How To Dress for Success As a Realtor

Part of being a successful realtor is being able to sell yourself as a reliable, confident, and honest person. Part of that comes down to what you wear and how you present yourself; here are some tips to help you dress for success.

What to Wear

When it comes to what you should wear, there are a few factors that go into it. However, one overarching rule is that you should, at the very least, aim for smart casual. The weather, where you are, who you are meeting, etc, will determine what that looks like at the end of it. 

However, if you throw on one of your men’s shirts, some tailored trousers, leather shoes, and a blazer, this will almost always be the perfect look for most situations. 

Dress for Your Target Market

Next, understand your target audience and dress for them. For instance, if you are in the market of expensive, high-end properties, you will be meeting with rich and powerful individuals, therefore, a suit is the best option as that is most likely what they will expect. 

On the other hand, if you are an expert in selling beachside bungalows and cottages, you can dress a bit more casually, as a suit will look out of place. Think of it like going to a high-end restaurant; you wouldn’t expect to see the maitre d’ in a T-shirt and shorts, but you would expect that if it were a fun sports bar. 

Location

During your day, you will most likely be in one of the three places, either in the office, at an open house, or meeting with clients to close a deal. Each situation could require a different look. 

Office

For the office, if there’s no dress code, opt for business casual. Tailored trousers and a dress shirt are usually fine, and if you have a blazer with you, you can quickly throw that on if you need to appear more formal for an impromptu meeting or open house. 

Open House

For an open house, you want to appear professional, but still friendly and approachable. This can range from chinos and a collared shirt, to jeans and a relaxed sweater. You don’t want to appear super-formal, but you also don’t want to look like you’ve just rolled out of bed and thrown on the first thing you saw. 

Closing a Deal

Until your client signs their name on the dotted line, you should remain in ultra-professional mode. This means business-professional or business-casual outfits, as you want to appear smart and serious when you are with your clients. 

Extra Tips

Now that you understand which looks you should go for, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind. 

Remember the Details

Always remember to keep the small details in mind. Make sure your shoes are clean and polished, tuck your shirt in, and if you wear a tie, make sure it is knotted correctly. These small details can easily make or break a great outfit. 

You should also remember to keep a couple of things in your car if you need to elevate your outfit quickly, such as a tie, a change of pants in case of dirt, a mini shoe shining kit, etc. 

Keep Up with Trends

While buying trending clothes isn’t advised, that isn’t the same as dressing in a trendy way. For instance, tailored and fitted suits were once a trend, but they are now the standard for suits in modern times. 

Dressing in a “trendy” way shows that you have made an effort, and it is also makes you more appealing and approachable to a wider range of people and backgrounds. 

Dress for Your Region, Market, Clients

Another important thing to remember has 3 layers. First off, think of the region you are working in; a real estate agent who works mostly with city high-rises won’t wear the same thing as one who specializes in small-town country homes. 

Next, think of your market. In some countries, it can be seen as disrespectful to not dress a certain way when discussing business and money. As mentioned earlier, rich clients may expect a suit, while young, first-time home buyers may want something more casual so they feel more relaxed. 

Finally, think about the types of clients you deal with mainly. Older generations typically expect suits and formal attire, as that was the standard for large parts of their lives, while younger generations aren’t typically as concerned about the formality. 

Overcome Age Bias

Finally, age bias is a problem for realtors, but your outfit choice can overcome this. Once again, if you are a young, up-and-coming realtor, older clients may not have the same respect for you simply because of your age. However, showing up in your best suit and with freshly shined shoes can quickly change that, as that is what they appreciate. 

On the other hand, if you are older, you don’t want to come across as “fuddy duddy” to younger clients; therefore, a more modern suit and outfit choices can eliminate that possibility.

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