When a broker works with a person but does not represent them, that person is referred to as what?

The term used to refer to a person with whom a broker works but does not represent is a customer. In real estate, the distinction between a customer and a client is significant. A client is someone with whom the broker has entered into a formal agency relationship, providing them with fiduciary duties, like loyalty and confidentiality. In contrast, a customer does not have this kind of relationship with the broker. The broker may provide services or assistance, but there is no legal obligation to act in the customer's best interest in the same way there is for a client. Understanding this distinction is essential in real estate practice, as it helps clarify the level of responsibility and service provided by the broker to each party.