EXAM QUESTIONS Flashcards
3 forms of representation in Virginia:
Which one is the 4th not included?
Standard agent, limited service agent, independent contractor.
Commercial agent
Standard Agent is
Has all duties of a standard agent defined in the Virginia Code (statute).
Standard Agent Duties are -
5 part
Duties: Represent client, assist in negotiations, assist in contract, account for money, fiduciary.
Most agents in Virginia are standard agents with all the statutory duties.
Don’t use the word full service agent. Standard agent has all the duties of the code.
Limited Service Agent is
One who is not a standard agent because only a limited number of agency duties provided.
Limited Service Agents must state…
3 part
Must state 1-acting as limited service agent 2) services to be provided and 3- not to be provided.
So it must state standard agent duties that WILL be provided and duties NOT to be provided.
Must advise client of required disclosures such as property disclosure form to provide to buyers
Independent Contractor is
Is a representative for client but is not the client’s agent.
Independent contractors provide…
Provides licensee services as stated in written agreement (e.g. MLS entry only, find a home, etc.)
Independent contractor is not an agent (no agency duties). A non-agency “representative”
Duties are based on the written agreement and licensee laws, not VA agency laws.
Must still be paid by broker. Must have written brokerage agreement.
Must still be honest, account for money and maintain confidentiality.
Dual agency in Virginia is when …
Represent both parties w/ written disclosure. Dual agency is legal in Virginia.
Limited assistance- Dual agent cannot be loyal to either party. Must still disclose and be honest.
Designated agency-
2 different agents from same firm represent the two parties. Broker is dual agent.
Broker, not agent, must make designation. Dual and designated require written consent of both parties.
How does a licensee serve a Unrepresented party (“customer”)-
Licensee may assist unrepresented person who is not his client.
“Ministerial acts” only for customer: Licensee assists customer to fill out contract and state facts.
One cannot provide advice or use discretion or judgment for the unrepresented customer.
Must still be honest and disclose known material adverse facts about property.
But primary responsibility is to your client, not the customer (who you do not represent).
You may show other homes to a customer and sign a buyer agreement for the other homes.
Does Virginia require a brokerage agreement?
What does it include (3 part)?
Virginia now requires a written brokerage agreement for buyers and tenants.
Must include: 1-services to be provided, 2-fees that may be due and 3-expiration date.
Virginia requires a brokerage agreement to be how long?
Expiration date must be in writing and a specific date (e.g. #of days or specific date)
If no expiration date stated, it expires in 90 days (but salesperson is in violation).
Disclosure of brokerage relationship happens at what time?
In what way?
This is where you talk to with an unrepresented party.
One must disclose who you represent upon “first substantive discussion” of specific real estate.
You may disclose orally but should put it in writing at the earliest practical time.
Example: Not required for open house visitor… until they ask specific real estate questions
Commission amount required in agreement must be…
Must be $ amount or % of sales price.
Net listing in Virginia is when?
Is it legal in Virginia?
(illegal)- Where seller “nets” anything over a certain price.
Listing Agreements must be…
Must be in writing. Must provide a copy of signed agreement to client.
Exclusive vs non Exclusive listings means…
Exclusive means you can only have one agent. Non-exclusive allows one to hire other agents
“Exclusive agency”-
If client finds buyer without broker’s help, no commission is due. Broker must be
“procuring cause” (the one who makes the deal happen) to receive the commission.
“Exclusive right” to sell or buy-
If the client does a deal without the broker, broker still gets a commission.
Broker automatically gets a commission if the sale occurs during the listing period.
Open listing-
Not exclusive. Client can hire multiple brokers. Not very common.
Advise client about disclosures-
5 total
Property disclosure (1-4 residential units), Megan's law (sex offender list) And other disclosures (if applicable)- lead-based paint, mold, defective drywall
Advise about Condo/POA docs (if applicable) to buyer that they can…
delivery and buyer’s 3 day right to cancel contract
How brokerage relationship can be terminated:
3 total
Agreement expires, mutual agreement or death of principal.
It is also terminated if client refuses to consent to disclosed dual agency.
No duties owed after termination EXCEPT:
1-account for money, 2-confidentiality
Duties owed to all clients-
3 part
perform per agreement, disclose material facts, assist w/ offers/contracts
Marketing activities duties are owed to
sellers/landlords
not required if home is under contract
Duties to seek property at acceptable price/terms is owed to
buyers/tenants
Independent contractor owes duties to client of…
Independent contractor (not an agent for the client) only needs to perform per agreement.
Your are required to disclose what about the property?
Only required to disclose material facts about the “physical condition” of the
property. This means the home or the property itself.
You are not required to disclose in Virginia:
Anything outside the property boundaries such as highways, railroads, or zoning changes, whether currently existing or planned in the future.
Two ways where licensee is not at fault for statements:
A license may rely on information if obtained from the government
or any Virginia licensed professional (unless it is known to be false)
Licensee may also rely on seller statements (unless the statements are known to be false).
Licensee must request advertising permission for-
4 total
Licensee must have permission regarding when to list a property if advertising allowed on
websites, whether to put a sign on property, if lockbox allowed. Permission can also be revoked anytime.
Who are Licensees-
brokers and salespersons
Principal broker-
person/company licensed to sell/lease properties. Responsible to salespersons.
Associate broker-
person working under a principal broker. May oversee a branch office.
Salesperson-
works under and on behalf of broker.
Listing agreements and buyer agreements belong to…
Listing agreements and buyer agreements are signed by and belong to the broker.
Property manager- Must be real estate licensee if
doing selling/leasing. Handles owner’s property.
What must licensee disclose in writing to buyers?
4part
Disclose most things and disclose in writing (material facts, property defects, brokerage relationship)
Licensees always must disclose material defects even if seller says not to disclose.
Disclosure needed refers to the “physical condition” of the property (land, home, improvements).
Licensee must disclose material adverse facts that are
actually known. There is no duty to discover.
“Physical condition” does not include-
anything outside the boundaries of the property.
When is no disclosure required from licensee to buyer?
3 part
Adjacent property, nearby highways, government land use regulations (buyer beware)
Stigmatized property that does not to be disclosed includes….
(4 part) +1 disclosure
murder, suicide, AIDS, haunted house. Do not disclose. (buyer beware)
Sex offender- Do not disclose. Provide buyer with Megan’s Law disclosure for buyer to check offender list.
All sellers 1-4 units are required to
provide form (even if no broker is involved)
If form not provided until after time of contract signing, the buyer can
terminate the contract by notice w/in 5
days of postmark or w/in 3 days of hand delivery, but before settlement or occupancy. Deposit refunded.
If the form is provided at or before contract signing, then
buyer has no right to terminate.
Who is exempt from property disclosures:
4 part
government sales, foreclosures, divorce sale, or co-owner sells to another co-owner
Licensee required to inform seller to provide the property disclosure to buyer. Only seller fills out the form.
Buyer is responsible to investigate:
2 part
Property condition, plus anything concerning adjacent properties.
Which areas is buyer responsible for investigating?
7 part
Historic district, Chesapeake Bay resource area, flood area, stormwater management area,
dam break area, in solar collection areas, district 15 (mining area).
Buyer must me given form about sex offenders in what form?
Buyer is given Megan’s Law form. Buyer’s responsibility to check sex offender list.
Seller/licensee still responsible to disclose certain items:
5 part
Defective drywall – Must disclose if actually known
Megan’s Law Disclosure Form-
Meth Lab Disclosure – if seller has actual knowledge
Septic System Validity Disclosure- Broker must disclose
Aircraft Noise /Potential Crash Area Disclosure- Owner must disclose
Defective drywall –
Must disclose if actually known
Megan’s Law Disclosure Form-
Disclose buyer/tenant should exercise due diligence regarding any sex
offenders by contacting police department or checking the sex offender website.
Meth Lab Disclosure –
if seller has actual knowledge property was used to make methamphetamine
Septic System Validity Disclosure-
Broker must disclose if owner’s septic system is failing or is operating under a waiver from the VA Board of Health. Must disclose that the waiver is non-transferrable. If not provided by
contract ratification, buyer may cancel w/in 3 days of hand-delivery or 5 days of mailing