Real Estate Negotiators vs Real Estate Agents

Do you know what is the difference between a Real Estate Negotiator and a Real Estate Agent? In Malaysia, majority of the people refer to a person involved in real estate or property transaction as an agent. But in reality, most of the "agents" out there are not really real estate agents per se. They are merely real estate negotiators working for real estate agents.

The following are characteristics of a Real Estate Negotiator:

• Negotiators are salespersons who are not given explicit recognition in the Act or Rules but are informally recognized by BOVAEA as assistants engaged by estate agents in their practice of estate agency under their immediate direction and supervision
• Hence, negotiators are not authorised to act independently of the estate agency firm and when in doubt members of the public are advised to check with BOVAEA or the estate agency firm concerned.
• Negotiators can only work for one estate agent at any one time and on a full time basis only

And here are characteristics of a Real Estate Agent:

• Real Estate Agents are professionals who act as intermediaries between sellers and buyers of real estate or properties. The estate agent assists buyers to source for properties and market properties for owners.
• In Malaysia, real estate agents may act on behalf of vendor and purchaser and earn a professional fee for each successful transaction he completes be it property sales or rental.
• A Real Estate Agent has an Estate Agency License awarded by the Board, e.g. E2369 and may recruit up to 20 or 30 real estate negotiators to engage in property transactions for his/her firm.

So, I hope you will be able to differentiate between a Real Estate Negotiator and Real Estate Agent moving forward!