No "Broker" license designation on BP?

Question

I'd like to include my broker licenses as a designation on my profile.   Why is there an "agent", but no real estate "broker" license designation on my profile page?

Chris Mason · Answer

@Jon S. - Broker doesn't mean the same thing in all states, but real estate agent does (by virtue of every broker also being a real estate agent, in all states, to the best of my knowledge).

In Illinois, for example, there is no such thing as "just" a real estate agent. Everyone is a broker. Would it make sense that real estate agents in Illinois get a fancy title just because Illinois is silly?

Dawn Brenengen · Answer

@Matt M. REALTOR just means you're a licensed agent/broker and pay your yearly dues to NAR.  Hardly noteworthy  :)

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

@Jon S.  in Orygun everyone is a broker.. IE agent..  if you have the roll of broker ala CA. then you must take the PRINCIPAL BROKERS exam.. then you are known as a PRINCIPLE BROKER.. there are no agents in Orygun..  that changed about 10 years ago

Account Closed · Answer

As is Indiana.  We have broker (what used to be "real estate agent) and managing broker.It's different in every state.

Dawn Brenengen · Answer

@Jon S. Yes.  They used to hold what was called a "salesperson's" license up until we went to an all broker state, which is why BP doesn't have a "broker" designation.  "Broker" means different things in different states.

When I was first licensed (in 2002) I took both the sales person class and the broker class before ever sitting for the state exam.  So, when I passed the exam, I was a broker, and I could have worked for myself right off the bat.  Somewhere over the years, they figured out it was not a good idea to have inexperienced people who just took an extra class running around with no supervision.  So, they went to an all broker license, but different levels of "broker" and you can not be a broker in charge without fulfilling an experience requirement first.

@Matt M. I'm a REALTOR, but if it weren't for the requirement for me to be a REALTOR to have MLS access in my area, I wouldn't be one.  I don't need to pay $450 in dues every year just to say I hold myself to a code of ethics.  I'm pretty ethical regardless of my NAR membership.  I have nothing against NAR, and I appreciate the campaigning they do for my industry, but any agent can pay the money and join.

And I have definitely met my fair share of unethical REALTORS like @Russell Brazil mentioned.

Russell Brazil · Answer

@Matt M. I disagree with the code of ethics argument and I am a Realtor. I know plenty of Realtors that do not follow the code of ethics. Also the Code of Ethics is actually law in many states.

Dawn Brenengen · Answer

@Jon S. NC is actually an all broker state too.  We have provisional broker status, broker, and broker in charge.

Chris Mason · Answer

*shrug* I'll take your word for it that it's as you described in TX and NC, and is certainly true for CA.

However...

Go here and search for folks with the last name "smith."

Start looking them up here.

In 2012 or so, "real estate salesperson" licenses were cancelled and were insta-replaced with the "real estate broker" title. I know you folks are often sensitive about your title and what it means; that's why it makes no sense to put "broker" as something special when it can mean anything from "a big deal, years of experience, etc," in California to "just another schmuck who paid a fee and passed an easy test" in Illinois.

Example:

Jon Q. · Answer

@Chris M.

I'm sorry, but I don't think that's correct.   All brokers are agents, but agents are not brokers.  Every agent in the states I've operated in must be registered with a broker, who has ultimate liability for the actions of the agenda working for them.  They are not the same thing. They have different licensing requirements.

Brokers have more stringent requirements in addition to a different licensing exam.

I know this is the case for CA, TX, and NC.

Best,

Jon

Michael S. · Answer

@Jon S.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll pass this on to our developers so they can check on it.

No "Broker" license designation on BP?

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