Difference Between Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Broker, and Realtor

Posted by Ryan Samual on August 1st, 2019

Real estate professionals go by many names, including realtor, real estate agent, and real estate broker. Many people who need help with buying or selling a home consider these three titles as one. However, experts know that there are major differences in all three.

To help you understand the difference, here’s a rundown of these three titles:

Real estate agent

A real estate agent is a professional with a legal license to assist consumers with buying, selling, or renting all types of housing and real estate.

To obtain the license, individuals need to take pre-licensing training, as required by their state. However, training varies significantly according to the state’s jurisdiction. For instance, in Virginia, professionals are required to undergo 60 hours of pre-licensing training, compared to California’s 135 hours of training. So, if you are seeking affordable homes for sale in Back Bay, Boston, agents are the professional you turn to.

Real estate broker

A real estate broker is a professional with education beyond the agent level and a broker’s license. The education, again, depends on the state laws and covers extra topics such as contracts, taxes, ethics, and insurance but at a deeper level than a real estate agent pre-licensing course. As a result, brokers usually have in-depth knowledge of the real estate industry.

To appear for a broker’s examination, individuals must have some level of expertise - usually at least three years of working as an agent. In case you are looking for real estate for sale in Back Bay, Boston, after real estate agents, you might ask a broker to help you.

Realtor

Realtor ia a widely respected title in the real estate industry as to become a realtor, a professional must be a member of the National Association of Realtors®. They are licensed agents who abide by the higher standards of the association and its code of ethics.

Since realtors are members of NAR, they have access to real estate market data and enjoy many other benefits. As a result, they provide the most accurate information about different types of housing and help consumers make the best-informed decision when buying or selling a home.

Final thoughts

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you need help. This is why knowing the difference between a realtor, real estate broker, and real estate agent can help you choose the right professional.

Generally, people find real estate agents to be of great help when searching for real estate for sale in Back Bay, Boston. If you are looking for an agent, many professionals have the websites that provide information about them and the areas they work in. You can check out their site and ask a few questions to see if they fit your needs.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger and this article is about the difference between a realtor, real estate agent and real estate broker.