An agent employed to handle various matters on behalf of someone is referred to as a?

A general agent is someone authorized to act on behalf of another party in a broad range of matters related to a particular business or activity. Unlike a specific agent, who has restricted authority to perform a single task or a limited set of tasks, a general agent has the ability to conduct a wide variety of activities under the scope of their agency.

In real estate transactions, a broker or agent often functions as a general agent for a client, managing numerous responsibilities such as representing the client in negotiations, marketing properties, and managing transactions. This level of authority allows the agent to make decisions and take actions that bind the client, as long as those actions fall within the agreed-upon scope of the agency relationship.

Specific agents, on the other hand, are granted authority for a singular task and cannot act beyond that, while limited agents operate within a pre-defined and more restricted capacity. A dual agent represents both buyer and seller in a transaction, navigating the complexities of representing conflicting interests. Thus, the designation of general agent encompasses the comprehensive role that many agents play in the real estate industry, reflecting their extensive authority to act on their client's behalf in a broad spectrum of activities.