A real estate license is required for which of the following activities?

A real estate license is required when someone is helping a friend in the purchase or sale of any interest in real property for compensation. This is because real estate transactions involve various legal and financial responsibilities, and engaging in such activities for compensation means that the individual is functioning as a real estate professional. Licensing ensures that agents are knowledgeable about the laws and practices that govern real estate transactions, which protects both the client and the integrity of the industry.

The requirement for a license arises from the need for regulatory oversight and consumer protection in real estate transactions. Professionals with licensed training can provide proper advice, navigate complex legalities, and handle negotiations effectively, which is especially important when money is involved.

Activities like advising someone on real estate investments for free, conducting a property appraisal for a bank, and managing a rental property without compensation may not require a real estate license, since these actions do not fit the definition of assisting in a real estate transaction for pay or fee arrangements. Each of these activities operates under different regulatory guidelines and may have other qualifications or certifications that apply.