The Image we Present to our Tenants

[Ross Bernard]

This is an issue I have not yet seen discussed on this site. How do you present yourself to your tenants? I currently drive a 2009 Infiniti G37s coupe. I do not state this in any way to impress, I merely state it to bring about a point. If I show up to one of my properties and a tenant sees me in this, am I at a disadvantage? Will the tenant subconsciously/consciously separate himself from me from a financial standpoint? How do you dress when you come to see your tenants? How do you dress when you show a place to prospective tenants?

I don't want to give up this car, for I love it, but I will do what is necessary to succeed. To me it seems that showing up in blue jeans and a T-shirt when coming to maintenance requests might be the best idea. I might even sell my car and buy an older pick-up to promote the idea that I'm not so economically detached from my tenants.

What I worry about is this: "This guy is clearly profiting from us so much. What do I owe him?"

[Dawn Anastasi]

Here is the image I present to my tenants:

1) If they call me, I call them back.

2) If they have a question, I answer it.  If I don't know the answer, I tell them I don't know and I have to get back to them.

3) If they need a repair, I get something repaired.

I generally dress in jeans and a t-shirt, or a sweater, or something basic.  I've never been seen wearing a ball gown and a tiara.  I really don't impress anyone.  I'm an average person just like them.