Representing Licensee Expertise

REPRESENTING LICENSEE EXPERTISE 

Offering an opinion of title 

Offering a representation of value 

Misrepresentation of value 

Unauthorized practice of law 

Offering 

an opinion of title In Florida, real estate licensees are seen as experts in the field of real estate. Consequently, their clients rely on them to provide expert opinions. However, there are some opinions that licensees are not qualified or permitted to provide. For example, an opinion of title is to be provided by an attorney and not by a real estate licensee. The attorney will use the abstract of title to give an opinion of the condition and marketability of the property’s title. It is indeed an opinion and not a guarantee or proof of a clear title. 

Under Florida law, no one with a real estate license is allowed to give any opinion on the title to real estate. Instead, a Florida licensee is required to advise the property buyer to consult with an attorney or a title company for an opinion of title and/or to purchase title insurance. Licensees may obtain the opinion from an attorney and then provide information on the title to the buyer. 

If a real estate agent gives an opinion of title, this can be considered as the practice of law. The agent can then be charged with a third-degree felony for practicing law without a license. 

Offering a 

representation of 

value There are several ways to derive an opinion of a property’s value. Real estate licensees are qualified and permitted to perform comparative market analyses, broker price opinions, and opinions of value and then provide the resulting information to their buyers and sellers. They may not represent any of these methods as an appraisal, which is performed only by a licensed or certified appraiser. 

Opinions of value ae not subject to regulation nor required to follow any specific professional standards. As a result, licensees who are motivated to obtain a listing 96 Principles of Real Estate Practice in Florida 

may be led to distort the estimated value or price of the property. However, licensees must comply with their duty of honest and fair dealings with their customers and represent the value as accurately as possible with no exaggerations or misrepresentations. 

Misrepresentation 

of value Again, licensees have a duty to deal honestly and fairly with their customers and clients. They are required to disclose all known facts that materially affect the value of property even when the facts are not readily observable. Omitting a material fact may result in the value of the property being misrepresented. Other ways the value may be misrepresented include the following: 

 listing a lower value for the property so as to obtain a quick sale 

 overvaluing the property resulting in the buyer paying too much 

 misrepresenting the comparable properties to induce a buyer to offer higher than is justified 

 misrepresenting the square footage of the property 

Misrepresenting the property’s value can constitute fraud, breach of contract, or breach of trust and can result in lawsuits and disciplinary action against the licensee. When a buyer or seller is harmed because of the misrepresentation of value, his or her only real remedy is to file a lawsuit to either rescind the transaction or to seek financial recovery of damages. 

The injured party can sue the other party, the licensee, and the brokerage that employs the licensee. Even if the misrepresentation was a mistake, Florida law allows the offending party(ies) to be held liable for negligent misrepresentation. 

Unauthorized 

practice of law The Supreme Court of Florida established the Unlicensed Practice of Law (UPL) program to protect the public against harm caused by individuals practicing law without a law degree and license. The Florida Bar will investigate and take legal action against anyone practicing law without a license to do so. The unlicensed practice of law is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 5 years of probation, up to 5 years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, and restitution paid to the victim(s). 

Practicing law in Florida involves giving advice that requires the legal knowledge of someone who is licensed to practice law. Real estate law is complex, making it easy for innocent people to get hurt by licensees who give advice when they are not educated and licensed to do so. 

While licensees need to be familiar with real estate laws, at no time is the licensee allowed to give legal advice. It is common for clients to ask licensees legal questions, but answering those questions could result in the licensee being held liable if the answers are incorrect. 

Further, when completing contracts, such as a purchase contract, licensees must not make additions or modifications to the contract itself. To do so is considered the unlicensed practice of law.