Consultant or Agent?

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Real Estate Consultant or Real Estate Agent... is there a difference? There sure is, but clients sometimes don't know what it is. On many of my business cards I have 'Real Estate Consultant' for a reason. On some I have 'Realtor'. But II don't have 'Agent', and I never will. Here's why: Consultants are fiduciaries to their clients. Fiduciary is a pretty big word that many folks don't have a handle on... but in summary, a fiduciary advises and consults, educates and guides, and is involved in the decision process. A Consultant uses judgment and experience, is irreplaceable, and as a result, is highly compensated. Agents, on the other hand, are just functionaries and their roles are to deliver information and basically 'Tell and Sell', never really going to the foundation of the decision. I liken this process to someone selling burgers. Sure there's a need to be filled, in this example hunger to be sated, but there isn't much call for burger consultants. Agents really stay out of the process, they follow rules and procedures, and are really only there to fill out the order form. They are replaceable, and as such, are and deserve to be minimally paid. Real estate consultants have an integral role in advising and consulting with their clients and in guiding and helping them take the best path possible. Sometimes that role includes the obvious, such as highlighting the elephant in the room, and sometimes it is more subtle. Regardless, your real estate consultant does so much more than filling out blank spaces on important legally-binding documents. Wouldn't you want a consultant, and not just an agent? If you are a client of mine, of course you do. It is really the best and smartest way to go, unless you are 24/7 involved in the housing market, in which case, why aren't you licensed and a Realtor?