When can a broker act without a written agreement?

A broker can act without a written agreement in limited circumstances with existing clients because there may be specific situations where it is practical or necessary to proceed without a formal document. For instance, if a broker has an established relationship with a client and is trusted to act on their behalf for routine transactions, it may be acceptable to operate on verbal agreements or implied consent in these limited scenarios. This flexibility recognizes the nuances of ongoing client relationships where trust and understanding have already been established.

In contrast, the other situations proposed—acting in emergencies, only with new clients, or involving notarized contracts—do not align with the regulatory framework that governs broker-client relationships. Emergencies may necessitate swift action, but that does not justify a lack of agreement across the board, especially with new clients who lack an existing rapport. Notarized contracts primarily pertain to formal documentation and verification processes, which still require a written agreement prior to any action taken by the broker. Thus, the appropriate context for a broker to act without a written agreement is indeed in specific, recognized instances involving existing clients.