Ethics in Real Estate Practice

Comprehensive ethics training covering fiduciary duties in agency relationships, disclosure obligations, Fair Housing Act compliance, ADA requirements, conflicts of interest, trust account management, and real disciplinary case studies.

8 Units

20 minutes per unit

Curriculum Map

What You Will Learn

Agency & Fiduciary Duties

Navigate the ethical obligations of seller's agents, buyer's agents, dual agents, and transaction brokers — with state commission enforcement examples.

Fair Housing & ADA

Protected classes, prohibited conduct, reasonable accommodations, and the enforcement consequences of violations.

Trust Accounts & Enforcement

Escrow management requirements, commingling prohibitions, and real case studies of disciplinary actions and license revocations.

All Units

20 minutes

Fiduciary Duties in Agency Relationships

Examines the legal framework of agency relationships in real estate, the fiduciary duties owed under each model, and the disclosure requirements that govern their formation and operation.

•Distinguish between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agency, and transaction broker relationships
•Identify the fiduciary duties owed under each agency type and their legal foundations
•Analyze when agency disclosure obligations are triggered and the consequences of non-disclosure

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20 minutes

Disclosure Obligations: Material Facts, Defects, and Hazards

Examines the legal framework for disclosure obligations in real estate, including material facts, latent defects, stigmatized properties, and environmental hazards, with emphasis on statutory requirements and case law.

•Define material facts and distinguish between patent and latent defects in real estate transactions
•Identify disclosure obligations for stigmatized properties and psychological impacts under state law
•Analyze environmental hazard disclosure requirements including lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, and mold

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20 minutes

Fair Housing Act and Protected Classes

Examines the Fair Housing Act's protected classes, prohibited practices including steering and blockbusting, advertising compliance, and enforcement mechanisms through HUD and state agencies.

•Identify the seven federally protected classes under the Fair Housing Act and additional state-level protections
•Recognize steering, blockbusting, discriminatory advertising, and other prohibited practices
•Analyze scenario-based Fair Housing compliance questions using HUD guidance and case law

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20 minutes

ADA Compliance in Real Estate Practice

Examines the Americans with Disabilities Act's application to real estate practice, including public accommodation requirements, service animal policies, website accessibility, and new construction standards.

•Identify which properties and transactions are subject to ADA Title III public accommodation requirements
•Distinguish between reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act and accessibility requirements under the ADA
•Analyze service animal policies, website accessibility, and new construction standards under ADA and FHA

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20 minutes

Conflicts of Interest: Self-Dealing and Undisclosed Compensation

Examines conflicts of interest in real estate practice, including self-dealing, undisclosed compensation, referral fees, and RESPA compliance, with emphasis on disclosure requirements and enforcement actions.

•Identify situations that create conflicts of interest in real estate transactions and the disclosure obligations they trigger
•Distinguish between permissible and prohibited self-dealing, dual compensation, and referral fee arrangements
•Analyze RESPA Section 8 prohibitions on kickbacks and unearned fees in real estate settlements

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20 minutes

Trust Account Management and Escrow Violations

Examines trust account obligations for real estate licensees, including commingling and conversion prohibitions, recordkeeping requirements, reconciliation procedures, and enforcement actions for violations.

•Identify the requirements for establishing and maintaining real estate trust accounts under state law
•Distinguish between commingling, conversion, and other trust account violations and their consequences
•Analyze recordkeeping requirements, reconciliation procedures, and audit compliance obligations

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20 minutes

Advertising Ethics: Misrepresentation and Social Media Compliance

Examines ethical and legal requirements for real estate advertising, including the distinction between puffery and misrepresentation, mandatory disclosures, and social media compliance under FTC and state law.

•Distinguish between permissible puffery and actionable misrepresentation in real estate advertising
•Identify disclosure requirements for team names, designations, and broker affiliation in advertising
•Analyze social media compliance obligations including testimonials, endorsements, and sponsored content under FTC and state regulations

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20 minutes

Enforcement and Discipline: Investigations and Case Studies

Examines the enforcement and disciplinary process for real estate licensees, including grounds for action, investigation procedures, sanctions, and real-world case studies illustrating common violations.

•Identify the grounds for disciplinary action under state real estate licensing laws and the investigative process
•Distinguish between administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement mechanisms and their respective remedies
•Analyze real-world disciplinary cases to understand common violations and their consequences

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