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Practice Of Real EstateState_specificHARD

Sandra is a qualifying broker in Albuquerque. Her associate broker, Tom, represents a seller of a rural property in Sandoval County. The property has a domestic well and the seller verbally tells Tom that the water rights 'come with the place.' Tom includes this statement in the marketing materials without independently verifying the water rights status with the Office of the State Engineer. The sale closes, and the buyer later discovers the water rights were previously severed and sold to a third party. Under New Mexico law and NMREC rules, which of the following best describes the liability exposure in this situation?

Correct Answer

B) Tom and Sandra may both face NMREC disciplinary action because Tom failed to verify a material fact and Sandra bears supervisory responsibility for Tom's conduct

Under NMAC Title 16, Chapter 61, New Mexico licensees have an affirmative duty to disclose material facts and to exercise reasonable care in verifying information before including it in marketing materials. Water rights status is a material fact in New Mexico, and Tom's failure to verify the water rights status with the Office of the State Engineer before marketing the property as including water rights constitutes a failure of professional duty. Furthermore, under NMSA 1978, Chapter 61, Article 29, the qualifying broker (Sandra) bears personal supervisory and legal responsibility for the professional conduct of all affiliated associate brokers. Sandra's failure to supervise Tom's handling of a material fact issue exposes her to NMREC disciplinary action as well. Both licensees face potential liability.

Answer Options
A
Only the seller bears liability because the seller made the original misrepresentation about the water rights
B
Tom and Sandra may both face NMREC disciplinary action because Tom failed to verify a material fact and Sandra bears supervisory responsibility for Tom's conduct
C
Tom alone is liable because as the listing broker he had direct contact with the seller and the buyer
D
No disciplinary action is possible because Tom relied in good faith on the seller's verbal statement, which shields both brokers from NMREC liability

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

qualifying_brokersupervisory_liabilitywater_rightsmaterial_factnmrec_disciplineassociate_brokerverification_duty

Related Concepts

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.

Broker supervision is the legal obligation of a designated or managing broker to oversee and be accountable for the real estate activities of all salespersons and associate brokers operating under their license.

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds, while conversion is the unauthorized use of client funds for the broker's own benefit. Both are serious violations that can result in license revocation.

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