Yes, you can be both a broker and an agent, but each state sets different rules. Some allow dual agency so you represent buyer and seller in one deal. Understand licensing, risks, and compliance. Set up your dual roles carefully to protect income, avoid conflicts, and grow your real estate business.
In most states, becoming a broker allows you to supervise other agents, open your own brokerage, or continue operating as a highly independent agent without sharing commissions. But with greater autonomy comes added responsibility. You’ll need to manage compliance, oversee transactions, and navigate evolving legal standards that vary across state lines.
At Realty Hub, we’ve designed a brokerage model that eliminates many of the obstacles that make this path intimidating for agents. Our flat-fee structure allows licensed agents, whether newly licensed, experienced brokers, or referral-only agents, to keep 100% of their commission, while we provide the compliance backbone, transaction management, and broker support when it’s needed. You run your business; we help you stay protected.
If you’re simply looking for a yes-or-no answer, you’ve already got it. You can be both. But if you want to see exactly how to do it smartly, without unnecessary overhead, fees, or franchise restrictions, keep reading.
You Can be Both, But With Rules
Yes, you can legally be both a real estate broker and an agent, but the rules vary depending on where you’re licensed.
In most states, once you’ve earned your broker license, you have the option to:
- Continue working independently as a solo broker,
- Supervise other agents as a managing broker, or
- Operate under another brokerage as a broker associate.
Just because you’re licensed as a broker doesn’t mean you have to run your own firm. In fact, many experienced agents choose to retain broker status while affiliating with flat-fee or virtual brokerages to minimize overhead and avoid administrative headaches.
The terminology can also be confusing. In Florida and Georgia, you’ll hear “broker,” “managing broker,” and “principal broker” used differently. In Tennessee, for example, the entry-level license is actually called “affiliate broker.” That means the job title doesn’t always reflect the level of authority or independence you hold.
At Realty Hub, we support licensed brokers who want to keep practicing as agents, without taking on the burden of managing staff or opening a physical office.
What Is Dual Agency (and Dual Licensing)?
Dual Licensing
Some professionals get licensed as both a mortgage broker and a real estate agent. It’s legal in many states and can offer serious business advantages, like guiding clients from pre-approval all the way through closing.
But dual licensure comes with compliance risks. For example, federal regulations may prohibit you from arranging FHA loans if you’re also acting as the buyer’s real estate agent. Secondary mortgage market rules often discourage dual representation on financing to avoid conflicts of interest.
That’s why many professionals use dual licensure to serve clients in different roles, not simultaneously in the same transaction.
Dual Agency
Dual agency is when one real estate professional represents both the buyer and the seller in a single transaction.
Some states allow it, but others don’t, or require detailed disclosures and written consent from both parties. Even in legal states, many brokerages restrict dual agency due to the risk of favoritism, liability issues, or blurred fiduciary lines.
At Realty Hub, we educate our agents on how to handle dual agency scenarios transparently and in compliance with state law, so they can protect their clients and themselves.
Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid
Real estate licensing is full of myths and misinformation. Here are three we see agents struggle with all the time:
- “Referral Only” is a scare tactic. Many agents think that if they don’t join the REALTOR® association or MLS, they’re automatically limited to referral deals. That’s false. At Realty Hub, we support non-MLS agents and allow them to structure their business however they choose.
- Advertising regulations vary by state. Some states require your broker’s legal name and address to be featured prominently on all marketing materials. We guide our agents on how to meet those standards without limiting their branding freedom.
- MLS isn’t required everywhere. While MLS access increases listing exposure, it’s not mandatory for every agent. Realty Hub offers support for agents who choose not to join MLS or the REALTOR® association, giving them more control over their costs and commitments.
Common Agent Worries (and How to Overcome Them)
“What if I fail at lead generation?”
This is one of the most common fears we hear, and it’s valid, especially for agents who aren’t natural self-promoters. But success in this business is about process. Build systems that attract leads consistently:
- Use CRMs that automate follow-up.
- Create templates for email marketing, open house workflows, and listing presentations.
- Partner with brokerages that give you flexibility to test, refine, and grow your funnel on your own terms.
At Realty Hub, we provide the legal framework and back-end support, so you can focus on building a business that matches your style, not someone else’s.
“I feel isolated without mentorship.”
It’s easy to feel disconnected, especially in a virtual model. But mentorship requires access.
That’s why every Realty Hub agent gets direct broker access, not layers of office staff. We’re responsive, we’re experienced, and we’re here when you need us. Our private agent community also connects you with peers who actively support one another.
“I’m confused about job titles.”
Let’s clear it up:
- Agent: Licensed to sell real estate under a broker.
- Broker: Can work independently or supervise agents.
- Managing/Principal Broker: Oversees compliance and daily operations.
The confusion comes from state-specific terms. In Oregon, everyone is called a broker. In Tennessee, new licensees are “affiliate brokers.” Don’t let the lingo trip you up, focus on your goals and what license structure supports them.
“Am I better off starting my own brokerage?”
Owning your own brokerage sounds appealing, until you’re buried in paperwork, E&O insurance, compliance monitoring, and tech subscriptions.
With Realty Hub, you keep 100% commission without the overhead. You run your business. We handle the infrastructure. For many licensed brokers, this model offers the best of both worlds: freedom with support.
The Flat-Fee Brokerage Model: A Smart Alternative
Traditional brokerages chip away at your earnings with 70/30 splits, tech fees, desk fees, franchise cuts, and mandatory add-ons.
Realty Hub flips that model:
- $100/year flat membership
- $100 per transaction, period
- No franchise fees. No upsells. No quotas.
- Full freedom to handle personal deals, referrals, or work across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
This structure works especially well for brokers who want to focus on sales, not overhead or staffing.
Pro Tips for Thriving as Both Broker and Agent
- Stay on top of compliance. Whether you’re managing agents or just yourself, documentation and legal accuracy are your foundation.
- Systematize everything. Use scalable tools like CRMs, referral templates, and automated workflows.
- Stay connected. A strong peer network is critical, even more so in a remote brokerage model.
- Keep learning. Laws shift, market dynamics evolve. Don’t coast on past knowledge.
- Be transparent. If you’re playing multiple roles, agent, broker, mortgage licensee, make sure clients are fully informed and your documentation reflects that.
Freedom with Smart Structure Wins
Becoming a broker is about more than a title, it’s about unlocking autonomy. But autonomy without structure can quickly turn into chaos.
That’s where Realty Hub comes in. We’ve built a system that supports your independence without compromise. Whether you’re a solo agent, a licensed broker who doesn’t want to manage others, or somewhere in between, our model is designed to help you earn more, spend less, and stay legally protected.
Ready to Work Smarter, Not Harder?
If you’re thinking about becoming a broker, or already are one, the next step is building a leaner business that works for you.
Here’s how Realty Hub helps you get there:
- Flat-fee model that keeps 100% of your commission in your pocket.
- Full broker support without micromanagement or meetings.
- Freedom to structure your business your way, part-time, full-time, referral-only, or full-volume.
No quotas. No fees you didn’t sign up for. Just you, your clients, and a brokerage that actually works in the background, not the foreground.
Take the next step: 👉 Explore Realty Hub’s flat-fee model and see how we support both agents and brokers ready to run their business on their terms.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: FAQ
Do real estate brokers make more money than agents?
Often, yes, but not always. While brokers have the ability to earn income from their own transactions and a portion of their agents’ deals, high-producing agents can still out-earn brokers. Especially under lean models like Realty Hub, where agents keep 100% of their commission, top-performing agents have the potential to surpass even managing brokers.
Can a licensed broker still sell homes personally?
Absolutely. A real estate broker can list and sell properties just like an agent. In fact, many brokers continue to handle their own transactions while also supervising and supporting a team of agents.
Is dual agency legal in every state?
No. Dual agency, where one agent represents both the buyer and seller in a transaction, is regulated at the state level. Some states allow it with proper written disclosure, while others prohibit it altogether. Many brokerages restrict or forbid it internally to avoid legal risk and conflicts of interest.
