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How Far Will You Go Out Of Your Area For A Referral Client?

By Amanda Christiansen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843

September 01, 2010 07:10 AM

Most of the homes I sell are in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Once in a while I'll venture out of the area, but only to help a friend or family member. Well, last week I got two referrals from close friends. OF COURSE I WILL HELP THEM! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TRUST!! Oh crap, what? They want to see houses in Claypool, Warsaw, Silver Lake, and North Manchester (all well over an hour from Fort Wayne)? OKEE DOKEE, LET'S DO IT!!

Today my whole team is as busy as they can be with plates that are VERY FULL. I am really having to move things around to make this happen but I feel it's the right thing to do. If it wasn't a referral from a close friend I would obviously help them find a Realtor in the area, but I feel like I need to take care of these two myself.

Thankfully both clients are looking in the same area, so I can coordinate it with both of them on the same day so I only make 1 trip. How far would you go? Where do you draw the line?

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Terry McCarley

Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL

REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

I don't go out of my territory as if I don't know the market as I feel like I am doing the clients a disservice so I refer them out and explain why.

Sep 01, 2010 07:14 AM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Thanks Terry. I normally do the same, but I know the areas. I grew up there.

Sep 01, 2010 07:18 AM

Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Thirty minutes and that's only if I know the area enough. Otherwise, a referral goes out immediately.I am only 30 minutes from where I grew up but I don't go there to list or sell as I don't know what's gone on in the last 25 years. I don't know any of the city inspectors, or the realtors or what has been going on with things like zoning or the schools. Good luck:)

Sep 01, 2010 07:37 AM

As long as you know the area - that is what counts.

Sep 01, 2010 07:43 AM

Mike Wong

Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX

Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

I try to stay in my territory and refer anything else. Sometimes I get a referral and special requests from clients to list out of my market area, or sell out of my market area. So I follow through with their requests only after I explain the option of going with local specialist.

Sep 01, 2010 08:04 AM

Karen Feltman

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA

Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I believe that you are not doing the best service to your referral clients by going an hour away and out of your market area. I can understand not handing them off completely, but maybe it would be best to reach out to a local agent to partner with you? That is what I have done in the past and it has worked very well for me. Good luck!

Sep 01, 2010 08:07 AM

Lori Churchill Cofer

Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA

Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

I also try to stay in my territory...a market I know very well and one I can feel confident I am doing right by both that client and the agent that referred them...

Sep 01, 2010 04:26 PM

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI

Realty World Indy - Fishers, IN

Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

I will have to say that most referrals I get are within my area---especially if from another agent. I think some of us are familiar a little farther out than agents in other areas of the country. Usually 40 minutes gets me to my limit though.

Sep 02, 2010 02:16 AM

How Far Will You Go Out Of Your Area For A Referral Client?

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