Which of these parties is the Maryland Real Estate Commission NOT authorized to investigate?

The correct understanding of the functions of the Maryland Real Estate Commission lies in its authority to regulate and oversee the licensed professionals in the real estate market. While the Commission has extensive powers to investigate activities that contravene real estate laws, it is limited when it comes to individuals or entities that do not require a license to perform their duties.

In this context, licensed home inspectors operate under their own regulatory framework and typically are governed by specific laws pertaining to their profession. Therefore, while the Commission can oversee real estate agents and brokers, it does not have the authority to investigate licensed home inspectors for violations related to their professional conduct, as their licensing and regulatory oversight fall under a different set of laws.

On the other hand, unlicensed individuals, such as assistants engaging in negotiation without a license, can be investigated since they are operating outside the legal boundaries set for real estate activities. Similarly, a real estate salesperson mishandling earnest money or a brokerage firm facing discrimination claims would fall within the Commission’s jurisdiction for oversight because those actions directly violate real estate laws or regulations that the Commission is empowered to enforce.