Under what circumstances can a homeowner file for damages against their real estate agent?

A homeowner can file for damages against their real estate agent when there’s a breach of fiduciary duty or a failure to uphold the standard of care. Real estate agents have specific legal obligations to their clients, which include acting in their best interests, providing accurate information, and exercising the level of care and diligence expected in their profession. If an agent fails to meet these obligations, and as a result, the homeowner suffers a loss, they may have grounds for a legal claim seeking damages.

For instance, if an agent lies about the condition of a property or fails to disclose significant issues that could affect the sale, this can constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. This principle ensures that agents maintain a trust-based relationship with their clients, which is critical for protecting the homeowner's interests.

In contrast, feeling misled by marketing strategies may not always translate into a legal claim, as those strategies can often be subjective and not necessarily constitute a breach of duty. Selling a property below market value is not inherently a cause for action against an agent unless it can be shown that the agent did not perform their duties competently or ethically. Similarly, a homeowner's preference for a different agent does not provide a legal basis for damages, as it may simply reflect