My #1 agent who will surpass her $100,000 commission goal is part time.  And, she obviously does more with her part time than some of my full timers.  

This is about motivation, dedication and a love of the business.  And who is to say that a part timer will not be working towards crossing over into full time.

If the agent meets your corporate culture and what you are looking for, do not be put off by part time.

I look at it from a client's perspective.  Is the agent readily available when they need assistance?  Working with part timers on the other side of the deal has been a nightmare for me.  They can only communicate during their breaks and after 5.

I work part-time hours for full time cheques

Isn't that why most of us got into the business?  To work our own hours in the manner which suits us best.

I don't have another job but I do embrace the "if you want something done, ask a busy person" school of thought!

I will embrace anyone who does their job in a professional and competent manner.

Jim Joeriman Yes, we should embrace part time agents. Many part timers out perform full time agents. It's the spare time agents I wonder about.

Jim,
I think the issue is competence and can the part time agent be reached in a timely manner if needed by the client or another agent, title company, etc.

There is nothing wrong with a part time agent.  With the high cost of starting out,  for some future great agents, they had to have another job for the fist year.  I do have a problem, when they don't produce and won't communicate.

I support any agent who does a good job for their clients -- it does not matter to me if they are considered full or part time.

As with all things, it depends on the person, some can be very effective working part time while others are incompetent on a full time basis.

It is a portfolio thing.  It makes your company look huge.   Coldwell Bankers here do not want PT but how do they know you got another job?

Years ago I could not find my fortune 500 corp manager. At the grocery store I picked up one of their listings and 66 agents photos.  I realized he was working across the street doing RE. Out of 66 agents I recognize 20 agents. I went to C21 one day OMG I recognize many faces who are supposed to working FT at company.  That is the con part.

Yes, we would, especially if they have a good work ethic.  A

Soemtimes I have more issues with 20 year full time agents so yes I would embrace them and I do.

Absolutely, we should embrace part time agents. If the part-timer can make it work, why would we exclude folks?

it is up to the consumer to decide whether he wants to work with apart time agent or full time agent. It makes no difference to me.

FT/PT no difference.  Competent/Incompetent big difference!

I don't embrace nor do I shun them.  To each his own.  I just know it is hard to do this part time.

I was recently listening to a legal webinar where predicted an increase in new licensees since the prices are up and economy is more or less stable. Well, this is beyond our control, but completions always makes us work better and smarter.  

I don't get the whole debate.  As long as the person is doing their job well who the heck cares how many hours they do or don't take to do it. If a person is happy with one closing a month and one client at a time fine with me.  

Jim, this is very good question.

While only an opinion I feel that if an agent is successful they would have income enough to make it a full time career.  That is a rather large statement with many reasons to only want doing it part time.  More often than not checking statistics will show it to be true.  mark