Which case would likely require a real estate license?

• A. John helps his sister locate an apartment as a favor.
• B. Mary performs secretarial duties for a real estate investor.
• C. Bruce is hired to find an office suite for a friend relocating her business.
• D. Laura manages reservations at a hotel.

Answer: (C)

Engaging in real estate brokerage happens when you perform activities that help someone buy, sell, or lease property on behalf of another person and for compensation. In the case where Bruce is hired to locate an office suite for a friend relocating her business, he would be performing a lease brokerage for that client: researching options, presenting choices, and possibly negotiating terms to secure a lease. That’s exactly the kind of service that typically requires a real estate license. The other scenarios don’t fit because they involve informal personal favors, administrative tasks, or hospitality work rather than representing a client in a real estate transaction for compensation.