An Alberta real estate associate working as a buyer's agent learns confidential information about the seller's motivation to sell quickly. What should the associate do?
Correct Answer
A) Share it with the buyer client under their fiduciary duty, unless obtained through a confidential relationship
A buyer's agent in Alberta owes fiduciary duties to their client, including the duty of full disclosure of material information. If the associate learns about the seller's motivation through legitimate means (not through a confidential relationship with the seller), they should share this information with their buyer client as it may benefit the buyer's negotiating position.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
A buyer's agent owes fiduciary duties including full disclosure of material information to their client. If the seller's motivation was learned through legitimate means (public statements, observable circumstances, non-confidential conversations), the associate must share it with the buyer. However, information obtained through a prior confidential relationship with the seller must remain protected.
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