Can I successfully do realtor part time after 5pm and on weekends

Question

So I have a commercial real estate lending job I currently work at an institution. To supplement my income do you think it would be possible to work as a realtor after 5pm and on the weekends?

Russell Brazil · Answer

I was a part time agent for 10 years. In all honesty, most people will not want to work with you because you are a part timer.  Most people want full time professionals helping them, not someone who is inexperienced and no available when they need them.

While you are not showing properties during the day, most of the business of real estate takes place within business hours. Communicating with the client, negotiating, meeting photographers, home inspectors, appraisers, etc.

Jake Fugman · Answer

@Mike M.  Im sure that most clients can still be serviced well if you are available and communicating at least once per day.  So its very doable.

I love real estate brokering because similar to most sales jobs you really do get out what you put in. reap what you sow).  There are many variables as @Daniel Reyes stated, but if you can spare a total 10-15 hrs a week you should be able to produce at least 25% of what a full time broker in your market is making (assuming similar tools, contacts, expenses, commission split).  You just have to evaluate if that amount of income is worth the time

If you are starting out slow Id recommend choosing a firm that has low monthly fees and the flexibility to work around your schedule.

Good luck!

Daniel Reyes · Answer

Hi Mike,

Thank you for posting!

We may consider: homebuyers in the US typically work regular jobs. I believe there would be value in understanding who major employers are in your area and the business hours of their operations. Also, in this case, it may be helpful to do research on the demographic in your city and county. You may discover certain indicators of your potential market such as:

1) Average family income

2) Family size

3) Largest employers in the area

4) Otherwise pertinent information regarding the home buying landscape in your MSA

You can also take/make calls during your lunch break at work, make trips, visit clients :). Our ability to maximize our time can make a significant difference when pursuing another career in tandem with our "day job".

I'm happy to connect! I wish you much success in your new endeavor; believe me, you can do it.

All the best,

Daniel Reyes

Dan Maciejewski · Answer

You certainly can make it work -- I would caution with the proverbs:

"The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither," and

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other."

I went part-time for 6 months while learning, and sold zero houses.  I did build a fairly profitable database during that time that has given me several transactions. I went full-time once I got my first deal.  I even tried to sell while rehabbing our 4-plex and could't really both find new business and GC and do labor on what was essentially 4 houses.  Two full-time jobs is a lot! Thankfully my business kept going and I had some sales in those months from my previous activities.

The thing to remember is that for your clients you are not part-time -- you are a full-time agent to each client.

And focus on listings -- buyers can take a ton of time; with listings most of your time is spent up-front.

Miguel Castillo · Answer

@Mike M. you absolutely can, don't be discouraged, partner with another realtor to give you a hand on inspections or any other event you cannot attend and share the profit with them.

Oscar Pinto · Answer

OK, just keep in mind these buyers and sellers are putting their faith in you. You will guide them through the most expensive process of their life, for most.

In the beginning definitely work with a team, once you feel you can go out on your own then make the change. Definitely work with a team. You will accomplish so much more with the right team. Cut that learning curve.

Mike McCarthy · Answer

As someone who's worked with realtors before... I don't know that I'd much care that you work part time, as long as you're available when you're needed.  For standard showings, I'm find scheduling a time that works into your schedule.

But when that perfect house hits the MLS in a hot market, I want to be able to see it and put an offer in asap.  When an offer needs to go in by noon, I'll need you to work through all the little details and get the contracts out before they are due.

I worked with a realtor for a while to find a new home.  He was very helpful in showing properties and we got along well.  But when it came time to put an offer in, the offer needed to be in by noon as we knew there would be multiple offers.  The contract he sent over for signature had some incorrect numbers and some fees that I wasn't expecting.  He wasn't available when I called and we missed the deadline.  Needless to say, he didn't last much longer.

Mike M. · Answer

Oscar - sure why not. In fact I would think I could do better. As previously stated most times buyers are humans and work too. If necessary I could leave as early as 3pm or take longer lunches. Why would someone let the description of part time dissuade someone from working with me? Let’s be honest, in today’s digital age the majority of buyers are the ones creating their searches and identifying what properties they want to see. I would be available to show homes any day of the week, with weekdays after 3pm and anytime on the weekends. That doesn’t seem too limited to me. Your thoughts?

Oscar Pinto · Answer

Do you think you can provide the same benefit to a buyer / seller as a full time agent? Or better yet, if your close relative, let's say your mom, asked you if she should sell her house with a part-time agent what would you suggest?

Also, there are ways to successfully work part-time. First is to team up with another agent or team. You can produce leads from marketing, open houses, database etc., refer them to your Team and earn 25%+ of the commissions.

Call local teams and interview with them and see which one you think has the best systems.

Mike M. · Answer

Jake - here’s the good thing: I already have my real estate salesperson license. I originally got it to focus on my own purchases on rental properties.

Do you think a prospective buyer/seller would mind working with a part time realtor?

My main job is a relationship manager for a commercial investor real estate group at a large bank so there is a good amount of overlap with what I do currently. My schedule is very flexible in terms of lunches and getting off work, and getting in touch would not be an issue whatsoever (I always have my phone by me).

Can I successfully do realtor part time after 5pm and on weekends

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