A real estate agent is a licensed professional who arranges real estate transactions by putting buyers and sellers together and acting as their representatives in negotiations. Real estate agents are licensed to help sellers sell and buyers buy real estate.
They are licensed to operate, negotiate, and arrange sales under the supervision of a real estate broker. Negotiating and arranging sales involves showing property, listing a property, filling in contracts, listing agreements, purchasing contracts, and many other responsibilities.
Real estate agents are usually compensated completely by a commission, which is a percentage of the property’s purchase price. Their income therefore depends on their ability to close a deal.
A vast majority of real estate agents are engaged in residential real estate listing and sales.