsletters
• Networking with potential clients and referral sources
• Brushing up on any new real estate regulations
• Creating and sticking to a monthly budget
• Logging on to your social media accounts and making new updates (post new listings, share neighborhood news, offer real estate advice, etc.)
• Responding to emails, text messages, and phone calls

Hiring a personal assistant to assist you with your daily schedule could be advantageous. Occasionally, hiring someone to assist with minor administrative duties (like organizing meetings) may be worth the cost because it will allow you more time to focus on the crucial tasks that power your company.

Let’s face it, many people believe that working in the real estate industry is a simple profession. They believe you should not be concerned about completing any work because you can clock in and out whenever you please. Although you don’t work a 9 to 5 schedule, you must meet client demands otherwise you won’t get paid as an agent.