Principles of Agency Flashcards
Agency Relationship
The relationship between broker & client
Law of Agency
A body of law that defines and regulates the legal roles of this relationship.
Principal
A client
Agent
A broker
Fiduciary
An agent that performs a desired service on the principal’s behalf
Customer
A third party in the transaction whom the agent does not represent. The agent works with this prospect in fulfilling the client’s objectives.
Types of Agency
Universal Agency
General Agency
Special, or limited agency
Universal Agency
the principal empowers the agent to perform any and all actions that may be legally delegated to an agency representative. The instrument of authorization is the power of attorney.
General Agency
the principal delegates to the agent ongoing tasks and duties within a particular business or enterprise. Such delegation may include the authority to enter into contracts.
Special or Limited Agency
the principal delegates authority to conduct a specific activity, after which the agency relationship terminates. In most cases, the special agent may not bind the principal to a contract.
Written or Oral Listing Agreement
The most common way of creating an agency relationship is by listing agreement, which may be oral or written. The agreement sets forth the various authorizations and duties, as well as requirements for compensation. A listing agreement establishes an agency for a specified transaction and has a stated expiration.
Implied Agency
An agency relationship can arise by implication, intentionally or unintentionally. Implication means that the parties act as if there were an agreement. For example, if an agent promises a buyer to do everything possible to find a property at the lowest possible price, and the buyer accepts the proposition, there may be an implied agency relationship even though there is no specific agreement. Even if the agent does not wish to establish an agency relationship, the agent’s actions may be construed to imply a relationship.
Terminating an agency relationship
Full performance of all obligations by the parties terminates an agency relationship. In addition, the parties may terminate the relationship at any time by mutual agreement. Thirdly, the agency relationship automatically terminates on the expiration date, whether the obligations were performed or not.
Involuntary Termination
An agency relationship may terminate contrary to the wishes of the parties by reason of:
- death or incapacity of either party
- abandonment by the agent
- condemnation or destruction of the property
- renunciation
- breach
- bankruptcy
- revocation of the agent’s license
Agent’s Duties to Clients
Skill, care, diligence, loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, accounting, full disclosure
Disclosure of Material Facts
- the agent’s opinion of the property’s condition
- information about the buyer’s motivations and financial qualifications
- discussions between agent and buyer regarding the possibility of the agent’s representing the buyer in another transaction.
- adverse material facts, including property condition, title defects, environmental hazards, and property defects
Agent Duties to Customer
- honesty and fair dealing
- reasonable care and skill
- proper disclosure
Intentional Misrepresentation
An agent may intentionally or unintentionally defraud a buyer by misrepresenting or concealing facts. While it is acceptable to promote the features of a property to a buyer or the virtues of a buyer to a seller, it is a fine line that divides promotion from misrepresentation.