How far would you go?

Our MLS joined with two others about a year ago for data sharing. Since we did this, I have had one broker take listings and represent buyers 4 hours away from us. But she knew that market having lived there before and was fine with the commute.  When we have agents wanting to do this, I talk with them about the logistics of opening a house for the inspection, additional showings, etc. Are they prepared for that kind of a drive? Or would it be better just to refer the client to a local agent? It becomes a matter of choice for our agents as well as keeping the professionalism and top representation of our clients formost. 

Alan,

In commercial real estate, we had a half hour driving radius from our offices.  On a good day, it could take 15minutes, and a so-so day a 1/2 hour, and all hell broke loose day it was an hour plus...That was the state of the West Side portion of LA.  On a Map the airport is 13-15 miles from Beverly Hills.  It could take an hour and a half given the time of day...A

Alan I would not be driving that far to attempt to service clients in an areas that I don't know the market. Our RE commission made it clear quite a few years ago that working outside of ones area of expertise was a poor idea (and that meant type of sale and/or geographic area.  If I lived in an area (part time) that might be different.

We have a statewide MLS system in CT but you can drive across the state in under 2 hours. That doesn't make it easier to get more business as our expertise is usually within a 10 mile radius of our homes.  That we can service effectively.

My MLS covers an enormous area in North and South Carolina. I pretty much draw a circle around Charlotte of a 50 mile radius... that puts me into the areas of the Greater Charlotte area of North and South Carolina that I can reasonably handle and be knowledgable about. Beyond that, I refer.

In general, an hour drive one way is my normal max.  But there are "it depends" answers too.  If someone wants new construction in Northern Kentucky, it's the same builders and the same floor plans as the Cincinnati side of the Ohio River, so I'm willing.  But the same area for resales?  Almost never.  I say almost because the same new construction home I helped a buyer with a few years ago then decided to sell and I was the agent he trusted.  Pricing, marketing, all things I could do.  We have a clear understanding that I won't personally show the home, there are other agents in my office that are specific to Kentucky, so I've got an arrangement there.

But the idea of listing in Cleveland when I live in Cincinnati?  Yes, I might have the data access and legally my license is for the full state, but who's going to put the sign in a yard 4-5 hours away?  Nope, that's a 100% find a local agent and do the referral.

I have listed and sold homes 2.5 hrs away in a small town where I grew up. I know the area and know the people and am humbled when they remember me and ask for my assistance. However, on another note, I have tried to send referrals to agents that live in larger cities and find they won't drive 30-45 mins to show properties because it's "not my area". Where I live is predominantly rural, so we service 5 counties, which is crazy, but I try to limit my service area to places I'm familiar with and preferably an hour or less drive.

Working outside your area of expertise is unprofessional - and a disservice to the clients. When I was an agent we used to have out-of-area agents list here, then drop by and tell us to sell their listing. One even tried to give me his keys to the house. I said no thanks.

For me it's about 1 hour max, and that's rare. But our CRMLS covers a large part of California and I've seen listings in my area where the agent is several hours away.

Good question. It's interesting reading all of the comments here.  My MLS covers all of Maricopa County and part of Pinal County, about a 500 mile radius!  I've literally sold in all 4 corners.  I'd love to stay nearby but I guess I learn quite a bit about other areas, traffic and different parts of town.