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Practice Of Real EstateState SpecificMEDIUM

An agent named Patricia is working with a seller whose property is located within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The seller has not mentioned the Critical Area status in the listing. A prospective buyer, Kevin, asks Patricia at an open house whether the property has any special environmental restrictions. Patricia is unsure of the exact details but knows the property is near the Bay. What should Patricia do?

Correct Answer

B) Disclose that the property is near the Chesapeake Bay and may be subject to Critical Area restrictions, and recommend that Kevin investigate further before making an offer.

Maryland real estate agents have a duty to disclose known material facts and to avoid making misrepresentations. Because Patricia knows the property is near the Chesapeake Bay and may be subject to Critical Area restrictions—a material fact affecting property use and value—she must disclose this possibility and recommend that Kevin investigate further. She should not speculate on the extent of restrictions, but she cannot remain silent when she has reason to believe a material condition exists. This approach satisfies her disclosure duty without overstating facts she has not confirmed.

Answer Options
A
Tell Kevin that the property has no environmental restrictions because she has not confirmed the specific details.
B
Disclose that the property is near the Chesapeake Bay and may be subject to Critical Area restrictions, and recommend that Kevin investigate further before making an offer.
C
Refuse to answer Kevin's question because environmental matters are outside the scope of a real estate agent's expertise.
D
Advise Kevin that Critical Area restrictions are minor and will not significantly affect his use of the property.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

chesapeake_baycritical_areadisclosure_obligationmaterial_factopen_housemisrepresentation

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