Agent Roles and Obligations in Maryland 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When the buyer customer is not represented, the agent retains the obligation to uphold the interests of the seller. In this context, the agent's primary role is to represent the seller's interests, as they are typically working under a listing agreement with the seller. The absence of representation for the buyer does not alter the agent's fundamental duty to advocate for the seller's needs and priorities in the transaction.

In a situation where sub-agents are involved, the agent cannot shift their loyalties to the buyer customer simply because the buyer is unrepresented. The agent must continue to act in the best interests of the seller, maintaining their fiduciary responsibilities to the seller throughout the process.

The nature of agency relationships in real estate emphasizes the importance of clear representation. Options that suggest the agent represents the buyer or holds a dual agency role overlook the critical aspect that without an agreement to represent the buyer, the agent's loyalty defaults to the seller. Similarly, suggesting that the agent has no obligations disregards the legal and ethical responsibilities that continue to bind the agent to the seller's interests, even in the absence of a formalized buyer representation.