In a single agency relationship, the employer is referred to as what?

In a single agency relationship, the employer is referred to as the principal. This terminology is used to designate the individual who has authorized an agent to act on their behalf in a particular transaction. The principal is the party that benefits from the services provided by the agent, and thus this relationship is rooted in a fiduciary obligation, where the agent must act in the best interests of the principal.

Understanding the role of the principal helps clarify the dynamics of the agency relationship in real estate. The agent, often referred to in the context of their role in relation to the principal, operates under the authority granted by the principal to represent them. In this setup, the agent has specific duties, such as loyalty and full disclosure, to ensure the principal's interests are prioritized.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe the employer in a single agency context. While "client" could refer to someone receiving professional services, in real estate, the term primarily designates the principal as the party engaging the agent's services. "Broker" refers to a party who may work with agents or facilitate real estate transactions but is not the employer in an agency relationship. Lastly, "agent" describes the individual acting on behalf of the principal, not the employer itself.