What is a branch office in real estate?

A branch office in real estate refers to a secondary place of business that operates under the main office. It is typically established to provide services to clients in different geographical areas, expanding the reach and accessibility of the real estate firm. The branch office allows the brokerage to have multiple locations to better serve clients, often staffed by licensed agents who work under the supervision of the main office.

In contrast, a main office location is the primary hub of operations for a brokerage, where overall management activities occur. A temporary operating station suggests a location that is not permanent or established as a standard office, which does not fit the definition of a branch office. Similarly, a home office is typically where an individual agent may conduct business from home rather than a designated secondary business location affiliated with the brokerage. Therefore, the correct definition of a branch office is a secondary place of business that complements the main office.