I was just reading a blog about a listing agent who never called back to tell the buyer's agent that it was ok to show. One of the comments was that it was probably a part-timer who was more interested in their free-time than they are in fulfilling the agency agreement.
It seems to me that it is a common theme that other agents automatically assume that an agent that is part-time is always inefficient. I actually feel offended by that notion. I think that work ethic has more to do with how well you perform your job than whether you are full or part-time.
Technincally I would be one of those part-time agents. I am an undergraduate psychology professor. During the academic year I work very hard on both jobs (I don't teach over the summer). I am always prepared for my classes and available for my students. I am also responsive to my real estate client's needs. If someone calls when I am in class the call is returned usually within the hour. There are many "full-time" agents that don't return calls that quickly. I spend more time in the office, at sales meetings, on floor time, at open houses, working with clients, and blogging than many "full-time" agents. I have my listings set up with a showing service so that a buyer's agent is not held hostage waiting for a return phone call. I work closely with another agent so that we are able to cover for each other if for some reason one of us is unavailable (illnes, other committments, child care, vacations, client conflicts, etc).
My decision to become a real estate agent was purely about doing something that I enjoyed doing. For me, I love teaching and I am good at it and I love helping people buy and sell homes and I am good at it. These two jobs fulfill two different parts of my personality. The teaching allows me to impart my knowledge of psychology to young interested minds. The real estate allows me to work intimately with people helping them make some of the biggests decisions of their lives. I feel completely fulfilled since making the decison to do both. I may be busy but I am very happy. My work ethic is such that I would not have taken on this additional career if I could not give it 100% effort.
Its important to remember that many part-time agents are part-time not because they are lazy but instead financially they are not able to meet their obligations without the additional pay check. Its difficult for me to see how someone who is choosing to work more than one job can be considered lazy.
Personally, I don't see myself as a part-time agent. I work full-time in real estate (at least 40 hours/week) and I teach college full-time. I have two very fulfilling careers.
If you or someone you know would like information about buying, selling, or renting a home in Prince George's, Montgomery, Charles, Anne Arundel, Howard, and/or Baltimore Counties please contact Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh of EOP Real Estate, LLC.
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Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
EOP Real Estate, LLC
www.staceybaugh.com
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240-481-3565 (C)
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Unfortunately, part time does often mean they are not as professional as a full time agent. Full time agents value their contacts differently. your 40 hours means that you have two jobs - a type a person which is good. Busy people get things done.
Stacey,
you are the exception to the rule. There are many good part timer's in the business... but they are out numbered by the ones that do not take the job serriously and give us all a bad name.
Stacey...
As a Psychology Professor (Coincidentally, my daughter is as well, at Drexel in Philly) you could apply the logic that the one who dedicates their time and risks their livelihood on a job is the one who has the strongest interest in performance.
Statistically, that is the case, so in it not unfair to characterize part-timers in that way. Just my humble opinion.
Stacey-Ann, There are a lot of full time agents who work less than forty hours. Someone could sell 10 houses in a year and make $200,000 in commission in the right market. (500-900K market) How much time do you think they put in to sell 10 houses? But when a person makes that kind of money they would consider himself a fulltime agent. Even though they might work 10-20 hours a week. Could we not say these people are part-time agents? They just don't have another job.
I have a Realtor who I work with a lot. She is professional, knowledgeable and loves her clients. She told me her goal is to sell 1 house per month. She wants to work around 20 hours a week but needs the income a 40 hour a week job pays. I would challenge anyone to say she is unprofessional. She is on top of all her paperwork, returns calls ASAP and is available for her clients on their schedule. I would say she is a full time agent with part time hours.
I think a lot of this part-time agent bashing really boils down to a select few. The people who see Real Estate as an easy way to suppliment their income. These people usually choose a company that pays the best commission split and rely on their broker for support. If a person sells 5-10 houses even in a lower priced home market they can add 20-50k income to the family budget. Taking what they run across as clients and not concerning themselves with learning anything beyond the basics. After all, (in their minds) they only need to do what it takes to close. There are too many good part-time agents to be sterotyped as unprofessional. I guess it depends on how we define part-time agent but I think it is time to stop bashing part-time agents as a whole.
Hey, I think I just turned a comment into a post. I think I will do a David Saks and post this one.
This is well thought out Satcey-Anne, however; I want to let know that I am aware of buyers I have worked with in the past who swore they'd never work with a part-time Agent again. It all boils down to timing i.e scheduling conflict. I don't believe that all part-timers are the same, though. I believe you argument is very convincing. I give you an A+.
Stacey, I love this post. I agree, agents do think/speak negatively toward part-time agents. Financial obligations is a need not to be confused with someone being lazy. You hit the nail on the head!! Thanks Stacey & thanks for sharing some very interesting info about yourself!
Have an awesome day, Professor!! Where do you teach?
Yvette
Heath, Robert, Richard - I agree that there are many part-timers who are in it for a quick buck and are not dedicated to the job. However, my argument is that given the past real-estate boom there were many full-time agents in for the same reason. I think this tough market will help to weed out the people who are really dedicated to success from the people who are wasting everyone's time.
Jimmy - thanks for the support. I definitely think you should turn this into a post.
Hans - Thanks for the A+. I definitely regret those agents who give us all a bad name.
Yvette - I teach at Trinity University in Washington DC.
Hi Stacey-Ann,
I hate to tell you this but you aren't part-time. :) I am pretty perceptive, the way you deal with things and your work ethic. There are agents who do nothing but real estate that are part-time.
All the best!
Kevin - Thank you so much for that!
Hi Stacey-Ann-I'm really glad to see this post on here. I too get tired of people saying part-timers are lazy, even though I'm full time, I'm aware of alot of great agents that are having to get another job in this slow market to make ends meet.
Great post and thanks and you are a busy lady...my hats off to you !!!
Patty - I sure am busy some days (I also have kids). Thanks for the support.
Part time is not bad in itself, but unfortunatly MANY MANY part timers are in fact (1) inefficient (2) unprofessional (3) in this for a hobby, not a career.
Ever think of teaching real estate licensing classes? You might enjoy that, too.
Erica - I have thought of teaching real estate licensing classes but I think the content is a bit dry and not interactive enough to suit me. I'd be better suited to do home buying seminars or teaching specific seminars like stress management, etc.
yeah, it sure is dry! Just the basics. I do try to spice it up with real life examples, but it's tough.
Great post! You said it best when you said choosing to work more than one job can't be considered lazy. It's all about knowing your limitations.
Tracy - I agree. Don't want to do anything if you are not going to do it well.
You are the exception to the rule, most of the part time agents i come across are not well up on the market, they do not have the knowledge or seem to want to gain the knowledge to fully represent their clients whether it be buyers or sellers.