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William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655 (Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends.  

How well do I know this client?  Is it someone I know well or some random contact?  How would they feel if I referred them to another agent?  

On my market.  Is one hour too far of a distance or too much time to spend driving?

Timing.  What is the best use of my time?

 

Jan 31, 2017 04:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Out here, an hour could be 30 miles depending on the time of day.  Not much out there anymore for the low 4's but if I have good music on for the drive I could make $12k on that deal, so yes I'd do it.  For me there is no hour south (ocean) or north (wildlife sanctuary), so it's just east or west.  West I'm familiar with the area (I have a few rentals out there), east I'm fairly familiar with the area (used to work out there).  Worst case scenario for an hour east, I'm close to Inna Ivchenko's territory and can partner with her if I need more detailed info.

Jan 31, 2017 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

In my area of the world an hour drive can be less than 20 miles away! Yes I would if I truly knew the area. 

If it was out of what I call my area - definate referral.

Jan 31, 2017 12:41 PM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

It depends on how hard you want to work. I'm not an agent, but I've met with customers an hour away and I would do it all day long. If you're making $12K, how many hours do you feel you need to spend to make that much? An hour here in the Chicago area could be only 15 miles, depending on the time of day you go.

Jan 31, 2017 11:03 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Whats with this "super familiar" stuff?

You do not need to live there to know how to arrive at value based on MLS, the sold tax records, and driving through the area, sizing up the other properties.  Any competent agent can do that.  Just like appraisers that are sent to do appraisals from hundreds of miles away.

I was paid to go to another state and evaluate property for a client.  It was not hard to figure out that it was overpriced and not a good investment, even though I have never been there.

Yes of course I would drive an hour...we do that all the time when we are stuck in traffic.  Refer it? Nope, I would do a better job for the buyer than the agent that farms the area.

Eve

Jan 31, 2017 10:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

The team Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA and me will drive for any real estate needs of all your qualified clients! 

And no kidding, I did sell a couple houses in Lancanster/Palmdale area to investors and it was a longer drive:) 

Jan 31, 2017 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,706,465
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I'm going to echo what Debe Maxwell said. Many things impact home value--things you can't see in a CMA. If I don't know an area, I can't advise a buyer properly. An hour here is over 50 miles away. For example, Debbie Reynolds lives in Clarksville TN, just 70 miles from my location but her market is extremely different than mine. I'd be a fool to try and sell properties there. I'd rather send them to an agent like Debbie who'll do a slam dunk. There are only so many hours in a day and if I'm running clients all over the Nashville metro area, it's not in the best interest of my clients.

Jan 31, 2017 09:44 PM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I would make the drive. 100% is better than 25%!!!

Jan 31, 2017 09:02 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

It depends if I know the market there. That and time are the determining factors, not the price of the home or distance.

Jan 31, 2017 08:20 PM
Ambassador
5,230,102
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, gosh, here in Charlotte it can take an hour to get 10 miles so, that's familiar territory for me!  I will say that there are places that are an hour and a half away that MOST Charlotte agents will go to but, I have to consider the best use of my time.  I refer those out.

Another major thing to consider - do you know about city planning & zoning issues in the area that you're showing?  If not, how horrible would it be for a planned highway to begin coming through the neighborhood -  that you didn't know about (and which is why the sellers are likely selling)?!  

Is there a new waste treatment plant being installed there?  I can't tell you if there is one being installed in several of our nearby cities - so, I won't sell there.  I'll send buyers to someone who specializes in those areas.  It's not worth losing sleep over, losing my license over or having a buyer miserable in their new home because I failed at my duties.

Jan 31, 2017 08:18 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

refer it out!

Jan 31, 2017 07:13 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Either or will get the job done. NOTE: I always hide a key on the premises for just such an occasion. But before that, I have vetting criteria that must be met; cash or no cash...If you fail that...the deal is dead before it starts

Jan 31, 2017 04:57 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Depends. First of all if I wasn't a familiar with the area I'd be darned sure to know what's going on in the market first so I could quide the client.  Secondly if the client is referred to me directly from CRS or AR I most likely would handle it myself.  When I refer out I want to know the clients are being taken care of by a top shelf agent that cares.

Jan 31, 2017 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,899
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

William Piotrowski It depends on the distance. But, I will work with the buyer.

Jan 31, 2017 12:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

William Piotrowski In my market an hour isn't very far away. However, if I were unfamiliar with the area I would refer it out.

Jan 31, 2017 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

My market frequently takes me out about an hour/60 miles, so yes, I would.

Jan 31, 2017 09:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I would do the latter.

Jan 31, 2017 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
129,698
sandy straley
Rindlesbach Homes - Salt Lake City, UT
Selling Homes for over 40 Years

Depends on your time and knowledge. . . if you have no knowedge of the home and surrounding area.. . .  refer out the buyer so you do not make any legal errors.

Jan 31, 2017 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Oh, Option B all day. And this should be a rhetorical Q, even though I suspect you may have a backstory and are protecting the names of the guilty!

Jan 31, 2017 09:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Depends I think but it seems like that is a very specific dollar amount.. I might depends probably on the buyer and what is going on mostly... 

Jan 31, 2018 06:02 PM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

I use the rule of shopping; if I would drive there to buy, then I will drive there to earn.

Feb 01, 2017 01:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

William Piotrowski - well, my clients are scattered - over a radius of 60 miles!

Jan 31, 2017 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would and do drive that far in my rural area and it has made me be familiar with many areas.

Jan 31, 2017 09:36 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

William

I second Michael Jacobs comment.  A lot of factors come into play.  In Los Angeles Traffic an hour can equal as little as 5 miles.  A

Jan 31, 2017 08:09 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It would depend on how many other clients I was working with at the time. I generally do not take on more clients than I know I can serve well. 

Jan 31, 2017 07:03 PM
Rainer
23,821
Angelia Bynum
Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA
Realtor® serving all of Atlanta

I would drive an hour easily. Even more so that the buyer is serious and has cash.

Jan 31, 2017 05:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I have driven an hour and a half plus picked up the client at the airport. Sold them a beautiful house within 20 minutes of my office in the end. That would have been lost commission if I would have referred it to another agent...

Jan 31, 2017 05:39 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

If you aren't familar with the area you shouldn't be working there. The distance doesn't matter. It's violation of the code of ethics to work outside of your area of expertise. Refer this one out. 

In my area that can be a big deal. There might be irrigation and other water rights involved that could potentially hurt you and your client if you don't know about them. 

Jan 31, 2017 04:12 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

To the hour portion, yes I would and I have for less priced homes. However, the second portion about "not super familiar with" my answer would be no and refer. There are a couple of towns an hour or more away from me that I know and consider my market area and there are other towns and even a larger city only 45 minutes away that I don't know much about and always refer as I consider them out of my area of expertise.

Jan 31, 2017 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

If it was a referral from someone yes I would.

 

Jan 31, 2017 03:19 PM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

May be quicker to just drive over and show the property than to interview referral agents.

Jan 31, 2017 12:43 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Refe

Jan 31, 2017 12:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

In my area, an hour could mean as little as a few miles away, during rush hour.

Jan 31, 2017 11:47 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

If one is willing to put in the work then absolutely that's worth doing --- it's not difficult to familiarize with an area, and buyer representation is largely the same in locales an hour within each other.  

Jan 31, 2017 11:37 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Well, in my area, an hour is long but not that unusual.

However, if it's in an area I'm not familiar with, I'd refer it. If it's a building/house/etc, I'd have to make that trip multiple times - for the showing, maybe a second showing, maybe to town offices to get paperwork, for the inspection, the appraisal, the walkthrough. Spending two hours in the car on multiple occasions in a place that isn't my area of specialty doesn't sound like a good use of time.

Jan 31, 2017 11:07 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

It would depend on my relationship with the buyer.  In any event, if it were an area I'm not familiar, I'd solicit advice from a local agent... either as a referral or on an advisory fee basis.   The liability for representing someone in an area you are not familiar is very high... not to mention it's a violation of the COE.

Jan 31, 2017 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

If buyer were truly serious, I would drive, but if that propety didn't work out and buyer wanted to explore same area, might refer out if not familiar enough with it.

Jan 31, 2017 10:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

My first month in the business had a client relocating back to the states;

it was an reo and everyone said no as it would not sell at the list price from the bank. It was listed at $459,000 and we made an offer of $399,000 that was accepted. Remodel cost him about $75,000 and two years later he was getting transferred again and we sold it for $539,000.

It had 459 feet of waterfront and the home was 3212 sg. ft. with 2.3 acres of land.

Now with better connections would refer it out.

Jan 31, 2017 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

2nd option for sure.  (and that would be below avg property here).  Let the expert handle it.

Jan 31, 2017 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Knowing there's a good chance they will eliminate it , I'd take the 25% !

Feb 02, 2017 04:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As Michael Jacobs wrote. Plus, it does not take a great deal of effort to scope out an unfamiliar area and do your research.

Feb 01, 2017 06:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

It totally depends on how I got the client;  if they were from a personal referral, I would probably at least meet with them initially and depending on the neighborhood/location, if I weren't comfortable that my knowledge would be sufficient to help them, then I would refer them out.  I have done this in the past, but stayed in the picture to some extent and collected 50%. It all depends on the specific scenario and individuals involved.  At the end of the day, it is about what serves the client best. And sometimes that means referring them to someone who is a better fit. 

Feb 01, 2017 05:38 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Depends upon my relationship with them & how my pending list is looking.  I probably would. 

Feb 01, 2017 04:38 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,971
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Great question that got lots of input - I would drive the hour -- I am listening to a great book on Audible so I am happy being in the car right now 

Feb 01, 2017 03:57 AM
Rainer
408,804
John Duke
Staging By John - Burlington, NC
We stage your home to show it at its best!

Well I might drive an hour or even two to stage a property but only with a contract so its a different business

Feb 12, 2018 05:32 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

It depends on what best serves the client.

Feb 07, 2018 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

If I knew the buyer very well, and knew the area I would definitely make the drive.  

Feb 05, 2017 07:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Factors are should I stay or should I go depend on if I have a listing a half hour out that needs new images without snow, it's a weekend  and on my way beyond in same direction to go see my kids, why isn't anyone closer taking the job... am I missing something? Lots involved in yes or no. If buyer says I would not pay more than 300K for place, tops....lots to consider about what else you are neglecting back at the ranch Lone Ranger while gone.

Feb 04, 2017 04:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

To get to the other side of Denver is more than an hour, and know the City.  I would do it.

Feb 03, 2017 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Maybe.  It sounds like an easy sale or a long trip for nothing.  

Feb 03, 2017 12:27 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

We have agents driving 4 hours one way to show property. It is all relative to where you live. 

Feb 02, 2017 05:14 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

In our market, the majority of agents would go and show....I rarely left the town when I was actively working!!

Feb 02, 2017 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Great question William!

I always meet with potential clients before showing any property, cash or no cash....

It's a matter of safety and a good business practice!

An hour in the Raleigh area is still familiar territory, so after we met and the agreement is signed, I'd be happy to show the property.

 

 

Feb 01, 2017 03:23 PM