If a client does not want an open house and the agent advertises one anyway, what does this illustrate?

• A. Advertising an open house against the client's wishes constitutes a breach of obedience.
• B. Advertising an open house is a breach of loyalty.
• C. Advertising is required regardless of client wishes.
• D. There is no breach.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that agents must follow the client’s lawful instructions. When a client says not to hold or advertise an open house, the agent is expected to respect that directive. Advertising anyway shows a failure to obey, which is a breach of the obedience duty.

While loyalty is important—acting in the client’s best interests—the scenario specifically highlights the failure to follow explicit instructions. Advertising against the client’s wishes isn’t required or justified, so there’s no breach of necessity, and there is indeed a breach here because the agent defied the instruction.