Broker Teresa at Downeast Properties in Ellsworth, Maine has been representing seller Pete for six months. Before the property sells, buyer couple Ann and Bob approach Teresa and ask her to represent them in purchasing Pete's property. Teresa discloses the potential dual agency in writing, and both Pete and the buyers provide written consent. Under Maine law, which of the following duties does Teresa NOW owe to Ann and Bob that she did NOT owe them before they became her clients?
Correct Answer
A) Confidentiality of Ann and Bob's personal financial information
Before Ann and Bob became Teresa's clients, she owed them only the duties owed to customers — primarily honesty and disclosure of material property facts. Once they become clients in a dual agency relationship, Teresa owes them additional fiduciary duties, most notably confidentiality of their personal and financial information. This is a duty she did not owe them as mere customers. Note that in dual agency, the duty of exclusive loyalty is neutralized, but confidentiality of each party's information remains.
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
A practice where the agent or brokerage represents only one party in a transaction — either the buyer or the seller, but never both.
A relationship where a listing broker authorizes other brokers to act as agents of the seller, extending the seller's agency relationship to cooperating brokers.
A non-agency relationship where the broker facilitates a real estate transaction without representing either party, owing limited duties of honesty, fairness, and competence to both.
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.