From my point of view as a Lender, it's more about availability and being capable timewise to facilitate actions regarding your transaction.  If an agent is unavailable because they are working elsewhere (especially during the day when most real estate-related businesses are open/available) it can be a real problem gaining info needed to move a transaction forward.  Days can be lost.  Unfortunately, this happens ...  

Gene

If the service, knowledge and communication is there, it doesn't matter to me.  There are many agents spending 40 plus hours a week "working" but have no production.  

I know crappy full time agents and great agents who have other jobs. I think it depends on the person and their work ethic.

Martin, I don't think it matter much, with advanced technology and majority of buyers and sellers are not available during regular business hours. 

My clients insist on using a full-time REALTOR.  In return, I expect them to enter into an exclusive buyer's agency with me.  It's the price of hiring a professional.

Provided they do a good job, I could care less how many hours it takes them.  Remember the old adage, if you want something done, ask a busy person!

Full time and yes

As Gene Mundt, Chicago-area Mortgage Lender - www.genemundt.com said, as long as they're available, it doesn't matter.  Some people spend their free time fishing, sewing, drinking, or what not - why should we care of someone's free time outside of real estate is spent at another job?

It really comes down to availability and focus - if they're unavailable and cannot focus on real estate because of another job, then that is a detriment to them & the industry.  If they're available and focused on real estate, I don't care if they have 10 other jobs.

Martin, I don't think it's a question of full time or part time, it's more a matter what the quality of service and meeting client expectations.

I think it does.  To take care of your clients to the best of your abilities, helps to do this full-time.  Not after work at another job, etc.   Time is of the essance, hard to follow that when you are working another job or not doing your job for your clients, representing them is a full time job in my book.

Good morning Martin. I don't like part time anything when it comes to the real estate or mortgage business. I won't refer to a part time agent.

I dislike working with part-time agents. Part-time service.

I have no idea who you can be a part time agent. Most of part times I knew, left the business or keep their license only for referral deals.

Martin - I am absolutely full time, but I don't think it has mattered to the buyer or seller for many years now. I remember back in 2005 there were lots of part-time agents and they were doing just fine. Most agents work with people they know, and the clients of the part-time agents know and understand that they have another job.

Being knowledgeable and available matters and it is hard to do if you are part time. After a while buyers and sellers catch on and so do other agents. 

In my opinion it makes all the difference in the world.  Everyone wants instant information right now, just as soon as they ask a question they are looking for the answer.

I don't know. 

What does part time mean?

Is the subject agent working the grave yard shift at the foundry and real estate during the daylight hours?

Or is the subject agent working the floor at Designer Shoe Warehouse during the day and real estate after 7 PM?

Does it matter? You bet.

I think full time is better for clients. It is part of our job to be available for them at their schedules.

It is much more difficult for part time agents. 

On the other hand, several of the agents that I have hired to work part time have gone on to own their own successful  real estate companies.