Question 69

The agent should instruct the seller to issue the check to the agent's broker.

In this situation, the agent must ensure that any bonus received from the seller is processed correctly and in compliance with real estate regulations. Therefore, the appropriate action is to instruct the seller to issue the check to the agent's broker, as this aligns with industry standards.

A) immediately deposit the check in a savings account.

This option is incorrect because the agent should not personally deposit the bonus check. Real estate commissions and bonuses should be handled through the broker's account to ensure proper accounting and compliance with legal obligations.

B) instruct the seller to issue the check to the agent's broker.

This is the correct option. The agent must direct the seller to issue the check to the broker to maintain compliance with real estate regulations, ensuring that the broker receives the funds and can distribute any owed commissions or bonuses according to the established agreements.

C) cash the check and give the broker a share of the bonus.

Cashing the check personally is not advisable as it bypasses the broker's authority and could lead to legal and ethical issues. Bonuses should be processed through the broker to ensure transparency and proper record-keeping.

D) instruct seller that bonuses should be in the form of an electronic transfer.

While suggesting electronic transfers can be a good practice, this option does not address the immediate situation regarding the already issued check. The agent should focus on having the check redirected to the broker rather than changing the payment method post-issuance.

Conclusion

Option B is the definitive correct answer as it ensures compliance with real estate practices by involving the broker in the transaction. The other options either misrepresent the handling of the bonus check or fail to align with regulatory requirements, making them unsuitable in this context.