Full-time or Part-time Agent

I have worked as both, part time and full time. Never did I miss a deadline or a phone call. Its a matter of responsibility! I have dealt with part and full timers who were both good and bad.

Look at it this way, Peter. Without this transaction, you never would have had the feature and all of these comments. Now a lot more people know who you are.

Yes, part time agents do not have the time to run their business properly.  A good agent needs to be available at all times and needs to be available to represent their clients in an expediant manner.  Even if it is Christmas Day and a client(s) want to see one of your listings, you need to be available or designate someone in your office to handle your business that would be available at all times.  Part time agents neglect to keep their manager or broker informed as they should.  A full time agent is more organized.  They are more informed with the rapid changes that are occurring in our business. 

I think Peter's point is Full timers tend to communicate during the day and Part timers tend to communicate in the evening.  Given a choice he would prefer to not work in the evening.  

The other agent proved his point.  She does real estate by herself after 6pm.  Good luck with that.

I've known part time agents who can get work done during the day and that seems to work.  I don't know that it would if no calls could be made during the work day.

I don't think it matters at all if the other agent is part time, full time, or whatever. It's a matter of being professional, taking care of the clients and getting the deal done. Some part timers are far and above better to work with than some full timers, and the other way around. Some deals are easy, some average, most difficult, no matter what type of agent you work with. Can't we all just get along?

PS With as many times as I see this "debate", I think I'm going to save this response and copy and paste it in.

Hi Peter -- I have had both fabulous and bad transactions with both full-time and part-time agents, so for me, it really doesn't matter.  Real estate is not life or death.  Is it an annoyance, yes.  I recently had a transaction with a part-time agent and it worked better than most agents who are full-time.  All depends on the person.

Also, part-time agents are varied in their schedules, response times, etc.  To me, actually, most real estate is done in the evenings and weekends, as that is when my busy clients who one or both have full-time jobs want to interact, whether buyer or seller.

I think the question in inappropriate.  Part-time vs. Full-time is not the real issue but ethics and professionalism are.  I'm not sure why full timers feel the need to berate part-time agents all the time.  I've called full-time agents who only return calls one or two times during the day.  I am an agent who has another full-time job and it's not a problem because I don't take on more than I can handle.

For the record, many doctors do indeed work part-time you just don't know because you don't ask.

Hi, Peter.  

I did a deal recently with a Realtor who works a cosmetic counter at Dillards (her: "Times are tough, I've got to put food on the table for my family.").   That sale was a textbook-smooth transaction.  She met every deadline, got all the paperwork signed.

On the flipside, I recall a transaction with a full-time agent.   Very, very difficult to meet timelines, get papers signed, because she was having her nails done, or hosting a charity luncheon, or taking her kids to soccer.  I'll take Part-Time Agent Dillard any time over that Full-Timer.

It's not about "Part Time or Full Time" - it's about the performance, the professionalism, and getting it to the closing table on schedule.

Wow, this could go on forever.  My frst broker ony wanted full-time agents.  Just as the market was going crazy, several of them had to quite in order to take full-time jobs.  I tried to be one of them, but couldn't get a full-time job with the crazy economy.  So I stuck in there as a full-time agent, found out other ways to make money in Real estate and now here I am with my own brokerage.

It does come down to service.  I've encountered full-time agents who only returned calls after five and part-time agents who are really on top of it. 

Oh my you have had this discussion all day today and I missed out.  This could have been fun.  For starts I am with Dee and I can tell you if that agent can keep their two jobs balanced, hey they are doing great.  Look at the fact they have business going when there are agents out there that are FULL TIME that have had only 1-2 transactions a year (according to Realtor.com it was like 45%, shocking!!) So perhaps you may need to watch your back they may be out doing you on both sides and are loving it as part time. 

Ditto what Ruthmarie said.

Stan's comment above regarding 45% of agents at full - time and 1-2 transactions a year? I think there's plenty of time for that full-time job.

And lastly: Christmas Day. Anybody who calls me on Christmas Day and asks to see a house is dead to me.

I wish I could be 9-5! I am 7-7 6 days a week :) I guess I'm just a workaholic

Hi Peter - I agree with you on both counts... both part time and full time agents who are impossible to reach, expect you to be there on their clients' behalf... and make a seemingly easy transacton into a possibly harder one. Best, Gay

 7Hi Peter - just found myself perusing your responses - I have to expound on my last statement..  When you are representing a seller say, and the buyer's agent states that they cannot be there for the appraiser, or the inspection (yes, it has happened).... it is embarrassing... Yes, I like to be there for the appraisal anyway as I wish to give forth my report, but it signals to me the follow-up skills of the other agent is non-existent if they do not recognize the important of ALSO being present for the appraiser... in introducing him/herself, offering their card, building a rapport if only a fleeting one.... I have been informed that  the agent cannot be there for an inspection or the buyers cannot be there for the inspection.. and then I also know the level of the agent with whom I am dealing..... So, YES, I totally agree with you. Best, Gay

I have worked with both.  It's not about the hours you spend, but how well you spend them. 

I do; however, feel if you work another job, you should disclose to any client or customer who hires you. I think they have a right to know what service level they can expect from you.....whether full time or part time.

Great thread of comments.  My issue is with agents (full or part time) that do not know what they are doing.  They are in it for the money and do a sloppy job, don't understand contracts and cannot be reached.

@brenda right on sister! my full time job gets on my last NERVE...but it is steady and the benefits are good.

Well, Peter, whose file have you had to run for them?  In today's age of communications I find your opinion really dated.  Many people are able to handle multiple career lines simultaneously, and do so quite successfully, and, by the way, have clients and business associates who are very loyal and pleased with their performance.  I guess it all depends on how good and really talented one happens to be.