When selling your home, the process can be overwhelming. With so many things to do to prepare to move the thought of having to monitor the advertising and marketing of your home can be too much.
Connecting the dots between the desire to sell and the perfect buyer can seem miles apart, but the right person can help speed up the process. So who is your first call, a broker or an agent?
Many confuse the two and think that a real estate broker and a real estate agent are virtually the same because they both have the word real estate in the title. Let's take a quick look at real estate broker vs. agent.
First Things First
As a home seller you want things to go as efficiently as possible, so before calling an agent or broker, here are some simple tasks you should complete. First, you should know where you stand on your mortgage.
Going into a meeting with a realtor or broker with no information causes delays. You should also know if there are any liens or judgments against your home.
Do some research into home values of your area. Most sellers have an idea of how much they would like to get for their home; however, what you want, and the current market may not always agree.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent
Now that you have your information handy, who do you call? Most people question what's the difference between agent and broker.
With the assumption that all of these titles mean the same thing, you may be calling the wrong person for assistance. Let's take a quick look at what each position encompasses.
Real Estate Agent
Just as the title says a real estate agent is someone who helps people buy, sell and rent housing. There is many hours of training involved and testing that one must take to pass the state licensing exams.
Real Estate Broker
Brokers take their education of the industry to the next level with testing that goes beyond the scope of a real estate agent. Their increased education includes topics such as ethics, insurance, taxes, and legal aspects of the industry.
Within the broker license, there are three different focuses that you can take advantage of:
- Principle Designated Broker
- Managing Broker
- Associate Broker
There are subtle differences in the day to day aspects of their duties, but the core of what they must learn is the same.
Real Estate Agent
A realtor is a title that carries with it the respect of a highly esteemed agency. To be able to call yourself and advertise yourself as a realtor, you must be a part of the National Association of Realtors.
The benefit of this association is numerous and includes exclusive market insights, networking opportunities, and much more.
Finding What's Right for You
When looking at the difference between real estate broker vs. agent, your best bet is to give them each a call. See which one is right for you and your family. Should you have any questions, we're always here to help so feel free to reach out any time.