Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 3 Exam Practice

Can a salesperson directly contact a seller client of another brokerage to arrange a showing for that seller's property?

1. No. The salesperson must never contact the seller client of another brokerage under any circumstances.

2. Yes. But, this can only occur if the other brokerage gives written consent to do so.

3. Yes. There is no permission needed in order to contact the client of another brokerage.

4. Yes. But, only under specific circumstances, such as believing that direct contact would be in the buyer's best interests.

The correct answer is: Yes. But, this can only occur if the other brokerage gives written consent to do so.

The correct choice states that a salesperson must obtain written consent from the other brokerage prior to directly contacting a seller client of that brokerage. This requirement is grounded in the principle of respecting agency relationships and avoiding potential conflicts of interest. In real estate, a binding relationship exists between a seller and their brokerage, meaning the brokerage has a fiduciary duty to that seller. When a salesperson contacts a seller from another brokerage without permission, it can undermine the interests of the seller’s agent and disrupt the established client-agent relationship. By requiring written consent, this approach ensures that all parties are aware of the communication and that the integrity of the brokerage system is maintained. The other scenarios do not adhere as closely to the standards set forth within real estate ethics and practices. In the absence of written consent, direct contact could lead to misunderstandings or ethical breaches, which could impact the reputation and credibility of the salesperson and the brokerage they represent.