A Pennsylvania buyer's agent is working with a client who has been preapproved for a $400,000 mortgage. The buyer asks the agent to tell the listing agent that the buyer is preapproved for only $350,000 to strengthen the negotiating position. What should the agent do?
Correct Answer
C) Decline the request because making a false statement to the listing agent would violate the agent's duty of honesty
Under Pennsylvania law, while the buyer's agent owes a duty of obedience to the buyer, this duty does not extend to carrying out unlawful or unethical instructions. Making a false representation about the buyer's financial qualifications would violate the agent's duty of honesty owed to all parties. The agent should decline the request and explain why.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
The extent of power and actions an agent is authorized to perform on behalf of the principal, as defined by the agency agreement.
The fiduciary obligations owed by a listing agent to the seller, including marketing the property, presenting all offers, and protecting the seller's confidential information.
A practice where the agent or brokerage represents only one party in a transaction — either the buyer or the seller, but never both.
More Pa Agency Consumer Notice Questions
In Pennsylvania, a seller hires a listing agent to sell their home. The listing agent has a duty to keep certain information confidential from prospective buyers. Which of the following is information the listing agent must keep confidential?
Which of the following agency relationship types is unique to Pennsylvania and described in the Consumer Notice?
A Pennsylvania licensee acting as a buyer's agent receives a call from the seller's agent informing her that the seller has received another offer. The buyer's agent's client has not yet submitted an offer. What is the buyer's agent's obligation?
A seller in York County, Pennsylvania, lists a property with Agent Brown. A buyer contacts Agent Brown directly to view the property without having their own agent. Agent Brown provides the Consumer Notice and explains the available options. If the buyer chooses not to sign a buyer representation agreement and proceeds without their own agent, what is Agent Brown's relationship to the buyer?
A Pennsylvania buyer asks her agent, 'What's the difference between you being my buyer's agent and you being a transaction licensee?' Which of the following is the most accurate comparison?
- → A Pennsylvania buyer's agent receives a deposit check from the buyer to accompany an offer. Under PA law, what must the agent do with the deposit?
- → In Pennsylvania, a buyer's agent shows a home to a client. After touring the property, the buyer asks the agent for the agent's personal opinion about whether the home is a good investment. What is the most appropriate response?
- → A Pennsylvania buyer's agent is showing a property to a client. The buyer asks, 'Is this a safe neighborhood?' What is the most appropriate response under PA law?
- → A Pennsylvania buyer's agent is representing a client who is also a close personal friend. The friend asks the agent to represent them for free. What agency law considerations apply?
- → A Pennsylvania licensee named Derek assists a buyer at an open house who later purchases the property. During an SREC audit, the auditor asks Derek for documentation proving he provided the Consumer Notice. Derek cannot find the Consumer Notice for this buyer. Which of the following best describes Derek's situation?
- → Patricia, a Pennsylvania licensee, is at a community event when a friend's colleague asks her about the current real estate market. The conversation progresses, and the colleague says, 'My lease is up in three months — I need to find a rental property in Scranton.' Patricia begins discussing available rental listings. What is Patricia's Consumer Notice obligation in this situation?
- → A Pennsylvania brokerage uses designated agency. The designated buyer's agent discovers that the property's zoning is being changed by the municipality, which would significantly increase the property's value for commercial use. The seller is unaware of this pending zoning change. What is the buyer's designated agent's obligation?
- → In a Pennsylvania designated agency transaction, the buyer's designated agent discovers through a title search that the property has an unrecorded easement that could affect the buyer's planned renovation. The seller's designated agent is unaware of this easement. What should the buyer's designated agent do?
- → A Pennsylvania brokerage uses designated agency in a transaction. After the agreement of sale is signed, the seller's designated agent leaves the brokerage for a different company. What should happen with the designated agency arrangement?
- → A Pennsylvania seller asks the listing agent how long the listing agreement will remain in effect. The agent explains that the duration is negotiable. Under PA law, which statement about listing agreement duration is correct?
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