{"id":5623,"date":"2026-01-06T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/news\/?p=5623"},"modified":"2026-01-06T07:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T12:24:11","slug":"difference-realtors-agents-brokers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/difference-realtors-agents-brokers","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Difference Between Realtors, Brokers, and Real Estate Agents?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s time to buy or sell your home, but who should you call? If you phone a real estate agent, is it the same as calling a broker or a Realtor? Don\u2019t all these terms describe the same profession? Actually, no. Comparing the difference between a real estate agent vs broker vs Realtor can help your real estate transaction process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of these three titles pertains to a professional working in the real estate industry. But there are subtle differences between each. To help, we\u2019ve outlined the main difference between Realtors, agents and brokers so that you can make a more informed decision when choosing to work with your next real estate representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Real estate agents are licensed individuals who help people buy, sell, and rent real estate<\/li><li>A real estate broker is a real estate agent who has completed additional training and received a broker\u2019s license<\/li><li>Realtors are members of a professional organization, which requires them to pay dues and adhere to a Code of Ethics<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-difference-between-brokers-and-realtors?\">What is the Difference Between Brokers and Realtors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When comparing a real estate agent vs broker vs Realtor, the main difference lies in their level of education and whether they are a member of a professional association, such as the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, not all agents are Realtors\u2014being a Realtor requires being a licensed agent and a member of a national association such as CREA. Real Estate Agents or Realtors work under a brokerage for several years before they advance to a broker through additional training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1158\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/agent-realtor-broker.png\" alt=\"Difference between real estate agent vs broker vs realtor\" class=\"wp-image-24420\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While there is a fundamental difference between Realtors, agents and brokers, all of these professionals are licensed to represent you when buying or selling real estate. Therefore, the most critical aspect is that the professional you choose to work with is not only adequately educated and licensed, but also acts in good faith to protect your best interests in a real estate transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"footable_parent_25300\"\n         class=\" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui colored_table\">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"25300\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"Agent vs Broker\"            id=\"footable_25300\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_511637355_25300\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_25300 ninja_table_unique_id_511637355_25300 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table hide_horizonal_borders hide_vertical_borders striped compact vertical_centered ninja_custom_color inverted footable-paging-right ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_1 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_2 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                                                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_difference_between \">Difference between<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_1 ninja_clmn_nm_agent \">Agent<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_2 ninja_clmn_nm_broker \">Broker<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"17441\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_17441\">\n            <td>Education<\/td><td>Education level depends on provincial requirements<\/td><td>Additional training after provincially set minimum experience as an agent<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17442\" class=\"ninja_table_row_1 nt_row_id_17442\">\n            <td>Independence<\/td><td>Must be supervised by a broker<\/td><td>Can work independently or supervise others<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17443\" class=\"ninja_table_row_2 nt_row_id_17443\">\n            <td>Commission<\/td><td>Shares commission with brokerage<\/td><td>Keeps commission if working independently. Earns a percentage of deals they supervise<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17444\" class=\"ninja_table_row_3 nt_row_id_17444\">\n            <td>Risk<\/td><td>Lower liability<\/td><td>Higher liability<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n    \n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-real-estate-agent?\">What is a Real Estate Agent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate agent is anyone with an active real estate license. Real estate agents guide property buyers and sellers through real estate transactions. Some provinces may refer to agents as real estate associates, real estate salespersons, or real estate representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Requirements to become a licensed real estate agent differ from province to province. For instance, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcrea.bc.ca\/\">British Columbia<\/a>, agents are required to complete two courses as part of their licensing requirements. On average, this takes 60 to 72 hours to complete, excluding exams. In contrast, real estate agents in Saskatchewan must complete the educational curriculum offered by the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors (ASR) within one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to regulations, a real estate agent is required to work under the supervision of a real estate broker (or brokerage). That means you hire a real estate agent and their broker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/3-strategies-for-saving-on-realtor-commissions\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3 Strategies for Saving on Realtor Commissions<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Agents charge a commission based on a percentage of the property\u2019s sale price. While <a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/acts\/c-34\/page-1.html#:~:text=1.1%20The%20purpose%20of%20this,competition%20in%20Canada%2C%20in%20order\">Canada\u2019s Competition Act<\/a> promotes free and open competition, most agents will charge a commission rate within a typical range for their province or city. The average commission rate isn\u2019t officially collected or readily available. But it is easy to find out by asking a few agents what commission they charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, a Vancouver-based agent will probably charge 7% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% on the remaining balance of the sale price. In Toronto, however, the total commission rate will be 5% on the full sale price, with 2.5% going to the buyer\u2019s agent and the other 2.5% to the seller\u2019s agent. Regardless of the agent\u2019s location, a percentage of their commission is then paid to their brokerage. This is unless they pay a flat fee upfront to keep 100% of their commissions annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real Estate Agent Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate agent typically handles most of the interactions with their clients and other real estate agents. Typical agent responsibilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Showing homes to buyers<\/li><li>Organizing open houses<\/li><li>Searching for properties for clients<\/li><li>Market research<\/li><li>Writing offers<\/li><li>Negotiating real estate deals<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-realtor?\">What is a Realtor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Realtor is a trademarked term for an agent who belongs to a recognized real estate board. For instance, an agent who pays their fees and belongs to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gvrealtors.ca\/\">Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver<\/a> (REBGV) can call themselves a Realtor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Realtor, these agents must adhere to the board\u2019s Code of Ethics and standards of professionalism. Additionally, each agent who belongs to either their provincial council or the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) must complete ethics training on a regular, ongoing basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-real-estate-broker?\">What is a Real Estate Broker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate broker is an agent who can run a brokerage and manage a team of agents. To become a broker, agents complete additional training, pass an exam, and obtain a broker\u2019s license. A licensed real estate broker can operate their own brokerage and own business, with the authority to hire and supervise agents. They can also practice independently, unlike agents who must first join a brokerage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/canada-first-time-home-buyer\">Canada First-Time Homebuyer Guide<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate brokerage must comply with real estate regulations. This includes following the Competition Act requirements and other legal regulations (such as anti-money laundering requirements). Therefore, brokers have extensive knowledge of real estate laws and regulations. Plus, they have more power and responsibilities than professionals who remain real estate agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are different types of real estate brokers, who have different levels of responsibilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Associate broker <\/strong>&#8211; Have the training; however, they are not in charge of the brokerage<\/li><li><strong>Managing broker<\/strong> &#8211; Actively manages the brokerage and ensures business is in accordance with regulations<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real Estate Broker Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate broker has more responsibilities than an agent, and generally oversees the entire real estate office and brokerage firm. Typical broker responsibilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Overseeing other agent deals<\/li><li>Reviewing contracts<\/li><li>Ensure business is in accordance with provincial and federal regulations<\/li><li>Ensure that trust accounts and records are maintained<\/li><li>Showing homes to buyers<\/li><li>Organizing open houses<\/li><li>Searching for properties for clients<\/li><li>Market research<\/li><li>Writing offers<\/li><li>Negotiating real estate deals<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-a-listing-agent-and-buyer's-agent?\">What are a Listing Agent and Buyer&#8217;s Agent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A broker, Realtor or agent can act as a listing agent or a buyer\u2019s representative. A listing agent, also known as a seller\u2019s agent, represents the seller by marketing and negotiating on their behalf. On the other hand, buyer\u2019s agents, sometimes known as buyer\u2019s representatives, represent buyers by finding suitable properties, negotiating terms and assisting with paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/buyer-representation-agreement\">Buyer Representation Agreement Explained<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of who you choose to work with, these real estate professionals all have something in common: They owe their clients a legal responsibility to protect their best interests in a real estate transaction. That means each real estate professional must put their client\u2019s needs and financial well-being ahead of all other factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also means that any agent who ends up representing both the buyer and seller in the same transaction (known as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/dual-agency-pros-cons\">dual agency<\/a>) must be upfront about this potential conflict of interest and obtain the written agreement of both the buyer and the seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"choosing-between-a-real-estate-agent-vs-broker-vs-realtor\">Choosing Between a Real Estate Agent vs Broker vs Realtor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both real estate agents and brokers are well-equipped to help you buy or sell a home in Canada. Choosing the right real estate professional comes down to their specialities and your needs as a buyer or seller. Here are some considerations before you hire a real estate agent or broker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Licensing<\/strong> &#8211; Ensure that whoever you choose is licensed and in good standing with their regulatory body. By searching on your provincial regulator\u2019s website, you will be able to see if they have any history of disciplinary action or license restrictions<\/li><li><strong>Specialty<\/strong> &#8211; A professional who specializes in the type of property you want to buy is helpful. Additionally, someone who is an expert in your prospective neighbourhood is an asset, whether you are buying or selling<\/li><li><strong>Fees<\/strong> &#8211; Commissions are negotiable, so be sure to ask about their typical fees before you sign a representation agreement<\/li><li><strong>Availability<\/strong> &#8211; In hot markets, homes can sell quickly. You\u2019ll want to ensure your agent is available when you need them, as some agents only work part-time<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bottom-line\">Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing the right professional, remember that every agent has different capabilities and focuses in the real estate industry. To ensure you\u2019re working with the right person, remember to interview a few real estate professionals and focus on their knowledge, experience, and whether they can and will effectively work with your needs and requirements<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"real-estate-agent-vs-broker-vs-realtor-faqs\">Real Estate Agent vs Broker vs Realtor FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you become a real estate broker?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creacafe.ca\/how-to-become-a-real-estate-broker-in-canada\/\">Becoming a real estate broker<\/a> in Canada varies by province. Generally, you must be a licensed real estate agent and complete additional education. In many provinces, you must have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson or conduct a minimum number of real estate transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much do real estate agents make?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jobbank.gc.ca\/marketreport\/wages-occupation\/6181\/ca\">Government of Canada\u2019s Job Bank<\/a>, residential real estate agents in Canada earn between $32,867 and $178,000 per year, with a median annual wage of $58,400. However, a real estate agent\u2019s income varies depending on where they live and the number of real estate transactions they complete in a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many Realtors are there in Canada?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crea.ca\/who-we-are\/mission\/\">Canadian Real Estate Association<\/a> (CREA), there are over 160,000 Realtors across Canada. This includes brokers, agents and salespeople, working through 61 real estate boards and associations in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is a broker better than an agent?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A broker is not necessarily better than a real estate agent or Realtor. While a broker may have more real estate experience, that is not always the case. Before you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/how-to-find-a-real-estate-agent\">hire a real estate agent<\/a> or broker, it\u2019s essential to ask questions about their license, experience, specialty, availability, and fees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exactly does a broker do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate broker oversees agents to ensure that each deal goes smoothly. Brokers review contracts and ensure all transactions are compliant and legal. Additionally, brokers are responsible for maintaining a trust account that holds deposits and commissions, and they will handle any legal issues that may arise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each of these three titles has subtle differences. Here&#8217;s what you need to know <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":25298,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,48],"tags":[113,114],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-5623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying","category-selling","tag-buyers-guide","tag-sellers-guide"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5623"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25301,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5623\/revisions\/25301"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5623"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=5623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}