Client A listed a small house with REALTOR^® B who obtained an offer to buy it and a deposit in the form of a check for $2,000. Client A agreed to accept the offer, then heard nothing from REALTOR^® B, the listing broker, for three weeks. At that time REALTOR^® B called him to say that the sale had fallen through and that the buyer's check had been returned by the bank marked "Not Sufficient Funds."

Client A complained to the local Board of REALTORS^® against REALTOR^® B charging him with dilatory and unprofessional conduct and apparent unfamiliarity with essential facts under laws governing procedures in real estate transactions.

At the hearing, it was established that two days after making the offer the buyer had refused to sign escrow instructions, and that REALTOR^® B had not deposited the buyer's check until ten days after receiving it.

REALTOR^® B's defense was that since the return of the check he had received numerous promises from the buyer that it would be made good, and that the buyer's reason for refusing to sign escrow instructions was to give the buyer's attorney time to read them. Questioning during the hearing established that the check had not been made good, the escrow instructions had not been signed, and that the delay had caused great inconvenience and possible loss to Client A.

Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 1, what do you think the hearing panel concluded? Show Answer