It's a perception point, I think, to want to deal with 'the boss', so it wouldn't be the first time someone asked "Are you the broker?" or if they're mad, "WHERE IS YOUR BROKER?" (Sorry Chollie, that's me too) 3:)
I know some really smart brokers, and some that have been phoning it in for too long.
In theory, a broker should be more educated, more risk-conscious, more insightful, more experienced. But they can also have more barnacles. ;)

In my opinion they may be book smart but not street smart; thus no!

Most likely, more experience, education, and responsibility.

but not always.

Broker probably sounds more professional, but the public also doesn't always know the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate practitioner.

Richie when I first became an Associate  Broker years ago some how my clients and those I met thought that was a big deal compared to just being an agent. So I started using just Associate Broker rather than all the 'initials' under my name and realtor. It worked great and then I became the broker 10 years ago.  Now I don't think clients care or it make a difference anymore.

Richie Alan Naggar I think it gives an agent more credibility. Being a Broker has helped beat out and get more listings when I worked residential real estate and commercial real estate. The public does know the difference.

Interesting question Richie. I would think that in the laymans mind the answer would be yes. A Broker must first be an agent and then test above it to Broker. So final answer yes I believe they would.

It would appear that the broker designation would be better to most any layman, but that's not necessarily the case.

how would a higher form of accreditation not be considered better?

Richie - Interesting question because there are many brokers who don't actually sell real estate anymore. So, yes they are book smart, but may have lost that street smart.

Those brokers that do continue to sell probably have a leg up on experience, and education. However, I am not sure the layman may even know the difference.

Colorado has only brokers or managing brokers.

We do have licensees and REALTORS.   Not every broker has to be a REALTOR.

I think broker is a term that the public hears and really does not understand that just think it is better.

Good morning Richie. In my office it makes no difference, all of my LO's do tons of business. If they weren't outstanding at what they do, they wouldn't be in my office.

Richie Alan Naggar - For layman's point of view, a good agent is also like any other agent!

For many of them, we are just a commodity - with a different title and they perhaps do not know the difference between the broker and agent.

Great question. In CO we have eliminated the agent status. We have what's called single licensing. When you take the real estate course in CO and you pass the test...you are a broker. Now you can't go straight to owning your own firm and employing other agents. CO regulations say you must work under an employing broker with close supervision for two years. 

I think it's a preception issue. I think the consumer sees someone as having broker status has having more experience and as a person to get the job done. And therefore as the person they want to work with. 

I would guess they would perceive tht a broker is better, but in Indiana there is no difference.

Most do not know the diffedence but it sounds good

From the layman's POV, the common person doesn't know there is a difference.  I was asked at LEAST 10 times when I left IT for real estate "Are you a broker?" when I said "No, I'm an agent" they had no idea there was a difference.  I had to explain it to a few of them that wanted to know what the difference was.

Brokers have just passed one more test and that doesn't make them better. It does give more options for the future in real estate.

Not sure if people pay that much attention, but I think broker is a little more impressive.

Richie,

Broker it may sound better that they had to take an additional test?  A

Does the layman know the difference?  Perception is in the eye of the beholder. 

There are already a few good answers here Richie Alan Naggar 

It has been my experience that the majority of consumers don't know the difference between an  real estate agent, a Realtor, and a broker.  It's one of the things I explain in my counseling sessions when I go over agency.

I'm not sure if they even know the difference.

From the layman's perspective

Agent comes FIRST

in the alphabet.

While BROKER is BETTER.

I am not sure the public knows the difference. To them we are all agents