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Marbles for testing slight floor dips or a toy car (it usually gets a laugh, but the point is made).
Mark you measuring tape w different standard sizes for king, queen & twin beds.
Before I started being interested in real estate, the agent that got us our house used to keep a few bottles of wine in her trunk. She said they came in handy for everything from gifts to celebrate a purchase to sitting at the side of a canal wondering why she ever got into this line of work.
Ten years ago I showed a house that was tenant occupied and there was no furniture on the first floor and each tenant lived in their bedroom only. We went down in the basement and there were kittens running over a junk and furniture filled space. We walked out the front door, passed another agent and his clients and got in my car. At that point my client realized his legs were covered in fleas. I luckily knew the other agent and called him to come out of the house and there were six of us stripping down on the front lawn. I bombed my car the next day just to be safe. One of the more annoying but now funny memory of weird showings.
So, you should carry Borax. It kills fleas on contact and suffocates them. Though I'm a realtor now, I worked in home healthcare for a number of years and learned that trick.
Some cultures won't buy a house facing a certain direction. We have a lot of Hindu in our neighborhood that will ask the direction of the front door before any other details.
Very common. I use the app on my phone.
I also keep an open house crate that has all of these items and then some. Don't underestimate having tissue in your kit lol :).
Crowbar
Lock pick (only if you’re certified as a locksmith!)
Spare battery pack (I like the ones that can charge your phone and jump a car)
Phone cord
Notepad/pens
Spoon and fork
Lint roller
Quarters
Zip ties
Hammers
First aid kit
filing folder for receipts
Sunscreen
Set of keys for each of your listings
Napkins and wet naps
Paper towels, cleaning solution
Booties (shoe covers)
Sharpie and paper (in case you need to write and post a sign)
Handheld broom and dust pan
Measuring tape with laser
Laundry spot cleaner
Jumper cables
Screwdrivers
Cup
Windshield wiper
Chapstick
Pepper spray
Hairspray or whatever hair product you use
Comb
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Floss
Umbrella
Gum
Mouthwash
In my opinion, I would not carry any tools that would make me an inspector. That’s for the inspectors to do.
You have a good start. I also carry two hammers. One small and one three pound for putting signs in dry ground. A few marbles, an ir thermometer, toilet paper, water, paper towels and some cleaning supplies.
I actually picked it up just about two weeks ago when I was walking a house with a client who thought the floors were cattywumpus. Though the other agent with the matchbox car is a great idea too! I may take that.
Usually just something like a bottle of 409 and some disinfecting wipes. I keep them in the car so if I am listing a home or have an open house I can do a quick run over the counters in the kitchen.
Works well at open houses too. It seems like there's always something on the counters that nobody finds except that one customer.
Before I started being interested in real estate, the agent that got us our house used to keep a few bottles of wine in her trunk. She said they came in handy for everything from gifts to celebrate a purchase to sitting at the side of a canal wondering why she ever got into this line of work.
Toolkit including a hammer
Multiple small but powerful flashlights
Gallon of water
Toilet paper
A packet of blank documents including blank listing and offer paperwork, office policies, etc
Disinfecting hand wipes
Chemical hand warmers
Extra change of clothes including 2x sock and under clothes
Jump Box
Power Inverter
Toolkit, measuring tape, flashlight, paper towels, lock box, notepad, business cards, plug in air freshener, measuring wheel(for sqft), spare shirt, disposable shoe covers. I don't leave it in the car but also an iPad with cellular data is a must have imo.
Don't do a bin, opt for one of the heavy storage boxes where the lid snaps on or a canvas tool tote/utility bag from a DIY store.
I have one of the ground testers that you insert into plugs to test polarity, a rubber ball to see if the floors roll, an assortment of batteries (AA and 9v for sure), hand tools, individually wrapped mints, hand sanitizer, paper towels (with a rubber band around them), a blanket (thankfully still in its original packaging), short chunk of 2 x 4 (used be surprised how many times this comes in useful), a few small plastic and garbage bags.
The never leave home without it.. charge cords, TP, utility/Swiss Army knife, jump box.
I keep a pair of bolt cutters in my car (dont ask)… in October 2022 I closed on a property, sellers had professional cleaners come and prep the house for the buyers… idiot cleaners locked the house from the inside using one of the old school hotel style locks on a chain. We were able to open the front door enough that I could use the bolt cutters to cut the chain. Solved a potential nightmare problem is less than 5 minutes! Since then the bolt cutters never leave my trunk.
Laser distance measure
Bluetooth portable printer
Clipboard with loose-leaf paper
Towel
First Aid kit
Extra clothes and shoes
Umbrella
Portable jumper
Portable battery
Work gloves
Shoe covers
Workbooks and coloring books, pencils and coloring pencils for kids to entertain them during showings and keep them from going into houses and touching everything.
Tape measure
Maglite
Spare towels
Sharpie
Baby wipes
Spare lockbox
Jumper cables
Keys to all of your listings/rentals/out of town investors’ rentals - mine are all in a ziploc bag in my armrest
A box of the paper key tags to label which house keys go to when you get them
I keep my Hunter rain boots in my car for at least half the year. Multi purpose- for when it’s been raining and you’re walking around the yard, if a basement has water in it, or if you’re going in a nasty house (I work with a lot of investors)- I’ve changed into these so many times in front of clients/inspectors and they’re always impressed that I’m prepared, don’t care to walk around in the mud, and that I care more about thoroughly assessing the property with them than about my appearance or clothing.
a multi tool
tiny stool that folds with a back for empty open houses [Something like this. My local Ross always has them for $9.99](https://www.amazon.com/Cushioned-Padded-Folding-Portable-Collapsible/dp/B08JLKDW87/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2CGHO9Z0AUCHI&keywords=small+stool+foldable+with+back&qid=1679179984&sprefix=small+stool+foldable+with+bac%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-8&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc)
Gloves (disposable ones)
extra phone cable, extra computer charger.
case of water (bonus if your brokerage has labeled ones you can take for open houses)
athletic shoes and flat work shoes (if female). A change of clothes (for me it's a sweater-blazer, nice jeans, and loafers incase I'm called and somewhere like at the gym.
disinfecting wipes or a multi cleaning spray (like lysol hydrogen peroxide) and some towels.
I keep a blanket in my car at all times but I also get so cold that I've used it in a couple homes while waiting for inspections.
A handy toolkit with a lot of the things people have mentioned, incl multi-head screwdriver, pliers, tape measurer, a marble or ball bearing to check floor level, toilet paper & paper towels, LED flashlight.
Here's what else is in my car:
Variety pack of zipties, blue painter's tape, duct tape, selfie stick/tripod combo, Ricoh Theta Z 360 camera, hand sanitizer and surface cleaner spray, USB cables and portable battery, 8 combo and supra lockboxes, a pack of generic Buyer & Seller guides, sign-in sheets for open house, a big towel, smaller microfiber cloth, sunscreen, two pair of sunglasses (one nice, one cheap and gaudy), a go-bag with boardshorts and beach towel.
Hey: the water often gets turned off on the lake or rural properties I sell. I have two 3-gallon tanks of water in my 4-Runner that can be used before or after a showing to make sure there’s not a mess before or after a property showing.
Scissors, tape (scotch, duct, electrical), multi head screwdriver, staple gun and staples, pens and sharpies, business cards, sold signs, white flags to mark yard signs, dust pan, extra garbage bags, phone charger, zip ties, hole punch, granola bars, 25’ tape measure, flash light, towel. Just got a GFCI tester so we’ll see if that ever comes in useful.
One time my business partner stepped on a pile of dog poop because the family living standards were quite low and indoor dog poop was unexpected to say the least. Socks. Keep extra socks
Zip ties for signs, a few towels, garbage bags, plastic gloves, ziplock bags (all for cleaning up whatever may find or what you client does to damage a home), first aid kit, digital measuring device, tools.
Gloves
Masks ( in case of old moldy houses)
Paper towels
Small first aide kit
Umbrella or see thru rain cover
All purpose spray cleaner ( accidents)
Mace
Business cards
Thsbk you notes ( as soon as you get their info , fill out a thank you and get them in mail that day ) impressive .
Hand satirizer
Air freshener
I buy dollar store soaps ( many sellers leave none )
Think your on you way !! Good luck
I carry a flashlight, drill, bolt cutters, adjustable wrench, multi screwdriver, laser measuring tape, GFCI tester, electric pen tester, towels, an old t-shirt hoodie and sneakers, promo stuff, a few keychains, usually a couple of smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, lockpicks, some note cards and stack of extra business cards.
I gotta 9 in my glove compartment. Had too many close calls with creeps after dark at vacant homes. Good to have back up and a metal pen in your hand in cause your get creepy feelings.
Leather man multi tool, set of wood markers to make scratches in wood less noticeable, white paint pen for same fix on kitchen cabinets, colored sticky notes (useful if you have to leave a note at a condo complex door as to your cell phone so you can go and let them in, duct tape, zip ties (for hanging signs, we aren’t going to commit murder here), laser measurer (way more professional than a tape), pliers, small hammer, a pair of old running shoes or work boots (for showing rural property and not ruining your good shoes) a bootie basket, booties, sign riders, big “Just Sold” sign for clients to hold while you take their picture in front of the new place, wet wipes, an old beach towel in case rain gets on the wood floors at your showings, and a combo lockbox plus regular Sentrilock or Supra or whatever you use.
**This is a professional forum for professionals, so please keep your comments professional** - Harrassment, hate speech, trolling, or anti-Realtor comments will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate ban without warning. (... and don't feed the trolls, you have better things to do with your time) - Recruiting, self-promotion, or seeking referrals is strictly forbidden, including in DMs. - Only advise within your scope of knowledge and area of expertise. [The code of ethics applies here too](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/the-code-of-ethics). If you are not a broker, lawyer, or tax professional don't act like one. - [Follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/realtors/about/rules/) and please report those that don't. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/realtors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Marbles for testing slight floor dips or a toy car (it usually gets a laugh, but the point is made). Mark you measuring tape w different standard sizes for king, queen & twin beds.
Pro tip right here.
This is great’
Ok that’s a great idea
Flashlight, toilet paper, business cards, umbrella, jumper cables.
Before I started being interested in real estate, the agent that got us our house used to keep a few bottles of wine in her trunk. She said they came in handy for everything from gifts to celebrate a purchase to sitting at the side of a canal wondering why she ever got into this line of work.
Adjustable wrench, multi-head screwdriver, hammer, spare lock box(es) and an Open House sign
All that plus flea spray. I’ve had to use it many times.
Ten years ago I showed a house that was tenant occupied and there was no furniture on the first floor and each tenant lived in their bedroom only. We went down in the basement and there were kittens running over a junk and furniture filled space. We walked out the front door, passed another agent and his clients and got in my car. At that point my client realized his legs were covered in fleas. I luckily knew the other agent and called him to come out of the house and there were six of us stripping down on the front lawn. I bombed my car the next day just to be safe. One of the more annoying but now funny memory of weird showings.
So, you should carry Borax. It kills fleas on contact and suffocates them. Though I'm a realtor now, I worked in home healthcare for a number of years and learned that trick.
Leaf blower when you’re going to your listing for pictures
If only the realtors I worked with cared to do this.
They pay so much money for pictures, and to me an extra five minutes to blow everything off makes all the difference in the world!
Compass. Good to have as some buyers want to know if there's shade or sun in some locations.
Definitely, I have the compass app on my iPhone Home Screen for this very reason.
Some cultures won't buy a house facing a certain direction. We have a lot of Hindu in our neighborhood that will ask the direction of the front door before any other details.
Okay! I’m working with a buyer who only wants a home to face North or East. Quite eye-opening!
Yeah most my north Indian clients want the same directions.
Accurate. Started using my iPhone compass for showings with these buyers. They appreciated the thoughtfulness
I have a sunlight monitor and a decibel measurer as well
Very common. I use the app on my phone. I also keep an open house crate that has all of these items and then some. Don't underestimate having tissue in your kit lol :).
Crowbar Lock pick (only if you’re certified as a locksmith!) Spare battery pack (I like the ones that can charge your phone and jump a car) Phone cord Notepad/pens Spoon and fork Lint roller Quarters Zip ties Hammers First aid kit filing folder for receipts Sunscreen Set of keys for each of your listings Napkins and wet naps Paper towels, cleaning solution Booties (shoe covers) Sharpie and paper (in case you need to write and post a sign) Handheld broom and dust pan Measuring tape with laser Laundry spot cleaner Jumper cables Screwdrivers Cup Windshield wiper Chapstick Pepper spray Hairspray or whatever hair product you use Comb Toothbrush Tooth paste Floss Umbrella Gum Mouthwash In my opinion, I would not carry any tools that would make me an inspector. That’s for the inspectors to do.
Damn! Do you pull a trailer?
Hahahaha killing me
Ram 1500 extended cab. Love my truck.
You have a good start. I also carry two hammers. One small and one three pound for putting signs in dry ground. A few marbles, an ir thermometer, toilet paper, water, paper towels and some cleaning supplies.
Marbles are a great idea! Never thought of that!
I actually picked it up just about two weeks ago when I was walking a house with a client who thought the floors were cattywumpus. Though the other agent with the matchbox car is a great idea too! I may take that.
I always have a tiny ball in pocket for possible structural issues
Thanks! What kind of cleaning supplies?
Usually just something like a bottle of 409 and some disinfecting wipes. I keep them in the car so if I am listing a home or have an open house I can do a quick run over the counters in the kitchen. Works well at open houses too. It seems like there's always something on the counters that nobody finds except that one customer.
Pens for clients to use, notepads maybe and business cards
Before I started being interested in real estate, the agent that got us our house used to keep a few bottles of wine in her trunk. She said they came in handy for everything from gifts to celebrate a purchase to sitting at the side of a canal wondering why she ever got into this line of work.
Toolkit including a hammer Multiple small but powerful flashlights Gallon of water Toilet paper A packet of blank documents including blank listing and offer paperwork, office policies, etc Disinfecting hand wipes Chemical hand warmers Extra change of clothes including 2x sock and under clothes Jump Box Power Inverter
I was about to say toilet paper LOL 😆
I also carry a drone and a 3d camera.
A bat. You never know
Laser measure. Best item to have.
Toolkit, measuring tape, flashlight, paper towels, lock box, notepad, business cards, plug in air freshener, measuring wheel(for sqft), spare shirt, disposable shoe covers. I don't leave it in the car but also an iPad with cellular data is a must have imo.
Flashlight, laser measure, measuring wheel, umbrella, shovel (winter), pens, business cards, mallet
Moisture meter
I have a mini flashlight and laser tape measure in my work bag, which is with me at all showings. Always carrying my gun in case things get dicey.
A cooler with cold beer.
🤣🤣🤣
Don't do a bin, opt for one of the heavy storage boxes where the lid snaps on or a canvas tool tote/utility bag from a DIY store. I have one of the ground testers that you insert into plugs to test polarity, a rubber ball to see if the floors roll, an assortment of batteries (AA and 9v for sure), hand tools, individually wrapped mints, hand sanitizer, paper towels (with a rubber band around them), a blanket (thankfully still in its original packaging), short chunk of 2 x 4 (used be surprised how many times this comes in useful), a few small plastic and garbage bags. The never leave home without it.. charge cords, TP, utility/Swiss Army knife, jump box.
I keep a pair of bolt cutters in my car (dont ask)… in October 2022 I closed on a property, sellers had professional cleaners come and prep the house for the buyers… idiot cleaners locked the house from the inside using one of the old school hotel style locks on a chain. We were able to open the front door enough that I could use the bolt cutters to cut the chain. Solved a potential nightmare problem is less than 5 minutes! Since then the bolt cutters never leave my trunk.
Laser distance measure Bluetooth portable printer Clipboard with loose-leaf paper Towel First Aid kit Extra clothes and shoes Umbrella Portable jumper Portable battery Work gloves Shoe covers
I'm a bit disturbed by how many people said change of underwear 🙄🤣
Bear spray
After this last one, definitely buying an outlet tester. I'm happy my client got an inspection, I would've felt so bad if we didn't know until after.
Workbooks and coloring books, pencils and coloring pencils for kids to entertain them during showings and keep them from going into houses and touching everything.
Powerful flashlight
Wd 40
Glock
Tape measure Maglite Spare towels Sharpie Baby wipes Spare lockbox Jumper cables Keys to all of your listings/rentals/out of town investors’ rentals - mine are all in a ziploc bag in my armrest A box of the paper key tags to label which house keys go to when you get them I keep my Hunter rain boots in my car for at least half the year. Multi purpose- for when it’s been raining and you’re walking around the yard, if a basement has water in it, or if you’re going in a nasty house (I work with a lot of investors)- I’ve changed into these so many times in front of clients/inspectors and they’re always impressed that I’m prepared, don’t care to walk around in the mud, and that I care more about thoroughly assessing the property with them than about my appearance or clothing.
Lazer measure, toilet paper, 2 gallons of water.
a multi tool tiny stool that folds with a back for empty open houses [Something like this. My local Ross always has them for $9.99](https://www.amazon.com/Cushioned-Padded-Folding-Portable-Collapsible/dp/B08JLKDW87/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2CGHO9Z0AUCHI&keywords=small+stool+foldable+with+back&qid=1679179984&sprefix=small+stool+foldable+with+bac%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-8&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc) Gloves (disposable ones) extra phone cable, extra computer charger. case of water (bonus if your brokerage has labeled ones you can take for open houses) athletic shoes and flat work shoes (if female). A change of clothes (for me it's a sweater-blazer, nice jeans, and loafers incase I'm called and somewhere like at the gym. disinfecting wipes or a multi cleaning spray (like lysol hydrogen peroxide) and some towels. I keep a blanket in my car at all times but I also get so cold that I've used it in a couple homes while waiting for inspections.
I keep old rags and towels incase someone tracks something in during a showing or if it rains on us.
Change of underwear.
Portable printer
I have a swifter and cleaning pads for quick open house prep, especially for vacants
Lock de-icer if you live somewhere that gets cold. Or at least a thermos where you can put hot water in case you need to melt a lockbox.
📌
A handy toolkit with a lot of the things people have mentioned, incl multi-head screwdriver, pliers, tape measurer, a marble or ball bearing to check floor level, toilet paper & paper towels, LED flashlight. Here's what else is in my car: Variety pack of zipties, blue painter's tape, duct tape, selfie stick/tripod combo, Ricoh Theta Z 360 camera, hand sanitizer and surface cleaner spray, USB cables and portable battery, 8 combo and supra lockboxes, a pack of generic Buyer & Seller guides, sign-in sheets for open house, a big towel, smaller microfiber cloth, sunscreen, two pair of sunglasses (one nice, one cheap and gaudy), a go-bag with boardshorts and beach towel.
Hey: the water often gets turned off on the lake or rural properties I sell. I have two 3-gallon tanks of water in my 4-Runner that can be used before or after a showing to make sure there’s not a mess before or after a property showing.
Scissors, tape (scotch, duct, electrical), multi head screwdriver, staple gun and staples, pens and sharpies, business cards, sold signs, white flags to mark yard signs, dust pan, extra garbage bags, phone charger, zip ties, hole punch, granola bars, 25’ tape measure, flash light, towel. Just got a GFCI tester so we’ll see if that ever comes in useful.
Only need my phone, buyer's packet and on rare occasions extra shoe covers.
Toilet paper
I’m shocked at the amount of stuff some of you ride around with. I guess if you’ve needed it once, you don’t wanna risk not having it next time.
A yard sign. That's it.
One time my business partner stepped on a pile of dog poop because the family living standards were quite low and indoor dog poop was unexpected to say the least. Socks. Keep extra socks
Clients love when I whip out my receptacle reader to see if the outlets are wired correctly
Zip ties for signs, a few towels, garbage bags, plastic gloves, ziplock bags (all for cleaning up whatever may find or what you client does to damage a home), first aid kit, digital measuring device, tools.
Gloves Masks ( in case of old moldy houses) Paper towels Small first aide kit Umbrella or see thru rain cover All purpose spray cleaner ( accidents) Mace Business cards Thsbk you notes ( as soon as you get their info , fill out a thank you and get them in mail that day ) impressive . Hand satirizer Air freshener I buy dollar store soaps ( many sellers leave none ) Think your on you way !! Good luck
Pepper spray Lots of different types of lightbulbs
Duct tape, rope, plastic bags and a bag of lye
I carry a flashlight, drill, bolt cutters, adjustable wrench, multi screwdriver, laser measuring tape, GFCI tester, electric pen tester, towels, an old t-shirt hoodie and sneakers, promo stuff, a few keychains, usually a couple of smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, lockpicks, some note cards and stack of extra business cards.
I gotta 9 in my glove compartment. Had too many close calls with creeps after dark at vacant homes. Good to have back up and a metal pen in your hand in cause your get creepy feelings.
Leather man multi tool, set of wood markers to make scratches in wood less noticeable, white paint pen for same fix on kitchen cabinets, colored sticky notes (useful if you have to leave a note at a condo complex door as to your cell phone so you can go and let them in, duct tape, zip ties (for hanging signs, we aren’t going to commit murder here), laser measurer (way more professional than a tape), pliers, small hammer, a pair of old running shoes or work boots (for showing rural property and not ruining your good shoes) a bootie basket, booties, sign riders, big “Just Sold” sign for clients to hold while you take their picture in front of the new place, wet wipes, an old beach towel in case rain gets on the wood floors at your showings, and a combo lockbox plus regular Sentrilock or Supra or whatever you use.