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Val Evans

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Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I've never understood this full time / part time nonsense.  I work as few hours as needed to get the job done.  I've never set foot inside my Brokerage and couldn't tell you who works there let alone what hours they keep.   I've found that many people who claim full time hours are simply not good at time management!  My goal was to have full time pay for part time hours.  To me, that is success :)

Nov 09, 2015 12:48 PM
Ambassador
3,169,477
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Val, I prefer the term "dual career" :)  I'm an engineer for a Fortune 500 company and have been for almost 25 years.  Liz started in real estate in 2002, I got "pulled in" back in 2004.  My level of involvement was small initially and has grown over time.  About 3 years ago Liz went home to Maryland to help take care of a dying brother.  During those 3 months I took on the remaining aspects of the business that I wasn't already handling.  After she returned the fire for the business just wasn't there and instead she shifted more towards charity work (animal work (cat rescue, a certified pet therapy dog), visiting hospice, senior center, VA hospital, etc.).  Since that point it's basically been all me with some support when I specifically need it (process listing photos, past clients specifically expecting to see her, etc.).  Otherwise, I handle the buyers, our social media/web work, and in most cases the sellers.  I have enough day job flexibility that if I need to go out and show a home, I can.  I've also used quite a number of vacation days over the last few years to take care of clients.  It keeps me quite busy, and my free time at night and weekends is fairly scarce.  Assuming no hiccups between now and the end of the year I'll complete 20+ transactions this year.  And for the most part, the agent on the other side of the transaction won't even know I have a day time job.  Bill

Nov 09, 2015 08:05 PM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

If I sell $15M part time, I don't care what anyone calls me. 

Nov 10, 2015 04:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Many agents are full time but receive part time income. Others put part time effort have another passion and earn full time+ income from RE.

75% agents in the brokerage I have no clue who they are. They work out their home come picking up their checks. Are they FT or PT that is not my concern. One should learn not to hang around in the office. Gossip, small talk. Who is cheating on whom....  

I only focus on RE matters no matter what topics they may be. I stay there long enough and leave quickly.

Nov 09, 2015 10:50 AM
Rainmaker
2,194,668
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I was going to say something funny like, the difference is $500K to a million a year as my answer, but then I realized everybody's definition is different. I am probably the oddball out as I work full-time which, for me, means from 7 AM to 7 PM and, yes, some days I don't leave my computer except for a break, depending on how things go. Working full-time, selling more than 100 homes a year is what I do . . . but I also have a second job writing for About.com, with deadlines, assignments and projects, yet that doesn't really make me part-time, does it?

Nov 10, 2015 12:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Wow! a part time job that near 15 mln every year~ not bad. And she is also ''anonymous'' and gives most of her commissions back to her charities! That is really rare situation. 

Nov 09, 2015 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
530,966
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

There is no clear cut definition as to whether an agent is full time or part time.  We all have our own criteria.

I personally do not care. If I am working with an agent,  I only want to know if they are competent and professional.  If I am not working with them --- it really is none of my business.

Nov 09, 2015 11:28 AM
Rainmaker
115,432
Jeanne Feenick
NextHome Premier - Basking Ridge, NJ
The Agent you choose REALLY does make a difference

Availability - generally I find that agents that make their living as agents are more available than those that don't.  

Nov 10, 2015 06:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It's about the results YOU want to achieve.  Time does not necessarily equal results.   

Nov 09, 2015 11:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,432,649
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

It is the quality of the service not the time of the service.  I think the implications are that "Part Time" does not know anything.  But some weeks I am part time and some weeks I am over time at this job. 

Nov 24, 2015 09:39 AM
Rainer
64,164
Nicole Donaghy
Re/Max Purpose Driven - Lexington, SC
Helping Families Home in Lexington and Columbia

I am a part-time agent.  That doesn't mean I only half-way serve my clients.  It means I only work with 2-4 clients at a time, and I give them full service.  I do not work another job.  I am very knowledgeable, with 10 years of experience, many of those as a full-time top-producer, so it's not like I don't know what I'm doing.

Nov 09, 2015 11:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I did a transactions with a "part time" Agent.  It was a nightmare!  She returned my calls, emails and even texts around her kids soccer games, school events, cooking etc.  I ended up working both ends of that deal but she got paid just as I did.  

Nov 09, 2015 10:29 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not ask other agents in my office whether they have  another job. It is up to clients to ask an agent whta hours they are available and if it suits the clients that is all that matters. I am a full time agent. I work 7 days a week.

Nov 09, 2015 08:47 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Val - I think most people that consider real estate their part-time job have another job as well, and that is why they don't consider themselves full-time.

As far as treating them like part-time citizens, I really don't see that happening. As long as they are good agents, and do their job, they will be respected in my eyes. 

Nov 09, 2015 02:08 PM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

FULL TIME VS part time is simply the time they do their job. 375k commish a year is pretty good :0

Nov 09, 2015 10:50 AM
Rainmaker
146,555
Damon Botticelli
Silver State Realty & Investments - Las Vegas, NV
Realtor - Las Vegas Real Estate

While there are always exceptions to such generalizations, and it sounds like your friend is certainly the exception, often the difference is market knowledge, properly written and executed contracts, availability, and experience recognizing and dealing with the 1000's of issues that can plague a real estate transaction.  

 

Jan 31, 2016 04:16 AM
Rainmaker
183,505
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

A variation of this question was on a state broker exam I recently took. It seems that the correct answer, as far as the state is concerned is, if you have concurrent active income from another source then you are a part-time agent. Their logic is that the time spent on the other job could be used for real estate activities so your not full-time as far as real estate is concerned. Think and mark otherwise and you lose a point! Can't say that I totally agree with this. Consider the agent who spends 3,000 hours/year on real estate matters and teaches an online course twice a year for a 100 hours total. Have a hard-time classifying this agent as part-time. 

Nov 14, 2015 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
4,456,354
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Thanks to the Internet, smart phones, you can be full time anywhere and any time.... I just happen to do this 24/7 by choice, Endre

Nov 13, 2015 03:14 PM
Rainmaker
466,695
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Good morning Val,

Congratulations to her, all the other agents who speak ill of her are just wishing they were as good as she is:)

Nov 11, 2015 09:12 PM
Rainmaker
484,748
Brian Rugg
Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX
Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Your questions has an intriguing twist in it. The title asks about Full Time vs Part Time but the body of text introduces a number of interpersonal  qualifiers to the subject.

 

As a broker, I have to evaluate what kind of agent  I am agreeing to sponsor.  Since the broker is responsible for all real estate transactions, its only reasonable we look for someone we can count on, thinks before they act, has a commitment to continuing education, stays abreast of changes and is able to articulate those changes to a client and so on.  I am more than willing to mentor a newer agent if I'm convinced they have a commitment to the industry, themselves, and the business we can create together. On the other hand, if the agent seems to want to dabble in real estate and sees it as something to do to get out of the house, I'm a lot less interested.

In my business model I pay agents a terrific split, no desk fees, no E&O fees, no franchise fee, no advertising fee,  no up-front fees of any kind, and only a modest transaction when they sell something. The point is, that just like an agent, I don't make money unless they are making money. Elegantly simple.

All of this said, I would love to have your agent friend work for my brokerage and deliver her $15MM a year as something other than a full time agent.

Nov 11, 2015 06:55 AM
Rainer
446,414
Raul Rodriguez
Covenant Partners Realty - San Antonio, TX
Looking out for the client's interest and not my p

As a "part-time" agent I find that I can devote more time and energy to my "full-time" clients...because I am not dependent on income from real estate.

Nov 10, 2015 10:53 PM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Val, you have a plethora of answers to choose from regarding what makes full time vs part time.  I use the full service approach.  To me full service means you take the fiduciary duties seriously and therefore provide the best service possible for your clients.  My clients don't care how many hours I am spending at the office or in the field.  They only care if they feel like they are my most important client. 

Nov 10, 2015 10:53 PM
Rainer
162,119
Greg Riley
Prudential AllStar Realtors - Rio Rancho, NM
e-PRO,RECS, Rio Rancho Real Estate

Some of the Big Teams are worse than part time agents you do 100% of the work to pay theyre Team 50% they know that if they don't care someone will have to!

Nov 10, 2015 09:49 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,595
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I have to agree with Susan Emo - my dream as a full time agent is to be part time earning the same amount that I do now - or more! ! 

Nov 10, 2015 09:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,577,943
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I typically think of a part time agent as one who has a job that requires time during work hours. That said....who cares! 

Nov 10, 2015 09:14 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have seen agents that had other full time work that were fully producing agents and I classified them as full time because of theit commitment, hours invested to get the job done and their results were equal to many full time agents.

I have also seen full time agents that worked 50-60 hours and were not focused and produce part time results. 

Nov 10, 2015 08:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,731,203
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I think that's an easy, but great question ....Full-time agents take it seriously 24-7 ....and there is no way way a part-time agent can do what they need to do to represent buyers or sellers the way way should!

Nov 10, 2015 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,562,386
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I don't understand this concept of "part-time" vs. "full time"  It's a mindsent which we have been conditioned to think that we're only a productive human if we work 8 to 5.  Any variations, and we are the slugs of the earth. 

Nov 10, 2015 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

The answer is simple: availability. The full time agent has only one job - responding to client needs, when they want you. A part-time agent presumably has more 'other' priorities and presumably less availabiity.

Nov 10, 2015 04:27 AM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Sounds to me like there are a few who might be trying to figure out how she does what she does in less time than they do or how she is doing better than they are.  I have found that too many agents sit around worrying what others are doing and that alone interferers with their own production.  As independent contractors we really don't have to answer to anyone. There is no explanation needed by her on what she does, why she does it or how much she produces (unless the Broker has requirements of course).  Normal behavior you ask?  Yes, there are always those who think they know everything and most actually don't. 

Nov 10, 2015 02:59 AM
Rainmaker
900,118
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Usually it means you have a "regular" full-time job, e.g. I know some teachers that try to do real estate P/T when not in school. If your friend is successful, it doesn't matter what she calls her involvement. The sneers are just envy from the mean girls and boys.

Nov 10, 2015 12:36 AM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

As long as you are taking care of business who would know. I do not care if the other agent has another job. I do not have their bills. If they are responsible enough to take care of theirs who am I to judge. 

Nov 10, 2015 12:18 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Number of hours IMHO is irrelevant.  Providing there are systems and processes in place during "normal business hours" - same hours as Title & Escrow, and processes to handle (rare) "exceptions" to those hours, the goal should be to minimize the amount of time spent (efficiency).  That said, to get a Brokers license in AZ (not Salesperson) one criteria is a minimum of 3 years "full time" defined as 160 hours per month...

Nov 10, 2015 12:12 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I don't like the term "parttime" ..... there are agents who profess to be "full time" and they are not productive....agents who don't have "their head in the business" are not desirable....there are those who have two professions and they are always thinking about their next deal and where it come from....that's what I like see in an agent.... number of hours is irrelevent...some work long hours and they're running in circles!!! others work wisely and are productive.... 

Nov 10, 2015 12:05 AM
Rainer
23,046
Keith Kenner
Chatuge Land Co. - Hiawassee, GA
Real Estate Lake Chatuge Realtor Northeast Georgia

Those people are jealous of her success and time management skills. Personally i wouldn't care what they said if I were making the money that that covers my needs. Some people have different values than others. It's what makes a person happy that determines their success.

Nov 10, 2015 12:00 AM
Rainmaker
732,712
Tracy Lee Parker
RE/MAX DFW Associates - Royse City, TX
Buy*Sell*Rent

As far as your question I think Part Timers are people who have another job other than RE.  I don't see how your friend does it part time! Good for her. I am a top producer and don't think I could be a top producer if I didn't do this fulltime, but everyone has different skills.

As far as working with part timers all I ask is please consider my time and don't text me very late in the evening because you can't work on RE in your other job! My experience with Part Timers is I usually have to help them through the transaction. If you are a Part Timer and I never knew it then you have gained my respect ! 

Nov 09, 2015 11:52 PM
Rainmaker
90,554
Dee Neal
Palmer House Properties - Alpharetta, GA
Atlanta Area Real Estate

When i first started selling real estate, i felt like a second class citizen because im technically "part time" but like her, at that time i sold more than so called "full time" agents. i think you're considered part time, if real estate isn't the only thing you do. i dont like the classification because even though i have another job, i have proven to be just as available and resourceful, if not more, than "full time" agents. 

Nov 09, 2015 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I view the term full time agent, as this is their only form of income.  Part timers have a full time (or even part time) job elsewhere.   Their focus is not always on real estate.

Nov 09, 2015 10:51 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Val Evans In my mind there is no difference between a full time or part time agent. I've known many part time agents who could out perform many full time agents. I have said this before, it's the spare time agents who I wonder about.

Nov 09, 2015 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Second class citizen! Of course not.

Agents simply need to be able to make a reliable connection with the agent on the other side of the transaction.  If they are properly available, how would anyone know they are part-time?

Now, it seems they must announce it themselves.

Doing so makes it clear to all other agents that they have MORE IMPORTANT things in their life, so don't expect them to make our obligations to the buyers and seller who hire us a highest priority.

I think the agent in question is dealing with their personal shame center and has no bearing on the other agent or what is being reported as truth.

 

Nov 09, 2015 09:57 PM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Nothing as long as they can do their job properly.

Nov 09, 2015 09:13 PM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Val,
If part timers are competent and can be reached, no problem.

Nov 09, 2015 12:39 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have agents who never come in to the office except when they have a closing and need to pick up a check.  No one treats them poorly. I think the broker is not handling his office well if people are sneering at one of the top producers.

Nov 09, 2015 12:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

A full time agent has drive to get listings and sell homes.  A part time agent only works when they have some free time to spare.

Nov 09, 2015 12:20 PM
Ambassador
6,392,929
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Most part timers have another income or someone paying the bills so that they do not need to work 80 hours per week.

Nov 09, 2015 10:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I hate the fact that people are treating her that way and I can honestly say that behavior like that does not happen in my office.

Nov 09, 2015 10:19 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

The money they make

Nov 09, 2015 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

It realy differs from person to person...A full time agent in my opinion puts r=H=

Their REal Estate career first over any other side job they may have

Nov 09, 2015 10:06 AM