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Laws Of Agency Fiduciary DutiesFiduciary_dutiesMEDIUM

A California listing agent conducts a visual inspection of a property and notices water stains on the ceiling but does not mention them in the TDS or to any prospective buyers. A buyer purchases the property and later discovers extensive water damage. Under California Civil Code §2079, what liability does the agent face?

Correct Answer

A) Liability for not disclosing what the visual inspection turned up

The duty is to look and to report what looking revealed. Water stains on a ceiling are exactly that, and the omission is the breach. Other choices: not being a home inspector is why the duty is visual rather than technical, not a reason to say nothing; no separate hiring is required, since the duty comes with the listing; and the buyer's own inspector does not relieve the agent of reporting what was seen.

Answer Options
A
Liability for not disclosing what the visual inspection turned up
B
No liability because the agent is not a home inspector
C
Liability only if the agent was specifically hired to inspect the property
D
No liability because the buyer should have hired their own inspector

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

visual_inspectionwater_stainsdisclosure_failureCivil_Code_2079

Related Concepts

An agency relationship where the agent agrees to act on behalf of the principal without receiving compensation.

An agency relationship created by the conduct or actions of the parties rather than by a written or oral agreement.

The legal obligation to reveal information that could affect a party's decision to enter into or the terms of a real estate transaction.

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