What is the correct answer to: Delaware requires agency disclosure:

The correct answer is At first contact or showing. Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 29 (the Real Estate Licensure Act) mandates that licensees disclose their agency relationship — including who they represent — at the first contact with a consumer or at the first showing of property, whichever occurs first. This early-trigger standard ensures that consumers understand the agent's loyalties before any confidential information is shared, which is the core consumer protection purpose of agency disclosure law.

What background knowledge is needed for this Agency question?

Agency disclosure legislation gained national momentum in the late 1980s and early 1990s after a Federal Trade Commission study revealed that most homebuyers mistakenly believed the agent showing them homes represented their interests, when in fact nearly all agents at the time were subagents of the seller. Delaware enacted its comprehensive agency disclosure framework as part of its Real Estate Licensure Act reforms in the 1990s, aligning with the national trend toward consumer transparency. The 'first contact' standard adopted by Delaware and several other states represents the strictest version of disclosure timing, contrasting with states that allow disclosure as late as the time of offer. The evolution from 'buyer beware' to mandatory early disclosure reflects a fundamental shift in how state legislatures view the agent-consumer relationship.

What is a good way to remember the answer to this Agency question?

Remember 'Delaware = Day One Disclosure' — the moment you make contact in Delaware, disclosure is due. Visualize Delaware's small geographic size as a reminder that there is no room (or time) to delay: the state is tiny, so the disclosure window is tiny too — it happens immediately at first contact. Remember Delaware's disclosure timing requirement with the acronym FCS: First Contact Show. This stands for disclosure occurring at the First Contact or first property Showing.

What exam tip applies to this Agency question?

When a question asks about agency disclosure timing for a specific state, look for the earliest reasonable option — state legislatures generally err on the side of earlier disclosure to maximize consumer protection, and the 'first contact or showing' answer is correct for Delaware and several other states. Be careful not to confuse disclosure timing with the requirement to have a signed agency agreement, which may have different timing rules.

How does this Agency concept apply in real world practice?

A Delaware real estate licensee receives a phone call from a prospective buyer who saw a yard sign and wants to know more about the property. Under Delaware law, before answering questions about price flexibility or the seller's motivation, the licensee must immediately disclose that they represent the seller — because this phone call constitutes 'first contact.' If the agent instead schedules a showing and waits until they arrive at the property to disclose, they have already violated Delaware's disclosure timing requirement, potentially exposing their license to disciplinary action.

AgencyGeneralMEDIUM

Delaware requires agency disclosure:

Correct Answer

B) At first contact or showing

Delaware requires agency disclosure at first contact or showing.

Answer Options

At closing

At first contact or showing

Only if requested

Never

Study Infographics

Study card infographic for: Delaware requires agency disclosure:

Download

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Agency Question

Background Knowledge for Agency

Real World Application in Agency

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Agency Questions

Related Concepts

Agency Relationship

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.

Agency Termination

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

Confidentiality Duty

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?

People Also Study

Buyer Representation Agreement

8% of exam

Property Ownership

10% of exam

Land Use Controls and Regulations

8% of exam

Valuation and Market Analysis

10% of exam

Real Estate Exam Practice Questions by Topic (2026): Free Sets for Contracts, Agency, Financing

Get topic-based real estate exam practice sets and a simple sequence to move from learning to timed mocks.

Real Estate Exam Topics (2026): High-Yield Areas + Common Traps (Contracts, Agency, Financing, Fair Housing)

Learn the highest-frequency real estate exam topics and the traps that cause most wrong answers—plus how to study them.

Real Estate Exam Agency & Fiduciary Duties (2026): Scenarios + Practice Questions

Master agency relationships and fiduciary duties using scenario patterns and practice questions built for exam wording.

Agency Questions

Delaware requires agency disclosure:

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Agency Question

Background Knowledge for Agency

Real World Application in Agency

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Agency Questions

Related Topics & Key Terms

Related Concepts

More Agency Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions