Under what circumstances can a real estate agent be deemed negligent?

A real estate agent can be deemed negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care in representing their client's interests. This standard requires agents to act with the level of skill, care, and diligence that is expected of a reasonably competent practitioner in the field. Negligence can arise from various scenarios, such as providing inadequate information about a property, misrepresenting facts, or neglecting to conduct necessary research that could affect the client's decision-making. It underscores the importance of professionalism and adherence to best practices in real estate transactions.

The other circumstances mentioned do not typically constitute negligence in the same way. Exceeding a commission rate may raise ethical or contractual concerns, but does not directly relate to the standard of care expected in representation. Working with multiple clients simultaneously is a common practice in real estate and does not inherently indicate negligence. Lastly, not following the latest market trends can affect an agent's effectiveness, but it does not automatically equate to a failure of reasonable care. Thus, failing to exercise reasonable care in representing client interests is the core basis for determining negligence among real estate agents.