Chapter 5 Agency Relationships Flashcards
fiduciary relationship
between the agent and the principal. A fiduciary relationship implies a position of trust or confidence. The agent is in a position of trust or confidence with the principal and owes the principal certain fiduciary
special agent
employed to perform a specific task
general agent
A real estate broker, for example, who has a contract is a special agent authorized to perform certain acts for a specified time
special power of attorney
authorizes the agent to do certain specific acts.
general power of attorney
allows the agent to transact all the business of the principal. The agent is then known as an attorney-in-fact.
subagent
is a broker delegated by the listing agent (if authorized by the seller) who represents the seller in finding a buyer for the listed property.
dual agent
A broker can legally be the agent of both the seller and the buyer in a transaction, but the broker must have the informed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer
cooperating broker
a selling agent who assists another broker by finding a buyer. A cooperating broker participates in the multiple listing service (MLS), and finds a buyer for a property listed in MLS. A cooperating broker may represent either the seller or the buyer.
Agency Relationship Disclosure Act
became effective in an attempt to clarify the agency relationships among sellers, agents, and buyers. It applies to every residential property transaction of one-to-four units. The law requires that an agent supply a written document, called Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships, explaining the nature of agency
Steps in the Disclosure Process DEC
- Disclose
- Elect
- Confirm
Who Presents a Written Disclosure
- Listing agent (or his or her sales associate) must deliver the form to the seller before entering into a listing agreement.
- Selling agent (who may also be the listing agent) must provide the form to the buyer before the buyer makes an offer to purchase.
- Selling agent (if different from the listing agent) must provide the form to the seller before the offer to purchase is accepted.
Basic Requirements of the Agent in the Disclosure of Agency
- A fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty, and loyalty in dealings with the agent’s principal
- Reasonable skill and care in performance of agent’s duties
- A duty of honesty, fair dealing, and good faith
- A duty to disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of the property not known to the other parties
can an agency relationship be created with or without a written contract?
yes, its an agreement.. however, its not held held up in court though.
listing agreement
a contract in which the seller promises to pay a commission upon presentation of a ready, willing, and able buyer who meets all the terms of the listing
Ratification
means acceptance of an act already performed. Ratification of an agency relationship is created by approving acts after they are done. For example, a seller can accept an offer presented by a licensee and agree to pay a commission, even though no agency has been approved