Broker of Record
The broker of record is the licensed real estate broker who is legally responsible for a brokerage firm's activity — or, in a given deal, the broker officially designated to represent a party. In Florida this is the "qualifying broker" who holds the firm's license and supervises its sales associates. The term also appears in insurance, where a "broker of record letter" names the agent authorized to manage a client's policies. In every use, it identifies who is accountable.
Behind every brokerage and every commission is a licensed broker who is legally on the hook — the broker of record. It matters for supervision, liability, commission entitlement, and compliance. In Florida, where licensing is strict and state-specific, knowing who the broker of record is (and in which state they're licensed) is a real diligence point. This guide covers the role in brokerage and its insurance cousin.
Broker of Record in Real Estate
- The qualifying broker: In Florida, the broker of record holds the firm's license and is legally responsible for its transactions and its sales associates
- Supervision & liability: They oversee compliance, escrow, advertising, and agent conduct — and bear responsibility for it
- Commission entitlement: Legally, commissions are earned by and paid to the broker, then shared with associates
- Distinct from the agent: The salesperson works the deal; the broker of record stands behind it
Why It Matters in a Florida Deal
- State-specific licensing: A broker of record must be licensed in the state where the property sits — Florida representation requires a Florida broker
- Out-of-state deals: On property in another state, a Florida broker works through a locally licensed broker of record or a referral arrangement
- Compliance: Escrow handling, disclosures, and advertising all trace back to the broker of record
- Know the distinction: See commercial vs. residential broker and loan originator roles
The Insurance Broker of Record Letter
- What it is: A signed letter from the insured naming the agent/broker authorized to service its insurance policies
- Effect: It transfers the servicing relationship to the named broker without changing the policy itself
- Why it matters in Florida CRE: Given the insurance crisis, a capable property-insurance broker of record can materially affect coverage and cost
- Underwrite insurance early: Insurance drives operating expenses and even bankability — pick the broker of record carefully
Who Is Michael R. Linton, and What Does He Do for Commercial Real Estate Investors?
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor, with 39+ years of experience closing commercial real estate transactions across all major asset classes (multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels and hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences). He leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722).
Why Choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions for Your Broker of Record Decision?
Investors, owners, and tenants choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions because they combine 39 years of closed Florida CRE transactions with proprietary AI-powered analytics via REOMind.ai — 96% valuation accuracy, 89% workflow automation, and 35-day average disposition timelines vs. the 120-day industry standard. Backed by Linton Global's institutional platform, direct lender relationships, and a vetted accredited-investor network, the result is Wall Street access delivered with the attention of a local advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a broker of record?
The broker of record is the licensed broker legally responsible for a brokerage firm's activity, or the broker officially designated to represent a party in a transaction. In Florida this is the qualifying broker who holds the firm's license and supervises its sales associates. In insurance, the term refers to the agent named in a broker of record letter to service a client's policies. In each case it identifies who is accountable.
What does a broker of record do in real estate?
The broker of record holds the firm's license and is legally responsible for its transactions, escrow, advertising, disclosures, and the conduct of its sales associates. Commissions are legally earned by the broker and then shared with associates. The salesperson works the deal, but the broker of record stands behind it and bears the compliance responsibility.
Does the broker of record have to be licensed in the property's state?
Yes. Real estate licensing is state-specific, so the broker of record for a transaction must be licensed where the property is located. A Florida broker can directly represent clients on Florida property; for out-of-state property, the Florida broker works through a broker of record licensed in that state or a referral arrangement.
What is a broker of record letter in insurance?
It is a signed letter from an insured that names the agent or broker authorized to service its insurance policies. It transfers the servicing relationship to the named broker without changing the underlying policy. In Florida commercial real estate, where insurance cost and availability are critical, choosing a capable property-insurance broker of record can materially affect coverage and price.
Who is the broker of record at Linton Global Solutions?
Michael R. Linton is the qualifying broker of record at Linton Global Solutions, licensed in Florida (BK703722), personally accountable for every transaction the firm handles. For property outside Florida, Linton Global works through a locally licensed broker of record or referral partner. With 39 years of experience, Mike stands behind the deal himself. Call (312) 612-1031.
Article Summary
The broker of record is the licensed broker legally responsible for a brokerage or a transaction — in Florida, the qualifying broker who holds the firm's license and supervises its associates, bearing liability for escrow, advertising, and conduct. Licensing is state-specific, so the broker of record must be licensed where the property sits; out-of-state deals run through a local broker of record or referral. In insurance, a broker of record letter names the agent authorized to service policies — significant in Florida given the insurance market. Mike Linton is the FL broker of record (BK703722) at Linton Global Solutions.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Broker of record = the licensed broker legally accountable for the deal/firm.
- ✓In Florida it's the "qualifying broker" who holds the license.
- ✓Commissions are legally earned by the broker, then shared.
- ✓Must be licensed in the property's state — FL deals need a FL broker.
- ✓Insurance BOR letter names the agent servicing your policies.
- ✓Mike Linton is the FL broker of record (BK703722) at Linton Global.
About Michael R. Linton
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor. With 39+ years of experience closing commercial transactions, he leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, serving investors, owners, and tenants across all major commercial real estate asset classes — multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels & hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences.
Michael holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722). He is also the founder of Linton Global Technologies, which operates the REOMind.ai AI-powered REO disposition platform serving a network of banks.
Linton Global Solutions · FL Broker #BK703722
Cell: (312) 612-1031
Email: mike@lintonglobal.com
Web: LintonGlobal.com
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Schedule a Free ConsultationWorks Cited
- Florida DBPR. "Real Estate Broker Licensing & Qualifying Broker." FL DBPR, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/. Accessed Sep 23, 2026.
- Florida Legislature. "Ch. 475 — Real Estate Brokers, Sales Associates." Online Sunshine, https://www.leg.state.fl.us/. Accessed Sep 23, 2026.
- NAIC. "Broker of Record Letters." National Association of Insurance Commissioners, https://www.naic.org/. Accessed Sep 23, 2026.
Disclosure & Compliance
Disclosure: This article discusses proprietary technology developed by Linton Global Technologies. Michael R. Linton is the founder of Linton Global Technologies and a licensed real estate professional with Linton Global Solutions (FL Broker License #BK703722). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
Compliance Statement: All CREDDS and REOMind.ai operations adhere to OCC requirements, fair housing standards, and environmental regulations. Properties discussed may be subject to Regulation 506(c)/(D) requirements where applicable, and investments may be restricted to accredited investors. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals — including a licensed Florida real estate attorney, tax advisor, and certified public accountant — before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.