Defined: Realtor, Agent, Broker

What Is a Realtor/Agent/Broker?
A Pennsylvania Realtor is a licensed PA Real Estate Agent who is a member of the National Board of Realtors. All Realtors are Real Estate Agents and both are in the broadest definition, Real Estate Salespersons who work for a Real Estate Broker (explained later).

Most Real Estate Agents choose to join their local board and become Realtors, so the terms can be considered fairly interchangeable for the layperson. Realtors receive training, have access to research/resources and also are responsible for upholding standards of conduct that are not applicable to unaffiliated Real Estate Agents.

Ultimately, Realtor and Real Estate Agent both describe an individual who is licensed to obtain compensation for the service of Helping people to either Buy or Sell a home. Realtors and Real Estate Agents are not, by name, Real Estate Brokers.

Realtors and Real Estate Agents are licensed Salespersons who must legally work under the supervision of a licensed Real Estate Brokers. Real Estate Brokers are Advanced licensed entities who employ/supervise/handle all the money for Realtors and Real Estate Agents.

Think of your Realtor/Agent as the waiter in a restaurant. This is the person you see working and who attends to your needs. Brokers can be thought of as the restaurant's manager or owner.
Although you will likely never see this person, they are in-charge of the business and ultimately professionally and monetarily responsible for your consumer experience. Of course, when getting served dinner, you probably want a professional, highly-trained, experienced Waiter to provide your service and not the owner of the franchise. Same thing is true in Real Estate.

A Realtor or Real Estate Agent, working on behalf of a Broker, is the specialist you want as your point person. Just like you may encounter a small eatery where the Owner actually waits on you, it is possible that a Broker can also be your Realtor/Real Estate Agent/ Salesperson, but this is rarely the case as Brokers primarily supervise Realtors and Agents rather than working with clients directly.