A real estate agent is a licensed person who helps buyers and sellers of real estate find each other and facilitates the negotiation and closing of real estate transactions. A buyer and seller will each often have an agent representing and assisting them in this process.

Real estate agents are often referred to as agents or sales agents—and may be referred to as a Realtor®—which indicates the agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors® trade association. Real estate agents may also assist landlords and tenants (renters) with finding each other and negotiating leases and are referred to as rental agents in that context.

There are various fee structures available in the market, but agents traditionally work on a commission basis, taking a percentage of the sale price of a completed real estate transaction as their fee. The seller of a property will typically sign an agreement with their agent (the listing agent) to list and market the property and will split this fee with the buyer’s agent.

The commission fee shared by the seller's agent and the buyer's agent is typically deducted from the funds paid by the buyer at the closing of the transaction (along with other closing costs) before the remaining funds are distributed to the seller.

In most states a real estate agent must be affiliated with or sponsored by a licensed real estate broker or real estate brokerage firm. A real estate broker is generally required to have a certain amount of experience as an agent in the real estate industry and must meet additional licensing requirements to own a brokerage firm and handle escrow accounts and earnest money deposits.

A real estate agent will typically split the agent’s share of the sales commission with the agent’s brokerage firm—although the percentage or amount shared may vary.

In New Hampshire (NH), real estate agents are licensed professionals who facilitate the buying, selling, and leasing of real estate properties. They represent and assist clients throughout the transaction process, including negotiation and closing. Real estate agents in NH must operate under a licensed real estate broker or brokerage firm, which provides oversight and may handle escrow accounts and earnest money deposits. Brokers have additional experience and licensing requirements compared to agents. Real estate agents may also be Realtors®, indicating membership in the National Association of Realtors®. They typically earn income through commissions, which are a percentage of the property's sale price and are shared between the seller's and buyer's agents. This commission is usually paid at closing, where it is deducted from the buyer's payment before the remaining funds go to the seller. The agent's commission is then split with their affiliated brokerage firm, with the specific split varying by agreement.