Maryland licensee Brian is a dual agent representing both seller Donna and buyer Frank in the same transaction. Both parties have signed the MREC Consent for Dual Agency form. Frank confides to Brian that he has been approved for up to $520,000 but wants to start with an offer of $470,000. Donna later tells Brian she will not accept less than $490,000. What must Brian do with this information under Maryland dual agency law?
Correct Answer
D) Protect both parties' confidential information and facilitate the negotiation without revealing either party's confidential position to the other
Under Maryland's dual agency law, even with signed MREC Consent for Dual Agency forms, the dual agent must maintain confidentiality for both parties. Brian cannot disclose Frank's maximum approval of $520,000 to Donna, nor can he disclose Donna's minimum of $490,000 to Frank. His role is to facilitate the transaction without advocating for either party or using confidential information from one side to benefit the other. This is the core limitation of dual agency in Maryland.
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
The legal principle that holds a broker responsible for the actions of their agents and employees performed within the scope of the agency relationship.
An agency relationship created when a principal's actions or words lead a third party to reasonably believe that an agent has authority, and the principal fails to correct this belief.
An agency relationship created when a principal approves or accepts an agent's previously unauthorized actions, effectively granting authority after the fact.
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.