45. A licensee has an exclusive buyer agency agreement in place. The buyer signs a contract to purchase through a different licensee at an open house. Because of the buyer's agency agreement, which of the following is true?
Answer: C
The original buyer’s agent is owed commission according to the agreement.
The buyer's exclusive agency agreement ensures that the original buyer's agent is entitled to a commission, regardless of the buyer's decision to sign a contract with a different licensee at an open house.
A) The seller’s listing broker owes the buyer’s agent a commission
This statement is incorrect because the seller’s listing broker is not obligated to pay the buyer’s agent a commission unless specified in a separate agreement. The buyer's agency agreement primarily affects the relationship between the buyer and their agent.
B) The seller’s listing broker owes the listing agent and the buyer’s agent a shared commission
This option is also incorrect. While commissions may be shared in certain circumstances, the situation described does not automatically grant the seller’s listing broker the responsibility to share commissions with the buyer's agent, especially when the buyer has an existing exclusive agreement.
C) The original buyer’s agent is owed commission according to the agreement
This statement is correct because the buyer's exclusive agency agreement legally binds the buyer to compensate the original agent for their services, regardless of any other contracts signed afterward. This ensures that the buyer's agent is compensated for their efforts in representing the buyer.
D) The original buyer’s agent is entitled to no commission
This option is incorrect. The buyer's exclusive agency agreement protects the buyer’s agent's right to commission, meaning the buyer's agent is entitled to compensation for their service, even if the buyer chooses to work with another licensee.
Conclusion
The correct answer, C, is based on the legal obligations established in the exclusive buyer agency agreement, which guarantees the original buyer's agent a commission. Other options fail because they misrepresent the nature of the agreements and obligations between the agents involved. The buyer's choice does not negate the contractual relationship established with the original agent.