Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN
Judy@JudithSutton.com 908 803-0472
EXPECT MORE
My Real Estate Fiduciary Duty
In every professional client relationship, buyer or seller, all real estate agents should be bound by “fiduciary duty”.
According to dictionary.com, fiduciary means “The law of or relating to the relationship of trust and good faith between a fiduciary and the person for whom the fiduciary acts.”
Fiduciary duty is “the obligation of undivided loyalty.” They are the highest level of duty in the realm of the law, so as real estate agents, it’s vital to fully understand what this means to you, my client.
Integrity
I often speak to my clients about the need for integrity as real estate agents, and when it comes to my fiduciary duty to my clients, it is even more paramount that I am an agent of integrity for the sake of the entire real estate industry.
Obedience
Real estate agents are expected to promptly and efficiently follow the laws set out by the real estate industry and the rules of their agent’s brokerage. This includes laws such as: fair housing and truthful property representation, among others. Should an agent fail to comply with the law, other dictates, and instructions, or they conduct themselves in ways that support unlawful activities; it could breach their duty of loyalty and result in serious legal consequences.
Loyalty
The duty of loyalty is one of the most important facets of fiduciary duty. It obligates the real estate agent to always act in the brokerage’s best interests. That excludes all other interests, even the agent’s or broker’s self-interest!
Disclosure
This one is fairly self-explanatory and means that the real estate agent is obligated to share all relevant and material information they know regarding the property, transaction, and everything else pertinent in the transaction. This duty to disclose is a part of the agent’s duty to treat all persons honestly and fairly and does not depend on the existence of a direct agency relationship.
Confidentiality
All real estate agents are obligated to protect their client’s confidence and secrets. The broker must protect any information that might weaken their bargaining position, should the other parties learn of it. This duty of confidentiality means that a broker representing a seller cannot tell the buyer that the seller can, or must, sell their property below the listed price, and those those representing the buyer cannot disclose to a seller that the buyer can and will pay more for a property than has been offered.
Accounting
All real estate agents must account for all monies and property belonging to the client entrusted to them. This includes money, deeds, and other important documents related to the transaction or their client’s affairs, particularly their finances.
Reasonable Care and Diligence
A certain standard of care is expected in the real estate industry, which goes back to being an agent of integrity and competency. All real estate agents are obligated to use reasonable care and diligence in their dealings with their clients and their affairs. This involves checking (and double-checking) such things as information about the property, ensuring the appraisal will be conducted and your clients get the paperwork promptly, scheduling the home inspection, and so on. Agents are obligated to use their superior skills and knowledge while working on behalf of the homeowner to investigate and confirm facts relating to the client’s affairs, as expected of someone in this role.
Real estate agents are licensed, and with that license comes the rightful expectation that the agent and broker have the skills, expertise, and attention to detail superior to the homeowners or anyone else not in the real estate industry.
By partnering with the Judith Sutton Team, clients immediately tap into a wealth of resources, knowledge, and support, making the real estate process smoother and more successful from the very first day.
By incorporating my personal attention and guidance into the marketing strategy I aim to provide you with
an Exceptional Selling Experience
while ensuring that your property receives the exposure needed
to attract buyers from anywhere
LIVE. LIFE. LOVE. LOCAL.
Your Local Real Estate Connection
Get a positive, helpful partner for buying or selling your home:
Trusted resource for answers about the process
Innovative marketing strategies
Expertise about neighborhood features
Ability to target home searches
Strong negotiation skills
Support through the closing and beyond
Why would you settle for anything less?
Adding value for my clients and loving where we live!
Judy@JudithSutton.com
COLDWELL BANKER...GUIDING PEOPLE HOME SINCE 1906
908 803-0472
"...the right relationship means everything..."
SERVING THE SOMERSET HILLS AREA ONE CLIENT AT A TIME
Service & Experience
since 1983