out-of-area leads from website?

[Jordan Solomon]

Let's say that I focus on certain neighborhoods, possibly because that's where my buyers have indicated to me they are interested in. When doing direct mail or looking for leads off the MLS, that's easy to control. Now, let's say I have a website, and I get a call from a motivated seller from my area, but in another town, though not one all that far away. What do you recommend I do with that lead? I would hate to give up a good deal, but also obviously don't want to get stuck with a house I can't sell. And how do I explain to the seller who calls that I can't buy his/her house just because it's in a certain town? Thanks.

[James Wise]

I work a specific area. When I get calls from out of my area I actually say just that. That I am not able to buy/sell/manage that particular property because it is not in my working area.