Does Your Agent Have A "Real Job"?

A great gauge of how strong the real estate market is the number of agents who are brand new to the industry that still have a “real job”. I use that term in jest, because let’s be honest, being a Realtor is very much a “real job” but to the untrained eye (read: newbie) it seems super cush and easy and can totally be worked around the schedule that provides a regular paycheck.

I have had nearly this exact conversation more times that I care to count:

Them: I was thinking about getting my real estate license.

Me: Really? That’s cool. I can’t believe you are leaving your job, you have been there so long.

Them: Oh, I’m not going to quit my job, I’m just going to do it on the side, you know, for family and friends for some extra cash. It sounds like fun, and it’s super easy, right?

Me: Uh, yeah. Super easy (insert eye roll here).

From the outside looking in as a buyer or seller it may not seem like that big of a deal to hire an agent that has a separate full time gig doing something else. It is however a very big deal. There are a litany of issues that come up during the time a home is for sale or a buyer is in escrow that need to be taken care of RIGHT NOW that cannot properly be handled if your agent cannot make or receive phone calls or personal emails between 8-5 Monday through Friday. 

Based on my experience with part-timers, here are some things to consider if you are considering hiring an agent that is moonlighting as a Realtor:

1. Do they have time to dedicate to showing you property on a schedule that fits your schedule?
2. If you list your house with them will they be available to show the property to potential buyers during normal business hours?
3. Will they answer their phone and/or promptly return emails when a buyer inquires about your home?
4. If you call or text them at 10am on a Tuesday can or will they answer their phone?
5. Lenders and title companies generally work “bankers hours”, so if your agent does too will they be able to communicate vital information with them regarding your transaction to get your deal closed on time?
6. Will they be available to attend inspections and open the house for appraisers, etc?
7. How much time are they dedicating to learning your market, understanding the comps and keeping up with market changes that may affect your bottom line?
8. What kind of relationship (if any) do they have with other industry professionals?
9. Is their lack of experience and knowledge going to leave you with unanswered concerns about the buying or selling process?
10. Is their lack of attention to the transaction going to put you at risk for losing the deal and therefore losing money?
11. Are they members of the local, state and National Association of Realtors?
12. Do they have an MLS lockbox key?

Obviously, if you are working with someone you don’t really know because you met them at an open house you may not even know they have a different job, and by the time you find out it may be too late. Hopefully though after reading this you will know to ask, and unless you are VERY comfortable with this person you will move on to a Realtor that can dedicate the time and effort to you that you need and deserve.

To learn a little more about Margeley and I and what we do for our clients, please visit the "about us" section of our website. We look forward to serving you!