What notice must be provided at the first personal meeting with a client?

At the first personal meeting with a client, it is mandatory to disclose the agency relationship. This requirement is grounded in Massachusetts real estate law, which aims to ensure that clients are informed about the nature of the relationship they are entering into with their real estate agent. This disclosure serves to clarify whether the agent is representing the buyer, the seller, or acting as a dual agent, where applicable.

Understanding the agency relationship is essential as it influences the obligations and responsibilities of the agent towards the client. By disclosing this relationship early on, the agent fosters transparency and builds trust, which are critical in any real estate transaction. Clients need to know who is advocating for them and what duties the agent is legally bound to perform. This preemptive measure protects both parties and sets a firm foundation for the working relationship.

The other options, while potentially important at various points in the real estate process, do not carry the same immediate necessity as the agency relationship disclosure at the initial meeting. For instance, discussing fees or property listings can be addressed later as the relationship develops, and a client's credit history is typically a more personal matter that arises at specific points in the buying process.