It depends on the situation. If they are out of town buyers, they typically ride with me. If they are local, we typically meet at the property. Last year I had a couple who were both legally blind, so I did all the driving to and fro.

I always ask what they prefer. Most of the time they want to drive their own vehicle.

I have never taken a client in my car for more than 15 years - the last one had a complete panic attack because we left pavement and had to travel on a gravel road!!!  She freaked and it took every ounce of my patience to NOT leave her on the side of the road like she was demanding!!  Now, I learn everything I need prior to seeing the 1st house ie Needs vs Wants.  I think we both appreciate having quiet time in between showings.

Both. Most buyers we work with want to drive their vehicles. It does give me the freedom to contact agents between properities without the buyers being privy to the conversation. I prefer they take their own vehicle. 

When I started in '05 I had people ride with me a lot. Now no one rides with me. They all drive themselves & use GPS to find the houses. 

either or Marte. If they have kids that needs car seats, they ride in their car. I can jump in or meet them there.

Depending on how many of them are coming, I'd prefer the quiet of my own car.

It is easier as you say to discuss what you just saw & get better feedback I think. It's just gone out of favor. 

Usually meet me at first property and then follow

no one in our office takes buyers in their vehicles....

It has definitely been asked many times. 

My clients are in my car 99% of the time. On rare occasions we will meet at a property.

In the early days everyone rode with me. In the later years sometimes we met at the property. I still preferred them riding with me but the times they were a changing!

They drive their own.

If you come from different directions we meet it there. I had a buyer age 27 drove a Tesla X Pxxxx who drove me around from his $135K popup door car.  We got along just fine although I drive a Civic.  

see you there....don't be square and perhaps afterwards a lunch-fare 

My car.  I'm the designated driver.

Our broker demands that our car insurance properly cover the brokerage for liability deriving from automobile use.

I hardly ever have a client in my car these days. The opportunity for bonding and gaining additional understanding of each other that used to be available during that time together is now lost.

I agree that it's great to have them in the car - listening to comments about each home after showings is so very helpful for future tours.

Relocation clients typically ride with me and local clients often meet me at the property - sometimes they follow me, sometimes they leave the car at a convenient spot near the 1st property. It really depends upon the client.

If they have children, they typically want to drive (due to car seats).

It depends on what makes the client more comfortable. 

Most of my showings were in model homes where I had an office Marte Cliff but out side of that I preferred to meet them.

Indeed, this has been discussed many times - even recently, you may want to search the thread. I have not put clients in my car for years and years - maybe 20 or more. It's a 'huge' liability and risk.

Following? It's kind of silly in this day in age. Nowadays, everyone has a free GPS on their phone. They don't even need to follow. Clients know in advance which homes will be viewed, so they make their way there as planned and scheduled.

With so many distractions while driving a car, why even add one more by adding people. Having the conversation you reffered to in your car while driving is very old school and a terrible practice. How will you be making notes? Why not ask them while at the properties?

Let me ask this: have you talked to your car insurance company or your policy about putting people in your car, driving them around from house to house as a business?

What if you are involved in an accident, while you have clients in your car, and your client gets severely injured, or worst killed? Or your client's child? The latter is a true event in my market....

Just saying and food for thoughts...

We meet at the property.

We always used to drive buyers around.  Now we suggest separate cars.  Easier to leave questionable buyers plus the buyers can leave us if the showings do not go well.

Most of the time they follow me unless it is an out of town relocation Buyer who is not familiar with the area

I usually lead and leave a traail of bread crumbs

I take my car; they take their car. 

I almost never drive clients anymore. Rarely we drive together and it is my or their car 50/50.

If I know them, I like to have them in the car.  It's much easier to control the conversation and help them pick a house that way.  Exceptions would be if car seats or little kids are involved.

Marte,

In commercial real estate the only time we did that is because they were from out of town.  We would pick them up from their hotel.  We already knew their bonafides (they were usually exec in publicly traded companies).  It was easier for us to drive as we knew the ins and outs of LA traffic.  Otherwise, we would meet at the property.  A

It's rare...I do not really like to drive anyone in my car but if it's absolutely necessary or a certain circumstances, I will..

They meet me.  29 years of being a cop, most people don't like riding with me.  Old habits are hard to break.

My option is option C it makes everything better there is less a tendency for clients to misunderstand your role

It depends.  First meeting, we take separate cars.  If they have kids, we always take separate cars, or if we take one, it's their car.  Every once in a while I'll get a buyer or a couple that wants to ride with me.  I find they like their private space to talk, or think, in their own car.

I mostly meet clients at the property.   I have a few special clients that ride with me.

Travel with my clients to build the relationship.

Both, although more often they drive on their own, especially if they live locally. However I prefer to drive the relocation clients in order to talk more about the communities they are interested in and answer their questions as we drive around - it's NOT just about touring houses.

I prefer to have them in my car unless they have children or other relatives with them.

It depends on the situation. If they are out of town buyers, they typically ride with me or if they have many to see. If they are local, we typically meet at the first property; two or less to see. I prefer them in my car, important conversations take place in the car.

Most often they come in my car, I like to hear between homes their thoughts and share my knowledge of neighborhoods.  If they have a car seat and the kids come with, they follow.

Marte,

I usually meet them at the property, however if time/schedules allow, I offer for them to ride with me. I feel the time driving between properties allows for more communication, and a better understanding on my part of what they want/need.

Unfortunately, most people like to just meet at the properties and caravan.

Hope you are having a fabulous 2019!

I generally let buyers follow, although I agree it's a missed opportunity for chatting and for getting additional, fresh feedback. On the flip side, while driving alone, I can catch up on making or responding to phone calls, as needed. Would never take a child car seat into my car as they need to be installed properly. 

I used to but can't remember the last time I did...it's probably been 5+ years. Now we meet first at the office or a public place toreview the listings on the tour then they follow in their car.

Depends on how many homes we looking at. If it’s just one or two we just meet...

Do both... if the buyers have lots of kids, a dog... and car seats all in place, I put the tractor beam on and pull them from property to property. I can make calls, do lots while being the Rudolph pulling them around. But hearing feed back and learning about the buyer happens when I can be the local tour guide in the jeep.

Marte for years I used to drive but probably the past 8 years or so buyers either meet us at the house of follow me. And when they've got kids that's better as they've got the correct safety things for them - we don't.

For risk management purposes they are always in their own vehicle.  Secondarily, for my convenience.  Once finished, I do not have to transport them back to their vehicle. I can continue to my next commitment. 

Have done both through the years and depends on situation Marte. Repeat clients are usually in my car and those meeting for the first time, I drive mine, they drive theirs, meeting at each house. I have jumped in with clients who had a pup or a small child as well and became a back seat driver.

I ask them what they prefer, and in most cases they drive their own vehicle.

I prefer buyers ride with me. A LOT of discussion and analysis can take place in-transit instead of in the driveway of the house for sale.

However, if they have critters, kids in tow or refuse to get a pre-approval they should follow in their ride.

Most often they meet me there or follow me. The exception is a relocation that flies in and has no car. 

Great question...often out of state buyers yes....to share more information with them.....local buyers normally enjoy having the freedom of using their own car after finishing the last appt to get on with the day etc.....