I'm thinking about taking a class to get my agent license next month and I was wondering if it was feasible to start off part-time given the fact that the position is commission-based? I currently work sunday-thursday until around 3:30pm. Would this schedule make it possible to start off part-time?

My belief is that this is not a part time job. Who is supposed to take care of your end of the transaction while you are your "job"? Do you really expect the other agent to do your job and still pay you a full commission?

The only fair thing to do if you can only do your job after 3:30p is to give part of your commission to the other agent to handle certain details for you.

Sure, you could do it...but don't expect to do it effectively. There's a LOT that needs to get done during the daytime hours while your clients are at work, and many last-minute, urgent issues that often need to be sorted out. If you do it part time, having a day-job that has a VERY flexible schedule is paramount.

If you want to fail, then starting out part time is perfection. Who is going to meet your home inspector at 11AM? Who is going to attend your closing at 12PM? Who is going to pre-stage your listing at 1PM? Who is going to take care of that important 3-way conference call at 2PM? Get the picture?

Your clients may understand that you work til 3:30 and be OK with that until they need you at 1pm! Part of agency law is "putting your clients needs above all else". When you get called to the Board or The State Commission to answer questions "I was at my real job" likely will not be the answer they are looking for.

In theory it can be done, i'm just not sure how though.

Marcel

Well you have just been introduced to the naysayer group, or full-time or nothing group. They are right that full time would be ideal, but full time guarantees nothing. Most of the new full-timers and most of the new part-timers will be out of the business within a few years. It's what you do in those few years that you pay your dues.

These people may be trying to save you some pain, but they are full of BS, there is a simple solution to each "problem" they bring up but solutions are for people with an IQ above 40, and I'm sure your in that group, and will find a solution for each problem. There is no law that requires you to be the person that does every diddly little thing. And I'm sure that even some of the naysayers have assistants, or some such staff help.

So take my word for it, I started part-time and have watched many part-timers exceed the supposed full timers. Over 45 years I have watched many of these part-timers become the leaders in production. Just make sure, you decide to go full time when you can, it is ideal, you will know when. Of course there are several exceptions to that too.

I had 2 part-timers that were top producers for years and when they quit their day jobs they still only worked part-time but played golf, or went fishing, or did something else as much as they wanted.

Yes it is not so difficult that you would not be able to keep it continue. But you have to manage the timing well, or go to the institution where you can attend evening classes.

One of the realities is that the average agent who is full time may have 10 listings and 10 active buyers. So while you are giving splendid service to one, you don't have time to jump when the other one snaps his fingers. You are always juggling appointments and making compromises anyway. You are only devoting part of your time to each client, yet somehow you can give good service.

The law of agency says you always have to put your client's needs above all else? Where is that, in the land of OZ?

So it is possible to schedule around work while you are getting started, and yes you can find other agents in the same boat and cover for each other. Do what you can. Don't worry about the advice to the contrary.

The bottom line is disclosure. Many part time agents are dishonest and do not disclose to potential sellers that they are part-time agents. Why? Simple. If they did disclose it, most sellers would not select them. And rightly so. A part time agent is a big fat compromise for any seller. Pay a full commission, and get half an agent. Bad deal. So the vast majority of part-time agents hide the fact they are part time and treat it like a dirty little secret. Which, in the final analysis, is what it has to be if a part timer is to get any business at all.

Part-time vs Full-time

Years ago there was a movement by some brokerage members of the local real estate board to restrict membership to full time agents only, and any member wishing to speak on the matter was entitled to do so prior to the matter being put to a vote by the general membership.

One brokerage member, spoke up and said that he only wished his full-time agents would put in half the hours that his part-time agents did and this brought the discussion to the number of evening hours and on the weekends that some part-time agents devoted to their job.

Another broker said some of his part-time agents had formed a working partnerships with another part-time agent, each one working different hours as a team and allowing for one member to be available at all times to conduct business and service their clients.

The general membership voted to continue to permit membership of part-time agents.

In these current economic times, most everyone has both financial and personal obligations and some would perhaps think it foolish for someone to disregard those obligations, at the very start of their real estate career and to perhaps give up a regular source of income, in exchange for a profession that has no guarantees.

Part-time agents will always have the opportunity to work full-time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This information is provided as basic educational information by the author and is not a substitute for the advice of an expert and/or the advice of a Lawyer. There is NO representation as to legality, accuracy, correctness of the herein information and the reader is strongly urged to consult a lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction to ensure accuracy before acting on this information.

Yes there always anecdotes such as these, but for the most part, the vast majority of part-time agents do an abysmal job and should be required to disclose their status to potential victims.

You can certainly start your real estate business on a part time basis but you'll need more time if you get listings and particularly buyers. One suggestion is that you could "team up" with someone at your brokers office and have them take care of duties occurring while you're at your other job. Good luck getting your license. I think you'll enjoy the field.

Navarac, the vast majority of part-time AND full-time agents do an abysmal job...

I started out part-time. I wound up working 18 hour days, and it literally very nearly killed me. That's how I can personally attest to the fact that you will find it exceedingly difficult to be an effective real estate agent if you have other, full-time work unless your day job is VERY flexible.

It did help me test the water before I jumped...but even as a part-timer initially, I knew I had to quickly go full-time or simply be mediocre.

Of course you're going to be juggling appointments and clients. Being available at the whim of your clients is difficult enough as it is, without 9-to-5 getting in the way.

Yes, there are ways around that. They aren't easy, and they aren't ideal. But you can do it.

My experience, though, still remains that you can't do it forever.