Final answer:
Real estate agents are obliged to inspect for and disclose material defects in a property that could impact its value or desirability, possibly necessitating professional inspections to fulfill this duty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The obligation of a real estate agent to inspect a property for material defects extends to ensuring that potential buyers are informed about any significant issues that could affect the property's value or desirability.
This includes, but is not limited to, structural problems, issues within the property's systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), and external factors such as the proximity to a landfill or factory, which may not be immediately apparent from photographs or advertisements.
As real estate agents typically are not experts in property inspection, they are responsible for observing and disclosing issues that are apparent or should be apparent upon a reasonable inspection. In essence, the real estate agent must ensure due diligence is conducted, which often involves hiring a professional inspector to uncover any such defects before entering into a contract.