Practice of Real EstateMEDIUMFREE

Maximum from Maryland Guarantee Fund per transaction is:

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Audio Lesson

Duration: 2:38

Question & Answer

Review the question and all answer choices

A

$100,000

$100,000 exceeds Maryland's actual guarantee fund limit. This option might represent a candidate's confusion with another state's limit or an outdated provision. Maryland's maximum is specifically set at $50,000 per transaction, not $100,000.

B

$50,000

Correct Answer
C

$25,000

$25,000 is below Maryland's actual guarantee fund limit. This amount might represent a candidate confusing Maryland's limit with that of another state or with a different type of recovery fund that has a lower maximum.

D

$10,000

$10,000 is significantly below Maryland's actual guarantee fund limit and represents a misunderstanding of the protection available. This amount is more typical of deductibles rather than maximum recoveries from state guarantee funds.

Why is this correct?

The Maryland Guarantee Fund provides a maximum recovery of $50,000 per transaction. This amount is established by state law to balance consumer protection with the financial sustainability of the fund. This limit applies to claims arising from a single real estate transaction where a licensed agent's illegal or fraudulent conduct causes financial loss to a client.

Deep Analysis

AI-powered in-depth explanation of this concept

Understanding the Maryland Guarantee Fund is crucial for real estate professionals because it represents a critical consumer protection mechanism. This fund provides financial recourse when licensed real estate agents engage in fraudulent or illegal activities that result in financial loss to clients. The concept tests candidates' knowledge of state-specific regulatory safeguards. To arrive at the correct answer, one must recognize that Maryland law establishes a $50,000 maximum per transaction from this fund. This question is challenging because many states have different limits, and candidates might confuse this with other state-specific requirements or general industry standards. Understanding this concept connects to broader knowledge of real estate regulation, consumer protection laws, and the ethical obligations of licensees to understand the financial protections available to their clients.

Knowledge Background

Essential context and foundational knowledge

The Maryland Real Estate Guaranty Fund is a financial protection mechanism established by the state to compensate consumers who suffer financial loss due to illegal or fraudulent acts committed by licensed real estate agents. This fund is not unlimited and operates under specific statutory guidelines. The $50,000 maximum per transaction limit helps ensure the fund remains solvent while providing meaningful protection to consumers. These funds are typically financed through special assessments on licensees rather than general tax revenue. The fund exists to provide a safety net when other legal remedies may be insufficient or impractical for consumers who have been victimized by their real estate agent.

Memory Technique
analogy

Think of the Maryland Guarantee Fund as an insurance policy with a $50,000 deductible - except in this case, it's actually the maximum payout, not what you pay out of pocket.

When encountering questions about Maryland's guarantee fund, recall the 'fifty' in 'Maryland' and connect it to the $50,000 maximum limit.

Exam Tip

For Maryland-specific questions about guarantee funds, remember the key number: $50,000 per transaction. This limit is frequently tested and distinguishes Maryland's requirements from other states.

Real World Application

How this concept applies in actual real estate practice

A Maryland homebuyer discovers their agent misrepresented property conditions, leading to $45,000 in unexpected repairs. The buyer files a claim with the Maryland Real Estate Commission, which investigates and finds the agent engaged in fraudulent concealment. Since the claim amount ($45,000) is below the $50,000 maximum per transaction, the buyer can recover the full amount from the Maryland Guarantee Fund. This demonstrates how the fund provides financial protection when an agent's misconduct results in quantifiable financial loss to a client.

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