Final answer:
A secretary in a real estate office can answer phone calls and take messages legally without a real estate license, as this is considered a clerical or office duty.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person working as a secretary in a real estate office does not need a real estate license for certain administrative tasks. Among the options provided:
- The secretary can legally answer phone calls and take messages.
- Drafting legal contracts for property transactions usually requires a real estate license and legal knowledge, hence, a secretary without a license should not perform this function.
- Conducting property inspections typically requires a real estate license or other specialized knowledge.
- Negotiating real estate deals on behalf of clients is a licensed activity and can only be performed by licensed real estate agents or brokers.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) Answering phone calls and taking messages, which falls under clerical or office duties and does not require a real estate license.