Can an Agent Sell anywhere in the State? or should they?

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Can an Agent Sell anywhere in the State? or should they?

The answer is YES and maybe NO.....

To me the correct answer is that an agent should sell where they are the expert.

I am licenced to Sell Real Estate in the Commonwealth of Virginia but that does not mean, I will sell homes anywhere in Virginia.

I will only sell homes in my area and specifically where I am an expert.

I recently had a conversation with a prospect (who had been looking and working with an agent from a different area, about 3 hours from Charlottesville) who asked me to help them look at some homes in my area. They went on to tell me that had been talking (no buyer broker relationship) with an agent from a different area.

Now they wanted to look near Charlottsville and they asked if I could assist them.

"Sure I can, but I do not want to step on any toes, so please inform the other agent that if you buy with me, I will be representing you."

Then I get the call, that the other agent told the prospect, that the agent can help them in my area too. I have seen this before and the prospect felt like they should at least try the other agent (they felt obligated).

I said to the prospect "I hope it works out for you, but if it does not please feel free to call me anytime".

Now had the agent thought about this, they could easily have gotten a referral fee from me. They would not have to drive 3 hours, setup appointments with homes (since they do not have access to our MLS) which will be interesting. Drive around several counties, that they do not even know. Not to mention help negotiate a deal when they do not really know our market.

More important is that the agent (in my opinion) is NOT acting in the best interest of the customer/client. This goes right back to our "code of ethics". see link: http://www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/code

I am afraid, since the market is tighter, that some agents are forgetting they have a duty to their clients and are acting in their own best interests....

When I have a client, who wants to buy in Richmond or Alexandria Virginia, I would not only be a fool not to use a referral agent, I would not be acting in my clients best interests.

(NOTE: These are my opinions, but I feel very strongly about them)

Your Agent in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charles McDonald

Charles McDonald
PRINCIPAL BROKER

Charlottesville Real Estate
Solutions for Buyers and Sellers

(direct) 434-515-1585

Posted by Charlottesville Real Estate on 02/03/2010 12:23 PM

Comments (93)

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93 Comments on Can an Agent Sell anywhere in the State? or should they?

FEB

2010

Hi Charles,

I am a firm believer that if you don't know the area or even a specific type of property such as commercial or a farm, then don't do it. That's what referrals are for.

But remember: keep in touch with that agent and the client to which you referred to make sure all is well :)

Pam.

Pam

excellent advice!

Charles be difficult to be a buyers agent across the country due to many issues involved. I do hope you are having a great week.

I have tried selling in different parts of our state with mixed results. Now I just refer it to one of my many friends, thanks to ActiveRain,, and stick to the area I know!
Happy Wednesday my friend,
Paul

Charles, are you saying that, if you know that there is one agent who is more skilled, more knowledgable, more experienced than you, it is a violation of the Code to not send the prospect away? Let's face it, by definition, there is only one "best" real estate professional.

Charles-I agree with you. There is no way I would try and represent a buyer in your neck of the woods even though it is in my own state. Shoot I have been known to refer clients who live in Loudoun and Stafford counties where other agents in Northern Virginia would readily go. Sometimes the traffic makes it a 2 hour trip for me when their office is 15 mintues away. Do the math!

I specialize in certain areas. If a property is better served by someone else because og my lack of knowledge I always pass. Many more should.

Charles great post. I too am a firm believer in if you don't know the area-don't go! You always want to do right by your client.

Charles: Great post! It's a no brainer..."when it doubt, refer it out." Not being upfront about your area expertise is not good for anyone. I make sure that my on-line profiles always have an 'agent' section so it's easy for agents looking to refer TO me. Works great and if more agents did that, maybe more agents would be a bit more liberal with referring when it's the right thing to do.

Great points! I explain to clients that they are better served with a real estate agent or property manager who knows that specific area and can better answer their concers

Charles...so many resources enable us to be stretched out of our comfort zones about home sales...nonetheless, knowing a little about a lot of topics doesn't qualify someone as an expert in a certain area...Good post...Cherise

Charles, I am with you 100%!

Charles I agree with you totally, My license is good for the entire state of California, let's be realistic what do I know about properties, disclosures that are more then 30 miles away? It would not be fair to either the buyer or myself to represent them. That is what referrals are for.

Well put ! That is the beauty of referrals. To me it shows that the agent is desperate for business and you would think the consumer would pick up on it. Who knows ? Maybe they come back to you later anyway !!

You are absolutely right. When someone is willing to drive 3 hours to show property in an area that they don't know they are trying to make a commission and working for their own benefit and not in the best interest of the buyer. It is the wrong thing to do.

I think you are more of an expert if you stick to your area. Rely on some counterparts in other areas to help you out and hopefully they will return the favor. An agent is more effecient in their neck of the woods.

I am a firm believer in working your own area.....referring out to other agents when you don't know the market.

Charles, what a topic. Our MLS is looking at going statewide and it is interesting to contemplate the change in our markets. It still will be market knowledge that will help people, however this is always an outside element that want to take advantage of the situation. We have so many Consumers that get hurt with the current market conditions, I hate to think what it will be with a state-wide MLS that allows any agent to sell property irregardless of their market knowledge. Scary...indeed!

I think It depend on the circumstances have sold in other areas properties were selected but did

not go active looking for properties but executed contracts for my clients.

Good answer. Not to mention the great talent that can be had for a mere 25% referral fee. It's the only real way to go. The local expert is alway the best for the job.

I totally agree! Just because I am licensed to sell in the State of California, there is no way I SHOULD sell everywhere in the state of California!

You are so right and I think you do a disservice to the client/customer by roaming outside your area of expertise. Real estate customs and nuances are so very, very local and vary by region in the same state. Anyway they do in NC.

Sue of Robin and Sue

I have a hard time just knowing the my local markets in my county (Orange County, CA) much less a region, like Southern California or the entire state. There are so many sub-markets that it is a fool who claims to be an expert in all areas. I always laugh at ads that claim "I am specialist in ALL areas."

FEB

2010

just where they can know the market well and represent their clients best interest...

Great post Charles - It's hard to fully service homes when they are so far away. I have had a few about 45 min away. I would not want to go any further away.

Charles, I agree with the others. Not only do we have the Active Rain Membership, but, if you are with a national company such as REmax, then you also have your internal referral sources. After reading the replies to your post--I wonder what is the use of multi-state licenses--which many licensees seem proud to say they are licensed in all 50, or x, y, and z.

Hi Charles- We take short sale listings anywhere in the state of Florida. That is because we know how to close short sales. So we find an agent in that mls and have then we do a shared listing type arrangement, they handle marketing, lock box, showings and mls and we negotiate the short sale negotiations. It is a win/win for us.

We used to sell land assemblages and those we could do our due diligence anywhere in the state because the packages were sold to developers who had already done their due diligence. We did not have to drive to see the land. We can see it all on Google Earth. The planning and zoning departments are available by phone so Nestor could just call to get his questions answered prior to presenting a project to a builder. Ah, those were the days:) No days like that nowadays:( Katerina

My license allows me to sell in the State of Oregon. I can sell commerical too. I can perform property management. But what do I know about condos on the coast? Or, horse property in Yamhill County, or farms . . . I stick with Metro Portland and I'm darn good at what I do.

Very nice article!

Service & Knowledge! I agree with you a 100%!

Oh PLEASE don't get me started. I call the agents who go anywhere and EVERYwhere - listing whores. Enough already. You need to know the communities that you serve.

Hi Charles

I agree with you 100%!!! We are here to assist our buyers and trying to sell them a home in an area that we are not experts in is a waste of time for both parties!!!!

I agree with you 100% on sticking to "your area." But here's the rub in your post as well. We're all state real estate agents, yet we are basically 'confined' to our specific geographic area by our local MLS boards. As you said, it will be hard for her to get access to information, showings, etc. because she's not a member of your local MLS. I still don't understand why we don't have state MLSes. It wouldn't make me want to sale homes out of my area, but it'd nice to view data outside my area, if needed. And it'd sure make any referrals easier to keep up with, too.

I couldn't agree with you more. I wouldn't dare sell a house in Baltimore. It's an hour+ away and an entirely different animal. Why jeopardize your reputation when you can get a referral.

When I started my own firm, I actually joined a board in Orange County, NY where I was intending to move. The move never happened; I added my local MLS shortly thereafter but became quite familiar with Orange in the interim. My company now covers 5 MLS systems and 8 counties or NYC boroughs. To the casual observer I suppose I would be considered a "listing whore" as Ruthmarie put it (I prefer MISTER listing whore). However, I knew that if I tried to get 20 listings in one small area I'd die a slow death, whereas if I put more oars in the water I'd grow and make more money. It took a ton of homework in some cases. You cannot pretend to know an area, nor can you win people's trust with guesses or wrong answers.

I agree that you need to know the market area. I would suggest, to those who might see a great disparity in an office zip code and one of their listings, that they ought not judge the local knowldge of the agent at face value.

Overall, however, I do agree that a referral is far better for the client in many cases, and if an agent is unfamiliar with an area they should refer.

I agree 100%. How can you add value when you don't know a bloomin thing about an area?

I have stood in my listings as buyers pepper their out of area agent with questions...can i walk to the train? which elementary school for this house? is there anything else for sale on this street? etc etc. The out of area agent stubmles or begs me with their eyes for answers...which I do because my fiduciary is the seller and my job is to sell the house and the area. What is even wilder, is buyer agengy hasn't caught on here and 99.9% of the time the agent showing is a broker's agent and working for the seller too...shame.

My first mentor in the business had a wonderful mantra "a piece of something is better than all of nothing" - that is why referrals are the way to go. The only species that doesn't understand that says oink, oink.

Grin!

Charles,

I agree with your points completely when you are talking about residential areas.

Since I handle many commercial transactions, I find that my clients want me to handle the acquisitions all over the Province. However, on many occasions, I will involve a local realtor.

Brian

WOW! I write a post and go out with clients for the day only to return to so many comments :)

Seems that most agree with this post. Be the "expert" in your area and focus on it. I see way to many agents selling properties they know nothing about or selling in areas they know nothing about.

Almost a crime in my opinion.

Charles

I can not agree more. We are certainly seeing agents who do not know the area trying to sell in it.

Charles, I posted a similar blog (albeit more localized) and got quite a few defensive responses. Their thinking is that they have the same access to the MLS as I do (sure, but knowledge of an area is a lot more than that.) I, personally, won't sell if it's more than 30 minutes away (another county is pushing it for me - even if it is within 30 mins). I recently saw a listing where the "agent related to seller" lives 2.5+ hours away from the listing. Not surprisingly, the listing is way over-priced.

Clients aren't stupid. When they start asking questions and the only response they get is "I'll have to check on that for you" from the other agent - you may hear your phone ring again.

Yes they can....but I don't think they should. THey local Realtor will be the one with all the local information/knowledge. Refer it out to someone and get a piece of the referral fee. Stay in your area only.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

If I don' understand the area, can't give good advice because I have no information, I should refer so that the client gets the help they need. Interesting sidenote, I have been part of a movement to go to a statewide MLS system. One of the reasons others are against it is that I might sell in their area with the information provided. Like I am going to go meet a buyer 120 miles away who I can't say for sure will buy, and an area that requires a GPS for me to know where to go.

It never ceases to amaze me when I see an out of town number on a listing only to find that the Listing Agent is not just out of the immediate area but on another part of the STATE! AND, they somehow have talked the homeowner in to putting on their lockbox FOR THEM or even SHOWING THEIR OWN HOUSE for them!

I even called and asked an Agent that did this, why do you do this when you are no where in the area? Their answer was basically, becasuse I can. It certainly wasn't because they were doing the best they could for their Seller.

I think was amazes me the most is the SELLER putting up with it!

I don't see how then can do their client justice. Whats gonna happen is that they will piss him off and lose all his business. I am in north Fl and right now I am working with a client that a Realtor in south FL is selling their home for them and are moving to my area. He asked for what I thought was a fair referral fee. The customer is happy with both of us and there is no conflict.

Charles, excellent post and all I can say is DITTO DITTO DITTO....

Judd Reynolds I agree 100%. It baffles me that our government doesn't understand this. Many of the Government Repos in our area are listed with a company with their HQs in another state!. Yeah, I know, they have an agent licensed in our state, but like you said....representing the best interest of the client. To me it doesn't matter if the client is buying or selling.

I am always delighted to refer a client to a distant area, but if a friend or past client has already identified a property I'm more than happy to assist them in the purchase. It is fairly easy to investigate that property vis a vis solds in the area, find a thorough inspector, and ask questions of the agent, seller and neighbors to ensure there is not a hidden defect.

Greg Nino just wrote a post about there being no area specialist anymore thanks to the Internet. Unfortunately, he is half correct. Many an agent and even "local" offices have no clue has to the goings on in their neighborhood. They don't attend planning board meetings, town council, school boards, or, even have representation by involvement at the local board. They are in it for the money and no "agency agreement" they get a buyer to sign will change it. They are representing themselves!

But, here is a copy and paste on my reply to Greg (the other Greg, not me):

arrogant. While many do in fact mis-use the title "area" specialist it would be very foolish of you to pretend you can serve the client as well as I in my neck of the woods. As a matter of fact, I think in NJ you may find yourself and your broker of record in court when you fail to disclose that the neighborhood has many peculiar elements that would cause your client great financial harm if the right questions were not asked or addressed in your contract.

An area specialist should know and attend the the local planning board meetings and be very aware of changes coming down the pike. But, go ahead. Make fun of us little hicks aka pineys. It is and always will be a buyer beware market. You don't know what to ask and what to look out for - I feel sorry for all of your customers that relie on your area expertise from your cruise ship stateroom.

I don't know what's going through an agent's mind when they try to list or sell property located out of their service area. Every area has its own uniqe features you don't see at first glance.

Do the referral....and know you've done the best for your client.

Charles I am with you! I have a very specific niche and I refer out for anything else! That is the ethical thing to do in my opinion, as I may not know as much about another area and that can harm my potential client...

Hi Charles -- I say no. Some agents on the other hand, can overly define themselves so it's always a balancing act, but if I know I can't 100% represent a client well due to a lack of knowledge or the ability to analyze, understand or it logistically doesn't make sense, I pass.

Exactly on point Charlest - "I will only sell homes in my area and specifically where I am an expert." Too many people think they are experts everywhere because of the internet. Unfortunately for them and their clients, there are many nuances with every city and neighborhood.

We are sometimes asked to represent a buyer in northern Wisconsin who is from southern Wisconsin and looking for a vacation home....we have both lived in various parts of the state and know it pretty well....and do our "refresher homework." Often the problem in smaller towns is the realtor is the cousin of the seller and the representation may not be...well just say the buyers feel more comfortable with someone they know who can be objective about the property.

It depends! I don't look for equity sellers out of my immediate area, nor buyers. But I will represent short sales and bank-owned homes in other areas because it is truly just a price thing. I can help my clients because of my expertise. With these homes, the main work is about negotiation skills....not flower beds and kitchen granite.

Charles,

I totally agree with your post....I do believe it is in fact in the clients best interest. I also really like the way you handled it with your comment "Sure I can, but I do not want to step on any toes, so please inform the other agent that if you buy with me, I will be representing you."

I am with you on this. How can you do a good job in an area you don't know? We have Agents from all over the State come to our lake and try to sale the area. They don't know how the power company controls the lake and the flooding, yet they come with their clients.

Do you and your buyer a favor and refer out to a professional in that area. They will be happier and you will have less headaches.

Too much liability. That's what referrals are for. Stay in your own yard.

I strongly believe in sticking to an area, too, and I refer to others if clients want to look where I'm not familiar. I've done it more than once, where the other agent and I agreed to show a client homes in two areas about 40 miles apart, because the buyers couldn't decide. If they bought in my area, the other agent got nothing. If they bought in the other agent's area, I got a 20% referral. They bought in the other area, but I was very happy that they were happy, and I ended up with something rather than nothing.

Charles - you said it sooo well! Referrals are the name of the game even when it's slightly out of area - the other agent will reciprocate....

100% Agree. The metro Atlanta area is HUGE, both geographically and commute-wise. Only once have I had a buyer client resist/resent my suggestion that I refer them to an agent in another area across town. But after much discussion they finally understood that it was really in their best interest!

Lack of knowledge in an area will be flushed out at some point during either showing or negotiating. And lies that attempt to cover it up only make it worse, stick with what you KNOW and refer, refer, refer

I live in New Jersey, the most populated state per square mile so I find that in do 80%percent of my business within a 10 mile radius. Anything beyond that I tend to refer it out. It just makes better financial and efficiency sense for me.

Phoenix is a very wiiiiiiiiiddddddddeeeee city -- if the prospect wants something on the other side we find a referral agent.

That is really sleazy to expect you to show the homes so he can write the offers.

I too agree with the majority of the comments. I also find that now with the numbers of REO and foreclosures up, that I see agents from as far away as 300 miles taking thoes listings. I see discount and rebate listing companies also from far away doing the same. A follow up questions is, if you don't plan to be the selling agent, do you list outside of your normal market. Bet the answer will be YES because that is what is happening a lot.

Charles - We Agree 100% with you! We are also licensed in Virginia, but specialize in the areas around Arlington & Alexandria. Were we to go outside what we know, we would get a knowledgeable agent from that area to help us with the buying process. Just because we we have the license doesn't necessarily mean we have a clue to the local market and trends.

California is working on and/or considering a statewide MLS. This would make it easier for folks to sell all over. But, would it be a good thing? I doubt it.

This, to me, seems to obviously not be a very good agent. If they were, they wouldn't have 3 hours to spend driving each way. I would love to have the leisure of a day like that!

No, stay in your own playpen. There's plenty for everyone.

Hi Charles- I'm with you 100%. If I can't bring something to the conversation, who am I really helping?

Your opinions are right on target, only a fool takes on that kind of liability

Great post, Charles.

My opinion is that it depends on the agent's ability and follow through to evaluate the market where the client is buying or selling. For instance, I have done appraisals throughout Southern California for lenders. If I have the proper information to determine the market value, and spend the time necessary to learn what is necessary to do a good job for the client; then it may be to the client's benefit for me to represent them. California is working on developing a state-wide MLS. Once this is in operation, I'm sure I can do a better job than 80% or more of the agents that I have worked with over the years. You know who I'm talking about don't you? Those who get licensed with the minimum knowledge requirements met, and continue to renew their licenses with the minimum requirements to renew their licenses.

How many agents when referring a client to another agent, take the time to make sure that agent knows what they should about the area... and know that the agent is working full time as an agent, and spending most of their time working other jobs (like selling mortgages in some cases) ? So my question is: do they run their business in a fashion that is beneficial to the referred client? In some cases, they may even be an office manager who actually delegates the work to a newbie agent in their office.

Referring clients to a local professional is fine. Just make sure that you feel deep down inside that the agent you select to refer your clients to will perform the way you would like to be serviced if you were that client buying or selling through the selected agent. As has been previously commented... keep in touch with both client and referred agent to make sure that the client is happy with the service being provided.

Bottom line is: if I think a client is most likely better served by another agent, I will refer them to that agent. But not just any agent that I might be able to find on the internet. My advice is to spend the time to find a GOOD agent whenever you refer a client to another licensee. Across state lines, I would likely always refer my clients. But I would do what I consider "due diligence" in selecting that agent. I realize there could be exceptions, of course.

It would be tough selling out of your area. From a knowledge base as well as the time restraint.

My philosospy as a broker owner has always been to have my buyer agents go wherever their client wants to take them. However, it is incumbent upon the agent to work within his element of compentence and experience. They are encouraged to ask for help when needed, and sometimes I will have them speak to an affiliate in the other town to help educate them (and their buyer client).

I encourage my agents only to take listings where they can do what is expected of them - to canvass the neighborhood, get involved in the local community, have knowledge of what it is like to live there, and to be able to do accompanied showings and open houses on a very regular basis.

A home is a home. A good realtor will know about what makes one home better than the other. Location is definitely on the top of the list - if you can't differentiate because of location, you shouldn't be advising on the transaction.

I have to disagree here a bit. While I don't consider myself a "listing whore", I do believe that my strong marketing methods hold up no matter where I am in the state. I have a great developer client that buys and flips homes anywhere within an hour of Boston (where my office is). He knows and trusts me and because of our prior deals together, understands that my negotiating methods and marketing methods will get the job done no matter where the listing is. It's just easier than getting new agents for every town he goes into. And since they are on lockbox, it's not a matter of me being there or anything.

I do think that if you are representing a buyer, it's a little more important to know the area and the market only ifthey don't. Many times, I have represented buyers in areas where I was not familiar with and they were ok with that because they knew the area. I was essential because of my experience and negotiation skills. I am not about to turn away good business because it is too far away.

Thanks,

David

Great Blog! I want to do a blog on that topic, later, but I wanted to respond to this one. NC seems to be headed in the direction of a statewide MLS. and most agents at the beach dread seeing that time come. All the internet information still does not provide the necessary information for a buyer to make the right choice. I had an out of the area agent call wanting me to leave a key to show my listings. I agreed because it is in the best interest of my seller. Later, I contacted them for feedback. I was shocked to find that they had made an offer and it had been accepted on a property in a community where there were many foreclosures, short sales, and rentals. There were many properties that had been on the market for three years. The community is beautiful but hopefully, the buyers don't plan on selling within the next few years. They could for the same amount of money have bought a single family, site built home on the golf course for what they paid and had much less risk. Of course, they won't find all this out until they try to sell because resale are horrible in that community.

Great post!!!! I am going to re-blog it.

In CA, we can sell anywhere... is it a good idea? In MOST cases, NO. Occasionally, if I have a long time client or friend who wants to buy off the mountain (not too far) I will assist. And, on the flip side, most off the mountain agents don't want to sell up here because a resort is so different.

However, we're seeing more agents listing here using the BIG MLS down the mt (we're closed). I am HOPING we JOIN the BIG boys and girls someday and have an OPEN Board. Opps, got sidetracked.

I hate driving and the older I get, the more I try to avoid highways and tollroads. Our MLS is large and I could travel a couple of hours going to some of the towns it encompasses (sometimes I'll get an Internet lead for a town I've never even heard of).

I've always tried to stay within a 30 minute radius from the town I live in and the town my office is in. To me, having to drive farther than that just isn't worth it and I'm certainly out of my comfort zone as I don't know as much about those towns.

I once sold a home in Lake Tahoe, CA. and I am located in Monterey, CA..about 6 hours away and a world away in markets. The only reason that I did this was because my client identified the property while doing a 1031 exchange and wanted me to write the offer and do the deal. It was difficult because I did not know the area and had to make 5 or so trips back and forth which wasn't that easy to do. Won't do it again. Good post.

Forget the state, Ill refer out across the county. The exception is when, after I inform the client that I probably cant do tas good a job for them as an agent that works the area could do, asks me to work with them anyway. I let them know we will be learning together...Thats how I gain some level of expertise in a new area

When I first started in the business I would take whatever I could get. I soon realized it wasn't practical for me, nor was it serving my clients in the best way. Now I pretty much refer out anything that would be more than a 30 minute drive in any direction.

My answer is yes and then no. I feel the same that you do! I stay in my expert area and refer outside of it!

I have a hard enough time keeping up with my own area much less something that is even only 50 miles away. I would only agree to help someone in another market if it were a close friend or past client that insisted. If I agreed to help out of area it would only be if I could find a good agent from that area that I could work out some kind of split with.

Real Estate is and always will be a local market. Trying to represent a buyer in a market you know nothing about is providing a disservice to the buyer. The best move is to refer it out.

Hi Charles,

They may be your opinions, but you're spot on and make a great point. If that prospective client had not signed a buyers agent contract with the out of area agent I would have certainly pointed out to them the importance of selecting an agent that is familiar selling homes in the areas for which they wish to buy. Thanks for the post!

Matt

FEB

2010

Charles - you are right on the money, as usual - I would not even drive down to the Brandon area, south of Tampa - that would be over an hour drive for me on the interstate into an area that I really do not know much about - that is what referrals are for!

Charles - I firmly agree with you - to properly service a client one should refer to another agent in an area one is unfamiliar with. More agents should do this - we are currently being invaded by valley agents (50 miles away) totally unfamiliar with our mountain communities.

FEB

2010

Charles - interesting and timely I've just finished helping an out of the area with "research only" she is doing all the interpretation, running, showing, and offer work. Bottom line her Friend and Client was better informed and I will receive a referral fee upon closing all thanks to a connection here in rain land.

FEB

2010

Charles, I absolutely agree. I live in Franklin TN and thet's where I want to work as well. I will sell to other towns within the county and I have even sold homes in neighboring counties. But I made the decision this year to hone in on the community where I live. It's the place I am most knowledgeable and I'll refer business to agents in other areas. It's a win-win.

Charles, I agree with you, and when the time comes, you will be getting my referals to Charlotsville. In the past I have had clients move that way. Tere

FEB

2010

You are so right. When I sold real estate up north in DE I was willing to go sell anywhere within my MLS, and there were times when I would ask myself if this was the best thing for me and my client. I didn't know all the markets and driving was eating at any potential profit.

Now that I am selling on the Outer Banks, I have taken on a new strategy and in the past two years I have only sold in a 5 square mile section of beach. This has allowed me to know my market intimately, and have a very strong presence there. I have been teaming up with other agents so that when I get that lead looking for somewhere else I am prepared to pass them along to someone whom I know I can trust to give them the same level of care as I would. This has been working very well.

Jean-Paul

That is excellent!

FEB

2010

I usually won't sell property outside of my local area, but I don't think we should be so quick to label those who do as violating the code of ethics. If it was unethical to show or sell in an area you weren't an expert in, then I guess I trampled the code of ethics during my 1st year of real estate. I wasn't an expert about anything, but I had to do it in order to learn it.

An "expert" is a very relative term anyway, and no matter how knowledgable you are about Charlottesville, I can almost guarantee there is at least one realtor that knows it better than you. So, are you acting in your client's best interest when you don't refer them to that agent? After all, that agent knows a little more than you, which could benefit your client. It's kind of a ludicrous argument, don't you think?

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Charlottesville Real Estate

Charlottesville, VA

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Charles McDonald 434-515-1585

Address: Charlottesville Real Estate Solutions, 2013 Woodbrook Court, Charlottesville, VA, 22901

Office Phone: (434) 515-1585

Cell Phone: (434) 981-1585

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At Charlottesville Solutions we work with buyers and sellers who are looking for "Solutions".

We deal in New Construction including Land, Farms and Estates. As a top Buyers Agent. Learn about Albemarle and wonderful neighborhoods and areas like Ivy, Keswick, Glenmore and Old Trail just to name a few.
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