A principal broker who holds earnest money and manages properties must maintain which accounts?

A principal broker who holds earnest money and manages properties must maintain which accounts?

• A. Sales Trust Account; Property Management Account; Security Deposit Trust Account
• B. Sales Trust Account only
• C. Property Management Account only
• D. Security Deposit Trust Account only

Answer: (A)

Funds managed by a principal broker must be kept in properly designated trust accounts to protect clients and comply with regulations. Earnest money from real estate transactions belongs in a Sales Trust Account, ensuring that money from buyers and sellers is kept separate from other funds and can be disbursed per contract. When you also manage rental properties, rents and other owner funds need to be kept in a Property Management Account to separate the management money from sales escrow. Security deposits for tenants require a Security Deposit Trust Account to safeguard those deposits and handle their return at lease end. Because each type of funds has different handling and regulatory requirements, all three accounts are needed for a broker who holds earnest money and manages properties.

Funds managed by a principal broker must be kept in properly designated trust accounts to protect clients and comply with regulations. Earnest money from real estate transactions belongs in a Sales Trust Account, ensuring that money from buyers and sellers is kept separate from other funds and can be disbursed per contract. When you also manage rental properties, rents and other owner funds need to be kept in a Property Management Account to separate the management money from sales escrow. Security deposits for tenants require a Security Deposit Trust Account to safeguard those deposits and handle their return at lease end. Because each type of funds has different handling and regulatory requirements, all three accounts are needed for a broker who holds earnest money and manages properties.