Within the realm of property transactions, the term describes a professional whose authority is limited to a specific task or duty. For instance, an individual might be authorized to find a suitable buyer for a particular property, with their agency ending upon the completion of that sale. This differs significantly from a general agent, who possesses broader authority to act on behalf of a principal in various matters.
This designated scope of responsibility provides clarity and focused representation. The principal benefits from knowing exactly what the agent is authorized to do, minimizing potential conflicts of interest or unauthorized actions. Historically, this arrangement developed to allow for efficient delegation of specific tasks while retaining overall control and oversight.