Two weeks ago we added another vehicle to the A Quality Appraisal fleet. Three of our four associates now drive company cars. This one was purchased for appraiser Lucas Warren. (Yes, we do hope to make it four for four in the future.) As the photo above shows, the new vehicle carries the AQA logo, just as the others do. Many appraisers ask, “Does putting logos on your appraiser cars attract any additional business?”
We did not choose to put the company logo on our appraisal cars to increase business; although over five years we can identify about five jobs attributable to the vehicle graphics. This has been from people either approaching our vehicle or calling us after we drive by. These additional jobs do cover the cost of the graphics, but they are not justification for the expense.
We use company vehicles because we want to show our employees that they are valued. Also, using company cars helps to elevate our professionalism above that of our competition, who usually drive a personal vehicle. A client who sees us pull up in the driveway is put at ease knowing that the professional who will soon be walking through their home is working for a legitimate company and not just a fly-by-night operation. This is especially important given that our business relies on non-lender clients. Referrals are the lifeblood of our company; professionalism and identity are vital for return business.
An additional benefit of having logos on our cars occurs when we survey comparable sales by viewing them from street and by taking photos. Homeowners and neighbors often get nervous when a strange car pulls up outside and the driver begins taking pictures. With a company vehicle, the logos tell the homeowner that we are appraisers. That is often enough to put people at ease. Other times, homeowners will see the phone number and call to ask what our suspicious-looking activity is. In those cases, I usually tell the caller that we are not real estate appraisers, but private detectives hired to conduct surveillance on their neighbor and that we will need their help in our undercover sting operation. — Just kidding.
Did I leave anything out or do you want to join in the conversation? Let me know in the comments below.
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