What is a key difference in the duty of care owed to clients versus customers?

The key difference in the duty of care owed to clients versus customers lies in the nature and extent of the responsibility that real estate professionals have towards each group. When an agent is working with clients, they are expected to engage in a fiduciary relationship that encompasses comprehensive duties such as loyalty, full disclosure, confidentiality, and accounting. This means the agent must act in the best interest of the client and provide them with thorough information and advice regarding their transactions.

In contrast, the duty of care owed to customers is less intensive. While the agent must treat customers fairly and provide honest information, they do not hold the same fiduciary responsibilities. The agent's obligation to customers is typically limited to avoiding misrepresentation and providing accurate information without the deeper commitments required by the client relationship.

This distinction highlights the elevated level of trust and responsibility inherent in client-agent relationships compared to customer-agent interactions. As a result, the duty of care to clients involves a broader scope of actions and a higher standard of care.