A real estate broker is in the business of brokering real estate transactions; this is, finding sellers for those who want to buy real estate and finding buyers for those trying to sell real estate. Real estate brokers and their salespersons assist sellers in marketing their property and selling it for the highest possible price under the best terms and assist buyers by helping them purchase property for the best possible price under the best terms. In many jurisdictions, particularly in the United States , a license is required to be a real estate broker. In particular, any of the following could refer to a real estate broker in America :

• A person owning, managing, or being in charge of a real estate brokerage firm, even if the broker just works for him- or herself.

• The real estate brokerage itself. The brokerage is the firm or business of the broker which can also called a real estate agency .

• A licensed real estate professional who has obtained a broker's license (which entitles them to operate a real estate brokerage). By default, a real estate broker of this kind has already met the requirements of "salesperson" or "agent" licensure. A real estate broker can still be designated as such without owning a real estate brokerage.

• Some people may refer to any licensed real estate agent as a real estate broker. A licensed real estate agent is a professional who has obtained either a real estate salesperson' s license or a real estate broker's license.