Definition

1. Noun:
   • A professional who acts as an intermediary in the buying, selling, or renting of properties: An estate agent is a person or business authorized to represent clients in real estate transactions, primarily involving land and buildings. Their role typically involves marketing properties, arranging viewings, and facilitating negotiations.

Usage

• An estate agent is a key professional in the property market. They are hired by property owners (sellers or landlords) to find buyers or tenants.
• The term is standard in British English. In American English, the equivalent term is typically "real estate agent" or "realtor."

Examples

• Noun:
  • We contacted an estate agent to help us sell our house.
  • The estate agent showed us several apartments in the city center.
  • She works as a successful estate agent specializing in commercial properties.

Advanced Usage

• "Acting as an estate agent": Performing the duties of a property agent, even if not formally licensed or employed by a firm.
  • While he wasn't officially qualified, he was acting as an estate agent for his friend's property.

Variants and Related Words

• Real estate agent (AmE): The American English term for the same profession.
• Land agent (BrE): A specific term sometimes used in England, particularly for agents dealing with rural or agricultural land.
• Realtor® (AmE): A trademarked term for a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors in the USA.
• Letting agent (BrE): An agent who specializes in renting out properties.

Synonyms

• Property agent: A general synonym.
• House agent: A less common, more specific term.
• Broker: A more general term for an intermediary, which can include real estate.

Related Phrases

• Estate agency (n): The business or office of an estate agent.
  • He decided to open his own estate agency.

Noun

1. a person who is authorized to act as an agent for the sale of land
   • in England they call a real estate agent a land agent