Acting as a dual agent in New York, an agent has presented a below-asking-price offer that the seller rejected. The seller then asks the agent what the buyer's maximum budget is. How should the dual agent respond?
Correct Answer
B) Decline to disclose the buyer's financial capacity, but offer to convey a counteroffer to the buyer
A dual agent in New York may not disclose one party's confidential financial information — such as the buyer's maximum budget — to the other party without express consent. However, the dual agent retains the ability to facilitate the negotiation process, including transmitting counteroffers. Declining to reveal confidential information while continuing to assist with the mechanics of negotiation is the correct balance of a dual agent's duties.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
The legal principle that holds a broker responsible for the actions of their agents and employees performed within the scope of the agency relationship.
An agency relationship created when a principal's actions or words lead a third party to reasonably believe that an agent has authority, and the principal fails to correct this belief.
An agency relationship created when a principal approves or accepts an agent's previously unauthorized actions, effectively granting authority after the fact.
More Agency Relationships Disclosures Questions
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Under New York law, what is dual agency?
What document must be provided to both parties before a New York broker can act as a dual agent?
Agent Michelle meets first-time homebuyer Tony at her brokerage's office in Albany. Tony asks about the difference between condos and co-ops in the area. What must Michelle do before explaining these property types?
Which of the following most accurately describes the content required in the agency disclosure form under NY Real Property Law §443?
- → Under New York's agency disclosure law, which of the following constitutes 'first substantive contact' that would trigger the disclosure requirement?
- → Under NY Real Property Law §443, at what point must a real estate agent provide the agency disclosure form to a prospective buyer during an initial property visit?
- → A seller's agent learns that a comparable property nearby recently sold for significantly below the seller client's asking price after a deal collapsed. The seller has not yet asked about recent comparable sales. What is the agent's obligation regarding this information?
- → Under New York's Property Condition Disclosure Act, a seller who chooses not to complete and deliver a Property Condition Disclosure Statement to the buyer must do which of the following?
- → A New York licensee is acting as a dual agent and receives simultaneous offers on the listed property from two different buyers, both of whom the agent also represents. Which obligation is most specifically implicated by the dual agency relationship in this situation?
- → A seller in Utica is selling residential real property to a buyer. The seller does not wish to complete the New York Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS) and asks the listing agent how the seller's obligations changed after the March 20, 2024 amendments to NY Real Property Law §§ 462 and 465. Which of the following best describes current New York law?
- → In a New York disclosed dual agency transaction, the seller asks the dual agent: 'What is the lowest price I should accept for this property?' How must the dual agent respond?
- → In New York, what happens if a broker acts as a dual agent without obtaining proper written consent from both parties?
- → In New York real estate law, what is dual agency?
- → In New York, what form of consent is required for dual agency?
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