Max has a buyer looking for a house but hasn't signed a buyer-broker agreement. What should Max do regarding his professional obligation?

The correct response is to inform the buyer about his non-exclusive relationship. In the realm of real estate, it is crucial to establish clarity in the relationship between the agent and the client. Since Max has not signed a buyer-broker agreement, he does not have a formal fiduciary duty to the buyer. By acknowledging this non-exclusive status, Max maintains transparency, ensuring the buyer understands that he is not committed to exclusively representing them at this time.

This approach helps to establish trust and allows the buyer to understand their options moving forward. It also protects Max, as he ensures that the buyer is aware of the nature of their relationship without the binding commitment that an exclusive agreement would entail. Engaging in honest communication about his professional obligation is key in upholding ethical standards in the real estate industry.

Max could potentially help the buyer further by discussing the benefits of signing a buyer-broker agreement if the buyer decides they want to engage him as their dedicated agent, but it is essential to first clarify their current status.