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Part Time Real Estate Agents

By Nancy Brenner

Real Estate Agent with Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc.

August 12, 2007 08:04 PM

I've been with AT&T for almost 28 years now. I can retire in May of 2010 with benefits and full pension. Last year I decided that there has to be a life after AT&T so I went to school and got my Real Estate License. Not knowing where to work I sought out the agent that sold me my house. Lo and behold, he was now a Broker and he hired me to work for him.

I decided on Real Estate as my next career for a few reasons. One - I love looking at houses. Two - I like people and the more I meet and the vaster their differences, the more I love meeting them. Three - well, it was suggested to me by a friend and, well, here I am. :-)

I've been told - and I see posts and blogs and all kinds of stuff - that tell me that part time agents are not well liked. I try to be as honest with my clients as possible but I'm afraid to tell them that Real Estate is not my only job.

I work the night shift at AT&T and dedicate my daylight hours and off days to selling houses. I am there for my clients whenever they need me.

Just starting out, and in today's market, I need my AT&T job to support my Real Estate Habit. I had no idea how much it costs to work as a Realtor!

Is there anyone else out here in the same boat?

Who do you know that wants to buy or sell Real Estate???

Nancy Rivera
RoswellGaRealtor@gmail.com
http://roswellgarealtor.georgiamls.com/
Cell:  404-229-8721

RE/MAX Leading Edge   4401 Shallowford Road  Ste 154    Roswell, Ga  30075-3175
Office:  770-552-6501     Fax:  770-552-6503

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Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

Hi Nancy: Congrats on getting your real estate license. That's not as easy as the general public seems to think. Nothing about being a Realtor is as easy as the general public thinks. I took an early retirement from BellSouth several years ago (before AT&T). I had always wanted to be in real estate and I don't regret my decision to do that at all. What I do regret is not getting into it much sooner. It' s not easy, that's for darn sure and the expense, oh my gosh!

You are smart to have your income to help get you going because the first two years will most likely be tough trying to get established. I'll be honest though, I do not know how anyone does real estate part time! If you've found a way, then more power to you and tell us your secret. I can tell you without a doubt, there IS life after AT&T. You might find that it's not real estate and you might find that it is. But there IS life.

It's sounds like you were very fortunate to find a broker with whom you already had some familiarity with. I think affiliating yourself with the RIGHT brokerage firm will make or break your business if not your spirit. And there is lot of meaning behind "RIGHT". Best to you with your retirement from AT&T in the next few years and with real estate. Just stay honest and do the right thing and you should be fine.

Aug 12, 2007 08:16 PM

Todd Murphy

Fitts Agency - Tuscaloosa, AL

I agree with Donna. I don't know how anyone does real estate part-time. Unless you are just overwhelmed with eagerness and desire to be successful at real estate, I would finish out with AT&T and then invest the rest of your life in a real estate career. But, most importantly, follow your heart.

Aug 12, 2007 09:26 PM

Nancy Brenner

Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA

Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent

Thanks for your comments Donna and Todd.

I put in over 80 Real Estate hours a week. I guess that's not really part time. But.... I still have another job that pays the bills while I'm "learning" about the Real Estate Profession.

Aug 12, 2007 09:30 PM

Linda Reynolds

Bradenton Real Estate - Linda Reynolds - Bradenton, FL

Bradenton Real Estate

As long as you give your customers great customer service, then more power to you. It is very expensive to be in this business, for some reason the public refuses to here that part of the story. You have a plan that is more than most, keep at it and you will do fine.

Aug 12, 2007 09:58 PM

Michael Almeida

Pillar To Post - Professional Home Inspection - North Arlington, NJ

Licensed New Jersey Home Inspector

Many people often forget that you're basically self employed as a realtor. Some offices may have some services extended to you.

Some offices charge you for "office space", photo copies, staples, paper, telephone calls, etc.

As you've already found it can get fairly expensive to be in business for yourself.

Aug 12, 2007 10:09 PM

Mike Jaquish

Realty Arts - Cary, NC

919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Nancy,

Part-time with a goal is a great way to get started.

And 80 hours a week is a lot more than many dabbling part-timers (or full-timers for that matter) put into the business.

You should be in a great position in 2010, with your database in place, and marketing plans sorted out, etc.

I think much criticism of part-time RE agents springs from dabblers who don't bother with things like updates, further education, and not disclosing that their full-time job may distract them from offering proper service.

Don't burn out early and good luck!

Aug 12, 2007 11:04 PM

Paula Paquin

Exit realty Optimum - Halifax, NS

Hi Nancy,

CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSE! You may say that your in Real Estate part-time...But we as Realtor's know, that is not possible. The phone could RING at any time, we are on call 24-7. How many other professions are on call 24-7 ~ I can't think of any...Perhap's you should get a partner in Real Estate for now until you retire, so all of your call's will be taken care of and you do not get FRUSTRATED trying to juggle 2 professions.

Aug 12, 2007 11:07 PM

MATTHEW JENKINS

REALTY EXECUTIVES PROFESSIONALS - Plymouth, MA

Since there are no set hours or schedules there are no part timers Real Estate has changed laptops,pdas , cellphones,the internet, everybody is available 24/7 . Everybody has things that they do other than Real Estate, all mothers,golfers and sun worshippers raise their hand ,so you work 2 jobs. I believe as long as you work with your clients and give the 100% you are a Full time Realtor.

Aug 12, 2007 11:21 PM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

By being in this business you dedicate your time to it as necessary. I don't know any other profession that allows the flexibility of time management. I love to travel and would not have been able to to the degree I like if it were not for Real Estate. Part time or full time, don't perceive it as a hobby and you'll make a better transition to success.

Aug 13, 2007 02:35 AM

Nancy Brenner

Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA

Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent

Kevin - Real estate is definitely not a hobby. In my case it's a HABIT! I love looking at houses, driving through neighborhoods and being with people. I'm addicted!!!

Aug 13, 2007 02:45 AM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

There is no 12 step program available for you you know. It's one addiction that only gets better with time!

Aug 13, 2007 03:46 AM

Chad Baird

Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

THe biggest complaint about Part timers is the inability to communicate with the part time agent because they are at there other job. You just never know when an issue is going to pop up. It can be done though.

Personally I could not work a full time job and do Real Estate. It's hard enough with a wife and 2 kids. I was out late 3 nights last week (well 4 if you count my Non-Real Estate night) and gone most of the weekend working. Then to have to endure the stress of another job, It would probely kill me.

2010 will will be here before we know it. You will have a huge leg up over new agents. You will have some experience, and a financial base to cushion you. Good Luck!

Aug 13, 2007 03:59 AM

Mary Smartt

Lawton Associates / www.LawtonAssociates.com - Berkeley, CA

Smartt Moves with Mary Smartt

I don't care if an agent is part-time, full-time, or all-the-time...as long as they are a good agent to work with. Just make sure you are there when your clients and colleagues need you, and have open communication. Also, being part of a solid team is helpful (though, you gotta be there for them too!). Good luck!

Aug 13, 2007 11:15 AM

Rebecca Savitski

BSR Real Estate Group - Cary, NC

NC Real Estate Listings

Hi Nancy,

I have always had a problem with Part Timers - and I apologize because in your instance I think you are smart and working it as if it is a career and not just random bonuses. My issue has always been with those that just sell to friends and family. Friends and family usually will use the service of a fulltime Realtor and then go back to the part timer to write the offer and get the commission I have witnessed this over and over again. Keep up the hard work and good luck.

Aug 19, 2007 12:29 PM

Christy Harvey

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - Orange Park, FL

Hey Nancy,

I'm a single mom who got laid off of her job at Washington Mutual Bank due to a mass layoff. My job was filled by outsourcing to India, Costa Rica, and some other places. I took the severance and decided to go into Real Estate. My severance is running out with having to advertise. I've got one listing that is about to expire and in order to maintain, I really need to get a job to support what I'm trying to do. I've got money to live off of, but I have no money to advertise. Real Estate is a full-time job and you really have to stay committed and in people's face about it to be able to succeed. As long as people know that you are a Realtor, customers will come but there are A TON of people that will waste your time. Don't let it happen to you! If people don't really need to sell, then they won't! If people want to buy, get them pre-approved if you can FIRST! That will test their seriousness! Also, if you talk to someone about listing their home, do NOT WAIT to get the papers signed, have them with you! These are just things that I've found out. I've had a lot of frustration with Real Estate, but I pray that the rewards later, will be well worth it. I look at my daughter and have been able to stay home with her. That gives me the motivation to continue in Real Estate. I know that it takes time, but just don't GIVE up!!!!

Aug 20, 2007 12:07 AM

Anonymous

Joe Steele / RE/MAX Advantage Stockbridge, GA.

Hi Nancy,

I too am a "part time agent" / Realtor!

I have been licensed for a little over a year now and if nothing else I have learned that there is not such thing as a "part time agent"!

If you dedicate yourself to servicing your clients correctly and honestly, then you will always be very busy. Not to mention all the marketing that it requires...

Don't let anyone discourage you...keep on working at it and it will work for you!

Good Luck,

Joe

Aug 20, 2007 01:21 AM

#17

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck to you. I have a post Is this a good time to get into Real estate ? and the response and feed back I have received is great.Please read it for some great advice from fellow agents.

Aug 20, 2007 01:27 AM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

It is mostly the lack of communication, and also lack of experience that causes many full time agents to have difficulty working with part time agents. Most agents do start part time, there are not many who can afford to give up the day job and jump into the business feet first. Good luck in your 2nd career.

Aug 21, 2007 01:29 AM

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