Special Agent In Real Estate

Definition of "Special agent in real estate"

Written by

Krista Leighton

Keller Williams

A special agent in real estate is a real estate agent hired to do a specific task or job, as opposed to a general agent, who is a real estate agent who can do any task he or she is assigned to. A special real estate agent is generally only employed to do a specific task, after which they are no longer employed by the client. 

A special agent in real estate differs from a general agent. The primary difference between a special agent and a general agent is their responsibilities. A general real estate agent is hired to conduct a number of different real estate related tasks for a company, while a special real estate agent has a specific responsibility or set of responsibilities to which he/she is limited. Let’s look at an example of a special agent in real estate.

Example of a special agent in real estate

To better understand the definition of a special agent in real estate, let’s take the case of a woman who we will call Denise. Denise’s mother recently passed away, leaving Denise a sizeable inheritance that included a beautiful victorian-style house. 

The house is old but beautiful; its wrap-around veranda, steep roof, and bright white siding are in stark contrast to the more modern structures that stand adjacent in its upscale neighborhood. However, Denise lives in an apartment in the city with her boyfriend and golden retriever, Gus. She has a life and job, and she doesn’t want to move to the suburbs, nor does she want to continue paying property tax on the house. So what is Denise to do? 

What Denise needs in this situation is a special real estate agent. This special real estate agent will take care of all the steps that will be necessary in order for her to sell her mother’s house. Once everything has been taken care of by this special real estate agent, the business engagement between Denise and her agent will be complete, as the agent will have completed his/her task as her special agent.