It depends on the agent.  Some full-time agents are pathetic and some part time agents are quite good.  

Very, if I was a buyer or seller I would not accept a part time "Realtor".

I've done some deals with agents who had another day job. The best of them handled things well but often those agents are slow responding and more likely to miss deadlines. So I'd say it is usually a significant distraction.

I wrote six books between escrows...Not distracting at all but satisfying

I would hope the agent would tell me so I would understand why I'm not getting responded to in a timely fashion.   Communicating from the beginning is the key.  Ps calling me late at night because you work better at night doesn't work for me.

Very distracting.  I don't think you can do this job and work another job,.

For the most part, it's not only distracting, it's harmful to the contract. Buyers and sellers lost patience when one of the agents isn't available.

Although, to be fair, there are many perfectly competent part time Realtors.

 Good Tuesday morning William. I am not really fond of working with part-time real estate agents. Part-time agent, part-time service.

William - I know that if I was working with an agent who had a full-time day job, I would not be very happy at all if I couldn't reach them, or they were not available to me at all during the day.

I wouldn't mind it if they were a producing agent, but when they have only had one or two closings this year I have a problem with it.

I have worked with other agents that work other jobs and they don't communicate well.  I could never have another job.  Real Estate is a full time job and I have no time left for another job.

William, I could never work another real job.  It's enough to sell houses and blog!

Although I am sure that there are part-time agents out there that can perform well...I have not run into them yet. 

They can't be all places and all things so something has to go and it is usually responding promptly to other agents.

The distraction isn't them having another job or career, it's all about communication.  If they communicate in a timely manner they can be better to work with than a full time agent that won't respond.

In a word.....VERY 

The real estate business can be difficult for part timers. 

On the other hand, some of my part time agents have gone on to have their own real estate companies. There is much talent among part timers.

William Feela that silence on the other end is killing sometimes! And I know the other agent has a day job and can't get things done in timely manner.

I always add extra days to transaction once I know about it.

Ihave found that it depends on their job.  Some can't call during th day whish is hard and others have a lot of freedom to be able to do their busiess and still have the other job.

William Feela It depends if the agent is a part time or spare time agent.

Very in my view --- challenging enough when all parties are attentive and available....

Like totally, William! The couple of experiences I had with this situation were nightmares for me and all the clients involved.

I like what Carol Williams had to say. Some part timers are amazing. I was part time once but had the type of job that allowed me to respond immediately to inquiries. My buyers and sellers also knew this.

That being said I am working with one part-timer now who only replies to emails at lunch or after 5pm and doesn't have time to drop off a deposit cheque. 

Good morning William. Most of the time they have access to their photos, so hopefully communication can still be accomplished.

Fortunately, mine doesn't.  But it could be real irritating when you can't get a hold of them when you need too.

that depends on the other job and the peron.  I had agent with a dual career in real estat and insurance and he was fabulous at both.

I do not care William as long as they keep up with communication and the sense of urgency needed in todays Real Estate world.  Mark

Not sure why it would distract me from doing what needs to get done.

Only if I let it distract me.

Really depends upon the persons work ethic, knowledge base and communication style.  Not how many other jobs they have.

the agent is holding himself or herself back. It can be very distracting to serve two employers

Not at all if the agent is a wizard in time management. Most are not and as Carol Williams pointed out already, many full time agents are completely pathetic.