Posted by Cheryl Lopez on May 17, 2004 at 01:10:04:
The main difference between “realtor” (which is a licensed trademark for real estate agents that are members to a nationwide association) and “dealer” (for manufactured and mobile homes sales) is the state licensing departments. For 2 years I had both a real estate broker license and HCD sales person.
In California real estate sales persons and brokers are licensed by the state Dept of Real Estate.
The dealers and sales person are licensed by state Housing & Community Development. You have to be a sales person for 2 years, take required dealer classes, test and pass to become a “dealer”.
As with any professional licenses in buying and selling the licensee is required to disclosure with purchasing or selling your own property. The only draw back about the license in either professional field (real estate or manufactured & mobile homes) is the disclosing to the seller when you want to purchase. Just a few people may believe you have some upper knowledge to take advantage of them when buying their property.
But best to document all transactions in writing.
Cheryl Lopez