Final answer:
The item that does not need to be retained in the sales files is the copy of earnest money check.
Step-by-step explanation:
The item that does not need to be retained in the sales files is the copy of earnest money check.
While the other options mentioned - lead-based paint disclosure, disclosure of brokerage relationship, and deed - are important documents that need to be retained for record-keeping and legal purposes, the copy of the earnest money check is not essential to keep in the sales files.
Lead-based paint disclosures are required for properties built before 1978 to inform buyers about potential lead hazards. Disclosure of brokerage relationship is required to establish the relationship between the real estate agent and the buyer/seller. A deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer.