Some people have a hard time getting enough business int heir own area so they feel they need to spread out to maximise their exposure and that will get them more sales.  They don't realise that if they are an expert in their area, and really tune in with their market, they can get more business for less cost by niche marketting.

I have to admit though, these people are getting deals.  213 agents acted for buyers in my area, and those who spread out,t he ones who only get a deal or 2 accounted for 70% of the buyer representations in the area.  The other 30% was held by 8 agents.  I think I'll stay being 1 of those 8 agents.

Different ways to do business is all.

It does bother me a bit, becasue we think clients are best served by agents who are experts in their area, but it's the consumers choice.  I am going to voice my opinion that an expert is better, and if it's going to work, I am going to need to advertise where those buyers are coming from, and where they are going to get their information.  Obviously, they are geting information from areas where we aren't currently avertising, and that is the place I will find! :)  I'm getting close, I can see them finding me more and more.  And being that you agree, I suggest you see where your buyers are coming from! :)

Pat

I think it's an exposure issue, Velda.  When I first established my P2 site, I limited my "area" to the county I work in.  When I did a search of my County, I saw Agents who would never service my county and asked the question "Why?"  One was even in Florida, believe it or not.  

I posted the question here and came away with listing exposure via handshake.  Someone searching one town away from me would not be searching in my county so would never see my listing.  It may be one street away from where they're looking but if they only search one county and not the other......

So I expanded my "areas" to the two surrounding counties, handshake with them, and we all get better exposure.

A Buyer looking on Cape Cod, may consider the lovely seaside communities of Mattapoisett, Marion or Padanarum.  It is unlikely that I would help a Buyer in those areas as I'm not overly familiar with them, but I would refer that Buyer to the local expert. A win-win-win.  Buyer get the house they want, in a comparable area that they never would have seen, local Agent gets a sale, and I get a referral.  

That being said, I don't really see the value in claiming an area that's not similar or close to mine.  I'm in a seaside community in southeastern MA.  Claiming a central MA county would only clutter my website with listings that my market would never consider.

Velda I understand your concern.  It all depends on the area.  I am in Los Angeles County and that being so large there are areas I would refer to within my own county.  I couldn't think of adding Riverside, San Diego, Orange County, etc.  However their are areas of Ventura County that are 10 mins away and I am very familiar with and comfortable selling in.  

Jana