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Agency PracticeFiduciary DutiesEASY

What constitutes a breach of the agent's duty of loyalty to their principal?

Correct Answer

C) Secretly buying the principal's property through a member of the agent's family

Purchasing the principal's property without full disclosure creates a conflict of interest and violates the duty of loyalty. Agents must avoid any situation where their personal interests conflict with their principal's interests, and any potential conflicts must be fully disclosed.

Answer Options
A
Advertising the property on several real estate websites and in local print media at once
B
Recommending that the vendor obtain a pre-sale building inspection
C
Secretly buying the principal's property through a member of the agent's family
D
Giving the vendor a written market appraisal with comparable sales

Why This Is the Correct Answer

A secret purchase through a relative puts the agent's interest directly against the principal's and hides it. That is a clear breach of the duty of loyalty, which requires disclosure and consent for any personal interest.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

fiduciary dutyduty of loyaltyconflict of interestsecret purchasefull disclosure
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