Hands On The Heartland
Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

I’ll bet that more than 3/4 of licensed Kansas City real estate agents are not full-time real estate professionals. I think I may even be conservative in that estimate.  Some time ago I read somewhere around 80% of real estate agents make less than $30,000. That means there are lot of part-time agents running around. I can’t fathom having my wife’s hair stylist manage my retirement plan in her spare time and why anyone would list their most expensive investment with a part-time agent is beyond me. If I’m selling a home in Phoenix, I’d NEVER hire a Phoenix real estate agent who sells real estate part-time. No exceptions to the rule.

I certainly do understand relatives wanting to help another family member out — and many of us DO have a family member who’s a licensed real estate agent. But, really, unless the agent has a proven track record, choosing an agent simply because they’re a family member (or friend) could lead to hard feelings between family members (or friends). Firing a family member surely can’t be easy!

There are enough Kansas City real estate agents to choose from who are full-time professionals that you shouldn’t have to settle for an agent who doesn’t make selling real estate their number one priority. Think about it, if selling real estate isn’t the agent’s number one priority, then you’re not making selling your home your number one priority.  Taking it a step further, how is an agent who has a day job going to be able to attend the buyer’s inspections and represent the buyer’s best interests? Available to let the appraiser in the home? Available to promptly answer lender questions or the other agent’s questions along the way? Handle contract and inspection negotiations that sometimes take time and drag out? Be able to attend the closing at the title company? Better yet, what happens when the “world is falling apart”, which happens in about 1 out of 10 transactions? I hate telling a client that I need to step aside for a moment to handle a problem with another transaction. But at least I  CAN step away to handle a problem. If your real estate agent has a day job, a night job or a weekend job, then that means you’ve seriously limited your chances at a successful real estate transaction.

Posted by Jason A. Brown

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