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130 Comments on Part-timers killing the real estate profession! No Accountability!
LaNita Cates I recieve calls everyday from my websties from people that are looking for information about homes listed that are not ours (IDX)...when they identify they have an agent...we advise them to ask their own agent to assist them. The callers mention to us, they cannot. Their agents are working a full time job. So between 5-6 PM every evening, we start receiving calls from part timers looking for information about listings that are not ours. Again, they are working a full time job and do not know about broker reciprocity! We've been using this for many years in Atlanta so it is not something new! Any full timer knows this! However, by this time the agents are stressed and frantic, and do not know how to search the MLS systems. If they were working full time, they could speak to their broker, call into their office, and not jam everthing up until after work. For many full time agents, after 5 PM is their down time. ? They have been up since 6:30 AM working real estate. So do we need to hire help to answer the phones and do all their work on listings that are not ours?
The persons that are really hurt are those depending on the service that is never rendered. In Atlanta it has become so bad, that in the MLS listings...it says "IF I SHOW YOUR CLIENTS YOU ONLY GET 1/2 of 1% commission! This has been upheld in arbitrations.
I am not thick skin, I just call it the way I see it. It is all about personal responsibility and action! We are paid well in the business, but we are supposed to be earning it.
Joey Remondino Broker, GRI, E-Pro Joey, I will look it up! I also have a brokers license in your area. I lived fro over 10 years in the DC area and would like to move back at some point! I will look at your Blog!
There is another post on today by Debe Maxwell along similar lines.
I see yours was written almost a year ago, but the subject still lingers in the minds of us that have made a career out of real estate.
Making a career out of real estate seems to evade the logic of these part-timers and they have the attitude of "I'll try it and see if it works". Wonder if that is also how they treat their other commitments in life, like say marriage?
The only ones that will really gripe about your topic are the "My real job is ______, but I'm also a "realator" and they try to justify their "right" to be in the real estate business part time.
But, just maybe one of them can give us valid reasons for not feeling the way we "career" minded brokers do.
There are still too many "commission" driven folks in this business who have no idea what it is truly like to make a living doing this full time. They can come and go as they please. Get in when its good. Get out when its bad.
I wonder if they would appreciate it if their doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants and other professionals they depend on had the same attitude?
I wanted to add my comment now, because the subject needs to stay alive.
Don Davies, GRI Thanks! Years ago we used to use the term "Disney money" to describe part timers. A trip away for the family, a trip to Disney. The attitude was if I make a sale great if not...so what? When we offer services to persons in need they are relying on us to help them! Perhaps they are facing foreclosures, personal bankruptcy and a part timer is deceiving them! Seller's suffer, the other agents, closing attorneys, buyers, mortgage commitments, and the image of Realtors in general suffers.
Karen Kruschka - One of the most experienced agents in Northern Virginia Exactly! We recently had a person call us that wanted to sell a property that we could not help at all! Here is what happened!
This seller admitted to us that when she purchased the property 2 years ago... she did so with a part timer with a full time job. The buyer grossly over paid for a home. Her part time agent did not prepare a CMA for her as her buyer's agent, did not negotiate, had her pay full price and did not aid her or advise her on the inspection (which she did not show up for because she worked a full time job) or did she request anything that came up on the inspection list because the time expired! BTW...the agent did not even show up at closing, nor did she have anyone sit in with the buyer.
But wait it gets better! The part timer did not advise the buyer that the home she purchased was on the market for a year and a half! The reason? It was 25K higher in price than the average comp! For her troubles the buyer was offered $1500 in return for a signature on a "HOLD HARMLESS FORM!"
The buyer now seller is sitting on a home that she cannot give away with out taking at least a 45K. It was overpriced, plus commissions, and buyer concessions!)
Being a Realtor is NOT rocket science.
I requires no intensive upfront training thus the low bar.
If it was a harder "job" they demographics of the industry will change so unless the bar is raised, may a college degree or a masters to be a Realtor, things will remain status quo.
Then, there'll be a different set of complaints!
Vanessa Plante-McDonald, AA, BS, MBA I agree, but therein lies the dilemma! It does take dedication, and commitment to get the job for the client done correctly, and most part-times have not committed to doing this full time themselves! They never stay in real estate, and when they leave the industry and clients are better served.
I must respectfully disagree. I have worked with many full time agents that are lazy, incompetant, and dishonest. I have worked with many part-time agents that are on the ball and take good care of their clients.
I am a full-time agent, but I have 6 children. Are you going to say that because I have a lot of reponsibility at home, that I can't be just as effective as a single agent with no children at home? I know I am more effective than quite a few full timers without kids at home.
It is all about the person, not the other things they have going on in their life!!!
I totally agree 100%,part timers need to find a different profession!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meridian Idaho Real Estate Pam Pugmire (All Pro Realty) Thank for your opinion, but I totally disagree. I've been doing this since 1979. Part timers are a drain on the deals. Customer no service, things are done at their convenience not the other parties. It applies to listings and buyers. I am seeing loads of homes slip into foreclosure here in Atlanta that are listed with an agent that has the wrong price etc... you cannot reach the agent, they call you back hours later if not at all... and we've already moved on. They have no place in the business. It isn't a TV show.
Sabrina M. Weeks /Realtor CTG *Milln$$Producer* (All Seasons Realty) I don't think it is fair to all the other parties. Hey this is America, and a person can do what they want, but why should others carry the load?
Unprofessional agents, whether they be part-time of full-time, cause professional agents to do more than their fair share of a transaction. One of the most professional agents in my area (Fredericksburg VA) is now a full-time agent. He was formerly a teacher (a very well respected one) and could always be relied upon to accomplish his side of the work load. Did so in a manner superior to many full-time agents too. He was conscientious and knowledgable! Had many transactions with him and each was a pleasure.
Ed DeChristopher, CRS©,Fredericksburg VA (RE/MAX Supercenter) Thanks Ed. In the Atlanta area we have gone from 8500 to 46000 agents in a few years. So just by the numbers...most of the agents are part time, and never sold not even 1 home. In this market they turned it into an absolute nightmare.
Wow...interesting discussion. I've had my license since 1983 and have seen all sides of the indusrty in all types of markets. I understand the frustration full time agents have with part time agents "skimming" off the top.
Now a part timer has every right to earn money legally and ethically to provide for a better lifestyle for themselves, their spouse and their kids. Perhaps a part time is planning on going full time...but they need the recommended 6 months of savings to do this.
Frankly, I have also experienced frustration with "full timers". It's not the hours you put into it..it's:
Lastly, I'm surprised that a Professional RE/MAX agent would be ranting the way you have been. Peace.
The Atalnta market may have been more affected than most. A 300% of agents in 3 years. From 12K to 45K. Over 67% have never even sold one home.
We have a few part-time agents in our office, but they seem to do well. They work mostly by referral but love their other careers as well.
I have also run into several horrible part-times (and full-timers). As long as the agent is competent, and we get the deal done per contract, I'm a happy camper and could care less whether they work 1 hour per week or 80.
It's about competence and common sense.
Sandra Carlisle, Realtor - Newport Beach - Corona del Mar (First Team Estates) But are thye fair to the other agents, do they get the needed documentation on time, are they accessible during regular hours...most of the time they are not. If they are doing real estate on their full time job how well are they doing that job? How well are they performing for that employer? I get daily requests to do the work of part time agents because they are inaccessible to their buyer clients 9-5 PM. The agents in the office may be swell folks, but have you done a deal with one that works full time?
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