Takeaways
- Being prepared sends a positive message to your clients
- Having plenty of tools on hand allows you to react to problems swiftly and painlessly
- I broke items into the Three Ps – Property, Professional and Personal
Property
These are items you’ll need for keeping your own listings fresh on the fly.
Air Fresheners
Helpful to put on a vacant listing, as well as refill from time to time. Or, perhaps consider having a branded wax warmer to hand out to your sellers. They double as house warming gifts, too!
Batteries
Always helpful for flashlights, laser measurers, thermostats, and other odds and ends handy in the field.
Cleaning Supplies
A kit of all sorts of cleaning supplies for listing touch up.
Light Bulbs
You’ll probably want several different sizes. Burnt out lightbulbs detract from a home, and are a nightmare when the photographer is getting her listing shots.
Laser Measurer
Measuring your home for the MLS doesn’t have to be a chore. The laser measurer is an amazing time saver, plus helps when buyers want to confirm room dimensions.
Sledgehammer
Not just about getting your sign into some tough, dry dirt, but protecting your sign. I’ve broken a couple stomping on it to get it in (and almost hurt myself, too). This small version is perfect!
Towels
For cleaning up … anything.
WD-40
Perfect for touching up your listing’s creaky doors.
Professional
These are the things you need to do your job and serve your clients when on the road.
Children’s Books
A lovely gift to keep your buyer’s little ones entertained during home viewings! And this classic Berenstain Bear”s story is all about moving!
Face Masks
For that VA foreclosure with a funny smell….
Flash Lights
Your phone probably gets the job done sometimes, but good to have these on hand, too. Get this multi-pack so your buyers have some, too!
Shoe Covers
The polite way to walk through a stranger’s house. You could even consider trying to get some produced with your brokerage or team branding.
Water Bottles
Keep yourself and clients hydrated! Consider a cooler with ice, too, especially here in Texas!
Water Cooler
Or food, or whatever. This electric, iceless model is perfect for the car and last minute coolification.
Personal
These are the things you need to keep yourself happy and ready!
Bug Spray
De-bug-ify
Car Kit
Don’t let a car emergency derail your day. Come prepared (and show your buyer you’re the kind of person who is prepared).
Change of Clothes
You may need a last minute change of clothes after you’ve spilled Taco Bell on yourself just 20 minutes before your next listing presentation. Not saying I would know….
First Aid Kit
Of course, the most important thing you should be prepared for is protecting yours or your clients’ health.
Gloves
For putting in signs or doing touchup work on a listing.
Graphite
Sticky locks can ruin a showing. And if it’s your listing people can’t get into…. Nope nope nope!
Mud Boots
Protect your suit or stockings while still getting the yard work done on a listing, or putting in signs, again… Putting signs in can be really hard sometimes.
Paper Maps
Okay, this one is just a joke. Nobody uses paper maps anymore.
Pens
Get branded pens. Title companies shouldn’t be the only ones with great pens. Necessary for your buyers to make notes.
Sanitizer
Don’t spread germs!
Toilet Paper
I haven’t run into this situation yet, but I hear from other agents it’s handy to have, and certainly don’t want be caught without it.
Trash Bags
Keep your car clean, your house clean, and all around useful.
Umbrella
Here’s a pack of six, enough for yourself and your entire home viewing posse.
Conclusion
Being prepared – even overprepared – isn’t just helpful to the job. It makes a great impression on your clients and makes your life easier. Hopefully you found this list helpful!