I use the drive time to further question my clients on the feel for the neighborhood. I only drive them on the first day showing. If we have not gotten to their needs by then, I have failed to ask the right questions or show them the right properties.  I have never considered myself a tour guide. The serious clients I provide a map to the location and go from there. Since I deal with a lot of out of town buyers, there are some that plan looking at homes in their recreational plans. Normally we never see the first home together.

I agree with Gary. I will take a client out on the first day, after that, I will tell them what home to start at and the can follow me from there. You sould keep in mind that if something happens when you have them in your car, you will be held responsable. Just my to cents!

I have done it both ways and have found that there are 2 ways to do it and be successful. If it is an out of state person coming in I probably have already been in contact with them for awhile over the internet or the phone and have asked all the right questions and narrowed down what they are looking for. In that case I like to show them around a little bit because lets face it, they have only seen houses on the internet and dont even know what the area looks like. So driving them around a bit helps them get a better feel. They may decide this area is for them.

If they are local or have been to the area I like them to follow me. This way they can talk privately between houses without feeling pressured. And there are times when you may feel like they are not really going to buy anything. If you get a feel they are kicking tires and they are in your car and you still have 10 houses to show you are going to waste alot of time and GAS. I would much rather tell them that I recieved a call and something came up and reschedule to see the remaining houses. Give them the remaining houses to drive by and call it a day. You cant if you have them with you. Not only that but just maybe they dont have a warm and fuzzy feeling towards you and want to break it off but can't because they are trapped.

Todd Rivers - Broker/Owner

Florida Lighthouse Realty

727-514-1074

MyFloridaListings.com

I typically drive them unless they have kids with them that require safety seats, it is just quicker to let them follow me. I do try to have the buyers with me in my van every chance I get. It is just more time to build trust.

Of course, if you are a terrible driver or exhibit road rage, well there goes the plan.

If you get into an accident and the buyer is in your car and gets hurt you are responsible, so follow me it's going to be a bumpy ride, (just kidding)  Seriously, I prefer to lead and they follow for pratical reasons mentioned by Todd.

We leave it up to the client.  Some buyers want to drive us, some want to come with us and other prefer to follow. We did have a buyer following us that disappeared on the way to the next appointment.  We were so stressed that we had lost them (even though we gave them a map to follow also) Turns out they got an emergency call and had headed for home, without telling us.  

Jana

Generally, and each case is individual . . . I like to drive clients rather than have them follow:

1. Captive audience  ;)

2. So we don't get separated and they don't get lost.

Exception: kids with carseats. They can follow then but I like to have 'the decision maker' in my vehicle in that case, if I can swing it. I want in their head!  :)

As for the 'tour guide' thing . . . with out of towners, it's discussed and agreed upon that there will be a one morning/afternoon 'reconnaissance mission' to get them thru the areas they 'liked' on the 'net.

I have a nice little buyer folder they get with their listings, a pad and pen and a map. I encourage them to get the map out and follow the route on it as we go --afterward, they can tour on their own, enabling them to go at their own pace and familiarize themselves with the area.

I never have ridden with a client (I do not know) and don't plan to.

<<<---------Control Freak

I usually drive the first time.  I provide bottled water and conversation about them.  In between houses, I can get an idea of what they really want.  After that, I meet them at the house they want to see.

Out of towners unfamiliar with the neighborhoods get driven each time out.  We talk about the neighborhoods as we drive through...it's the educational tour.

Most of my prospective buyers are out of towners.  I also use this time to build a relationship with them.  I don't consider myself to be a tour guide but it certainly helps them understand our area.  My clients have valued the time I spend with them and in turn have been very loyal to me.  

If I have clients with children, dogs or simply more than I can fit in my car, I provide walkie talkies so I can talk to them as I am driving and can point out localities and fun history spots for them.  

If they are not ready buyers, I try to limit my time to one hour.  After that, I give them a map and let them go.  

I actually prefer having clients in the car with me when possible. I love getting to know my clients and really like to form relationships with them.

I hate to be so critical but Belinda says "In between houses I can get an idea of what they really want"......  To me that sounds like you didnt do your qualifying before you put them in your car. I don't think its a great time to find out they want a pool and all you are going to show them THAT day are homes without pools. Seems like knowing what they want before hand makes a better plan, for me anyway.

I know there are times when you get out there and nothing seems to fit their needs because they have decided or maybe wish for something a bit different. In those situations nobody is ever quite prepared. I still like to get to know my clients BEFORE I put them in my car or better yet waste my gas and theirs showing them things because I didn't ask the right questions beforehand.

Todd Rivers - Broker/Owner

Florida Lighthouse Realty

727-514-1074

LOL, I always say this but you can always tell the brokers apart from the non brokers. We just act different! Makes these threads very interesting to read . . .

A lot of times, 'specially with out of towners, what they 'think' they want becomes very subject to change when they get here and see what else is out there--and what 'what they want' really looks like.

For instance, buyers who were adamant they would NEVER buy a manufactured home end up doing so once they see how gorgeous--and  indistingishable from site built--they can be.

Or, the ones who insist on acreage get an attitude adjustment when they see how much maintenance is involved on even ONE acre, up close and personal. They may have come from zero lot lines, but to them, 8000 SF will look and feel like an acre anyway!

So the qualifying is of course essential, but boy do we need to leave some room for the frequent sideways swerves!

Todd - I realize where you are coming from, but in my opinion, you never can *really* know what buyers want until you've looked at a house or two they *thought* they would like.  

I wasn't talking about things like pools or spas - i'm talking about if they thought split levels would be okay and then decide they don't like splits and only want 2 stories or ramblers.  Many times, they don't realize how important the yard or the size of the master bath is to them until they've seen a couple they don't like.

It's about building the relationship, which is what I'm all about, as you may have noticed from a few of my posts.