What is a real estate agent's responsibility regarding unauthorized signs on properties?

A real estate agent's responsibility regarding unauthorized signs on properties primarily involves ensuring that the seller has given proper permission before placing any signage. This due diligence is essential because unauthorized signs can lead to legal issues, conflicts with property rights, and can reflect poorly on the agent’s professionalism and credibility.

Before proceeding with any signage, it is crucial for the agent to communicate with the property owner to secure explicit consent, thereby adhering to ethical practices and applicable laws within the local real estate market. This responsibility helps maintain the integrity of the real estate transaction and fosters trust between the agent and the seller.

In the context of other options, while removing unauthorized signs may seem like a straightforward approach, it overlooks the need for prior permission from the seller. Similarly, notifying authorities might be necessary in some cases, but it isn't the primary responsibility when dealing with signs placed without authorization. Ignoring unauthorized signs altogether disregards the professional obligation to manage the property actively and uphold the agent’s duties to the client.