Does Your Service Area Differ for Buyers and Sellers?

Bliz - Because we wanted to work the area close to the beach we ended with a 4M deep and 35 M long coverage area which is covering three cities (Naples, Bonita Springs & Fort Myers Beach)... though we would like to get listings in all, we end up being called by sellers in our immediate area of Naples and Bonita, but the buyers take us to Fort Myers.  So we actually have areas in Naples that we do not work.  Too many gated communities so can't keep up with the restrictions or mostly Golf communities and it is not my forte.  I am a beach girl.

BLiz - LOL  You're too funny!  Just goes to show how really local real estate can be.  Around here, 400k< is the low end of the market and a lot of Realtors simply don't include this type of buyer or seller in their business model.  I'm not going to knock someone for their business model; everyone is free to set their own standards.  The thing about this is that these same Realtors/agents will often say there isn't any money to be made off these people and that just pisses me off.

This is a rough market for the low-median income buyer (the 400k< buyer).  Property here is expensive and you would probably shudder to see what 400k buys you out here - not much.  I can't tell you how many times I have had some 400k FHA or CalHFA buyer or even more so, one of my 300k dpa clients tell me that they can't get someone (anyone!) to work with them.  The worst part about this scenario is that most of these people are the nicest people you would ever want to work with and most are very grateful to those that will work with them.

Absolutely agree with you! You have to know neighbourhoods, schools etc for Buyers. For sellers it is different.  Also if you can't deliver the stellar service, don't do it!.

Listing is different than buyers, BUT.... I have to agree with Al & Peggy... What it boils down to is...

 "if I can't deliver stellar service... I shouldn't do it!" 

If it's out of my market area and MLS, It is too hard to find comps and do the client justice.

You raise an interesting point.  Yes, I would extend a farther listing radius than I would a buyer area.  For exactly the point you made, as a listing agent I wouldn't be travelling to the property as often.  Internet marketing gives us the ability to market ANY property, the question I ask myself in deciding whether to take the listing is, would I want to drive to the property to show it, inspect it, meet another agent when necessary..if I'm reluctant, I won't list it, but rather refer it.  On the buyer side, that is definitely out in my book, I don't know the area, I don't know local issues and its not fair to the buyer...thoughtful post.

I think you did the right thing by turning down the offer............best to stick with your area of expertise and do the right thing for your buyers.

Every post that I read from you guys proofs again and again the level of your professionalism!  What a shame it would have been to try to handle these buyers from that distance.  I would have done the same thing.  I love being in ActiveRain where I get to meet like minded people.  Great job and great example.

AMEN!

I'm the same way. I don't need to drive to a listing every time it is shown as the listing agent, but I always have to be with a buyer and have to mind the distance for many of the same reasons. 

Liz and Bill - My market area has grown smaller for me over the years, and now they're about the same.  Back in my heyday, I actually felt the opposite - I'd go farther to sell a home than to list one.  I guess it depends on the area and individual.