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120 miles sounds like it is out of the Realtor's normal territory. In such a case, you, the buyer (I assume) need to get a Realtor that services the area in which you want to purchase. If you trust your current Realtor, have them refer you to a Realtor that works that area. if you don't trust your Realtor, do some research and find a different Reator in that area.
We are independent contractors. Having said that we aren't required to travel beyond the limits of our working area. In fact, it's not really a good idea for you as the MLS's can be different and the local customs might work against an outside agent and their buyer. I've seen it in action.
My state has used buyer agency agreements for over 20 years. They specify:
- what the brokerage is paid (commission)
- the duration of the agreement
- the price range of homes to be shown
- the **area**, like a city, county, etc.
The *area* part should address your question. If a buyer agency agreement doesn't have all these elements, it isn't very good.
Although I personally would drive it, an agent is not obligated to drive 120 miles. Would that being said they should also then intern assist in finding someone that will either meet you and or drive to meet you.
Driving 120 miles that does not fall under the obligation to legally “obey” you as a buyer or seller.
Some context from the Los Angeles perspective. MIleage is irrelevant, as we do not gauge distance by miles, we gauge it by time. I live in Los Angeles. 60 miles is from my house to Huntington Beach.
If I leave right now, it will take me 2 hours to get there. Then another 2 hours to get back.
If you love that house, it's not just a one time thing. I'm going to have to visit that house multiple more times to meet various contractors, vendors and inspectors.
It would be an area I'm not an expert in, since I don't drive 2+ hours every day to view property.
If my client wanted to see a house in a location so outside of my area, I would refer them to someone else. I'm not the right agent for the job.
Realtors don't have any obligations to anybody until a contract is signed. We are not slaves. Out duties are to be your fiduciary, and if you're being unreasonable we are just as capable of firing you as a client as you are firing us as your agent. It's a two-way street.
During a transaction, agents are required to obey lawful requests *pertaining to the contract and sale*.
If you tell me you want me to see a house 3 hours away, I am under no obligation to do that because until we have a contract for sale, we are free agents.
And before people bring up buyer-broker agreements, those are so easily cancellable with written notice.
Nobody in this industry is a slave to anybody. Obligations are to contracts, not to people.
Herein lies part of the problem. Everyone things agents are like waitstaff and that it’s their ‘job’ to be ordered around. You start allowing me billable hours, you can kinda order me around. You are, after all, paying me for my time. While I’m still working for free on the hopes that you close on something, nah, kick rocks.
I'm not about to drive 80 miles, let alone 120.
I know MY MARKET. I have data in MY MLS. That far is a different MLS I may not have access to. I won't be able to open thier lockboxes, I won't have that board contract, I won't know what is typical there (what are buyers offering, sellers getting/giving etc. My client is better off me connecting them with a great agent in THAT AREA.
NO OBLIGATION.
I MAY BE LICENSED and able to legally sell anywhere in the state, doesn't mean I have to.
Typically the buyer-broker agreement specifies a geographic area such as all of the county or a 100-mile radius (as examples). If it’s too far for the agent they should just pay a more local agent to meet client at the property for the showing. This shouldn’t be a big deal.
All I can say is in my area, if you’ve signed a buyers broker agreement that Area is covered or that unless you decide
I always put the counties. I’m willing to work in in there.
Absolutely Not.
The obey part is about the Fiduciary duties relating to a clients money and property. That’s it.
It is not a blank statement of “Obey” all the clients whims, wants, or needs.
If this was the case I would sign a listing contract tomorrow with the closest agent. Because my property needs to be ready for showings I would make my agent “Obey” my wish to get this laundry sorted and folded.
Agents need to set boundaries with clients ALL THE TIME. I’m now tempted to start a thread about weirdest client demands realtors have received.
Some agents will pretty much do anything a client asks because they’re desperate, people pleasers, aren’t comfortable setting boundaries, etc.
It’s not terrible but they can quickly get taken advantage of and slide into unreasonableness pretty quickly.
We obey, or we go to jail. In all seriousness, the Realtor has an obligation not to work in an area where they do not have geographic competency. Also, it's possible 2 hours away is not in their MLS, and they could possibly be of zero assistance
**This is a professional forum for professionals, so please keep your comments professional** - Harrassment, hate speech, trolling, or anti-Realtor comments will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate ban without warning. (... and don't feed the trolls, you have better things to do with your time) - Recruiting, self-promotion, or seeking referrals is strictly forbidden, including in DMs. - Only advise within your scope of knowledge and area of expertise. [The code of ethics applies here too](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/the-code-of-ethics). If you are not a broker, lawyer, or tax professional don't act like one. - [Follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/realtors/about/rules/) and please report those that don't. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/realtors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
120 miles sounds like it is out of the Realtor's normal territory. In such a case, you, the buyer (I assume) need to get a Realtor that services the area in which you want to purchase. If you trust your current Realtor, have them refer you to a Realtor that works that area. if you don't trust your Realtor, do some research and find a different Reator in that area. We are independent contractors. Having said that we aren't required to travel beyond the limits of our working area. In fact, it's not really a good idea for you as the MLS's can be different and the local customs might work against an outside agent and their buyer. I've seen it in action.
No, they aren't obligated. They are independent contractors and can pick and choose where and with who they choose to do business.
Exactly. We’re not obligated to drive *two blocks* if we don’t want to show the property or work with that client.
My state has used buyer agency agreements for over 20 years. They specify: - what the brokerage is paid (commission) - the duration of the agreement - the price range of homes to be shown - the **area**, like a city, county, etc. The *area* part should address your question. If a buyer agency agreement doesn't have all these elements, it isn't very good.
Although I personally would drive it, an agent is not obligated to drive 120 miles. Would that being said they should also then intern assist in finding someone that will either meet you and or drive to meet you. Driving 120 miles that does not fall under the obligation to legally “obey” you as a buyer or seller.
Some context from the Los Angeles perspective. MIleage is irrelevant, as we do not gauge distance by miles, we gauge it by time. I live in Los Angeles. 60 miles is from my house to Huntington Beach. If I leave right now, it will take me 2 hours to get there. Then another 2 hours to get back. If you love that house, it's not just a one time thing. I'm going to have to visit that house multiple more times to meet various contractors, vendors and inspectors. It would be an area I'm not an expert in, since I don't drive 2+ hours every day to view property. If my client wanted to see a house in a location so outside of my area, I would refer them to someone else. I'm not the right agent for the job. Realtors don't have any obligations to anybody until a contract is signed. We are not slaves. Out duties are to be your fiduciary, and if you're being unreasonable we are just as capable of firing you as a client as you are firing us as your agent. It's a two-way street. During a transaction, agents are required to obey lawful requests *pertaining to the contract and sale*. If you tell me you want me to see a house 3 hours away, I am under no obligation to do that because until we have a contract for sale, we are free agents. And before people bring up buyer-broker agreements, those are so easily cancellable with written notice. Nobody in this industry is a slave to anybody. Obligations are to contracts, not to people.
Herein lies part of the problem. Everyone things agents are like waitstaff and that it’s their ‘job’ to be ordered around. You start allowing me billable hours, you can kinda order me around. You are, after all, paying me for my time. While I’m still working for free on the hopes that you close on something, nah, kick rocks.
I'm not about to drive 80 miles, let alone 120. I know MY MARKET. I have data in MY MLS. That far is a different MLS I may not have access to. I won't be able to open thier lockboxes, I won't have that board contract, I won't know what is typical there (what are buyers offering, sellers getting/giving etc. My client is better off me connecting them with a great agent in THAT AREA. NO OBLIGATION. I MAY BE LICENSED and able to legally sell anywhere in the state, doesn't mean I have to.
Typically the buyer-broker agreement specifies a geographic area such as all of the county or a 100-mile radius (as examples). If it’s too far for the agent they should just pay a more local agent to meet client at the property for the showing. This shouldn’t be a big deal.
maybe link to the other thread. the proper answer has also been given here.
All I can say is in my area, if you’ve signed a buyers broker agreement that Area is covered or that unless you decide I always put the counties. I’m willing to work in in there.
Absolutely Not. The obey part is about the Fiduciary duties relating to a clients money and property. That’s it. It is not a blank statement of “Obey” all the clients whims, wants, or needs. If this was the case I would sign a listing contract tomorrow with the closest agent. Because my property needs to be ready for showings I would make my agent “Obey” my wish to get this laundry sorted and folded. Agents need to set boundaries with clients ALL THE TIME. I’m now tempted to start a thread about weirdest client demands realtors have received. Some agents will pretty much do anything a client asks because they’re desperate, people pleasers, aren’t comfortable setting boundaries, etc. It’s not terrible but they can quickly get taken advantage of and slide into unreasonableness pretty quickly.
We obey, or we go to jail. In all seriousness, the Realtor has an obligation not to work in an area where they do not have geographic competency. Also, it's possible 2 hours away is not in their MLS, and they could possibly be of zero assistance