Who is a Real Estate Broker and What’s the Difference with an Agent

Who is the Real Estate Broker

 A real estate broker is, broadly speaking, the professional (or company) who organizes and develops the real estate business, coordinating a team of agents and guiding the commercial strategy. Typically, a broker:

• Manages people and processes: selects and trains agents, sets objectives, supervises daily activities.

• Defines market strategy: analyzes trends, positions the property portfolio, plans marketing and territory development.

• Ensures quality and compliance: operational standards, document control, procedures, and client protection.

• Handles complex relationships: corporate clients, investors, developers, international contacts, and multi-property transactions.

In other words, the broker is the agency’s point of reference: a coordinator combining technical expertise, managerial skills, and strategic vision.

Who is the Real Estate Agent

 The real estate agent (or mediator) operates on the ground: sourcing properties and clients, connecting sellers with buyers/tenants, and guiding both parties until the transaction closes. Main activities include:

• Property acquisition and evaluation: preparing documentation and defining sales/rental strategies.

• Promotion and matching: property viewings, qualifying demand, managing offers.

• Transaction support: negotiation, technical-documentary assistance, coordination with involved professionals (notaries, technicians, consultants).

To practice the profession, agents must complete specific training, pass the qualifying exam, and register with the REA at the Chamber of Commerce.

In structured networks like Engel & Völkers, agent training is particularly advanced: consultants undergo continuous technical, commercial, and relational training, making them highly qualified professionals. Their cross-functional skills often approach those of brokers, especially in managing complex negotiations and providing client advisory services.

For more details on requirements, training path, and licensing, read our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Italy.

Differences Between Broker and Agent

Although they work closely together, brokers and agents have distinct roles. The main differences concern:

Responsibilities The broker has broader legal and organizational responsibilities: managing the agency, coordinating agents’ work, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The agent is responsible for their own brokerage activities and direct client relationships. At Engel & Völkers, however, consultants are trained to operate beyond simple brokerage, developing high-level advisory skills.

Required Skills Brokers need managerial, strategic, and supervisory abilities. Agents focus on operational skills: acquiring properties, managing negotiations, and finding potential clients. Within the Engel & Völkers model, agents’ skills extend well beyond market standards, including expertise in marketing, property valuations, premium customer care, and international dynamics.

Daily Activities Brokers handle planning, market analysis, business development, and team support. Agents focus on fieldwork and the actual brokerage process. The collaboration between the two roles ensures a structured, professional, and results-oriented service.

When to Contact a Broker vs. an Agent

 Brokers are the ideal point of reference for complex situations or those requiring strategic vision: large-scale real estate operations, clients with complex needs, significant investments, and management of premium or international properties. Real estate agents are better suited for direct negotiation management, property evaluations, and guiding clients step by step through buying, selling, or renting processes. At Engel & Völkers, agents combine operational skills with advanced advisory capabilities, often providing support beyond the traditional agent role.

The Engel & Völkers International Model

 Within the Engel & Völkers network, brokers and agents operate in a highly structured system that values both roles. The international E&V model is based on high standards, continuous training, and a work environment focused on excellence—a combination that allows each professional to grow within a premium context supported by innovative tools.

This means that even Engel & Völkers consultants have comprehensive, multidisciplinary training, making them trusted professionals for both local and international clients. For clients, this means access to a global network that combines specialist expertise, local presence, and international vision. For professionals, it represents a real opportunity for growth, supported by an organization integrating leadership, collaboration, and continuous development.

To understand why more professionals are choosing this career, also read the five reasons to become a real estate agent.