In real estate, an associate-level broker assists with tasks related to selling a home without having the responsibility of operating his or her own firm. This associate has passed the necessary training requirements related to the field. An associate broker can perform many of the same duties as a brokerage owner but typically does not earn the same percentage of profits from a sale as someone who owns their own real estate brokerage.
To become an associate broker, an applicant must achieve a certain level of education, including earning a high school diploma or the equivalent, and in some instances college training. Depending on the region in which a broker resides, he or she might need to take and pass a real estate course to be eligible for certification in that region before practicing as a licensed associate broker. Typically, a broker will have to be of a certain age before a license can be granted to him. The age requirement in the United States is age 21.
Once licensed, an associate broker in real estate serves as an intermediary between buyers and sellers in a buying, selling or rental transaction. He or she performs tasks for the party being represented. For instance, if brokering a purchase, there is a checklist that an associate broker must undertake. He or she must make sure a potential buyer is qualified to receive a mortgage in addition to researching and showing properties and scheduling appointments. Eventually, an associate broker will have to submit, negotiate and ideally close a deal.
When representing a seller, an associate broker must similarly follow some routine. He or she becomes responsible for marketing the property, such as placing signs in front of the building or home to advertise its availability, writing advertisements for that property and informing other brokers that the property is for sale. Open houses are conducted to display a listed property to other associate brokers and interested buyers, and eventually a sale must be negotiated.
Although the education requirements for becoming as associate broker are quite liberal with the exception of having to pass a regional certification process, there are certain skills that an associate broker must possess in order to be successful. For instance, communication is a valuable attribute since there will be ongoing contact with other people. Displaying an air of professionalism is similarly important, because real estate is among the most expensive investments that someone will make.