Can anyone tell me the difference between real estate agent, sales agent, broker, and realtor?Who are the people that show potential buyers houses based on their needs, host open houses, and make commission on sales?
A real estate agent and a sales agent are the same. A broker is and agent that has passed the brokers exam and holds a brokers license. A broker can start their own office and have other agents and brokers work for them. If you are not active in real estate and are a broker, you can hold your own license. If you are an agent, you will have to have a broker hold it for you or have the state in which you live hold it for you. A REALTOR is a dues paying member of the National Association of Realtors. Most agents and brokers are REALTORS. Both agents and brokers show houses, hold open houses (what a waste of time) and make commissions based on real estate sales.
