You should tell people to do what they have to do. Any success mentor will tell you... do not quit your job before your business can support you. And, I think/know that to be excellent advise for anyone in sales.

When I first started working, this is true, I didn't make a single dime until I RAN OUT OF MONEY. Then I became a top rookie . . . I think I had 6 deals in one month average price approx. 300K. I accomplished that goal by holding one open house every weekend until I met buyers. Also by then some of my FSBO listings became realistic about their price. And some of the buyers wanted to sell. And that all started leading to referrals.

Took me about 6 months of no sales. Maybe 4. I don't remember exactly.

But I don't think I would have had one sale if I had not NEEDED them b/c no one wants to sit in an open house, call someone you don't know already, be persistent with leads, etc.

It will be easier to quit real estate, or decide that it is impossible (what I was thinking about month number 3 or 4) if you don't have to make money b/c calling FSBOs and expireds isn't fun.

I'm not trying to spoil anyone's dreams. I hope she starts and loves it, part-time or full-time. But wouldn't it be better to hear the truth, accept reality, and then still decide to proceed?

I guess truthfully at this moment I would not quit a full-time job to sell real estate. But I also wouldn't expect nearly as much out of myself as a beginner in this market. It just can't be done *optimally* while working another job.

Just my opinion.

Prospecting and marketing your self will take 90% of your time especially in the beginning. I don't see how you will do it on part time. Moreover you have to have time for training etc. I have friend that she started in team as a part-time agent. They give to her all clients looking for rent, she has buyers leads, or they give to her some listings that nobody will buy, but she doesn't have any clue how to prospect and how to get clients. She is just as part time employee. However I think part - timr in a team in your situation is the best start, you will catch up with the rest later.

What you could do while you are part-time agent is to go to network meetings, develop your website etc., so this is the best start in your situation. You will catch up with the rest later. Good luck and don't give up. Start on part time:-)

Let's face it, starting out FULL time is hard. I was able to do it because my husband was always the breadwinner of the family; we're used to one income - I only had to save enough money to get started to pay my dues, buy what I needed, etc.

It can be done - and one part time agent in my area also happens to be one of the top producers. He's a teacher with a lot of connections and a lot of friends and he's good with people - he just retired from teaching though so I'm curious to see how it affects his real estate.

The argument about a "Part time doctor" is really not applicable here - it is a totally different field - doctors also need 8 years of college plus residency to become a doctor - should we continue the comparison? Personally I think a real estate agent should require at least an associates degree but hey, that's not the point of this thread.

I have never had a customer ask me if I am part time or full time - never. We have hashed this discussion out before on another thread I think. You don't have to go around saying "Part time agent."

But you do have to realize that sometimes you need to be available during the day (today one of my listings is having a home inspection and the seller is nervous and wants me to go after the inspection to make sure everything is shut off and locked up - too many REALTORS have left the home with the back door open, windows OPEN, not just unlocked - or with soda spilled on the floor - that he needs to know I'm taking care of his house for him....so this afternoon I need to do that.

I need to be able to make calls, answer emails, and send faxes or deliver papers at various points during the day.

It's hard but not impossible - totally depends on your schedule and what your "other job" entails....

Even as a full timer, I don't have enough hours in some days...lol