What best defines an "independent contractor" in the context of real estate agents in Maryland?

The best definition of an "independent contractor" in the context of real estate agents in Maryland is the individual who operates their own business. Independent contractors in real estate have the autonomy to manage their work, set their own schedules, and are typically responsible for their own expenses and taxes. This structure allows them to control their business models while still working under the brokerage for which they may facilitate real estate transactions.

In Maryland, independent real estate agents are not classified as employees of a brokerage because they do not have a fixed salary or benefits associated with employment. Instead, they gain commission-based income from their sales, which adds flexibility to their work style and potential earnings. Being an independent contractor means they can also work with multiple brokerages, but primarily they are recognized as owning their business initiatives within the constraints of real estate regulations.

The other choices highlight different relationships that do not align with the definition of an independent contractor. Full employment by a brokerage, fixed salaries, and roles as subcontractors do not grant agents the autonomy or business ownership that define independent contractors within the real estate context.