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Big fish little pond or big pond little fish?

By Eileen Stern

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Gold

April 30, 2007 02:12 PM

This is a question that has been buggin me for a while.

I've been selling homes in Solano and southern Napa county for 19 years. I'm comfortable with it, know the area, can drive anywhere without a GPS, and feel confident matching areas with clients.

Lots of the newer agents in my office are selling in Brentwood, Oakland, Berkeley...all areas about 20-25 miles away. Personally, I don't feel that I am serving my client when I go way out of the area, but lots of folks are doing that, and making lots of money.

I know that that the Code of Ethics says something about not going beyond your realm of expertise...do you think this is a violation of the Code of Ethics when you wander out of your area....or is it an expansion of your comfort level? After all, we once had to learn our area.

I was feeling this tonight, when I was doing a brief BPO for a client on a San Francisco property. I know if it goes on the market, I would probably refer it out, but agents with 6 months experience that can't even spell San Francisco are listing them.

I'd like to hear thoughts on this..............

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Christopher Benedict

BIG Realty - Collegeville, PA

AskTheBigGuy

I have been told time and again to stick to a niche area...of course, this is always by older agents. I have been in the business five years, and am only 34, so I feel I am pretty tech saavy. I have sold homes (easily) in 5 counties around Philadelphia. It has never been a problem, as all the market info I need is available online. I might have agreed with you 7 years ago when there was no Internet, but today, I can sell anyhome, anywhere!

Apr 30, 2007 02:20 PM

Michael Ross

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Beverly, MA

North Shore of Boston

Be a big SHARK in the Big POND and find your prey!

Apr 30, 2007 02:40 PM

Sheri Sanders

Berkshire Hathaway C Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC

Realtor/Broker - Easley, SC Real Estate

If you do the CMA for the property, then you know what it's worth. If it's further than you want to drive to show it then refer the potential buyers to a new agent in your office. You get the listing side of the sale and a referral fee on the buying side!

Apr 30, 2007 02:57 PM

Brian Warden

Choices Real Estate - Bosque Farms, NM

20-25 miles away isn't really the issue; it's whether you (or they) know that market well enough to do a competent job. If you do, great; if you don't, refer it to someone who's really expert in the area.

Apr 30, 2007 03:16 PM

Ben Kakimoto

Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Seattle, WA

Seattle Condo Specialist

The Seattle Metro area extends a good 20-25 miles north, east and south of the city. I'm comfortable working those areas and have done so. However, I do try to limit my geographic boundaries to within 10 miles of the city center.

Apr 30, 2007 03:33 PM

Eileen Stern

RE/MAX Gold - Benicia, CA

I have a different take on going way out of the area. Of course we can all find school scores, etc online. But in my market area, I know which farmer's markets are best, what the microclimate is, which houses have the best holiday displays, and most importantly, where to refer a plumber or a vet.

I think that our job is so much more than looking for a house, but rather being a resource. I feel the most comfortable when I can be of true service to a person settling into a new town. Someone moves to Benicia, and I can tell them that our 4th of July parade is on the third. I can show them the best walking paths, if they like to walk. I can tell them where there is a good hairdresser, and which place has the best Mexican food.

I can't do that in towns outside of my immediate area. Sure, I can find a house. Sure, I can even get around thanks to Mapquest. I can get school scores. But I am not providing the ultimate service of being a resource for life.

May 12, 2007 04:03 PM

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Eileen Stern

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