Last week, I was unable to reach the listing agent all day with an offer on her listing. When I called her office I was tol: "Since you're a realtor I can tell you, she's at her other job." When she finally called me about 8pm, she appologized and said she couldn't contact me because she would have a problem with her other job if she tried to call me while she was working.

Forget about being successful. What able being professional? I just wonder if her client would have a problem with her agent if she knew.

I'm sorry; being a realtor is a profession - not a part time job!

It depends on what the other job is. I taught real estate, developed property, helped build houses and had rental property all at the same time and felt lik they all complimented each other. 

It also depends how much time the other job takes and if you have a partner you can depend on.

Don Davies, Does your Doctor, Attorney, Accountant, Dentist or Financial Advisor work off commissions? or Free?

I would answer your question by posing the question "if they are a truly successful Realtor why would they have a side job?"

I think the extra time when they'd be working a second job would be better served as time spend investing in their business to become even more successful.

Hi Adam -- it most likely depends on the individual.  

Why not? Though I'd focus more on Real Estate to make even more than this job.

If you are a successful realtor you won't need a side job.  You should make enough and definitely be busy enough.

If this question were framed in a different way, my answer would be...it is possible to have two complementary jobs at the same time  and be successful at both.  I know many people who had to quit real estate over the past several years. As someone who does two jobs,  I did not quit, but I did scale back with all the activities I was involved in.  I work a full-time job on a compressed schedule, and practice real estate  for the remainder of the week.o to your question, can I be successful in both?  It depends on how one define success.  If I am able to generate at least 50 percent of my salary from my real estate practice , then I would consider it successful. For me it is basically the return on investment.  These days I spend 25% of my time prospecting...25% on self improvement and education and  50% in the actual practice.  i don't want to look busy...I want to spend as little time as possible to generate as much money as I can.

Some can, some can't. Some will, some won't. That's a question that is pretty specific to an individual.

As a lender of 23 years I can tell you straight up that working with part time realtors is a disaster! Somebody has to do the job for them when they are at their "day time" job. So many instances of needing something from the Realtor and not being able to move forward because they were unavailable. If they are available after 8:00 P.M. then that means that I have to work during my family time. Is that fair to myself and the other professionals that rely on this as a means to support our families? If the shoe was on the other foot and the loan officer was only "part time" how would you as a Real Estate professional feel? Before you say, "I would just find a different Lender," think way business has changed. Many lenders, myself included generate their own referrals through the landing pages we create. I do share my referrals with a small select group of agents that share with me. It is very much a symbiotic relationship.

Adam, I agree with Michael Jacobs.  I tried it when I first got into the business, and then again when I first moved here.  I don't do well with it...I need to stay focused.  But I've seen others do it who were very successful.

I think it depends on your definition of success! Balancing wild schedules can be a huge chore to some people other people thrive off the madness. Great question!

hmm, great question!

I think being a "Lyft or Uber' driver would work well into the idle agents schedule.

I was dual career for many years. I was relatively successful but could have been much more successful if I gave it my all.  I worked with buyers because their work schedules fit mine and I was ahead of the curve on transparency with sharing listings w/ buyers - I didn't work with sellers generally because that seemed to be more of a day focused "job"

Yes. But why?

Adam Gohlke ...Great question, but I'll make my answer short ....NO!

It's a nightmare when you have to work with one.

I agree with Steven B. Harkness and Warren Schutt. This is a profession. You shouldn't split your time or focus between two.

In my opininion that depends a number of things. How motiviated is the Realtor?  What type of side job is it? Does it compliment being a Realtor? How many family member depend on you? Does the Realtor depend on the side job to put food on the table? The other question I would ask is, which is the primary profession, being a Realtor or the second job?

It depends on the individual like Michael Jacobs mentioned. My first blog post was about this very situation. Basically it depends on your support system, how many deals, that your client is okay with it, etc.

I've done this before.  I became a Real Estate Consultant for the California Dept. of Energy and some utility companies related to energy efficiency in the home.  I learned a lot that I then applied to my own business (staging energy efficent homes for example).  I got to help form a roundtable to have a discussion on adding a seller disclosure for energy efficiency that is in effect today.  I like the fact that this made a difference for buyers.  As the job involved creating a training program for real estate agents, then delievering throughout the state, it improved my speaking skills and I learned how to incorporate Power Point into my business.  I later developed a Power Point presentation I did for short sales.  My business boomed around this. The whole experience was a win-win and I'm glad I did it.  I just kept in contact with buyers and sellers and had back-up plans for the 2-3 days per month I was out of the area.  So, be smart about what you get into but yes, it can be done.  Think about getting a partner who needs your support too.

Adam, you have certainly stirred the emotions of our members.  I think being successful in any field means you are well rounded.  I work a lot of hours in my real estate business and yet I find time to blog, volunteer with the Missouri Humanities Council and work as the editor to our community newspaper.

Real estate is a business and not a job. I trust you will explore in more detail what business is closer to your passion and go after your dream. In my opinion, real estate is not a part-time business or hobby. If I were your customer, I would expect you to disclose that you were in real estate part-time. 

Adam Gohlke as much as I believe Real Estate is a full-time 'job', the answer could be 'yes' for select few - who focus on lead generation and have a dedicated team of agents and admins to take care of clients all the time.

Yes, If you can exist on very  little sleep and don't have a life outside of work!  And I would personally not hire someone like that, just my humble opinion.  A

Yes, many people have side or 2nd jobs these days. Sometimes it's for health insurance reasons for their family. I know many part time agents that make more money than full time agents. They meet many people at their 2nd job that that are buying or selling. I even know a broker at major brokerage who has a part time business building websites. Another has a limo business. If the person knows how to manage / leverage their time, it can be done without one interfering with the other.

Are you suggesting the other job is part time?  Anyone can balance 2 jobs, if need be...  it is a matter of setting boundaries and establishing those with your clients.  For instance, a voice mail may note that any calls after 6pm would be responded to by 10:00am the next morning, or whatever your situation dictates.  The part time job may need to be flexible, so that it can accomodate late closings, etc..  Unless I am negotiating a deal and it is pressing, I generally don't take calls after 7pm.  You have to shut down at some point and people do respect your boundaries . Do people call?  yes, but if I recognize the number I know it must be urgent and I will take the call. 

We encourage side businesses, multiple streams of income help agents to never get desperate during slow times.

Yes, but not easy.

It is all about commitment. If they put the time and systems into place they can be successful at both. However there may come a time that one or the other will start to suffer and decisions will have to be made. You can't burn the candle at both ends forever.

I have known "part timers" that were more responsive and more successful, in my opinion, than some full timers. It's all about organization.

As all things in the business....it depends. It depends on the job. Depends on the person, depends how much it gets in the way, it depends on if you like sleep...lol..

I did a full time business and was a full time agent. I was good at both but was very tired and it wasn't easy making it look seemless to my clients. Much easier with only one now. 

I'm sure that there are many aspects of the responsibilities held by agents that can be performed successfully should they hold multiple jobs.  My only worry would surround their accessibility in regards to facilitation of a transaction's Closing.  Should they have that covered ... and the process can move ahead fluidly without delay, I'd say yes.  But as a Lender, often that is not what I have encountered in these situations.  

Gene 

Good Question - and most folks here are right (in my opionion) - it depends on the person AND the job. I have certainly been no stranger to taking on "side-work" when the Real Estate market slows down. The key is to refocus your "marketing strategy" if you will. If when working in Real Estate full time you spend a large majority of your day doing online marketing to find new clients, well, you may have to consider taking a different route. Often when taking on side work you are rewarded in that you get to meet new folks aka build your sphere of influence. So, are you taking lots of business cards with you to your side job? Are you keeping your self visible as a Realtor? Do you have a partner that can help you in your transactions? And Finally, are you saying NO when you just don't have the time to fully dedicate to a client? 

I know people who do it, but it is hard and they can't give their all to their real estate job. It's pretty easy to figure out when a cooperating Realtor has a "day job" because they don't answer their phones, but will text a reply to a phone message, or call back after hours. I find it frustrating to work with them.

Adam,

Some Realtors can have a successful side job, usually as a means of supplimenting their income while getting their real estate practice up and running.  But being successful in real estate is a full time job, and then some.  If you want your real estate practice to generate a full-time income, it requires that you treat it like a full-time job.  Good luck to you!

I think it's difficult: you are trying to serve two masters at the same time. 

I think it depends on what the side job is.  In reality, you are attempting to serve two masters, and unless you are the boss in both of them, you may find it difficult to manage your time for both. 

BTW, in response to one of the posts, Financial Advisors do get commissions.  They may get a draw but they are commission based unless they are fee only advisors (most are not this).  I used to be a FA, so I know this is true.  

It all depends on what you consider successful, your goals, how well you manage your time and how long you have been in the business.  It takes alot of dedication and time to get your pipe lines built to start a profitable real estate career and to be successful you have to have systems that are done timely and on purpose to keep the leads flowing. I believe you need to sole search to figure out what your definition of successful means, then look at from the top down.  (meaning you have to break it down to how you will come up with the $ figure to know where you need to focus your time and attention)

I know people who do it very well, but they seem to be a rare breed. They don't do floor time, they are never seen in the office, but they close deals. How? I don't know.

I believe a second job will decrease the FOCUS that is required to be successful in real estate. Without this focus, an agent will never realize full potential.

In my opinion,  no. I tried waitressing and being a realtor in the beginning and not until I became a full time realtor did I find success in the business. If you are obligated by another job, can you show homes and take calls during that time? 

Absolutely as long as the job is for a Flipper!

I am a full time agent . I can show homes in the day time or weekends. It would be difficult to show homes or go on listing appointments if I had another job. But there are some who can do both.

Good question Adam , my personal opinion is no. but they might be some exceptions ; most people can concentrate on one job. have a great day

Yeah real estate. She is a jealous master, some say addiction. We work when others don't. We don't operate 9-5. It is round the clock. Automate... videos do it best for our busiest hour... 10:30 to 11:30 at night. Work the hours online the buyers are available.

I believe it is possible however the employer must be agreeable and flexible to your hours.  It could enhance your lead generation with more contacts if there would be no conflict of interest.

Yes, Absolutely! As a active investor I don't need much time to review and adjust investment activity into my regular schedule.

Hi Adam. There are successful realtors (R) who are coaches for other realtors (R) as their part-time job. I personally do not see a problem with that.

People own their time. It's not up to others to dictate what to do with their time.

You can do 2 things good, or you can do 1 thing well.

Of course they can, and they do it all the time.

I didn for several years when I wa starting.  But, it didn't take long before I realized that the job was costing me money.

It depends upon the "side job" and what they do as a realtor.  Different realtors do a variety of things and some side jobs might interfere, others might not.  A successful realtor generally wouldn't want or need a "side job" but I can imagine any number of careers/businesses/professions that might work well with being in real estate.  A probate or tax attorney selling property for clients, for example.

I suppose, it depends on the job and the person.  I know a very successful broker who sells very effectively - has been a multi-million dollar producer year after year, teaches Real Estate courses, writes books, does coaching and is an excellent speaker.  He probably doesn't have too many family commitments - his wife travels a great deal and his kids are all grown up.  There are some people who are just very good at managing time, delegating wisely and effectively.  I'd say it's possible.

Not in my world.

Did you say a successful realtor?

If they were truly successful at real estate they would not need a side job.

Eve

I think this is pretty well answered by the respondents... except for a specialized approach the answer is no or marginal... "relatively successful" 

I sell and am successful and frankly to do so it would be impossible to have a second job. 

First there is the hours thing... customers what you when they are ready and that is not always possible if you are working somewhere else. Someone made a comment about an attorney or Doctor having a second job... what kind of image does it sell? Then there is knowledge and effectiveness... 

Can you do it probably but you will rob each job for the other... not a good thing for you or your clients. Sometimes a short term job may be necessary especially if starting... but long term it is usually a killer... 

I do not see why they would need one. It really depends on your definition of success. For me, I was doing fine with real estate. I wanted to do something more and learned about marketing and technology. 

I think Lorrie Semler shared a good example of how it can work. Rather than a side job it would be easier to have another business. One in a related field would be the simplest to start. Many successful agents also invest in property and develop property or have a coaching business. Look at the most successful people in the world, most of them have multiple companies. The key is in leverage. If you can afford to leverage yourself so all the little necessities like paperwork and marketing get done you can free your time to focus on your clients whether in real estate sales or your other ventures.

I just don't see how you can do both justice. 

It depends on the individual and the jobs. I got into real estate because I conduct estate sales and all too often, without a license, I couldn't get a referral fee for the sale of the house. So I got theRE  license and am now able to sell the house and/or the contents. I get many leads for home listings through my personal property appraising/estate sale company. And sometimes it works the other way - someone calls me about selling the house and they wonder what to do with the "stuff" inside.

Not easily. Real estate demands us to be flexible and available with our schedules. 

Your magic word is successful.  I live in Northern Michigan and have been in the business several decades and noticed that full timers made it.  Dabblers did not if there side job was not related to the Real Estate Industry.

It's probably a bit simpler to have a second job if you work with buyers instead of sellers, as marketing and advertising takes up more time and effort. A second job is do-able but it would really eat up a lot of your time. I've seen it done.