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Are you asking the right question?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA 01368633

asleep at workI recently read a post written by an agent in Hawaii, who suggested potential sellers and buyers only work with "Full Time Real Estate Agents".  I have nothing against "Full Time Real Estate Agents"  My question is what is a full time real estate agent? 

Do you become a full time real estate agent by being at the brokerage from 8 to 5pm?  Because I know some agents at my brokerage who seem to be there night a day, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure they've completed more than a couple of transactions for 2009.  Is it the number of transaction sides you close that makes you a full time agent, or is it the dollar volume?  I know a couple of agents who just do mobile homes, and they are busy! but I bet their annual income is below that of the some of the high end agents who do 1/3 the work. 

What about the pest inspector, contractor,  or appraiser who has a real estate license.  I know some agents who have been in the inspeciton business for years, and were recently licensed.  What about licensed property managers who spend most of their time dealing with rentals?

I think the real questions is, are you trained, qualified, and have sufficient experience.  How do you find this out?  I'd ask for two things.  How many transaction side have you represented this year?  In the past 3 years?  Do you have any past clients I can talk to? 

The question "Are you a full time real estate agent" doesn't really give a potential client enough information to make a decision. 

Posted by

Jim Cheney, Broker

"Your Realtor in Rincon Valley"

Wine Country Real Estate

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County

 

Gina Chirico
Lattimer Realty - Fairfield, NJ
Real Estate Agent - Essex County, New Jersey

Jim, well said.   What really does constitute a full-time agent?  I know some agents who have full-time jobs so I guess that would make real estate their "part-time" job.  Some of those same "part-time" agents with 9-5 day jobs are among the highest producers in their office out of all full-time agents!  If you don't have another job - does that really qualify you as a full-time agent?  hmmmm....somehow I don't think so

Nov 22, 2009 12:23 PM
kathleen bonham
FHAllen, Sonoma Country and Vintage - Santa Rosa, CA

Jim...Love the discussion! We all have different ideas and opinions and that shows involvment.

        Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 24, 2009 01:16 AM
Anthony Ebright - NMLSR ID #247647 Purchase and Refinance Mortgages
FHA, VA, Conforming, Jumbo - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - Santa Rosa, CA

JIm, great questions to ask. So, how does a new real estate agent differentiate themselves from an experienced agent? I remember the days when I was new to this business... way back when... I would be grilled by the Realtors because I looked so young. It was a tough first year.

Nov 25, 2009 04:03 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Absolutely correct Jim, one year in the business with 30 years experience or 30 years with one year experience.

Nov 27, 2009 07:01 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

How about 24 hour agent?  Isn't that what a lot of us end up being during high times?

Nov 29, 2009 01:00 AM
Michael Regan
The Regan Team Home Loan Group - Petaluma, CA
Home Loan Extraordinaire

Very good post.  There are a lot of people that are "full time" in real estate but so few of them do what it takes to be successful.  The top 10% do 90% of the business.  This rule applies to loan reps too, so many only do a handful of deals a year and don't keep up on all the changes.  In this market if you're not on top of everything your clients and partners are going to suffer for it.

Nov 29, 2009 02:54 AM