A buyer's agent discovers that their client's pre-approved mortgage amount is $50,000 higher than the offer price they want to submit. What should the agent do with this information?
Correct Answer
B) Keep it confidential to protect the client's negotiating position
How much more a buyer could pay is confidential client information. Under the Code of Ethics (O. Reg. 365/22, s. 12), a registrant must not disclose a client's confidential information to a third party without the client's written consent, unless the law authorizes or requires it, and no law requires this figure to be shared. Keeping it confidential also serves the duty to promote and protect the client's best interests (s. 8).
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A buyer's agent learns that a competing offer on the same property comes from a client of a colleague at the same brokerage. The two agents represent different buyers. What ethical obligation applies to the buyer's agent?
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