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Full time Realtor vs Part time Realtor

By
Real Estate Agent with Exit Bob Linn Real Estate

I talk to a number of sellers who's listing has expired.  It is amazing how many are listed by "part time Realtors" .  Most sellers assume they are talking to full time Realtors when someone comes to list their property.  Many maybe friends or relatives.  Some could be neighbors or just someone who came by.  You can usually tell quickly who really takes this profession seriously or someone who is trying to supplement their income.

Usually you can tell because the only thing they do to market the home is put a sign out front and list it in the MLS.  Even the information in the MLS is schetchy.  Usually very incomplete and if there are any pictures at all they are very poorly taken.  The sellers say most of the time they never hear from their agents and even when the listing expires the agent didn't even call to re-list.

This market usually weeds out the "part timers" and the Realtors who take this business seriously.  This market requires extensive marketing efforts.  Realtors have to have a plan of action, know what works and what doesn't, and expend the money to expose the homes to the most potential buys possible.

Now is really the time the sellers really need to make sure to get a real "PRO" when deciding on who is best to market their homes.  It can really be costly in both time and money for sellers if they think any Realtor will be fine.  First and foremost they need to make sure if the Realtor don't sell homes they don't eat.  That is a big motivator to get the home sold.

 

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Jan Taylor
Texana Real Estate - Edna, TX

Sorry, I have to disagree.

I am a part-time Realtor although I say that tongue-in-cheek. I spend as much time marketing my listings and working with my clients as those who are lucky enough to have the title Realtor as their only profession.

I have as many listings as those who are full time, as many if not more contacts as full time Realtors and take this profession as seriously as I do my other "full time" job.

I set the expectations with all my clients that I do have another job that requires me to be behind a desk 9-4 each week day and my voice mail includes that I answer calls during my lunch hour, after 4 and am available all weekend.....a time when other full time Realtors want to take a break. I have never had a problem and all of my clients respect that I set the expectation up-front on my somewhat limited availability.

In this economy I am not comfortable enough to take that leap of faith and sell real estate full time, although almost half of my yearly gross is in real estate sales. Lately, I have had many full time Realtors express their desire to have a steady paycheck at the end of the week. Not to mention affordable Health insurance.

So again, I have to disagree. Part time Realtors are a huge asset to the industry. We are the ones who take the weekend calls and make ourselves available when buyers or sellers can meet with us after work.

Unprofessional? I don't think so. Sleep deprived maybe... from late nights modifying MLS listings, websites, marketing properties via other online sites, stratigic planning......

 

 

Jul 18, 2010 10:04 AM