Oregon 30-Hour Real Estate Law Practice Test

What is the primary responsibility of a real estate agent under their fiduciary duties?

1. To maximize their own commission

2. To adhere to legal guidelines

3. To represent the interests of their clients

4. To conduct market analysis

The correct answer is: To represent the interests of their clients

The primary responsibility of a real estate agent under their fiduciary duties is to represent the interests of their clients. This is a fundamental principle of fiduciary duty, which implies that the agent is obligated to act in the best interests of the client while providing loyalty, care, and full disclosure. This includes understanding the client's needs and goals, advocating for them in transactions, and ensuring that the client's rights and interests are safeguarded throughout the real estate process. While adhering to legal guidelines is essential for maintaining compliance and ethical standards, it is a component of the overall duties rather than the primary responsibility. Conducting market analysis is a valuable service that aids in informed decision-making for clients, but it also serves the broader goal of representation. Maximizing personal commission would be a conflict of interest and directly contradicts the fiduciary responsibility to prioritize the client's needs and welfare. Therefore, representing the client's interests is the crux of a real estate agent's fiduciary duty.