If a seller wants to keep their lowest acceptable price confidential, how should the agent respond?

When a seller wishes to keep their lowest acceptable price confidential, the agent should maintain that confidentiality as agreed. This is crucial for preserving the seller's negotiating position and protecting their interests. By keeping this information private, the agent ensures that potential buyers do not leverage knowledge of the seller's minimum price against them, which could weaken the seller's ability to negotiate effectively.

In real estate transactions, confidentiality is a fundamental principle of agency. An agent has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of their client, which includes safeguarding sensitive information. Maintaining confidentiality also builds trust between the agent and the seller, ensuring that the seller feels secure in their dealings.

Choosing to disclose the price to potential buyers could undermine the seller’s strategy and potentially result in a less favorable deal. Negotiating with buyers to reveal the price would misalign with the agent's duty to protect the seller's interests. Publicly advertising the minimum price would not only breach confidentiality but also compromise the seller's negotiating power, placing them at a disadvantage in discussions with buyers. Thus, upholding confidentiality is the agent's responsibility in this scenario.