Full Time vs Part Time Agents
Hi – all!
Yes, it’s been a while since my last post, and I do apologize.
This post is about full time vs part time agents, and clients who have mentioned a lack of service. It is true that all real estate agents are not full-time agents. It is also true that part-time agents cannot always provide timely and/or exceptional service to their clients. Further, many agents who either do this or cover for them don’t realize that this lack of service reflects on all agents – especially if the client is not aware that their agent has a full-time job somewhere else. I have been told, by a few people, that their agent is not responsive, doesn’t listen, is not available for showings, and doesn’t always call them back, etc. And, sometimes I find that these agents do, in fact, have other jobs. This, of course, affects both buyers and the potential property they wish to buy and sellers who have already listed with that agent. My point is this – if you are thinking of either buying or selling a home, and you want full-time service, then make sure you hire a full-time agent. Good Luck!
September 7, 2007 at 4:32 am
Our market in Minneapolis is flooded with too many agents, including part-timers. In fact, there are more buyers than there are agents.
Does your associaton do anything to limit the number of agents practicing real estate?
Ours does nothing. They just want the dues.
October 18, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Well, by association, I assume you mean the “REALTOR” association? Or, did you mean the Mass. Licensing Board? The REALTOR group is a private organization which cannot tell you how, when, where, or how often to work as an independent agent or broker. The Massachusetts licensing board also cannot tell you these things. In fact, as a Licensed Sales Agent, you are basically an independent contractor, but must be affiliated with a Broker. As a Licensed Broker, you can either be an independent, or you can create your own business identity such as a corporation (Corp.) or a partnership (LLP). But, the short answer is no, none of the licensing boards or professional associations one can join limit the number of agents practicing. …The more, the merrier anyway – since it’s our dues that drive both organizations. All we can continue to do is educate the public…