76. According to common-law fiduciary principles, a real estate licensee acting solely as a buyer's agent will not disclose any confidential information received from the
Answer: C
A real estate licensee acting solely as a buyer's agent will not disclose any confidential information received from the buyer.
In the context of common-law fiduciary principles, a real estate licensee has a duty to maintain the confidentiality of information obtained from their client. Therefore, when acting as a buyer's agent, the licensee must protect any confidential information received from the buyer.
A) seller.
This option is incorrect because, as a buyer's agent, the licensee is not obligated to keep the seller's information confidential. The fiduciary duty is primarily towards the buyer, meaning that the seller's information may be disclosed as it does not pertain to the agent's fiduciary obligation.
B) seller and buyer.
This option is incorrect as it implies that the licensee would not disclose confidential information from both parties. However, the licensee only owes a confidentiality duty to the buyer, not to the seller, which makes this statement misleading in the context of fiduciary duties.
C) buyer.
This option is correct because, under common-law fiduciary principles, a real estate licensee acting solely as a buyer's agent must safeguard the confidentiality of information received from the buyer. This obligation ensures that the buyer's trust is maintained and that their private matters are kept secure.
D) listing agent.
This option is incorrect as the listing agent is not the client of the buyer's agent and therefore does not have a claim to confidentiality in this context. The buyer's agent has no fiduciary duty to keep any information from the listing agent confidential.
Conclusion
The correct answer is option C, as it accurately reflects the fiduciary responsibility a real estate licensee has towards their client, the buyer. Options A, B, and D fail to recognize this obligation, while option C correctly identifies the necessity of maintaining confidentiality regarding the buyer's information. This distinction is crucial in understanding the ethical duties inherent in real estate practices.