When you choose to work with a licensed real estate professional, it is important for you to understand the difference between a licensed broker and licensed sales person or sales associate and decide on the type of service you need.

A real estate broker is a licensed person who is in charge of the real estate brokerage firm. A licensed sales associate, associate broker, or salesperson is licensed with the broker and may only act through that broker. In other words, when you choose to work with any licensed individual, your business relationship is legally with that individual’s licensed real estate broker.

It is important for you to discuss the following information with a licensed real estate professional and to agree on the type of business relationship you will have. Will you be a customer or a client? You may or may not want the real estate brokerage to “represent” you. If you do want to be “represented” you need to become a client. If you choose not to be “represented” but to be assisted, you are a customer.

Click here to read more about Washington State Law 18.86.020 Agency Relationship