Some real estate agents are hired as employees. These employees often act as assistants in the office, filling in when needed, and are usually fresh from certification and looking for experience. If an agent is paid an hourly wage instead of solely commission, they’re considered an employee. Though requirements vary by state, becoming a professionally licensed agent involves taking courses and passing a state exam. They also have continuing education requirements to keep abreast of laws and trends.
A real estate agent is a professional who deals in property transactions, as described in this article. The job of a Realtor is no different. Realtor is simply a title given to a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. The two titles aren’t interchangeable because only members of this organization can call themselves a Realtor. When running a brokerage, they tend to focus more on the administrative duties of management and helping the agents under them than acting as agents on their own, though they do have the qualifications to do so.
