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What is the difference between a Broker and a Realtor?
REAL ESTATE BROKER

A real estate broker is someone who has taken education beyond the agent level as required by state laws and passed a broker’s license exam.
Similar to real estate agent exams, each state sets its own broker education and exam requirements. The extra coursework covers topics such as ethics, contracts, taxes, and insurance—at a more in-depth level than what’s taught in a real estate pre-licensing course.
Prospective brokers also learn about real estate legal issues and how the law applies to operating a brokerage, real estate investments, construction, and property management.

To sit for the broker’s exam and obtain licensure, real estate agents must already have a certain level of experience under their belt—typically, four years as licensed real estate agent with the prior two years being full time. 
THE 3 TYPES OF BROKERS
PRINCIPAL / DESIGNATED BROKER

Each real estate office has a principal/designated broker. This person oversees all licensed real estate agents at the firm and ensures that agents are operating in compliance with state and national real estate law. 
MANAGING BROKER
​

This person oversees the day-to-day operation and transactions of the office and typically takes a hands-on approach to hiring agents, training new agents, and managing administrative staff. (Some principal/designated brokers also serve as managing brokers.) 
ASSOCIATE BROKER (Stephen's Title)

This real estate professional—sometimes called a broker-associate, broker-salesperson, or affiliate broker—has a broker’s license but is working under a managing broker. This person typically is not responsible for supervising other agents.




REALTOR®

In order to become a Realtor®—a licensed agent with the ability to use that widely respected title—an agent needs to be a member of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). NAR is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.3 million members. Members of the National Association of Realtors® are also members of the California Association of Realtors® (CAR). Both of these organizations aim to preserve, protect, and advance the right to real property for all. As a result, they are involved in many issues which affect property ownership and rights. As a member, a person subscribes to the standards of the association and its code of ethics. 

REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

A real estate salesperson is someone who has taken the minimum education required by state laws and passed a real estate salesperson license exam. You do not have to be a Realtor® to be a real estate agent. Salespersons and Realtors® both need to be employed by, and work under the supervision of a licensed broker. ​
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"Corner of 2nd & D St."  |  151 Petaluma Blvd S, Suite 137  |  Petaluma, CA 94952  |  C: 707.477.4396
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STEPHEN PEARSON | DRE 01973705
Vanguard Properties | Lic. 01486075
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  • HOME
  • PROPERTIES
    • Videos
    • Featured Listings >
      • 5725 Inverness Ave
      • 4695 Old Adobe Rd
    • Property Search
    • Sold
    • What's My Home Worth?
  • ABOUT
    • Stephen Pearson
    • Broker vs Realtor
    • Vanguard Properties
    • Testimonials
  • RESOURCES
    • Sonoma County Market Update
    • Marketing Plan
    • Sellers
    • Vendors
    • Sonoma County >
      • Petaluma
      • Penngrove
      • Cotati
      • Sebastopol
      • Rohnert Park
      • Santa Rosa
      • Windsor
      • Healdsburg
      • Geyserville
      • Cloverdale
      • Sonoma
      • Bodega Bay
    • Web Accessibility
  • CONTACT