You’d think buying a property would be straightforward—buyer, seller, handshake, done. Nope. Real estate deals come with a parade of people, all playing different roles, and it’s not always clear who’s doing what or who’s paying who.

If you’re like most people, especially new investors, it can feel like a mystery. So let’s solve it. I’m going to walk you through the seven key players in a typical real estate deal. You’re going to learn who they are, what they do, who brings them into the deal, and who’s footing the bill.

I’m PM Jen. I’m a real estate investment educator and advocate who’s obsessed with helping everyday Americans build wealth with buy-and-hold real estate. And I don’t sugar-coat this stuff.

1. The Realtor

• The seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. The seller’s agent, sometimes called the listing agent, is hired by the seller and paid out of the sale proceeds through a commission. Their job is to market the property, arrange showings, negotiate on the seller’s behalf, and guide the transaction to closing.
  The buyer’s agent is hired by the buyer—if they choose to have one—and compensation is where it gets tricky. Historically, the seller’s agent would split their commission with the buyer’s agent, so the buyer didn’t pay out of pocket. But those rules are changing. In many deals now, the buyer may be responsible for paying their agent directly, or the commission split has to be negotiated up front. The key is to have that conversation before you sign anything.

2. The Lender
   If you’re using financing, you’ll need a lender—and that’s someone the buyer brings to the deal. This could be a bank loan officer, a mortgage broker, or even a private money lender. Their job is to qualify you, structure your loan, and fund the transaction. They make their money from loan origination fees and the interest on the loan, and yes, that’s all coming out of the buyer’s pocket.

3. The Appraiser
   When there’s a loan involved, the lender will require an appraisal—and the lender is the one who chooses and hires the appraiser. The buyer doesn’t get a say in who it is, but they do get to pay the bill. The appraiser’s job is to determine the market value of the property to make sure the bank isn’t lending too much on an overvalued asset. Now, if there’s no loan involved, you can still choose to order an appraisal yourself, hire whoever you want, and pay for it just the same.

4. The Inspector
   The property inspector is someone the buyer chooses, hires, and pays directly. They come in to assess the condition of the property, from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. You might hire a general home inspector, or specialists for pest, septic, radon, or structural inspections. Their job is to help you figure out what kind of mess—or opportunity—you’re walking into before you commit.

5. The Title Company or Title Agent
   This is another one the buyer usually picks and pays for. The title company runs a full search on the property’s title to make sure it’s free and clear of liens, unpaid taxes, or ownership disputes. They issue title insurance, which protects you and your lender if something slips through the cracks. The cost comes out of the buyer’s settlement costs at closing, and it’s one of those expenses that’s totally worth every penny.

6. The Closing Attorney or Escrow Officer
   This person is usually hired by the buyer and paid by the buyer at closing. They’re the neutral third party who pulls the deal together. They hold the money, prepare and organize the legal documents, ensure everyone gets paid what they’re owed, and then officially record the new deed. This is the person who makes sure all the I’s are dotted, T’s are crossed, and that the deal closes.

7. The Insurance Agent
   Before you close, you need insurance on the property—especially if you’re borrowing money. The buyer shops for, hires, and pays the insurance agent, who helps you pick the right coverage and gets the policy bound before closing day. The agent gets paid through commissions on the insurance premiums, and you get peace of mind knowing your asset is protected from fire, flood, lawsuits, or a rogue tree branch in a windstorm.

Now You Know Who’s in the Room

So yeah, it’s not just you and the seller. There’s a whole team involved in even the simplest of real estate transactions. Some of them are optional, some are essential, and all of them play a big role in getting you across the finish line. The more you understand who’s doing what—and who’s paying who—the smarter and smoother your deals will go.

Got questions? Want to learn more? Hit me up. I’m here to make the hold period less painful and more profitable. You can find me on TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and right here on YouTube.

Let’s build real wealth for real people with real estate. See you out there, investors.