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If a broker deliberately misleads a buyer about the property boundary lines, is he guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation?

a) Yes
b) No, the broker is within his authority.
c) No, because the property lines are not significant to the purchase of property.
d) No, the buyer should have had the property surveyed.

User Megkadams
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Yes, a broker who deliberately misleads a buyer about property boundary lines is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation. Boundary lines are significant to the purchase of property, and the broker has a duty to provide accurate information.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a broker deliberately misleads a buyer about the property boundary lines, he is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation. The duty of a broker includes providing accurate information regarding significant aspects of the property being sold, which certainly includes the property boundary lines. This is especially true in regions using the metes and bounds system of land division where boundary lines can be irregular and confusing.

Deliberate misinformation about property boundaries can lead to legal disputes, financial loss, and can undermine the integrity of a real estate transaction. It is critically important for buyers to be able to rely on the representations of professional brokers. As such, if a broker knowingly misrepresents any vital facts about a property, like its boundaries, it constitutes real estate fraud and could be grounds for both civil and criminal penalties.

User Ddbeck
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