INSIDE A REALTOR’S CAR

There are weeks when I feel like I live in my car. Although Living Room Realty has gorgeous office space—including one close to where I live—the reality is that I’m on the go the majority of the time.

While it might feel like I live in my car, the contents in the back of my car could in fact sustain me for days—maybe weeks. My car essentially functions as a mobile office—and more. I have to be ready for pretty much anything. A client recently called me out on this in an online review—in the nicest way possible—and it made me laugh, but also (weirdly?) made me a little bit proud. I consider it my job to take care of my clients, and the random assortment of items that I lug around helps me to do just that! So what’s back there?

1. A flashlight. Sometimes I have to go searching for lockboxes in weird places. Sometimes the walkway to the house isn’t well-lit. Sometimes we need to search in a creepy basement for a fuse box. A heavy-duty flashlight has come in handy many, many times.
2. A tape measure and a laser measurement tool. Either or both of these items are great to have on hand to get accurate room measurements—important when a client is considering having the house painted, installing new flooring, or purchasing furniture.
3. A vacuum and/or broom and dustpan and/or mop. Floors get dirty—especially in houses that are being shown. When I list a house, I like to pop by and make sure it has stayed nice and clean, even through multiple showings.
4. Shoe covers. See #3. I keep multiple boxes of shoe covers on hand. I keep them in the entryway of houses I have listed, and I bring them along for myself and buyers when we’re walking through other homes.
5. A rubber mallet and extra signs. Signs get blown away, stolen, damaged. When I list a house, I want to make sure that it’s easy to find. With a rubber mallet and extra signs on hand all the time, I can always pop up a quick replacement as needed.
6. Light bulbs and batteries. Lights burn out and smoke detectors start to chirp at the most inconvenient and unexpected times. To a prospective home buyer, these can be taken as subtle signs that a home isn’t well-maintained. I try to be ready to make a quick swap as needed!
7. A first aid kit. Okay—this one is as much for my kids as it is for my clients. But it’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand!
8. Cleaning supplies, including window cleaner and paper towels, Clorox wipes, and trash bags. These items come in especially handy when prepping for or cleaning up after an open house.
9. Safety supplies. These days, I keep a supply of disposable face masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and Lysol wipes in my car at all times. I want to make sure that my clients are safe, and that we’re respectful of the homes we tour.
10. Office supplies. I keep an extra box of business cards in the glove box so that I’m never caught without. I also like to keep pens and pads of paper on hand so that I—or a client—can jot notes.
11. Leaf blower.  I make this addition to my car in the Fall, because….leaves.

And it goes without saying that I like to keep snacks and water in the car for those days when I don’t have time to stop! Even after 14 years as a real estate agent, I still come across odd or unexpected situations that inspire me to add to my stash of supplies!

Sharon Marciniak (Bloudek)

Principal Broker | OR

She/Her

Sharon is a Licensed Principal Broker in Oregon who has been in the real estate industry since 2007. With a Business Degree in Marketing/Management from Loyola Marymount University, an MBA from the University of Oregon, and international business studies at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, Sharon brings a strategic and diverse perspective to her role...

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• T: 503-701-1000
• sharon@bridgetoportland.com