EstatePass
AgencyFiduciary_dutiesHARD

New Jersey broker-salesperson Hana is representing buyer couple the Lees. The Lees find a property listed by Hana's own supervising broker. The supervising broker informs Hana that he will act as the dual agent and that Hana will be the Lees' designated agent. The Lees have signed a written designated agency consent. Hana later learns from the supervising broker that the seller is going through a divorce and is under pressure to sell quickly. Under New Jersey designated agency rules, what should Hana do with this information?

Correct Answer

B) Keep the information confidential from the Lees because it was shared by the broker in his capacity as the seller's agent, and designated agency information barriers apply

This is a nuanced designated agency situation. In New Jersey's designated agency framework, the supervising broker acting as dual agent is subject to information barrier obligations. When the broker shared the seller's confidential information (the divorce and financial pressure) with Hana, he did so in his capacity as the seller's agent. The information barrier that is a core feature of designated agency is designed to prevent exactly this kind of cross-contamination of confidential client information. Hana should recognize that this information is the seller's confidential information that came through the dual-agent broker, and she should not disclose it to the Lees. Disclosing it would breach the seller's confidentiality rights and undermine the integrity of the designated agency structure. Hana should instead advise the Lees to conduct their own due diligence and make competitive offers based on market conditions.

Answer Options
A
Disclose the seller's divorce and financial pressure to the Lees immediately, because her duty of disclosure to the Lees overrides all other considerations
B
Keep the information confidential from the Lees because it was shared by the broker in his capacity as the seller's agent, and designated agency information barriers apply
C
Disclose the information only if the Lees ask directly whether the seller has any motivation to sell quickly
D
Withdraw from the designated agency arrangement and report the broker's disclosure to the NJREC as a conflict of interest

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Agency Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Agency

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Agency

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Agency Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

fiduciary_dutiesdesignated_agencyinformation_barrierconfidentialitydual_agencybroker_salespersonexpert_trap

Related Concepts

An agency relationship where the agent agrees to act on behalf of the principal without receiving compensation.

An agency relationship created by the conduct or actions of the parties rather than by a written or oral agreement.

The legal obligation to reveal information that could affect a party's decision to enter into or the terms of a real estate transaction.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Agency Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Agency Questions

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing