Q: Do you need a broker's licence if you plan to run a website walking users through the real estate transaction process?
My business partners and I want to start a business that walks users through the entire real estate transaction process (both buyer and seller) in an effort to empower them to do the process without a real estate broker or salesperson. We'd like to give them information and the tools they'll need to make informed decisions in the process (almost like an interactive book), but don't intend to be considered their legal or official representation in the process (unlike a real estate agent). Instead we only intend to provide advice, and don't want to have legal responsibility if they don't use the necessary professionals in the process and end up losing money. Thus we were curious in this situation whether it would be necessary to have a broker's licence as a business? Thank you very much any information you can provide, it would be tremendously helpful towards our aspirations.
A:
Disclaimer: The materials provided below are informational and should not be relied upon as legal advice.
If you are posting a general article online, that probably would subject you to the licensing requirements of the California Department of Real Estate or California State Bar, although the information in the article need to be accurate and truthful. However, if you are providing "advice" and intending to "walk users thought the entire real estate process" that likely falls within the licensing requirements for brokers and attorneys. I suggest you immediately consult your own attorney to protect your legal rights.
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