Chapter 3 - Agency & Practice of RE Flashcards
Who is the principal?
The principal delegates authority to the agent to represent the principals interest in the transaction (broker)
What does the broker do?
An agent who represents the interests of the principal (client), who agrees to let the broker exercise authority on behalf of the principal
What is the client?
The principal whom the agent is expected to give advice and counsel during time of agency
What is universal agency?
In writing, unlimited power of attorney to do anything the clients could do for themselves
What is general agency?
In writing, limited power of attorney or a general power of attorney. Gives authority to negotiate contracts and bind a client to a contract - but only within specially designated and limited areas
Property managers usually have this type of agency - which usually must be in writing
What is special agency?
Most common form of agency in RE. An agreement often in writing. The agent had all fiduciary duties, but not ability to bind client to anything
What is a sub-agent?
A person to who agency has been delegated, always by an agent who is responsible to the principal and with permission of the principal
Any agent of brokerage where duties are assigned
What are the 6 fiduciary responsibilities?
COLDAC
Care - put forth best efforts
Obedience - to client
Loyalty - loyal to client and his interests
Disclosure - info must reach client if significant (material facts) or if reasonable person would ask questions (duty of further inquiry)
Accountability - agent may receive money, property, or other things of value which belong to the client
Confidentiality - must keep info about which if disposed without client’s permission could hurt bargaining position
What is agency?
What’s clients duty towards the agent?
The fiduciary relationship between the agent and the principal
Duty of Indemnification - if agent suffers injury (most likely financial) while acting in the client’s behalf, the client must indemnify, or secure against the loss, the broker or agent
What is an agent’s duty to third parties?
Deal in a truthful and honest fashion and disclose all material facts which the agent knows about the property, or should know about the property or through the exercise of reasonable due diligence
What is single agency?
Typical agency used in RE. One agent represents the seller and another agent represents the buyer
What is dual agency?
Multiple party representation
A situation where the agent represents the buyer and the seller. Allows the agent to receive commission from both sides of the transaction
What are the conflicts of interest in dual agency?
- Sellers wanting higher price and buyers wanting lowest price
- Sellers giving “bottom dollar” and buyers giving “top dollar”
Buyer and seller will need to agree in writing to the dual agency representation
What is an assigned or designated agency?
When a broker “designate” agents to represent clients. Gets around dual agency but keeps representation in-house
What is an agent’s responsibilities relative to environmental hazards?
Agents are required by federal law to disclose the following hazards:
- lead-based paint
- presence of mold
- asbestos
- radon gas
- toxic-waste dumping
- underground storage tanks
- contaminated soil or water
- nearby chemical or nuclear facilities
Opinion vs fact
Statements of fact are always permissible if true, opinion is permissible if there is no intent to deceive
What is puffing or puffery?
Exaggeration of a property’s benefits and is legal because it’s based on opinions
Agents must make sure the comments are not treated as fraudulent
What is fraud?
Intentional use of deceit or dishonest means to take money, property, or a legal right
What is negligent misrepresentation?
When an agent should have known a statement about a material fact was false. Lack of knowledge is no excuse and can be sued.
Difference between this and fraud is intent
What are categories of facts that a seller must disclose?
- Material construction defects
- patent defects - accessible, un-hidden, visible defects
- latent defects - defects not visible. If known, seller must reveal
- violation of building codes
Does “as is” mean buyer beware?
It does not absolve all responsibility relative to defects
What is a stigmatized property?
When a negative event happened in the local area. Such as:
- a death or homicide
- illegal drug manufacturing
- gang activity
- a suicide
- a sec offender living in the area
If an agent doesn’t know, he should seek legal counsel