Stop Ranting About Part Time Agents!

Why do people keep bringing up un proffessional full-time agents in these discussions.  That is a totally different animal. 

I don't think the 'part-time vs full-time' issue is the number of hours each segment works. There are good & bad agents on both sides. For me, the issue is more whether the part-timer is reachable during regular business hours. Anyone trying to do a transaction with someone that works, for example, as a teacher, can have a frustrating experience. They can't take phone calls or accept or return faxes during their work hours. If they work as Craig does, then it's not a problem. But I find that often part-timers aren't up-to-date with their technology skills. I'm currently involved in a transaction with such a person (not a teacher), but she only works on her real estate business at night. She typically calls me between 8:00-10:00 pm, sends her faxes then, and for some of the fax responses, requires me to contact my seller at those hours as well. Now I'm not opposed to working that late, as that's a part of the job. Especially, when trying to get a home in contract. However, when it occurs ONLY because the other agent is forcing us to work around her schedule, then that is frustrating for me and it inconveniences my client. It also becomes a problem with lender & title company responses, since they work an 8-5 or 9-6 job.

I think part-time is often used as a catch phrase for unavailable.  There are plenty of full-time agents that do not have the courtesy to return calls in a timely manner.  Non-responsive agents make us all look bad.  Whether a person devotes 20, 40 or 80 makes no difference, as long as they are available when needed.

I absolutely disagree with a few points.  I always get calls through out the day from my ads in the paper or my signs in front of my listings and if I don't answer the phone, then I've just lost a hot lead.  Yes I can call them back, but they've already labeled me as one of those agents that doesn't pick up her phone.  I have not done the best job for my client by not immediately picking up the phone and giving a potential buyer information on that property. 

Also, designations are important.  The education you receive, the new information, is really important.  Just like CPA's, doctors, lawyers, etc. they are having to continue their education all the time by being current on the new laws and better ways to do their jobs, etc.  And even in my brokerage, most part time agents are not taking any of the courses to get these designations.

This is why a lot of agents have a hard time defending their commission these days.  People need to look at this as a career.  You get the education, you put in the hours, and you carry yourself in a professional and ethical manor.  I am generalizing the majority of part timers.  If you are a part timer and act professional and are well respected by other Realtors, then we obviously aren't talking about you, keep up the good work.  But the other part timers, need to rethink the effect they are having on full time Realtors.

 

 

Interesting article.  Professionalism should be practiced at all times as a REALTOR to be taken seriously! I myself couldn't handle two different positions, going from wearing one hat, to another.  I think it can be done but not as effectively.  One would have to be very organized not to mention, swift in going from one place to another.  Hurry here, hurry there, back and forth, not to mention the stress in remembering things.  We all have to do what we have to do to survive.  Whatever it takes! 

I don't think that the part time agent should have opportunity time at the 'up desk' though. This should be for the full timers only.  Fairs fair! You do what you have to do but you can't have it both ways.

 Best regards,

Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST REALTOR, NH, ME & MA

URL:  www.patricia4realestate.com

I see everyone's point of view in one way or another. I think the big picture here, as someone said, do they adhere to the NAR's Code of Ethics?

There are so many people that enter into this field thinking they are going to get rich quick. Time will tell, and I think if the market gets tougher we will see many agents who are not in this field whole heartedly drop out.

I technically have two careers myself. I am a Realtor, and a mother of four. I know my responsibilities for both careers, and I do what it takes to be successful in both.

Gloria Price

www.pricececilhomes.com

www.priceharfordhomes.com

I can see it on both sides.  We have had issues with being able to reach "part-time" agents when we need to, but we've also had the same problem with so-called "full-time" agents.  It all depends on the person, not really the amount of time they claim to be putting into this profession.

I agree completely. It's all based on the person and how they are. Some people are great and some just aren't.

I must disagree on part time agents. I put them in the same catagory as part time loan officers. When a client has a question on a purchase of a home, be it 7PM at night or on a Saturday or Sunday, the true "full time" professional will answer their phone. I have built my company on the fact that I can be reached 24/7. I believe that I owe that to my clients as well as my business partners. Because of that one simple belief - servicing the client - I have built a successful company. Nothing worse than trying to reach a business partner, especially between 9 - 5, and getting an answering machine. Pick up the phone, regardless of the time and watch your business soar. The number one complaint in our crazy industry is customer service. I just do not see that happening with part timers.......So the next time your phone rings and could possibly turn into a large commission, ask yourself, how hard is it to push talk and answer a couple questions.....   24/7 !!!  Make it a rule!

I 2nd Lewis

you get paid for answering the calls.   you can take time off...everyone deserves personal and family time. 

Residential deals are done 24/7 at the convenience of people who work 9-5 which means that Agents work OUTSIDE those times.

Commercial - HA - try reaching a commercial person before 10am or after 4pm!  I joke when I do commercial loans that I'm the only one working past 4 in the whole area!

I answer loan calls as late as I have to...

I think the point isn't part time vs full time - it isn't professionalism either - some of the best agents are hardly professional... it is experiential.  Sure, newbies need to keep their bartending jobs or even early AM jobs to support their realty habit until they get going... but people that are NOT full time do NOT get the full immersion that creates fluency in Real Estate.  You can work in the dead of winter in a hawaiian shirt and sandals in Chicago and call EVERYONE Bucko and sell more houses than anyone else because your unprofessional ways become your calling card... but you can't beat experience and devoted professionals. 

If you stop taking calls at 6, you're just asking for clients that work full time to have issues getting to you.

> I have built my company on the fact that I can be reached 24/7. I believe that I owe that to my clients

You don't owe that to your clients. Most agents who allow themselves to become slaves to their phone, and who allow clients to control your schedule end up as angry divorced smokers living in an apartment.

Nothing comes before my family. I will never miss one of my kids basketball games, school plays, volleyball game, parent/teacher meeting, etc. because of a client or a deal. My phone is turned off, or left in the car, when I am doing those things. If you educate your clients about when you are and are not available, they know you'll call back. If you run your deals properly and plan for the unexpected, there are rarely "emergencies".

Sorry Lewis, I disagree with your definition of good service 100%. It has nothing to do with the percentage of phone calls answered. We send a Customer Service Survey to each and every client after closing where they rate us on different categories 1 to 5. We always get 5's on responsiveness and availability even though we are in fact not available 24/7 and don't return many calls until the next morning. I usually return calls late morning and mid afternoon each day,and rarely on weekends, and that's about it unless an Option Period is ending or we're in a negotiation.

My calendar and schedule belongs to me, not the rest of the world.

Hey Deb, for the most part I agree with you as well.  Everyone has got to start somewhere and just because it is a part time venture doesn't mean professionalism, pride, caring, & competence are thrown out the window.   Not everyone can dive into this thick pool real estate full time from the get go.  And I agree with you as well Mr. Steve Crossland, well put.

And as long as you are fulfilling your duties to your firm and your clients, full-time vs. part-time becomes a moot point.

Jason...

I understand not everyone can dive in from the get go...

but it is not necessarily just about the time put in, it is about the level of devotion.

Someone who is devoted to real estate will succeed.  The problem is that there are too many people just getting their licenses to be part of transactions and get paid... but they never advance along the learning curve.

A true devotee isn't just fulfulling duties.  Anyone can mosey on down a checklist and make sure paperwork is done and calls are made.  That's what assistants do.  Not everyone can negotiate their way through the mess that has been caused by using the wrong paperwork and that's the difference in a devotee and a part timer.

For Instance:

1. When do you use an As-Is contract and when don't you?
2. How do you write an appropriate financing contingency?
3. Who gets to do your title work?
4. Who do you refer for the mortgage?

If 3 & 4 are simply - whomever occupies the desk marked Title or Mortgage at my broker's office, then you've got someone who is just following a checklist.

If 1 & 2 are only accomplished by bringing in the broker to help everytime.. then there is no advancement along the learning curve.

If the part timer can stand on his/her own and deal with all the complexities, then I have no problem.  But as to the hairstylist/waitress/taxi driver/nurse chiming in or BUTTING in on a transaction in process - chances are they don't know what they're doing and they're going to make a mess.  THOSE are the part timers that frustrate most of us....

 

> it is about the level of devotion.

That's a rgeat observation. You hit the nail on the head.

---Steve -   I go to every one of my kids games and have a life with my wife as well.....  The Blackberry is the best invention in the last 100 years. I will always answer my phone - I may tell a client I need to get back with them because I am tied up - but I always answer my phone and respond to emails asap....    so we are somewhat in agreement ---   I work a lot but I really do not work that hard, if that makes sense....   except for the end of the month of course    LP

Before cell phones, Real-A-Tors must have REALLY been tagged with the "They are all part time and suck' line. :^)

Hooorah!  Thank you for posting this.  I was sooo frustrated with the Craw-dad's post that I could not write a fair and objective rebuttal.  Sometimes I have to remember my mother's famous words..."If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all"....

I am part-time..sort of...if you look at the hours I put in I would say I was full-time.  

In reality I think people who complain about others in this business are really afraid of the added competition.  Instead of admitting it they flame others.

 

 

"Let me ask a question.  If it is about professionalism, tell me how many part time agents you know who have earned their GRI, CRS, CRB or any of the designations that require real education.  The answer in my area is none that I know.

02/08/2007

by Randy L. Prothero (R), CRS, GRI

"

Ok.....this is getting rediculous now.  I just finished my ABR coursework to include the elective...just about to send in my paperwork...AND I AM PART-TIME....JEEEZZZZ.....are you trying to say the part-timers are not capable of acquiring these designations?  I am so glad this narrow mindness is not in my area.

Get off it already, the moderators REALLY should step in here and put an end to this mess that is growing more and more every day. 

Deb,

Thanks for the post. The bell of clarity needs to chime loudly on this one. For we all know far too many full timers who are unprofessional. Their time spent during the day does not equate with professionalism.