A Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Professionals

 

Making the decision to buy or sell a home can be a monumental step in life, but for many people who are navigating the real estate industry for the first time, the confusion can begin even from the first step: hiring a professional. A quick search of the real estate industry in any given area may show real estate agents, brokers, associate brokers, and Realtors®. These titles all seem to mean the same thing at first glance—someone who helps people buy or sell their homes—but there are distinct differences that any potential buyer or seller should know before embarking on their journey. And at No-Name Realty, we’re here to clear things up.

 

Real Estate Agent

 

You may have heard mentions of a “real estate license,” and a real estate agent is anyone who has earned this license. After taking specified courses (which are determined by the state they choose to practice real estate in), a professional must pass an exam in order to become a licensed real estate agent in their state. At that point, they are able to work under the supervision of a real estate broker.

 

REALTOR®

 

Some real estate agents may choose to join the National Association of REALTORS®. While REALTORS® may have the same qualifications, education, and experience as traditional real estate agents, the National Association of REALTORS® requires that they abide by a strict code of ethics and uphold a high standard of service. Essentially, a REALTOR® is a real estate agent with a higher degree of accountability.

 

 Real Estate Broker

 

Real estate agents and REALTORS® can choose to pursue more advanced education and training, and if they then pass a broker’s license exam for their state, they become a real estate broker. This is the highest level of real estate professional, and they can either work independently or hire real estate agents to work for them. A homebuyer or seller will typically have little if any contact with a real estate broker unless they specifically hire an independent broker rather than a real estate agent or a REALTOR®.

 

Associate Broker

 

Some real estate professionals pursue and earn their broker’s license, yet instead of working independently, they choose to remain under the employ of another broker. These personnel typically have the title of associate real estate broker, and while they often work directly with clients in the same way that real estate agents and REALTORS® do, they typically have more responsibility within their firm.

 

Real estate is a significant purchase or sale for anyone, and for those who are not yet familiar with the industry, it can be an intimidating pool to dip their toe into. At No-Name Realty, we’re here to help and answer any questions you may have, so give us a call today to start getting to know our team

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Notes:

Project Description: Web content for a real estate agency website

Intended Audience: First-time homebuyers or sellers who are not familiar with the real estate industry