Is there a difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Broker?

Is there a difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Broker?  The answer is definitely YES!  Its good to know the difference.  If your selling a property or buying a property, signing a buyers agreement, you’ll want to know the difference.  Both can faciliate the transaction, however the difference can be the path getting there and who you want on your side.

A Real Estate Agent is a licensed professional who assists a client buying and selling property.   A Real Estate Broker is a much more experienced Agent with additional licensing and authorized by the state to operate their own brokerage.  A Real Estate Broker oversees Real Estate Agents working under them.  All active Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Brokers are required to have their license associated with a Brokerage.  The Brokerage sets policies each Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Broker will follow.  When it comes down to it a Real Estate Broker has a higher level of responsiblity and can perform the duties of a traditional Real Estate Agent plus manage Real Estate Agents within an Agency or on a team.  In Baldwin County, Real Estate Brokers are required to take additional Broker courses and are held to a higher standard.

Both Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Brokers are required to take continuing education courses, with the Broker requirements surpassing those of traditional Real Estate Agents.  When it comes to licensing, Real Estate Brokers go through very stringent testing over and above the traditional real Estate Agent as they are allowed to manage a Real Estate Agency giving direction to Real Estate Agents whose licenses are held by the Agency.  Licensed Real Estate Brokers are required to have a much deeper understanding of Real Estate Law and have the ability to handle or difuse even the most difficult situations.  Selling or buying Real Estate can be tricky and frought with legal complexities.  Some transactions are smooth, while others run into hurdles many of which don’t present themselves until you are in the process.  A Real Estate Broker, having more experience, can be a guide to smooth the path for their clients or assist a Real Estate Agent helping their clients.

Are there different Real Estate Broker titles? What is the difference?  In short, yes, but there isn’t much difference.  A Qualifying Broker is the title given to a Real Estate Broker who is currently managing a Real Estate Agency and the Real Estate Agents who are licensed at that Agency.  An Associate Broker carries the same level and depth of knowledge but might assist in other areas lending their knowledge to Real Estate Agents within the Agency.  They could be mentors, or simply there to help when situations arise.  Some can have positions of assiting the Agency in compliance, while others carry other roles.

Summing it up, there is a difference between Real Estate Brokers and Real Estate Agents.  Both can facilitate the buying or selling of Real Estate.  Its up to you, the consumer to decide who you  want representing your intrests through the transaction.

Carl Gustafson – Real Estate Broker

251-533-8028

carl@thegustafsonproperties.com