In the last week, I've been contacted by three (or was it four?) aspiring real estate agents who began the conversation with some variation of the words "I know you don't approve of selling real estate part-time, but..." and proceeded to tell me why I might consider "approving" of their situation.
Sorry. Ain't gonna happen. Okay, well, let me confess that one of the three (or four) aspiring agents actually had a potentially viable proposition for success as a part-time new agent, but the others (love y'all, but...) did not. Their main argument to my proclamation that part-time ain't gonna work was "I'd really like to go full-time but I can't. What do you think?"
Um, sorry m'love, but I think exactly what I thought five minutes before I got your call or note. Whether or not you "can" go full-time doesn't change the fact that selling real estate is a full-time job. Take it or leave it.
But, don't despair; there IS a solution for you!
Really, Jennifer? Tell me; tell me, what is it?
I dunno.
I don't know what the solution is, but there is one. Wanna know how to find it? Okay, here goes.
Simply acknowledge to yourself that you want to sell real estate for a living, and accept the fact that in order to succeed, selling real estate needs to be your primary career. Then relax and let it go - let your creativity subconsciously work on the problem. Don't rush it, don't fret, and don't force anything. The answer will come, I promise it will.
I don't know what that answer will be, but I'm almost positive it won't be "I'll sell real estate nights and weekends." That's the WRONG answer.
But there is a right answer. One that will seem oh-so-obvious once it smacks you on the head.
I recently played this game with myself in my personal life. There are two things I want and they appear to be mutually exclusive. I can have this... OR that. Not both. So, I just said out loud what I wanted and waited for inspiration on how to have both... or some other satisfactory solution. And, I think I've found it. Once the solution occurred to me, it seemed so obvious.
Be patient and show your new career the respect it deserves. It may just be the best decision you ever made. And if you come up with a Right Answer to the dilemma - please share!
RELATED BLOGS
Is it Your "Right" to Dabble in Real Estate?
Aspiring Real Estate Agents - Can't Go Full-time?
Revisiting Part-Time versus Full-Time in 2010
p.s. Before you jump on the band-wagon of protesting that I'm anti-part-timer, please read Comment #28!
Good point Michael! I think they were just asking if I thought maybe, perhaps, possibly my opinion on the matter didn't apply in their situation...
Choice is what life is all about. Choice followed by diligence leads to success.
Jennifer, I may be a rarity, but I started off my first year part time and after that year was up went full time. Everything I made part time I put in the bank, so I could accrue enough money to keep after my dues, and all essential items. That money I also used to give myself a weekly pay check until the commissions started coming in more routinely. This was 23 years ago now, so I guess I have done something right.
Note though, at my full time job, I was able to communicate with my clients, as I had flexibility, and set up showings in the evenings and weekends. When settlements occurred, by sales manager was able to be there in my place. This was explained to the client up front so there were no surprises. The sales manager also new my commitment to going full time was there and I showed that in my business plan.
I am torn on my thoughts now, as I know most all people have good intentions, but can't seem to pull the trigger. However, some that are in our industry that say they are full time, are doing nothing but pulling our leg.
I can't count the number of times I have come up with a creative solution to a problem...by accident! Well, it felt like it was by accident, though I know it really wasn't. It was my subconscious mind going to work, really hard, when I stopped agonizing over something and stopped trying to force myself to come up with a solution. We're always thinking. And we do our best thinking behind the scenes, sub-consciously, where our conscious mind can't censor and (mis)direct our thinking process. Great post, Jennifer.
Jennifer,
Your opinion is right on! I see many hopeful agents thinking they can sell real estate part time on week-ends and nights. It may have been possible 23 years ago but in today's world of instant communication that must be attended for completion of a successful transaction. It just isn't feasible. Our profession has become very litigious. An agent better stay on top of their game, constantly keeping up on the changes in our industry and realize it's all about the client not all about me!
I almost agree... I started part time, which allowed me to get the confidence and experience to finally go full time after my daughter was born. You are right, there is an answer, they just have to find it themselves :-)
Being a part-time Realtor has its challenges too. Unless your buyer/seller knows that you have another full-time job, that might prove quite challenging to pull off. A buyer may not want to work with an agent who may not be accessible during the day.
When I began this career 14 years ago, I worked for Safeway, and had for 20 years. I DID work nights and weekends, and made twice as much in real estate than at Safeway. After 9 months, I DID take the leap, and went full time in real estate - and never looked back! There were employing brokers that told me they would not take me into their offices also. Today, I own my own company!
People need to undersatnd just how competitive it is in this business and once they understand that then they should realize you cannot be part time and make a go of it
I started part time, but that didn't last very long. My "regular paycheck" job wasn't very flexible and I had to make a choice between the two.
Hi Jennifer,
Some good advice ......
I completely agree I start full time, but ended but going part for a couple of years and during that time I did almost nothing. Glad to be back full time.
Jennifer,
I just got my Brokers License and at some point I would like to hire agents. However, if I am going to invest in training, insurance and such I need to know they are going to be productive, that means committed. Now I know there are a number of companies that will take on anyone and figure if you put enough agents out there something will stick, not how I want to do it.
I started out part time (dabbling, really) but I had a job where I had my own dedicated phone line and complete flexibility to clock out anytime. I just answered my phone 'Hello, this is Julia' and neither my full time co-workers nor my real estate clients knew that I wasn't sure who I'd be talking to on any given call. None of my real estate clients even knew that I had another job.
I don't see how it could possibly work for someone who can't pick up & go when they need to (or at least not well). And yes, I am well aware of just how fortunate I was.
Julia - You bring up a good point, and I may write about the difference between real estate being your "primary" job versus your "side" job. Everyone has a life outside of their real estate career, whether that's caring for a family or playing golf or delivery pizzas at night, but the real differential is whether or not selling real estate is your most important job... the one you work your "other" job around, not vice versa...
Gene - If I were to have agents under me, you better believe they'd be committed... good point!
Ava - Welcome back!
Ann - I can't imagine doing this job without a whole lot of flexibility... I mean, that's a big part of what the job IS!
Charlie - I agree... but I'll say that the reason part-timers will probably fail isn't the competition; it's the inability to get the job done. And when you can't DO your job properly, you're bound to fail (one would hope anyway).
Joan - Congratulations! I will say that you are the exception, don't you think?
Rodney - It seems pretty obvious, doesn't it, that a buyer or seller is better served by someone who does this full-time?
By the way, I've written plenty on the topic of why I don't "approve" of part-time real estate agents, specifically new agents. But that's not what this post was about, so let's refrain from bashing the part-timers... I wrote this post to give potential part-timers an alternative to what will result in almost certain failure.
NO PART-TIMER BASHING, OKAY?!
Brittany - it's really a powerful realization... that there IS an answer or solution, you just haven't found it yet. Patience, grasshopper!
Dorie - what a great observation! Now that our clients expect much faster response time, the idea that you can't respond quickly (cause you're working at your primary job) will be even more detrimental to success!
Tanya- Thank you, m'dear! I rather liked it myself. And yes, SO many times I solve my own problems "by accident."
Don - Might be an interesting discussion as to whether or not part-timing was more or less doable last century than this one... thanks for your thoughts!
I agree with the first commenter. They don't need anyone's permission but since they asked your advice, you were right to set them straight. If they only go into it "part" way I don't think they'll see the success that they might have if they put everything into it (full time). And if they need that success to go full time, then they'll just be going in circles. I also agree with letting your subconscious find a solution without your conscious (crazy) mind getting in the way. I'm glad you were able to reconcile your two issues! Cheers!
Nice post, I think that you are on the right track with real estate professionals needing to be committed to thier profession to become successful. With that being said, there is some merit for the part-time RE Professional. So long as part-time doesn't mean part-competent it can work. I think that real estate agents that are too pressured to get a transaction to the table can be prone to taking shortcuts with the process. I don't think that agents that have other jobs should be put down as they are trying to keep thier bills in control. I have also ran into the "full-time" agents that really are part-time workers. I had a successful salesman tell me once, "Real Estate is easy, just work harder than everyone else and you will be successful." I agree that to be successful you have to be 100% committed to the profession. There are many agents that love the industry and are excellent representatives of their clients and customers who do so on a part-time basis. The question is, can the full-time agent work with someone who is a part-time agent and not be bias in the conduct of the transaction.
I frankly don't care if someone wants to run their business as a part-time agent. BUT....when it begins to affect my client or their transaction, it really begins to tick me off! When you can't reach an agent because they are working their shift at FootLocker, it becomes very inconvenient for everyone. And once you are under contract, the full-time professional almost always does the lion's share of the work, picking up the hobbyist's slack!
We have many part timers here and I just don't see where their clients are getting the service they deserve in most cases. Refer out if you can not give it full time-full service. That could be a solution!
I'm full time but I've been part time. I didn't do squart when I was part-time although I only thought I did. No part-time bashing here but there's only so much you can do when you're part time. And if you are any part like me, you'll give your best every where you go. You just cant give your best to your fulltime day job, then part time real estate job. You just can't. Like the Bible said, you cant serve 2 masters and that's how I look at the situation.
When I come to grips that I will have to make full time work, I made full time work. There's no turning back. I didn't have a choice then. I'm glad I took the plunge.
I will still start with part-time but I wouldn't wait 4.5 years to take the plunge though.
Don't you know that I'm the exception to the rule!?
I guess you can't blame them for trying... but that doesn't change the facts.
Hi Jennifer -- I have no problems at all with part-time agents except that the trend I see is that I don't get return phone calls the same day, sometimes not even the next, so I think it boils down to perspective on how the agent feels about the business and there is consistently a lack of urgency, which creates stress that doesn't need to be there. I'm not implying that a part-time agent can't be responsive, they can, even if they are incommunicato for 8 hours at work during the day...but....that hasn't been my experience.
I'm sure the answer is different for everyone. Follow your passion. If that happens to be real estate, then you'll soon find that part time just isn't enough.
Great Advice!
Although no one has done it on this blog yet, I'm often accused of trying to run part-timers out of business, or being hostile toward part-timers. This simply isn't true. Everyone has the right to succeed or fail in business doing it their way, even if I don't think much of "their way." It's really none of my business.
My goal in writing so often about the part-time versus full-time dilemma is to dissuade new licensees or pre-licensees from entering this career before they're ready to give it 100%.
Just wanted to toss that in! Thanks for all the comments!
Jennifer,
In your Opinion a person should only do real estate full time. I agree that a person has to put full attention and dedication to any job they have. I also believe it is that individuals choice if they choose to work full time or part time. I don't know what makes you an expert in deciding what is best for someone else. I think if full time works for a person then fine, if part time works fine as well. I know quite a few people who work full time and do real estate part time and do pretty good. (its called flexibility or multi-tasking) I've read so many blogs about other agents saying a part time agent is part time educated, or they lack the skills to be successful in the business. I truly hope those agents who feel that way and are so judgemental don't fall on hard times because they are prime candidates to work part time after the fact. This economy has been hard on alot of agents, (other businesses as well) I admire those who stay through the struggle and those who have enough sense to get a part time job and do real estate which is their first love too. I've known agents to lose their homes because they refused to get atleast a part time job when they really needed it.
If you or any other agent who wants to criticize another Real Estate Agents position and are in a position to assist another agent with their business but don't then what makes your opinion so righteous or worthy? I would never judge someone. I would and have helped plenty.
I think that it depends on the type of "full-time" job that a person has. Some are more flexible than others, some have more manuverability than others in terms of allowing a person to handle real estate business while on the job. Also, has the expenses of being an agent been explained to the potential licensee upfront? Give them the full picture, and let them decide whether to set money aside so they can enter into it full time.
Yionada - Thanks for your passionate comment. You were probably writing it at the same I was writing my last comment - the one right above yours, which I hope you will read. It's none of my business how someone chooses to run their business, but I will continue to share my opinion on the matter of full-time versus part-time in hopes of helping new agents and pre-agents understand the reality of the demands of this career.
William - very good points. And from what I've seen, read and heard, very few new agents have any real grasp of the financial, energy and time commitment this career requires.
When I started real estate 10 years ago, I was a homeschooling mom of 2 and worked out of my home. I worked part time- my kids came first and one of the reasons I liked this career choice was flexibility. I worked an hour in the morning over coffee, then school time for a few hours, then returning calls during "lunch", then an hour or so more of homeschooling and then off to work I went.
I was blessed/lucky/fortunate that my kids understood and my broker understood. I didn't go "full time working at the office" until a couple years ago- when my kids went to school.
During my part timeness I earned top 25 in our 4 office company, and honor's society a couple times.
I don't think part time has everything to do with it- managed time, work ethic, and flexibility make all the difference in the world.
I do see part time agents just do what falls in their lap. Not a way to make a career and not a way to hold up the standards in our industry. Of course I see 40 hour a week office agents do the same thing.
I think the important thing is to know how demanding this business is and that "time is of the essence".
Nice article although I don't agree on all parts I love your conviction!
When I started real estate 10 years ago, I was a homeschooling mom of 2 and worked out of my home. I worked part time- my kids came first and one of the reasons I liked this career choice was flexibility. I worked an hour in the morning over coffee, then school time for a few hours, then returning calls during "lunch", then an hour or so more of homeschooling and then off to work I went.
I was blessed/lucky/fortunate that my kids understood and my broker understood. I didn't go "full time working at the office" until a couple years ago- when my kids went to school.
During my part timeness I earned top 25 in our 4 office company, and honor's society a couple times.
I don't think part time has everything to do with it- managed time, work ethic, and flexibility make all the difference in the world.
I do see part time agents just do what falls in their lap. Not a way to make a career and not a way to hold up the standards in our industry. Of course I see 40 hour a week office agents do the same thing.
I think the important thing is to know how demanding this business is and that "time is of the essence".
Nice article although I don't agree on all parts I love your conviction!
Thank you for your enlightening post! I agree that there is a true leap of faith and commitment that needs to happen to be successful at any commissioned position. I have seen too many great new agents fail because they could not afford to stick with it long enough to see it pay off. Thank you for pointing out that if you want something enough, it is possible!
Just my 2 Cents,
Karen
Jennifer, I don't think the issue is part time or full time. I think the issue is commitment. The following quote has "lived" in my existence for over twenty years:
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chanse to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitiely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one than would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assitance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whyatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Johann Wolfgage Von Goethe
This quote hangs over my desk.........has for years. Makes other decisions quite easy.
part time ... part committed ... full time, fully invested
part time, partly committed .... full time, fully committed
Your clients deserve all of your attention to their needs.
Simple as that.
Jennifer: Full time doesn't really mean anything if an agent is doing a bad job or is unethical. Similarly if an agent relies 100% on income from real estate, and they aren't making a sufficient income, it might make them push clients in directions they wouldn't otherwise if they were financially solvent. In fact I've seen it, right up until they went bankrupt, were foreclosed on and disappeared. For the record I'm full time, and always have been, but I don't think your premise is well supported. Your analysis seems to give primacy to quantity and makes no attempt to measure quality. To borrow your line "Um sorry M'love. But I think your analysis is lacking." Sounds a little callous doesn't it? I mean who am I to critique you. I don't even know you or what you do.
There IS a way to start in real estate part time, assist another agent that is full-time. That's how I started. I called leads, sent emails and even showed property on weekends and eveings (even used my lunch break for client calls and such). I did this for her clients for a small percentage of the commissions. It was a great way to start without having to give up my full-time job. By the time I went full-time, I could honestly say I had some experience, so I felt much more confident, which I'm sure clients can see. I did have a couple of clients, listings that I could schedule around my own time. Of I had a buyer that just had to go out during the week, my "partner" would take them for me and she got a small percentage of my commission. That was 2 years ago and I'm still working with her and we do our split the same way.
I'm with Matt. IN a maret where only the top 10% are making anything close to what is a viable LIVING in our area - NO ONE is going to be making enough income to survive here in under about 4-5 years. How many people do you know have a 4-5 year stash that allows for living expenses and business expenses? Agents who THINK they are the exception and can get the "real estate plane off the ground" in less than four years end up going belly up and having their homes sold out from under them.
It is quality not quantity. In our neck of the woods a newbie won't have enough volume to harm the clients by spreading themselves too thin. Even top agents are only getting about 20 transactions a year. New agents are doing well if they get three.
I like what you said about not stressing, fretting but just let it come to you on how to work it out.
Good advice.
Great post, you and I could get along fine.
Thanks for the post! Part time what does that mean? how could that be possible? sometimes full time isn't enought.
t
This post packs a punch! An insightful way to get to the heart of the matter -- and what that matter is, is all up to us!! GREAT!!
I KNEW that you couldn't do real estate part time...yet I sure gave it a college try and wound up being stressed out, over-worked and not a fun person to be with. And, you're right, if you admit to yourself what you really want to do...the solution will be there. The tricky part is taking the step of faith and going for it.
Jennifer,
Anyone getting in this business needs a year's wages in the bank.
You're right. Selling real estate requirement commitment and passion and one's full-time dedication.
I know some agents that dont work sunday mornings...thats reserved for church. Others I know take time off two or three times a week for golf ot tennis or the gym. I know a few that help their kids every night with homework. Every one takes at least a few hours every nght for sleep. and I like to take a nap in the afternoon. It seems to me that none of us work 24 hours a day 7 days a week; none of us work full time. The most successful of us are the ones that have found a balance between work and the other things in our lives. Who am I to say that someone else cant do a better job than me in half the time.
I think people sometimes confuse the flexibility of the profession with the commitment required to succeed. I would be uncomfortable using any professional that was only part-time if their real income came from an hourly wage-job. Can you imagine visiting your doctor after he left his regular mechanic's job? Or seeing your lawyer working the checkout at the local Piggly-Wiggly?
Lynn - Very good point. One of my mantras is "Real Estate offers the illusion of controlling your time!" Or, what's that saying? Something like "This career offers a flexible schedule - YOU choose the 60 hours a week you want to work!"
Ron - I take a nap every day and walk on the beach every evening. And I do what I do full-time. No one says you can't have a life outside of real estate (although some days/weeks/months it won't feel that way), but rather that selling real estate needs to be your primary career, especially when you're new, to maximize the chances of NOT becoming a statistic.
Claire - I thought about going into real estate for about two years before I did it. The timing just wasn't right... and then it was. I'm not sure how I knew it was, but I did. And it was!
Carla - Thanks!!
Tom - Sure seems that way, doesn't it?
Ruthmarie - As I always do when I read comments about how little business there is in a particular market, I must ask... WHY? Why bother to go into a business where there IS no business to be had? Surely there are better ways to make a living than to try to sell a non-existent product to a non-existent buyer. And yes, I suppose if there really is that little business to go around, then, by default, selling real estate in such a market will be part-time. But it almost seems even MORE important in such a market to be flexible with your time so that you can accomodate the few clients who do cross your path?
Lisa - I'm glad that worked for you, and it certainly is an option.
I'd like to say that I don't believe you can do anything well giving it only "quality" time. Quality time happens during Quantity Time. And especially when you're a new real estate agent, everything takes so much longer to do (I spent two full days preparing for my first listing presentation); if you don't have the Quantity time to devote,t he Quality of your product (your expertise, market knowledge, etc) will suffer.
Jennifer:
I sell real estate nights and weekends - and during the week too.
Seriously, it is difficult to get started in this business without some sort of backing, whether it is a supportive spouse or a part-time job. I don't know how anyone would do it otherwise. It takes awhile before you are actually producing enough income to sustain yourself. I certainly started with a part-time job to help back me up. The goal is to be able to get rid of that job as quickly as possible.
People who want to get into real estate part-time really do need a part-time job. And that job is socking away enough money for a six month cushion. Once they have that, THEN they can start their real estate career. Full time.
Funny, I did not catch anything anti-part time in your post, nothing judgmental....just the facts and your observations. I have seen a lot of people try to do this part time and none of them have been able to make it work. I am sure there are the exceptions but that is just what they are...the exceptions. Wise counsel would advise them that they are setting off on a path that statistically will lead to failure.
Jennifer,
Often the best solution is to team up with an experienced full time agent.
Brian
I believe that those truly slated to be successful in RE will make it, part- or full-time. They will seek guidance, have a strategy and the proper resources in place. There are no absolutes, only standards that one holds themselves to.
Jennifer,
I think "full time" can be an attitude as much as a schedule. I know agents who only work at real estate and don't accomplish much and I know "part timers" who always prioritize to get the deals done.
Kathryn - thank you - I really tried not to bash part-timers, but whenever this subject comes up, it tends to spark passionate debate... which is dandy. And yes, while there are exceptions to every rule, the chances of BEING that exception are pretty slim... and with the odds of failure very high, is it really responsible to encourage it?
Richard - EXACTLY! If you're willing to work 16 hours a day - DO IT - at a job that actually pays. Then jump in all the way!
Claudette - Perfect. I've been scolded for my position because "Well, Jennifer, you HAD a spouse willing to support you when you started!" Um, yes I did. So I was in a good position to succeed, and I did. If you don't have the money to start up a business, regardless of where that money comes from, maybe starting up a business isn't in the cards right now.
With all that I do in a day for my real estate career I don't even know how you could do this part time.
Irene - I believe attitude is a huge part of success, but only one part. Having the time (and energy) to commit IS a piece of the puzzle as well. How many times has your 4pm closing threatened to fall apart at 10am (besides the paycheck concerns, you have a buyer with a loaded moving truck and a seller already moved out...) and you have to spend the next five hours making phone calls, gathering documents, delivering documents, etc. to hold it all together? When I get up in the morning, I have no idea where that day will take me, but it's part of my job to be able to respond quickly to emergencies and even perceived emergencies.
Jennifer, the greatest thing about selling real estate full time is that, SOMETIMES, you do not HAVE to sell it nights and weekends! I'm with you girl!
I work full time - well, more than full time. Always have, even before real estate.
But... I understand the probability of earning a living wage in this business. So... what I propose is that the real issue here is not how many hours you actually work at real estate, but rather your availability.
For example, if you are representing a seller, and it consistently takes 6-8 hours (or more) to return a buyer's agent request for showing - that's a problem. If you're a buyers agent, and the only time you can make calls to schedule showing appointments is the evening - thats a problem.
So take a job with a regular paycheck if you must - but be realistic about the nature of this business, and realize that simply being available by phone most of the time is critical to this business.
I'd offer that if you take real estate on full time, the other 'job' should be the part-time work. If you work the first one with passion and vigor, it's probable that the part-time work can eventually be shelved.
Karen - I'll buy that! In fact, I think that's a great plan!
Jeanne - Perhaps that's the solution - to find a compatible job that offers tremendous flexibility. I guess the trouble is that most pre-rookies already have a job they want to keep, which isn't likely to offer that flexibility. But it IS a solution!
SarahGray - I LOVE IT!!!!!!
Erik - Agreed.
Jennifer, there is a way for these people to save and get into the business. They should get licensed and then join a company as a referral agent. Whenever they come across someone who wants to buy or sell they could then refer them to a competent professional and get a referral fee. Once they have accumulated enough referral income to be able to quit their job and be a full time REALTOR they would be in the position to do just that.
Jennifer, as always...excellent advice! Real Estate is full time all the way! And finding answers can come when you do exactly as you have prescribed!
Thanks Jennifer. I remember thinking of it as a part time gig when I started. I soon found out I was losing opportunities by being at "work". I never looked back...
I think an agent "can" sell part-time, but I assure you they can NOT give their clients the service they deserve!!
I started in the business 23 years ago. It was a rule of our real estate board that you could not have 2 jobs. I thought it was hard at the time, but now I realize it made me make the commitment to succeed in this business. With all the advancements in technology, the public now expects instantaneous response. I have no idea how you can do that and work at another job as well.
Part-time doesn't work unless the market is on fire and you can sell with little effort. This is a profession and requires the attention of a full-time professional, not a soccer mom looking to make a little money to finance trips to Nordstrom. Was that snarky?
I think the industry today has seen more and more part time agents and it does make getting showing appointments and deals to close on time very hard.
This is a very inspirational note to anyone who might be dealing with this issue. Good Job! I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated.
There is also a difference between part time because they do not prospect enough to be working full time, or part time because they have to do another job. I am lucky I can choose to be full time but not panic if I don't close a deal for a while. Today many are forced to get a job. At that point I really do think they should quit real estate but that's just my opinion.
It all really depends on the definition of part time. If part time means you work nights, weekends, and can be in communication with clients at any time during the day? - you can be successful.
I think it can be done if one is focused and organized. When things are as quiet as they have been this year,,,,,why not!
Patricia
I think it can be done if one is focused and organized. When things are as quiet as they have been this year,,,,,why not!
Patricia
Jennifer, I have some observations
1. I have known FULL TIME agents who cannot return phone calls / emails and who are poor at this job.,
2. I have known PART TIME agents who sneak times in the morning, lunch, drive time home who do a great job at keeping in touch.
That said, I hire full timers, period. Or those transitioning from part to full time. But no plan, no job for them with me.
THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB. Period. And no matter how good your other job, one will suffer. You need to be available when the client is available. And you need to be responsive to other agents. Few careers allow that duality.
Make the move, or stay put. You cannot do both equally well.
Jennifer, I have some observations
1. I have known FULL TIME agents who cannot return phone calls / emails and who are poor at this job.,
2. I have known PART TIME agents who sneak times in the morning, lunch, drive time home who do a great job at keeping in touch.
That said, I hire full timers, period. Or those transitioning from part to full time. But no plan, no job for them with me.
THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB. Period. And no matter how good your other job, one will suffer. You need to be available when the client is available. And you need to be responsive to other agents. Few careers allow that duality.
Make the move, or stay put. You cannot do both equally well.
For me, I think it's not whether an agent is full time or part time, it's how much education they get from working with mentors and taking more classes to become more educated in real estate.
I couldn't do it part time because I would need to have clients tied to my schedule, and that would reduce the number of people willing to work with me.
However, I knew one young lady who had a day job 3 days per week at a country club to pay her bills. The other 4 days, and nights, she studied and worked her tail off in real estate. She had a great personality, and while at the country club she met people and would casually let them know about her real estate job. She got a couple of $1,000,000 + listings from her contacts.
So you could say that her 3 days at the country club provided her with great marketing avenues.
I believe what we focus our energy on is what we get in return. That applies to anything in life, positive or negative. If a successful real estate career is what one wants, then it takes focus and action for that to be realized. I believe that is the main point Jennifer is making in this post.
After reading the comments, I see a mix of perspectives about the part time vs full time real estate professional. There are opposing views regarding whether or not one can become successful while working at the real estate profession part time. I believe success in real estate or any career depends more so on a variety of factors eg. knowledge, skills, a mentor, commitment, etc. rather than the amount of time devoted to the pursuit. Of course the more time dedicated to the activity, the greater the potential is for success! There isn't necessarily a simple straight-forward answer.
The reality in real estate is that income is not a guarantee. I sense that this is the main reason for not going into the profession full time. As Terry Chenier (47th comment) says, "Anyone getting in this business needs a year's wages in the bank." If one does not have a financial cushion to rely upon during lean times, what other options are there besides working a job in addition to the real estate career?