10 Things Every Realtor Should Keep in Their Car

As a residential real estate buyers agent, I get to show a lot of homes. It's great...I get to see a lot of inventory, help buyers and manage my voyeur instincts. But to make the experience optimal for you, and your clients, you need tools. Here's what I carry in my trunk:

County Map: The book-style version, not a fold-out, single-page version; very detailed. Even if you GPS-it, you need a back-up for loss, forgetting it in another car, etc. It is great also for out-of-town riders to get a handle on the layout.

Note-taking: Provide a way for your buyers to take notes; old-fashioned pads of paper and pen will do. Some folks will use their phone, camera or some other technology, but for those who forget to bring their tools of choice or change their mind, you're ready.

Binoculars: Simple ones; you don't need a bird-watcher spotting scope at $1,000, just a compact pair to see rooftops, vistas as you're traveling around, neighbor properties. You'll be surprised what you use them for.

Wipes: Some sort of grime-and-ick remover...gross doorknobs, rubbing against a greasy door jam, you'll find a hundred reasons to have wipes in the car.

Camera: Sometimes a cell-phone camera just isn't enough; when you want quality pics, and a lot of them, you need a camera. For buyers who get excited about a property, nothing is better than to follow-up with emailed pictures later in the day.

Bottled Water: Forget the PC aspect of bottled water...keep some in your car no matter the time of year. You clients will think you're a caretaker extraordinaire. And you will be.

Tissue: Ditto above. When you need a tissue, you need one.

Tape Measure: Buyers want to know room sizes, if pieces of furniture will fit, all sorts of things. Get one that is at least a big as the largest room of the majority of homes you sell and show.

Umbrellas: Just simple, small ones will do. When the skies open up the trip from the car to the front door can seem endless and coming into someone's home soaking wet is not good etiquette. Get a few for the car, and keep them there.

Cash: Snacks, a coffee, extra water, toll booths, parking meters...don't walk around with empty pockets on showing days. Have some folding money (bills) as well as an assortment of change.

Showing is fun and is often the highlight of my week. It can be for you and your clients, too, if you do a little bit of planning.