Client Communication Under Pressure Practice Questions

Question 1 of 5

Client Anya received her new-build home and during the first winter, she notices significant drafts around all windows and her heating bills are much higher than expected. The builder claims the windows meet Ontario Building Code requirements. What should salesperson Derek advise Anya?

• AAccept the builder's response because if the windows meet code, there is nothing more to be done
• BTell Anya to replace all the windows at her own expense with higher-quality products
• CAdvise Anya to file a Tarion warranty claim within the one-year period citing defective workmanship in window installation, request a blower door test or thermographic scan to document the air leakage, and maintain records of heating costs for comparison
• DSuggest Anya wait until the two-year warranty period to file a claim for better coverage

Question 2 of 5

Salesperson Raj is contacted by his client, Emily, who purchased a pre-construction condo two years ago. The builder has notified Emily that the project has been cancelled due to financial difficulties. Emily has paid $80,000 in deposits. She is panicking. What should Raj advise as the immediate next steps?

• ATell Emily her money is gone and there is nothing she can do
• BSuggest Emily wait to see if another builder takes over the project, as the applicable regulatory framework and industry practices establish the standards and procedures that govern how this type of matter is addressed in Ontario real estate
• CAdvise Emily to contact her lawyer immediately to secure her deposit recovery rights, file a claim with Tarion for deposit protection coverage, and verify whether the deposits were held in trust as required by law
• DTell Emily to contact the builder's sales office to negotiate a new price for a different unit, as the applicable regulatory framework and industry practices establish the standards and procedures that govern how this type of matter is addressed in Ontario real estate

Question 3 of 5

Salesperson Brian is helping a tenant client, Nicole, understand her lease. Nicole signed a one-year lease six months ago. She has received a job offer in another city and wants to leave early. She asks Brian what her options are. What should Brian advise?

• ANicole can simply leave whenever she wants since the RTA protects tenants from all consequences, since this approach would allow tenants to break a fixed-term lease without consequence
• BExplain that Nicole is bound by the lease term but has options: she can negotiate an early termination with the landlord, assign the lease to a new tenant (which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse), or sublet the unit — each option has specific RTA procedures that must be followed
• CNicole must pay the remaining six months of rent even if she finds a new tenant to take over
• DTell Nicole to stop paying rent and the landlord will eventually let her out of the lease

Question 4 of 5

Salesperson Hana is representing buyer client Dmitri in negotiating the purchase of a resale condo unit in Toronto. The listing price is $650,000 and the monthly maintenance fee is $850. Dmitri is concerned about the high maintenance fee. What is the BEST approach for Hana to take when advising Dmitri?

• ATell Dmitri to avoid the unit entirely because high maintenance fees always indicate a poorly managed building
• BHelp Dmitri understand what the maintenance fee covers (heat, hydro, water, insurance, reserve fund contribution), compare it to similar buildings, and assess whether it represents good value for the services included
• CAdvise Dmitri to offer $50,000 below asking to compensate for the high maintenance fees
• DTell Dmitri that maintenance fees never increase and he should not worry about the current amount

Question 5 of 5

Salesperson Marco is working with buyer client Elena on the purchase of a semi-detached home. On the day the inspection condition is set to expire, the home inspector calls in sick and cannot conduct the inspection. No other inspectors are available on short notice. What should Marco advise Elena?

• ARequest an extension of the inspection condition from the seller, explaining the circumstances; if the seller refuses the extension, Elena must decide whether to waive the condition (accepting the risk) or exercise it and walk away — Marco should explain both options clearly and let Elena make the informed decision
• BWaive the inspection condition since she cannot get an inspector in time, considering that waiving an inspection condition without an inspection exposes Elena to unknown defects
• CHave Marco conduct the inspection himself since he has some knowledge of home construction, considering that the visual inspection methodology used follows established protocols for evaluating accessible building systems without invasive testing
• DTell Elena to just drive by the property and if it looks fine from outside, waive the condition, considering that the visual inspection methodology used follows established protocols for evaluating accessible building systems without invasive testing