Which statement accurately describes a broker's role?

• A. A person who only performs ministerial acts
• B. An agent who acts on behalf of the principal by buying, selling, exchanging, appraising, renting, leasing, and auctioning
• C. The client
• D. The customer

Answer: (B)

A broker’s role is that of an agent who represents the principal in real estate transactions, handling a broad range of activities such as buying, selling, exchanging, appraising, renting, leasing, and even auctioning property. This means the broker acts on the principal’s behalf, guided by fiduciary duties like loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, obedience, accounting, and reasonable care. Describing the broker as doing only ministerial acts misses the advisory and negotiating responsibilities that define professional brokerage. The client is the principal who hires the broker, while the customer is someone the broker assists without the same fiduciary duties; neither alone captures the full, representative role of the broker.