What type of agent is a broker hired to sell a house typically considered?

A broker hired to sell a house is typically considered a special agent because the relationship is specifically defined and limited to a particular task, which is to sell that property. The special agent has the authority to act on behalf of the principal (the seller) but only within the confines of the transaction at hand. This means that the broker can negotiate the sale, market the property, and facilitate the transaction, but does not have broad authority to act on behalf of the principal outside of this sale.

In contrast, a general agent has a broader scope of authority, typically handling many transactions or aspects of business on behalf of the principal, which isn't the case for a real estate broker engaged in a single property sale. A universal agent possesses comprehensive powers to act on behalf of the principal in all matters, which is not how a typical brokerage relationship is structured. Lastly, a designated agent refers to a specific broker or agent within a brokerage who represents one party in a transaction when the brokerage also represents the other party, which presents a different relationship model altogether. Thus, the classification of a broker as a special agent aligns accurately with the defined duties and limitations of their authority in selling a house.