Mary Poppins Bag of Real Estate Essentials

I can’t believe it. Our family is gearing up for the end of summer and it feels like the kids just got off the bus for summer break yesterday. As we prepare to send the kids back to school in a few weeks, we’re also doing some cleaning, prepping, and purging of gear, wardrobes, and our entire household in general. With that, I also took some time this week to deep-clean the car and with that experience, I realized my ‘go-box’ was seriously depleted.

I’ve always kept an essentials bin the back of my car packed with work-related items that I will inevitably need while on appointments or showings, and over time I’ve started calling it my “Mary Poppins Bag” because it seriously has everything I might need, but it’s so thoughtfully packed you wouldn’t know how much crap was in there.

It occurred to me that not everyone thinks to be this prepared, not because they don’t want to be prepared but because they don’t know exactly what they might need when they’re out in the field. So, without further adieu, I give you five primary packing categories and a general list for each of those categories you may want to include in your own Mary Poppins bag.

You never know when a hard copy of a blank offer may come in handy, so don’t leave home without it. Likewise, Agency Disclosure and Representation Agreements are legally required in most areas, so make sure you have those handy in case any substantive conversations come up. Some agents like to have Selling and Buying guides ready to hand out, and don’t forget a couple of extra pens! You’ll need basic tools, sanitation supplies, safety and of course personal items as well.

Check out the list below and let me know what you think!

OFFICE

Guides:
Seller Guide
Buyer Guide

Supplies:
Pens, Notebooks, Business Cards, Paper Clips, Rubber Bands, Folders, Etc.

Contracts:
Agency Disclosure (required)
Buyer Representation
Listing Representation
Purchase Agreement

Open Houses:
Sign-In Sheets
Remove Shoes sign
Flyer holder

TOOLS

Basic tools such as a screwdriver kit, hammer, measuring tape and/or laser measurer, moisture reader (you do you), painters tape, and a spare lockbox.

SAFETY

Consider packing items to keep you safe in case of car failure or weather changes. Personal safety is another thing to keep in mind, so whatever you might want close by for personal protection, consider how that might be packed, stored or carried safely.

SANITATION

Paper towels, latex gloves, cleaning supplies, shoe coverings, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. I also keep a couple of little serving trays with me so I might offer cookies or treats during open houses or appointments.

PERSONAL

Portable chargers, breath mints, phone cords, deodorant, etc. Some people keep an extra pair of work gloves or clothes for gardening or really pitching in to get that house ready to list.

Did I miss anything? Let me know what you pack in your own bag of tricks.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to be in business with each an every one of you.

Yours in Success,

Coach Lins