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Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingMEDIUM

A licensed real estate salesperson in Maryland is working with a seller who owns a single-family home and wants to sell it without accepting offers from buyers who receive public assistance. The seller claims he qualifies for the owner-exemption under Maryland law because he is not using a broker. Which of the following is most accurate?

Correct Answer

D) The seller loses any potential exemption by using a licensed real estate salesperson, and the restriction on public assistance recipients violates Maryland's source of income protection.

Under the Maryland Fair Housing Act, any potential owner-exemption for single-family home sales is lost the moment a licensed real estate professional is involved in the transaction. Additionally, Maryland adds source of income as a protected class under Md. Code Ann., State Gov't § 20-701 et seq., meaning a seller cannot refuse buyers based solely on their receipt of public assistance or housing vouchers. The salesperson cannot follow discriminatory instructions from the seller — doing so would expose both the salesperson and the broker to fair housing liability.

Answer Options
A
The salesperson may proceed but must document the seller's instructions in writing to limit personal liability.
B
The seller qualifies for the exemption because single-family home sales by owners are fully exempt from Maryland fair housing law.
C
The salesperson must follow the seller's instructions because the client's wishes take priority under Maryland agency law.
D
The seller loses any potential exemption by using a licensed real estate salesperson, and the restriction on public assistance recipients violates Maryland's source of income protection.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

fair_housingexemptionssource_of_incomelicensee_liabilityowner_exemptionmaryland_specific

Related Concepts

A trust account, also called an escrow account, is a separate bank account maintained by a broker to hold funds belonging to others, such as earnest money deposits, security deposits, or other client funds.

Advertising regulations govern how real estate licensees may market properties and services, requiring truthful, non-deceptive advertising that includes proper identification of the brokerage.

Antitrust violations in real estate occur when competing brokerages or agents engage in practices that restrain trade, reduce competition, or harm consumers through collusion. These violations are governed by the Sherman Antitrust Act and can result in severe penalties.

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