Which term describes a person who assists in a real estate transaction without representing either party?

• A. Cooperating broker
• B. Nonagent
• C. Single agency
• D. Express agency

Answer: (B)

In real estate practice, some people assist with a transaction without taking on the duties of representing either party. That neutral helper is called a nonagent. A nonagent can handle routine tasks, coordinate logistics, and pass information along, but they don’t owe fiduciary duties or advocate for a client, and they don’t negotiate on anyone’s behalf. This neutrality is what makes nonagent the best fit for someone who merely assists without representing either side.

By contrast, a cooperating broker typically represents one of the parties in the deal, such as the buyer or the seller, and a single agency arrangement means one broker represents one party in the transaction. Express agency refers to the formal authorization given to an agent to act for a client. These distinctions show why the neutral, nonacting role best matches the description.