Hi Vickie - We're not too remote - we're about 3 hours from wine country and 5 hours from the Bay area.  Not too terrible.  Plus we've got a lot going on here in Humboldt, however we have a lot of open space compared to the Bay.

Simone - we're not always the best agent for all people.  So yes, I agree if it's way out of your familiar areas that you show it's probably best to refer it out.

However for you Robert - I'd make that Trek!  But we have a pretty good relationship don't we.

Tim and Pam - 75 miles of driving to an unfamiliar area - I'm so with you.  Pass it on.

Winston - I agree.  We may have to work harder and smarter in these slower times, but part of working smarter and also thinking about the best interest of the new client is to sometimes let them go and let another agent more knowledgeable in the area help out.

Mary - There's a lot of areas I work in througout Humboldt, but remote property in the middle of nowhere takes a certain kind of agent and that agent is not me.

Mindy and Jay - It gives you some perspective if you think about it.  Although I think a lot of agents try to do everything out here, but I'm sure I can find a few I can build a referral relationship with.

Christopher and Stephanie - That's great that you live in a large enough area where you can specialize within a 30 minute drive radius.  That's pretty good!  Wish it were more the case out here.  We probably have around 600 active listings right now, about 40 to 60 of them sell per month throughout the entire county and there's a fairly decent amount realtor competition out here for sure.  I wish I could drum up enough business in Eureka CA only.  But you definitely have to expand your reach out here.  Property that's insanely far away though - no thanks.

Marie - Absolutely.  It's important to pick areas you want to work in, gain experience and market knowledge in and refer the rest out.

Kelsey - Gas prices definitely add into the equation unfortunately.  It's one thing to show a buyer you've never met a home in town, it's a whole other situation to show them property way out in the middle of know where for the first time.  Not a safe decision either.  Now I understand why some listing agents post on their big property way out in Timbuktu: "Buyer must show pre-approval letter before showing"  to show they are at the serious buying phase in the process.

Erica - I have friends who have sold property to out of area buyers who a year later or 2 don't like the area and want to move.  Especially with out of area buyers that they need to visit our area, take a vacation, and spend some serious time up here before deciding whether Humboldt is the place for them and then where in Humboldt they are comfortable living.  I can't tell you how many times people think they want to live in the middle of nowhere, but when they really think about it, weigh the pros and cons - they usually opt for living closer to a town with amenities.  In most cases you don't even need to show them that remote property to come to that realization on their own.

Lisa - No schlepping aloud! LOL.  That's great and you actually do a fabulous job of blogging specifically about your area.  That's great and I 100% agree.  Refer it, no schlepping, happier client, happier agent.

Katerina - You make another fabulous point - Safety is a huge issue.  I have more than once referred strangers out to other agents especially with remote properties.  These agents usually have a good system regarding this.  I just don't want to even take the chance.  I do want to live so that I can raise a family and enjoy all the fruits in live.  I also have great respect for your choices.  You choose what properties you're going to take and who you  work with and you refer out the rest.

Patricia - I'm glad to hear you agree.  It's good to see there is a wonderful consensus in this department.

Russ - me neither - referral anyone?

Rama - When I was a newbie, I did the same.  Everytime I did this I never sold anything - I just spent a lot of time driving around an area I never really cared to become an expert in, because it was sooo far away.  But we all live and learn and find our limits.

Edith - That goes without saying.  Especially in areas outside of your market, elsewhere in the state it's important to have agents we can refer clients to who are more than happy to reciprocate.  I've seen LA agents come up to sell their buyer property here and I really don't understand that decision.  They don't really know our market, they are not part of our MLS so they need other agents to access property and they can't really fully help their buyer through the entire process because they really don't know the area.  I would always refer out especially if the client needs assitance another part of the state.

Linda - Absolutely.  We have to have enough faith that the win-win relationship exists if we refer out.

Thanks Robert!

Vickie - I agree.  Most cases it's best to refer out, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

Martine - Your right - even locally things can get sticky for agents who aren't familiar with an area. 

Walter - So simple, but so powerful.

Jean - Your welcome.  Glad I could share.

Chris - Absolutely.  Client first, but we also have to be honest with ourselves and respect our time too.  In the end both end up providing that client with better customer service no doubt about that.

Stephen - Sometimes its just a win-win for the referral giver and the referral receiver.

Linda - You just had a good point - when you really know your market - ie schools, shopping, restaurants, etc, you really become the expert in that area.  Finding the house itself is only one part of the equation - the location and the amenities offered to that buyer is the other half.

Margaret - is distance a play on words?  It depends on the property.  If it's way out of my service area of expertise or it's a property type I don't work with, like commercial, than yes.  I would still refer it out.  But if a seller is approaching me to list their house then there is already an established relationship.  Rarely to listing opportunities happen when you're answering phones during floor time.  It happens but it's rare.

John - I agree.  Time management is important, choosing how we spend our time is very important and your right, sometimes showing everything is greedy and it rarely serves you the agent or the buyer.

Sonsie - We all learn from our experiences.  Glad you got the reprieve that day.

Christine - yeah you're pretty safe in Orange County - in regards to the remoteness scenario.  I used to be in wildlife and hiked some of these remote areas - off trail - I couldn't hack it.  Freaked me out.  I'm amazed that i lasted a summer doing this.  So I definitely don't want to make remote properties a niche.  No thanks, been there done that.

Emily - Each to his own.  And if you are able to explore with a buyer more power to you.  However in my area - we live between ocean and serious rugged terrain.  A lot of remote properties are homesteads that literally can take 2 to 6 hours to get to through this crazy terrain.  These properties are difficult to comp out and you really need to sell these all the time to really have enough knowledge to help a buyer choose the right asking price, etc.  For me I'll stick to the standard residential property thank you.

Roland - Always better for the client and for the agent.

Mike - Usually I learn that I can accomplish more working in the areas I'm an expert in and not wasting my time or the buyer's time in areas I'm not.

Brenda - I would sayt that safety has even more to do with why I don't show remote properties, especially to a new buyer just getting a feel for the market, who may not quite be ready to seriously start the search.

Debbie - Oooh I'll fly in a float plane any day!  Oh and watch out for the Moose!

Bob and Carolin - I think it's best all around for buyer and agent. We're usually more productive and efficient for our clients if we stick to what we know and are good at.

Connie - Actually that is exactly what I did with this recent buyer.  Also the woman on the phone was calling for an out of town friend.  So in this case - it doesn't make sense showing property until the buyer is actually in town.  But still I would have refered this buyer out if remote was what he truly wanted.

J - I agree.  There's only so much time in day and we all have to decide how we're going to spend our time.  So in many cases refering out to another agent isn't a bad idea and in reality it helps the buyer too.

Ritu - Me too.  If I had a seller down in Garberville, I would refer them to an agent down there. - That's over 45 minute drive one-way.  They know the area better than I ever will.

Thanks Paddy! - It's always better to refer things we just aren't really experts in, or work closely with an agent who is an expert and split the commission, that is if it's an area we want to become an expert in.

Terry - That's a great way to approach referrals.  Refer out in areas you aren't familiar enough in and then gradually expand your expertise into areas you are interested in getting to know better.  Love it.  Oh and one day I have to come out and visit - Need to buy my Live Maine Lobster right off the boat.  I'm glad we have dungenous crab out here in Humboldt CA.  But I really miss Lobster.

Norma - It's fun to live in a place where you have remote property all around us huh!  Yep, refer it. 

Ed - I love your Co-working idea!  I'll have to keep that one in mind if I have a buyer who's looking in and out of my areas of expertise.  Great idea.

Tibor - Sometimes I think we as agents need to stick to what we're good at and have faith that if we refer out to those agents they will refer to us when they have a client that is looking out of their area of expertise, but in ours.  Sometimes trying to be everything to all people ends up hurting our reputation in the end.  And your examples really show that well.

Ed V. - I would absolutely hire an out of area agent in my state to help me buy property say in the Bay area.  It's insane to think that we can come into an unfamiliar area and really get the knowledge we need to make an offer, find the right inspectors, and get it all together.  Plus, even if we were to get access to the MLS - market knowledge takes time.  You need to be working in that market to get an overall feel for what homes are really selling for and the trends.  Better to hire a buyer's agent and let them do what they do best and that way you build a referral network where they may have business to send down to you in the future.  By the way - I grew up in Detroit and spend many a summer up in Northern Michigan with my parents.  Absolutely loved it!

Thanks Bettina - I'm glad you see it my way.  LOL

Kristi - You are so right.  It really is about working smarter, not harder. 

Matt - I agree.  When you're up against a lot of competition sometimes you need to venture beyond your comfort zone and expand.  But in most cases if we have enough niches or geographic areas to work with we should be able to refer the rest out and still have plenty of business.

Joe - Wow, that's a tough one.  I learned that good loyal clients, even if you refer them will usually stick with you in the long run.  Loyalty is priceless.

Kathie - Yeah, it sounds that we're pretty similiar.  I too refer out when clients want to see property in my south and east county.  Every where else I'm pretty knowledgable showing property.

Simon - I agree. Not too shabby at all.

Carrie and Kathy - See and I bet your client will really appreciate it in the end.

Robin - I've had that happen to me before.  You never know.  It's a chance to build a relationship.  But I bet you didn't have to drive to Timbuktu to build that relationship now did ya?

Thanks Loreena - Well stated.  It's not worth holding the client down.  In the end it's got to be good for the client.

Barbara - Same here.  I might send information to a potential client, because past experience has shown that once they know exactly where the property they think they are interested in really is located, they come to the realization quickly that the particular property doesn't even come close to meeting their needs.  In most cases you don't even have to go out and show them once you explain the area and find out what they are really looking for.  So yes, I too will at least send info.  But if they truly want to go and explore, I'll pass them onto another agent.

Susan - Me neither.  If I want to learn something new - I bring an expert on and we share the client.  I too dont' agree with on the job training at the expense of the client.  It's not fair to the client at all.

Linda - Thanks!  I'm starting to brainstorm on who might be some good agents to work with out of my area of expertise.  In the long run I think it will pay off for future clients, agents and for myself.

Lyn - Absolutely.  Being and agent who tries to be everthing for all buyers isn't helping themselves or the buyers period.

Debi - Oh yeah.  I'm learning where that line is.