A California listing agent receives two simultaneous offers on a property. The agent has a family relationship with one of the buyers but has not disclosed this to the seller. The agent presents only the offer from the related buyer. Which of the following most accurately describes the agent's legal exposure?
Correct Answer
B) The agent has committed multiple violations, including failure to present all offers and failure to disclose a conflict of interest created by the undisclosed family relationship
A listing agent owes the seller a fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty, and that duty includes putting every written offer in front of the seller unless the seller has given written instructions otherwise, because it is the seller and not the agent who decides which offer is best. Withholding the competing offer breaches that duty regardless of how the two offers compare. The concealed family tie to the buyer is a second, independent wrong: an agent must disclose any relationship that could bend the agent's loyalty, and hiding it is dishonest dealing for which a license may be disciplined under Cal. B&P Code §10176(i). Taken together, the two acts also support a civil claim by the seller for breach of fiduciary duty and any resulting damages.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
An as-is clause in a real estate contract states that the buyer accepts the property in its current condition without requiring the seller to make any repairs. However, an as-is sale does NOT eliminate the seller's obligation to disclose known defects.
Asbestos disclosure involves informing buyers about the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a property. Asbestos was commonly used in construction materials before 1980 and poses health risks when fibers become airborne.
Violating fair housing laws can lead to significant penalties, including fines, civil liability, and professional discipline.
More Practice Of Real Estate Disclosures Questions
Under California law, a real estate agent owes a duty of honest and fair dealing to all parties in a transaction, not only to the agent's own client. Which provision most directly establishes this duty?
A landlord is required to provide a copy of the written lease to the tenant within:
A California-licensed salesperson uses the title 'Real Estate Consultant' on business cards and marketing materials without holding any special certification or designation. Under DRE regulations, this practice is:
Barnard made an offer to buy a vacant residence. The offer was accepted by the seller. Prior to the close of escrow, Barnard requested permission from the broker to enter and make minor repairs to the house. Which of the following is true?
Most common business structure for one individual:
- → A developer proposes a new eight-unit condominium building in San Francisco on a parcel that an NHD report shows lies within a delineated Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. Under the Alquist-Priolo Act, what must happen before the city may approve the project?
- → At a DRE administrative disciplinary hearing in California, what standard of proof must the Department meet to sustain a finding against a licensee?
- → The Transfer Disclosure Statement requires sellers to disclose various known property conditions under California Civil Code §1102 et seq. All of the following must be disclosed on the TDS EXCEPT:
- → California's Holden Act (Housing Financial Discrimination Act, HSC §35800) addresses lending discrimination. All of the following lending practices are prohibited by the Holden Act EXCEPT:
- → A salesperson receives a $2,000 cash earnest money deposit from a buyer during a property showing. Under California trust fund rules, what is the salesperson's required next step?
- → A California salesperson receives a $3,000 earnest money deposit from a buyer on Tuesday morning. The salesperson does not deliver the funds to the broker until the following Monday. Under California trust fund rules, has a violation occurred?
- → A California property owner in a Mello-Roos CFD discovers that the bond proceeds were mismanaged by the CFD administrator and the planned community park was never built, even though property owners have been paying the special tax for 10 years. What legal recourse does the property owner have?
- → The Real Estate Commissioner may discipline a licensee for the conduct described in Business and Professions Code §§10176 and 10177. Which of the following would NOT be grounds for disciplinary action?
- → Which of the following correctly describes California's mandatory fair housing continuing education requirement for real estate license renewal?
- → The main purpose of the Uniform Commercial Code is to:
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