EstatePass
AgencyAgency_typesHARD

Delaware licensee Kim is acting as a transaction broker assisting both seller Frank and buyer Helen in the sale of Frank's Sussex County beach cottage. During a property walkthrough, Kim notices that the crawl space has visible signs of water intrusion and wood rot, but Frank has not mentioned this on his disclosure form. Kim says nothing to Helen about what she observed, believing her role as a transaction broker relieves her of the obligation to disclose. Under Delaware law, Kim's conduct is:

Correct Answer

D) Improper, because even a transaction broker in Delaware must disclose known material facts to all parties

Under 24 Del. C. § 2973, even a transaction broker in Delaware owes a duty of honest dealing and disclosure of all known material facts to all parties in the transaction. A transaction broker is not an agent and does not owe fiduciary duties, but the duty to disclose known material facts — such as visible water intrusion and wood rot — survives regardless of the agency relationship type. Kim's silence about the observed defect violates her statutory duties as a transaction broker.

Answer Options
A
Proper, because a transaction broker in Delaware owes no duty of disclosure to either party
B
Proper, because material defect disclosure is solely the seller's responsibility under the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act
C
Improper, because Kim should have immediately terminated the transaction brokerage relationship upon discovering the defect
D
Improper, because even a transaction broker in Delaware must disclose known material facts to all parties

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Agency Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Agency

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Agency

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Agency Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

transaction_brokermaterial_facts_disclosuredisclosure_dutiesproperty_defects

Related Concepts

A legal relationship in which one person (the agent) is authorized to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in business transactions with third parties.

The legal ending of an agency relationship, which can occur through completion, expiration, mutual agreement, breach, death, incapacity, or bankruptcy of either party.

The fiduciary obligation to protect a client's private information and not disclose it to third parties without permission, surviving even after the agency relationship ends.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Agency Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Agency Questions

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing