Linda, I think you were poising this question to Trulia's buyers and sellers not other Realtors. Choosing a Realtor is a very personal issue and one that should not be made in haste. The client must feel that their Realtor is working for them and that the Realtor has experience and dedication to the profession. Does that mean the agent has to be full-time, not necessarily? There are many "full-time" agents that only work part-time and many part-time that put in full-time. My suggestion, interview, interview and interview until you find the agent that you feel comfortable with. I've included a link with 10 questions to ask when listing your home. My team's site also has questions to ask when buying a home.

This may also be a good time to check out a team. Teams can include both part-time and full-time agents and they insure that the client has someone they can easily reach.

Linda,
Great question. I have heard many (full time) Realtors discount their colleagues who have other jobs. It is sad to hear Realtors talk bad about other Realtors. I am glad you are not one of them.
There are many reasons why a Realtor may have another job. As you know Real Estate can have its ups and downs. A person will use a second job to suppliment his/her income during the slow times. A person may have a job with benefits (Realtors benefit package are minute) or a person is transitioning from another career (or retiring soon).
I think having a second job will not effect the ability of a skilled Realtor. Some people are just good at what they do. Plus, part time agent's goals may be different. A part time Realtor may only work with one client at a time; thus, being able to give this client his/her undivided attention. On the contrary, a Full-time agent may be forced to work with several clients at one time because they do not have the luxury of a supplimental income. How much personal time do you think these clients get?
While it is easy to point out a Realtor has a second job, it is not always as easy to determine how much time a Realtor spends outside his practice. Civic organizations, volunteer work and church committees can be more time consuming than a second job. So, a full time Realtor could be just as busy without the second job tag.
Also, a full time Realtor may have a spouse with a really good income and his/her contribution to the household really isn't a factor. To some of these people it is a title or a "career" but they seldom flurish.
I say you have to judge the individual. Be sure to consider how much time the Realtor can give you. Is the person knowlegdable and competent? Most important do you trust this person to do a good job for you? Trust your gut. You will find your answer in his/her presentation.

In my opinion, it would be extremely difficult for an agent to serve their client at all when they have a full-time, day job. If you're not able to show the house you're listing at just about any time of the day, you will lose potential buyers. You want to be accessible by phone as well. Then if you're representing a buyer, many times you'll have people able to go for showings on a weekday as well. If your only option is to show them homes on the weekends, you will limit them and it will take longer. Even if you're able to go that route, everything else in the buying/selling process is time sensitive and usually takes place during normal business hours...contract negotiations and signatures of counter offers, and other documents, earnest money check drop off, meeting the inspector for the home inspection, communication (which is a huge and ongoing part throughout the whole process) with the other parties involved (other agent, mortgage company, closing attorney, inspector, etc.), and then, of course, the finality...closing will normally be during regular business hours. Sure, there are some things you can do online after business hours if you have another job like setting up advertising and creating marketing pieces for a listing, putting an offer together with a buyer late one night, sending listings to a buyer at night, etc. For the most part, only the items that don't involve interaction with another party can be done at that time...with a few exceptions, but they can't all be exceptions.

If someone has a part-time job, it would be easier for them to do both. Full time other job...can't really see it. If you were able to maneuver the schedules so it worked, you'd still be worn out and burnt out.

I've asked myself this question before and my answer remains the same...In a seller's or buyer's shoes, I would want the full attention of the Realtor representing my best interest. It's a contractual agreement, involving the biggest investment of my life, and I would not want to share my Realtor with his/her other job or jobs while depending on them to take care of me, too.

Part time attorney? Part time doctor? There's no way I'd hire one of those! The same goes for Realtors.

One of the top 10 mistakes people make is chosing the wrong Realtor to represent them. Today, real estate is a business with low barriers to entry and a profession where part-time and even inexperienced agents can survive. I always ask a client to focus on chosing a Realtor with the same standards they would apply to a doctor or CPA or attorney or any other trusted advisor. Would you want a part-time doctor to handle your medical care? The same applies to your real estate needs. Remember an experienced full time Realtor (member of the National Association of Realtors) is truly your best protection in real estate today.

That question is going to bring alot of remarks! I think if I were the owner trying to sell I would want someone that can concentrate full time on selling my house.