You have my vote Randy.  I'm on your side about the part time agents.  I think we both share a similar environment.  Tourist coated communities with both buyers and real estate agents that "get drunk on palm trees". 

A Hawaii agent (go figure, Randy!) wrote a post last week about how he comes to Las Vegas and California for pleasure so he was thinking out loud about getting his real estate license in one of those spots so he could make money while he is on his pleasure trips.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I SAY!  My reply:

Why don't you just get your Hawaii license and send referrals to Las Vegas and California.  Basically you get paid for doing close to nothing except providing leads.  Your pleasure trips can stay pleasure trips :)

This market is pretty intense and you have to be in the trenches on a daily basis to understand it well.  If you want to find good deals and know how to properly price a home, you definitely want to hang around here for the changes of wind.

If you get a home in escrow and then leave town who is going to be there for the home inspection, appraisal, walk through and closing?  Are you just going to rely on the "other" agent to do it like 90% of the "other" agents do?

OOPS!  Edited to add I didn't read your profile and realize you already have your HI license :)

Randy,

thanks for the post. It is always about the service. Whether full time or par time, full service or discount brokerage. The acceptable levels are determined by the market (the buyers and sellers).

Randy, I don't think I've seen it said better by anyone. I could add to this discussion, but I really think it isn't my place.

Randy,

Professionalism is all about focus.  I wrote an article that I transferred to my blog when I first started out with ActiveRain last year, called Professionalism vs. Amateurism.  I think it does a pretty good job of describing what you are referring to in both of your blog articles.

I have two pet peeves when it comes to what I refer to as the AMATEURS.  One is the proverbial SOCCER MOM and the other is the HYBRED (mortgage guy that thinks he can do real estate...or vise versa)

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR
www.JohnOcchi.Com

I have always wondered...when do the part-timers work on real estate?  Typically the ones I have dealt with have full time 8-5 jobs and try to handle their real estate on their lunch hours or in the evenings.  It usually ends in total confusion......

Randy -     if you had brain cancer would you go to a prat time Brain sugeon?

People are part time for a reason. In my opinion, and it is only my opinion, part timers are part timers because they either can not sustain enough business to go full time or they are not foward thinking enough to go full time. Let me ask you, would you personally even entertain the notion of working 20 hours a week?

The cream rises to the top. If these "part timers" were truely professionals, their knowledge and work ethic would shine through to clients and income alone would force them full time. I just do not get why someone would do this business part time?????  What would be the compelling reason, if they are producers, not to go full time?          LP

As I mentioned in your previous blog, I get offended by part timers.  When I jumped ship from corportate world into real estate, I knew I HAD to have money put aside.  I made sure I had 6 months to live comfortably and 9 months to live bare-minimum in case I didn't have enough business.  I neded up contracting 5 houses in the first 6 weeks, so I didn't need my reserves, but I made sure they were there.

Someone who stays in corporate world because they don't think they can have enough real estate business to support their family, is never going to have enough business to fully do real estate because you're not giving it your all.  If you're prospecting part time, you're only going to get enough business for a transaction here or there.  You MUST prospect full time to support a full time career and business.

Either jump ship from corportate world and make this your career, or work on referrals only, sit back, and collect the referral checks.

(*not meant to offend.  if I did, move on to the next comment)

Donna -   Amen to you!! -  

Once again I apologize if I offended any part timers but I would suspect anyone I offended has already made the decision to go full time???? If you are honestly a part time agent, mtg professional, title co, etc.....  maybe I am glad you are offended????   I take my profession very serious. Please do the same ---------------

 ok...............  let the bullets fly as they may  :-)  LOL

Lewis, Thank you, and personally, I don't think you need to apologize if you offend someone.  As you said, if they're offended, it's making them rethink their choice.  If they can't justify their choice to themselves, that's not your fault.

Randy,

These are great ideas:

• Get proper training; take GRI, CRS or other similar classes
• Team up with a full time professional.
• Do not take on transactions you are not qualified to handle.
• Know what you don't know, and either learn it or avoid it.

for anyone in this business.  Thanks for the post !

I definately agree with Randy. I have been through a couple transactions with part timers. It usually ends up where they can't call back during normal business hours, thus I don't hear from them till after 4pm right when mortgage companies and underwriters are packing it in for the day. Which usually results in delayed closings or me having to pick up their slack.

I'll bet their clients would be mortified if they truly knew how unprofessional their part time agent truly is. When your clients are on a tight dead line it is very frustrating.

Exscuse me, but I don't think any part timers can be offended by basic truth.  Actually, if someone is a part timer, when would they have time to even read a few minutes worth of Active Rain -on their full-time job?

Ozarks Joan 

It would be nice if part time agents worked with a partner or a team, or had an administrative person available when they're not, so that communications were not limited to the part time agent's schedule. Lacking that, it would be nice if the Realtor remarks on a listing stated: only available after 3 pm on weekdays, or whatever their schedule is, so that you would know when you could reach them.

Well said Randy!  The part-timer has every right to sell real estate of all types.  They must know and understand the business which by the way goes for all Realtors.  The only time I find fault is when I have to do someones job for them because due to a lack of training they do not know what to do.  This is always sad and unfortunate.  As always another great topic!

Don Rich 

Randy, I've worked with part time agents who have more than pulled their weight and then some that are just awful.  I have always said this is not a part time business. I don't know how people can do it when they have a full time job somewhere else?

Chris - My brother is in Branson, MO which is also a big tourist spot.  His comment to me was that every hairdresser for 40 miles has a real estate license. I wonder if you get a free haircut with every contract.  J

Renee - To be clear that Hawaii agent was NOT HAWAII RANDY!

I am with you, become a good agent were you are, master the market and send the referrals to other places to professionals who know that market.

William - The acceptable levels are determined by the buyers and sellers.  Unfortunately they many times find out the agent who was a neighbor or friend was only an amateur after they are in contract.

Lysa - Your opinion is always welcome, whether we agree or not.  LOL

John - I also wrote a blog about agents who wear multiple hats a while back: Hold on Let Me Change My Hat - I am now your.....

This blog was about some of the problems in transactions with knuckle head agents: Contract Blunders and Craziness

As I was browsing through my first couple of months worth of blogs trying to find that one I realized that a third to a half of my postings were about dealing with less than profession behavior from other agents or venders.

Shannon - That is the problem.  Their client and their needs are not at the top of their priorities.

Lewis - When I got my license, my business plan was to start part time while I continued to get better training.  After a short period of time I realized two things.  I could not pay fro all the expenses of license, insurance, MLS, Realtor Associations, marketing and thousands of dollars in GRI, CRS classes, etc., if I was not moving properties.  I also realized very fast that I could not service clients properly if I was working a full time job elsewhere.  I took the leap, gave up my salaried job and have never looked back.

Donna - You said it well.

John - Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian)

Lewis - I missed your follow up post - I have an old saying.  I understand you were offended, but what part of what I said you disagreed with?

Donna - Bank robbers justify what they do also.  Ok, OK was a little over the top.  But just think part time agents are working with larger sums of money than bank robbers.

Andrew - I document all calls and e-mails that are not answered or take a long time to respond.  In a couple of cases I cc'd both the escrow agent and their broker on every message after a certain point.  Amazing how things pick up once the broker is involved.

Joan - Sounds like good old common sense Ozarks thinking to me.

Sharon - On the showing remarks they could put I am busy so if you want to reach me leave a message and I will respond when I am not cutting hair, or flipping burgers.

Don - It is not only sad and unfortunate, it is unfair to their clients and my clients.  How many times they put clients in breach, because they do not stay on schedule or miss important documents.

Monika - I believe they can not.  Within our office we have several part time agents.  Almost without exception they can not complete a transaction with out one of us helping them.  They are all nice folks; just not on top of their game.

Well said, Randy. I think it is difficult, but perhaps not impossible, for someone who is committed to another fulltime job, to perform their RE job well. But their ability to respond in a timely manner is probably compromised, among other things., But there are certainly agents who work at this fulltime who do an abysmal job at it, so the time alone is not the only factor. I can't say I have had much experience with parttimers so perhaps I haven't had as many issues. I have a friend who has been PT for a while and from what I can tell does a really great job...but I may be biased.

Thanks for the post.

Jeff

Randy, I agree with you 100% on what you said but as I am not a licensed Realtor I thought perhaps I should just HUSH this time lol. Mahalo for making me always feel welcome tho!  

Jeff - The proof on your friend is when you are on the other side of him.  He may be really good, but that would make him the exception.

Lysa - You are in and around the business.  Would you want to be represented by someone who does this as a hobby?

Randy well said.  The word Professional can have more than one meaning, but all the meanings I believe lead to the time and commitment that one dedicates to what they do and the way they do it.

Even at its most basic meaning it is referring to a persons chosen Profession.  A Profession is what you have chosen to do as your main occupation.  Everything else is just something that you do on a side.

I'm sure there are some very sucessful part timers but they are few and far between.  This is more than a full time job for the most part and need constant follow up so I don't usually tke the part timer seriously. 

Patricia Aulson/SEACOAST REALTOR/NH<ME & MA

URL:  www.patricia4realestate.com 

You are the man, my new friend Slam !!!!

• Get proper training; take GRI, CRS or other similar classes

Response: As long as there is an understanding that these courses do not make the agent:  COOL.

• Team up with a full time professional.

Response: I learned from some great guys, but know some others that have learned by doing, failing and pulling themselves up again.  Massive respect there !

• Do not take on transactions you are not qualified to handle.

No problems there.

• Know what you don't know, and either learn it or avoid it.

I would rather drive a spike through my (insert body part here) than work with buyers.  Cool by me, Mr. Slam.

What part of what I said do you disagree with?

Your headline should have been "Dumb losers that I don't like to work with"

That's just me.

R

The feller in the next cube from me started as a part-timer.

He executed a plan that brought him to full time.

I respect his work ethic, integrity, humor, and drive and believe he wisely waited until the insurance paid for the baby delivery, and he had organized his database to make the FT jump.

Not for everyone, but he has taken off like a rocket, because he used his time to learn as much as he could and lay in a business plan.

Just know bruddah Randy I back this one 100% and I'm pushing harder for you as the family RE Agent in the Islands.

Randy -  great story -  I think that is what happens.... I know the mortgage business is that way -- you either get it or not  and if you get it - you go full time and make some decent money.....

George - I personally would not ever want to be represented by someone who does it on the side.

Paula - Good point!  I have had offers accepted when they had multiple offers.  The reason given was they knew who I was and they new it would be a smooth transaction.  You know you are on the right track when your peers would prefer to deal with you.

Rich - Thank you for lightening it up. I agree with everything except the falling down and learning.  The problem is you are doing that on your client's dime.  No place for trial and error.

Mike - That sounds like the right way to use part time.

Lysa - Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo

Lewis - And if you do not get it you mess up a lot of people.

I started out part time when I first got my license, I wanted to make sure that this was the profession for me.  I quickly realized that A) I loved doing this work, and B) I needed to go full time to be as successful as possible.

One day, I made the decision (With my wifes permission) and went into to work and gave my notice.  I made 60K a year at this possition as a supervisor.  I got a stead pay check, I had benifits, and I had security.  Two weeks later, it was my last day and I left my job for my new career.  As I was heading home, I looked in the mirror and asked myself "What in the He** did I just do?".  It hit me and I will tell you, I was afraid of what the consequences might be.

Fortunately, I became successful; there has been some hard times, but mostly I feel that I have improved my lot in life.  I am a full time professional, and best of all; so is my wife.  Our livelyhood relies on your success so we do take this seriously.

Gary and Mary Nelson

Gary and Nelson - Congratulations on making the leap.  It was a tough decision for me.  my wife who had more faith in me than I did encouraged me to go full time.

I have seen so many part timers come and go.  To be honest very few of them have had deals.  Most are hardly ever at the office or attending training.  What's the point?  If you are not going to learn your trade - you don't have one!

Laurie - I agree I have a hard time figuring why many even have a license.

"...I have a hard time figuring why many even have a license."

"Welllllll, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

Mike - I see so many get in the business, thinking they just drive people around to see houses and they will make millions of dollars.  Once they get their license reality sinks in. 

The ones I don't understand are the ones who keep their license for several years with the thought that one day they may accidentally sell something.

Aloha Randy - I see you are on Page 1 on Active Rain!  Congratulations!  By the way - I received word from the CRS folks that all the pre-registrations for next years event were "lost in transit" - so will need to change that credit card and resubmit information.  Suzanne and I WILL be there!  Tony

Tony - Thank you, I spend way more time on AR than I probably should. 

I got the word on the registrations and registered again last evening.

I equate part-time to "recreational." I dread any deal that involves a recreational Realtor. They have so few transactions that i end up doing all the work or advising them! Where is the Broker taht "hired" them? Any part-time Reltor must link up with a competent, professional Realtor!

Gary - There are many brokers who are not necessarily the cream of the crop and several others that are so busy they are not watching their agents.