New York State Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

What type of agent is a real estate salesperson classified as?

1. General agent

2. Special agent

3. Universal agent

4. Designated agent

The correct answer is: Special agent

A real estate salesperson is classified as a special agent. This designation reflects the specific role and authority of a salesperson in real estate transactions. Special agents are authorized to perform specific tasks or a narrow range of duties on behalf of the client, typically in a limited capacity. In the context of real estate, a salesperson acts on behalf of a broker and is responsible for facilitating transactions, but they do not have the broad powers that would characterize a general agent. General agents have a wider scope of authority, often managing broader business affairs rather than just specific transactions. Universal agents, on the other hand, have the most extensive authority and can act on behalf of the principal in almost any capacity, which is not applicable to the role of a salesperson. Designated agents function within a brokerage and represent specific clients, but again, this is within the broader scope of their duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the broker. Thus, the classification of a real estate salesperson as a special agent is accurate due to the limited and specific nature of the authority granted to them in real estate dealings.