I am one of many agents in my area now blocking handshakes because agents do not keep their listings up to date. Any enquiries I receive about homes that sold months ago, makes me look unprofessional. So I prefer my web users to look at the entire MLS.

There have been some previous posts about the subject of agents not keeping their listings up to date.

I post listings out of my area with the listing agents permission...these are customers of mine relocating.  I can only do that if I add that particular area to my service area.   I then approve who ever is in that area and carry their listings...and most of them approve the listing since it's an area they serve.   Once the house is sold, I delete that area.   That's why I do it.

But, there are many agencies out there who advertise every area.  They then take those leads and either sell them to other agents or get a referal fee...like a mini homegain.   I don't see anything wrong with it...they are using their sites to the fullest.  

I have areas included that I don't actively work.  I think I did this because of the same issue you're talking about - I figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  Once I added areas that I don't really know well, I went in to my setting and changed the way I display listings on my site.

I have a page with just our listings, and from that page, a link for more listings - and that page is just local listings that I wouldn't mind going to show.  Then, I have another page, labeled something like "Other Ohio Listings" and that has all the areas that I don't really care to service.  If I did get a lead from that, depending on how far, I may refer it or help them.

One way I decide if it's too far is, if it isn't too far for people to commute for a job, then it's not too far for me to go to potentially have a payday.  I find it very frustrating to get blocked for being out of their area - they can include me, and change the settings on their site if they don't want to show our listings on the main listing page.  If you've upgraded to p2 professional, you have enough pages to put specific areas on specifc pages.

Humm

I cover every area and then some real estate has No Borders No boundaries I call it a referral area nothing wrong there, I do have a  advantage in some areas http://ConnecticutHomeFinders.com, http://GeorgiaPeachRealEstate.com and of course in Cyd territory Florida http://My OrlandoFloridaRealEstate.com.

If you look at http://ZipRealty.com

They are from California but do business in Mass.

I have found that the New England area is for the most part  is still hanging on to the old traditional ways of real estate not that there is anything wrong ,but the Zip realty's of the business are on the move and New England does not like change, but the big shingle agencies are starting the change

http://www.c21clickit.com/

In today's market servicing your area or neighborhood just won't cut it.

You need to have a much larger audience and a different game plan then the traditional plan to keep up with the everyday changes that out industry is going through.

Hence the birth of the 100%   Transactions Brokers are here to stay , some call it virtual brokers, we have over 3,500 agents in our offices and more on the way at a rate of about 65 a day in all our offices.

(Cathy)

"Am I missing something?  I don't claim areas, towns or "neighborhoods" that I don't service.  Should I be?"

You maybe Cathy in my opinion.

Vance

Since I've been banned from Point2, I can only post as a guest.  Be very careful what you say and what you agree with, or you will also be banned, ostricized, and MARKED.  For a long time I've been the #2 in the Point2 world and now I'm eliminated because I don't agree with all they do or say.  My comments have been censured, my picture removed, and I'm not sure they will ALLOW this post.  Can you spell T-O-A-S-T

Hi Gail

Your photo is gone, But they are having a photo disappearing issue but your post is here.

I just don't get it at all, the whole deal was just  a difference of opinions,  you are saying that your PI is gone to? are you coming back?

Vance

Gail, what is going on? Was this some problem on the message boards?

I specialize in a certain area, but I do go as far as 40 miles away. I've worked in these towns off referrals from past clients and I don't want to throw away a happy client's referral.

Gail your web site is still active and your old post are still here, are you sure your banned or just can't connect.

My area is so dense (both in population and attitude) that I farm only within a 10 mile radius for listings but I will go as far as the next galaxy for a serious buyer.  However, with the price of gasoline now, I am seriously considering traveling within the confines of our solar system only.

GAIL: I suspect you were drummed out of holy grounds because you were a non-P2A subscriber?  If not, then you must have been a naughty-naughty gal.  :-)  

John

How can you be banned from point2 for a 'difference of opinion'?   That sounds a bit weird to me.  

I work at the edge of 2 different counties, one is north and one is south.  So I service both of them.  All of Hillsborough & Manatee counties.  I am really in a great location.  This allows me to service a much larger area than most around here.  

I've had people ask me where I live and when I tell them Riverview and I am in Bradenton at that very moment, it's funny to hear their response....You drive ALL the way down here?  

I laugh to myself.  ALL the way down here is only a 30-45 min drive...LOL.

Gail I suspect the reason you are banned is because of one particular comment you made to another agent in the message boards.  It was way over the top!  I realize everyone has a bad day now and then, but that was totally un-called for!