Broker Paul at Boston Home Realty has been representing seller Chen in the sale of a single-family home listed at $650,000. A buyer, Angela, who has no representation, approaches Paul directly and wants to make an offer. Paul explains the dual agency situation and obtains written consent from both Chen and Angela. During negotiations, Angela confides to Paul that she is willing to pay up to $680,000 for the property. What must Paul do with this information?
Correct Answer
B) Paul must keep Angela's maximum price confidential and not disclose it to Chen
Under 254 CMR 3.00 and Massachusetts dual agency rules, a dual agent must protect each party's confidential information. Angela's maximum willingness to pay is confidential information that, if disclosed to Chen, would harm Angela's negotiating position. Even in a dual agency relationship with written consent, Paul cannot disclose this information to the seller. This is one of the core limitations of dual agency.
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
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
In real estate, a client is someone to whom the agent owes fiduciary duties through an agency relationship, while a customer is a third party to whom the agent owes only honesty and fair dealing.
An arrangement where a brokerage assigns separate agents within the firm to represent the buyer and seller in the same transaction, allowing each client to have dedicated representation.
A situation where a single agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction.
More Agency Questions
For the Wyoming salesperson state portion, the membership of the Wyoming Real Estate Commission is tested. Which statement is correct?
A Wyoming licensee is reviewing a Commission appointment is reviewed for licensee-experience requirements. What is the best answer?
A West Virginia salesperson is asked about a WV licensee fails to disclose on the Commission agency relationship form whether the licensee represents the seller, buyer, or both. What is the best answer?
In West Virginia, a WV licensee fails to disclose on the Commission agency relationship form whether the licensee represents the seller, buyer, or both. Which statement is correct?
In Vermont, a licensee owes fiduciary duties to a client. Which statement is correct?
- → A Vermont licensee is asked about a designated agency firm appoints separate agents for buyer and seller. What is the best answer?
- → In Vermont, a licensee has substantial contact with an unrepresented person before a showing. Which statement is correct?
- → In Vermont, a firm has not elected designated agency. Which statement is correct?
- → In Vermont, a designated agency firm appoints separate agents for buyer and seller. Which statement is correct?
- → A Vermont licensee is asked about a licensee has substantial contact with an unrepresented person before a showing. What is the best answer?
- → In Vermont, a seller receives another offer before closing. Which statement is correct?
- → In Vermont, a designated agency firm appoints or changes a designated agent. Which statement is correct?
- → A Vermont licensee is asked about a firm has not elected designated agency. What is the best answer?
- → In Vermont, a brokerage hosts an open house for unrepresented visitors. Which statement is correct?
- → In Vermont, a licensee buys or sells property on the licensee's own account. Which statement is correct?
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
Related Articles
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.