What constitutes a violation of fiduciary duty in real estate?

A violation of fiduciary duty in real estate primarily involves the breach of trust and loyalty that an agent owes to their client. Disclosing confidential information without consent is a clear breach of this fiduciary duty. Agents are obligated to keep their clients' sensitive information private, unless consent is given to disclose it. Such confidentiality is fundamental to maintaining the trust necessary for a successful agent-client relationship.

When an agent discloses confidential information, it not only undermines the client's trust but can also lead to adverse consequences for the client, potentially affecting negotiations or harming their standing in other transactions. This breach of duty demonstrates a lack of respect for the agent's obligation to act in the best interests of the client.

In contrast, failing to provide required disclosures, not closing deals on time, and failing to attend client meetings, while possibly indicative of poor service or negligence, do not directly equate to a violation of fiduciary duty in the same way that breaching confidentiality does. Fiduciary duties specifically revolve around loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, and reasonable care. Therefore, disclosing confidential information stands out as a significant breach of these critical fiduciary principles.