- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Answers (19)
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5661
Strangely enough, as a consumer, I have yet to meet a REA who was available to me on a full-time basis. Too many REAs I have dealt with seemed genetically incapable of being ontime, returning calls when they said they would, etc. I have much less of an issue with a REA who identifies when they are available - and actually are.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2567
Joan,
I know how most agents feel about the team work concept, but couldn't you explore the option of putting together a team of part time agents that could cover it. My personal suspicion is that if you also picked a team with differing skills as well as differing schedules you could achieve a professional level of service for your customers that the typical 24/7 agent could not compete with.
I know how most agents feel about the team work concept, but couldn't you explore the option of putting together a team of part time agents that could cover it. My personal suspicion is that if you also picked a team with differing skills as well as differing schedules you could achieve a professional level of service for your customers that the typical 24/7 agent could not compete with.
- John Leitaker, "John Leitaker"
- Contributions:9
I did stand up comedy for a year. The other comics were not nice. I thought it was going to be a blast. Since only 7% of RE renew the lic. After a few years I am sure some RE just get tired off seeing new faces. If your not a new face how on earth could they know if your part time? If you are doing your job correctly.
My knee doctor/surgeon is part time. I guess when you are the go to doctor for many NFL and baseball players, you can work part time...
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21432
I've known many "top producers" that were so with several children of all ages. (Two with 5 kids, one with 4 kids, two with 3 kids, one with 2 kids...)
And personally, I'm not selecting any "top producers" as their goals and objectives are entirely different than mine. But one with 5 kids was a much better agent than most of the others as she managed her time a lot better.
And no, they didn't work 24/7, and they didn't take calls during dinner, and it was before cell phones and fax machines.
You don't have to do the "keep up with the Jones" to be effective in the industry.
As with all self employment business, you need to learn to manage your time wisely, and not allow phone interruptions to distract you from what you are trying to accomplish.
And personally, I'm not selecting any "top producers" as their goals and objectives are entirely different than mine. But one with 5 kids was a much better agent than most of the others as she managed her time a lot better.
And no, they didn't work 24/7, and they didn't take calls during dinner, and it was before cell phones and fax machines.
You don't have to do the "keep up with the Jones" to be effective in the industry.
As with all self employment business, you need to learn to manage your time wisely, and not allow phone interruptions to distract you from what you are trying to accomplish.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Pas, its not necessarily that agents have to work 24/7 (top producers DO work insane hours) but that they have to be available during the better part of every day of the week.
This is NOT a 9-5 job. Its one of those jobs that follows you around all hours of the day, every day.
I went into it partially because the hours are flexible which they are. However, the job follows me around everywhere I go and I am not even a top producer.
I don't know about anyone here on this board but I have looked around at all the agents I know who are top producers and they either have no children or their children are grown. This is because RE literally is their life.
This is NOT a 9-5 job. Its one of those jobs that follows you around all hours of the day, every day.
I went into it partially because the hours are flexible which they are. However, the job follows me around everywhere I go and I am not even a top producer.
I don't know about anyone here on this board but I have looked around at all the agents I know who are top producers and they either have no children or their children are grown. This is because RE literally is their life.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21432
I'm of the opinion that those that claim they work 24/7 to do their job are only jealous of those that can put in only 10 hours a week and close 5 times as many sales.
It is all about effectiveness, efficiency, and communication; and many of the "full time agents" just don't have it, and just don't get it.
Can't reach someone at midnight? Who cares; everyone has message machines or message services and E-mail, and an efficient person will respond in a timely manner. No one needs an answer at midnight for anything, and if they did, they are likely calling 911 instead of a profession that has absolutely the lowest entry threshold requirement. It takes more education to be a garbage collector.
It is all about effectiveness, efficiency, and communication; and many of the "full time agents" just don't have it, and just don't get it.
Can't reach someone at midnight? Who cares; everyone has message machines or message services and E-mail, and an efficient person will respond in a timely manner. No one needs an answer at midnight for anything, and if they did, they are likely calling 911 instead of a profession that has absolutely the lowest entry threshold requirement. It takes more education to be a garbage collector.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Dunes, since I am now in need of a full time job and the regular steady paycheck it provides and I am truly sad over abandoning RE, I would love to do it part time.
It simply isn't practical. Its such a round the clock, 7 day a week business and frankly people who hire REA's deserve better than someone who is trying to fit RE around their other job (and that's not including the whole Mom thing).
It simply isn't practical. Its such a round the clock, 7 day a week business and frankly people who hire REA's deserve better than someone who is trying to fit RE around their other job (and that's not including the whole Mom thing).
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7286
I have to admit, when the market got real slow (which it does in the dead of winter and around turkey and holiday time) I took a temp job to cover bills. I was never more busier than in those two months. In fact I was working 7 days a week to cover the 40 hour a week job and also the real estate job.
So yeah, if you're working real estate in the evenings and your client wants to reach you NOW, you better have a boss that allows you to take phone calls at work. Otherwise you're not doing your 'other' job.
So yeah, if you're working real estate in the evenings and your client wants to reach you NOW, you better have a boss that allows you to take phone calls at work. Otherwise you're not doing your 'other' job.
- Ed Drummond, "Ed Drummond"
- Contributions:2
Our market in Phoenix is constantly evolving and changing and right now we are experiencing multiple offers on all our listings. Phoenix is considered by many to be the "ground zero" for short sales and as a team, we do fair share of them. That being said, when a part time, or less experienced agent contacts us about any of our listings, in our experience, as we are looking out for the best interest of our client we tend to shy away from their offers. I would find it hard for a part time agent to stay up on current issues that can make or break deals in our distressed market. I understand that people need to start somewhere, but in my experience, the part time agents I encounter don't tend to treat real estate as their business. This is not the environment for part time agents.
- Reba Haas, "reba_haas"
- Contributions:620
There are good and bad agents whether or not they're full or part time just as this is true in any other field of work. However, the frustrating ones I've dealt with are those that aren't staying abreast of the constant changes in our field - particularly with contracts, financing, and legal issues. If someone doesn't have experience in short sales today, that's another one that can be a problem especially if the part time REA is the listing agent and they don't use a 3rd party negotiator. These are time intensive files and if someone can't babysit the lender and be available to handle all the paperwork that's involved, it can be a waste of time for everyone else involved.
- Jude Galligan, "DowntownAustin"
- Contributions:1
Part time real estate agents don't make it very long. Though top performing agents often know the systems required to keep a good work/life balance.
I don't think I have bias against part time agents. If an agent sends me an offer, we evaluate the offer on its merits, not if the agent is full time or part time.
I don't think I have bias against part time agents. If an agent sends me an offer, we evaluate the offer on its merits, not if the agent is full time or part time.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2567
What about part time agents that have assembled themselves as a team that can cover the full spectrum and schedule?
I seriously question the advisability of it being a 24/7 type career, even doctors and lawyers have arrangements to cover so they can get away, and it is absolutely necessary to the quality of service provided. Agents can't work regular 9-5 business hours because they have to work when the majority of people are working, but the 24/7 thing is unfounded on several fronts, you can't schedule showings, inspections, closes, and etc. in the middle of the night, keeping a big picture perspective absolutely requires time away, agents that have achieved balance in their lives should be easier to work with for consumers.
I seriously question the advisability of it being a 24/7 type career, even doctors and lawyers have arrangements to cover so they can get away, and it is absolutely necessary to the quality of service provided. Agents can't work regular 9-5 business hours because they have to work when the majority of people are working, but the 24/7 thing is unfounded on several fronts, you can't schedule showings, inspections, closes, and etc. in the middle of the night, keeping a big picture perspective absolutely requires time away, agents that have achieved balance in their lives should be easier to work with for consumers.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3894
Joan
You would never ever be a Part-Time RE Agent?
You would never ever be a Part-Time RE Agent?
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Buyers and sellers expect agents to be available at virtually all times. Therefore, agents need other agents to be available or accessible at virtually all times.
When most agents make RE a full time (read 24/7) career, part-time agents can be extremely frustrating to work with.
Of course, there are full time agents who are extremely frustrating to work with but working around a part time agent's other job is one frustration most of us don't need, especially when it negatively affects the buyers and sellers who are also forced to work around their part time hours.
When most agents make RE a full time (read 24/7) career, part-time agents can be extremely frustrating to work with.
Of course, there are full time agents who are extremely frustrating to work with but working around a part time agent's other job is one frustration most of us don't need, especially when it negatively affects the buyers and sellers who are also forced to work around their part time hours.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25120
"Would you go to a part-time heart surgeon? What about hiring a part-time lawyer?"
Yes and yes. In my experience if those professionals are working part time, they are very experienced, often more competent than their generic full time counterparts and are often enjoying the benefits of partial retirement. It is not a reflection on their skill.
On the other hand, I have met many full time agents, hairdressers, horse trainers and other professionals etc. that I would not give a penny to because they are not competent. In my mind, full time does not guarantee you have a good agent. There are plenty of bad full time agents and choosing a good agent is not as easy as asking them how many hours that they work. There are better questions to ask when you interview an agent.
I think the bias exists and I think it is wholly unnecessary. The focus should be on having clients find a knowledgeable, honest and competent agent.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3894
Great examples!..Cause Real Estate Agents are just like Heart Surgeons and Lawyers if you ignore the Educational requirements, the internships, the testing for a license, Policing/Liabilities and importance of what they do.. LMAO
Many people have bought and Sold without an Agent or using a Part-Time Agent or Flat-Fee or or...Few have done Heart Surgery on themselves
Bad mouthing options like Flat-Fee or Agents who lowered Commissions or Part Time Agents is just a Self-Promoting Marketing plan it seems for a LARGE number of BSing Agents..
I'm Better..I'm Better..I'm Better..I'm like a Heart Surgeon
NO ONE SAYS WORSE THINGS ABOUT REALTORS THAN REALTORS DO...and yet they wonder why the vast majority of people (IMO) don't bother to even listen to them anymore
Tons of Money and Time spent by Agents using their "Expert" Marketing & Social Media Skills to destroy their own Industry/Livelihood...not a problem they'll just blame it on the Media, Lenders, the Uneducated Public and France
- Alexander Good, "Good4Homes"
- Contributions:29
Would you go to a part-time heart surgeon? What about hiring a part-time lawyer?
It's the same mentality, someone in the business full time typically has more experience and know-how than part-time agents. In today's market, a lot of full time Realtors don't even know what they are doing. You would be surprised how clueless Realtors are beyond putting a house in the MLS. Your best bet? Interview a few Realtors and put them against each other. They will start giving you questions to ask the others and hopefully you'll end up with the right agent. There are also a few other techniques that can help you weed out the average Realtor.
It's the same mentality, someone in the business full time typically has more experience and know-how than part-time agents. In today's market, a lot of full time Realtors don't even know what they are doing. You would be surprised how clueless Realtors are beyond putting a house in the MLS. Your best bet? Interview a few Realtors and put them against each other. They will start giving you questions to ask the others and hopefully you'll end up with the right agent. There are also a few other techniques that can help you weed out the average Realtor.
- Cory La Scala, "San Diego CA Realtor"
- Contributions:419
Competition I guess, but it's better than bias against ALL REAs! A part timer can be just as good or better than a full timer. Any agent can be good, you just have to stay on top of the market, loans, neighborhoods - everything!
I've noticed a definite bias against part-time REAs, by other REAs.
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.