Licensee Rachel is working at a real estate brokerage open house. A couple, the Garcias, walk in and begin asking Rachel about the home's price, the school district, and whether the sellers would accept a lower offer. Rachel answers their questions but does not provide the agency disclosure pamphlet. Later, the Garcias decide to make an offer and ask Rachel to represent them as their buyer's agent. Which statement BEST describes Rachel's situation?

Correct Answer

B) Rachel violated RCW 18.86 by failing to provide the pamphlet at first substantive contact during the open house

Under RCW 18.86.030, Rachel was required to provide the agency disclosure pamphlet at first substantive contact with the Garcias. The conversation at the open house — discussing price, the school district, and the sellers' negotiating position — clearly constitutes substantive contact about a specific real estate transaction. By failing to provide the pamphlet at that point, Rachel violated RCW 18.86 regardless of the subsequent request for representation.