DL/ Determining Material Facts from Latent Defects 161-1805

Material Facts & Latent Defects: Know What to Disclose and Stay Protected | Self-Paced Online CE

Understand Your Disclosure Obligations. Avoid Legal Trouble. Protect Your License.

3-Hour Maryland Continuing Education Elective Course | Category F – Professional Enhancements for Practicing Licensees | Self-Paced Online |

Failure to disclose material facts is the leading cause of legal action against REALTORS®, according to the National Association of REALTORS®—and it's the most common complaint filed with the Maryland Real Estate Commission. This Maryland continuing education elective course provides comprehensive training on material facts, latent defects, and confidential information, ensuring you know exactly what to disclose, when to disclose it, and how to protect yourself from costly legal issues.

Under Maryland law, real estate licensees are obligated to reveal material facts they knew or should have known about a property. The Maryland Real Estate Brokers Act requires you to disclose and ascertain all material facts to all involved parties—and to make a genuine effort to determine material facts for properties you represent. Get this wrong, and you face complaints, lawsuits, and license action. Get it right, and you protect your clients, your reputation, and your career.

In just 3 hours, you'll gain critical insights into:

• What constitutes a material fact under Maryland law
• The difference between material facts and latent defects
• What information is considered confidential and protected from disclosure
• Your legal obligations to disclose vs. your duty of confidentiality
• How to determine what must be disclosed in any transaction
• Common disclosure mistakes that lead to MREC complaints and lawsuits

Key Topics Include:

• Material facts defined: what affects a buyer's decision or property value
• Latent defects explained: hidden issues that aren't readily observable
• How to distinguish between material facts and latent defects in Maryland
• The Maryland Real Estate Brokers Act disclosure requirements
• Your duty to ascertain material facts—not just disclose what you know
• What constitutes confidential information under Maryland law
• Balancing disclosure obligations with client confidentiality
• When sellers must disclose vs. when agents must disclose
• Property condition issues: structural, environmental, and mechanical
• Stigmatized properties: what must be disclosed in Maryland
• "As-is" sales and disclosure obligations
• Common scenarios that trigger disclosure requirements
• Misrepresentation, errors, exaggeration, and concealment—and how to avoid them
• Protecting yourself through proper documentation
• MREC complaint process and how disclosure failures are handled
• Real-world case studies and practical applications

Stay Protected from Legal Issues → Click 'Get Course' to Get Started!

Course Format: Self-Paced, Online & Convenient

• 100% online – study from anywhere with an internet connection
• Complete on your schedule – no set class times, no Zoom sessions
• Audio feature included – take the course on the go and learn at your own pace
• Knowledge checks throughout each module to reinforce key concepts
• Final exam required to earn your CE credit
• Real-world case studies and practical scenarios
• Instant access – start immediately after enrollment
• Full credit upon completion – meets Maryland continuing education requirements for real estate license renewal

Course Requirements & Policies

To receive credit for this course, you must:

• ✓ Complete all course modules and knowledge checks
• ✓ Pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher
• ✓ Complete the course within 1 year of enrollment

Refund Policy:

• No refunds once course access has been initiated
• Technical issues? Contact us at [email protected] for assistance

Who Should Take This Course?

• Maryland real estate licensees seeking elective CE credit and professional development
• Agents who want to understand their disclosure obligations and avoid legal trouble
• Real estate professionals looking to protect themselves from MREC complaints and lawsuits
• Licensees who need clarity on material facts vs. confidential information
• Licensees who were licensed before October 1, 2023 and this is not their first renewal
• Anyone committed to practicing real estate with full legal compliance and confidence

This self-paced online real estate education course satisfies Maryland elective CE requirements for Category F – Professional Enhancements for Practicing Licensees. Tristar Academy is approved by the Maryland Real Estate Commission for continuing education.