Rago

I. BACKGROUND

The Raposos own a ranch in Brentwood, California. In August 2017, the Raposos, as trustees of the Jose J. and Laura Raposo Living Trust, entered into a residential listing agreement authorizing real estate broker Lori Abreu (Abreu) and her company, Delta Ranches and Homes, to find a buyer for their ranch. The Ragos wished to acquire the ranch and signed an offer to purchase it on September 19, 2017.1 Their offer was prepared by Abreu, who acted as a dual agent representing both buyers and sellers in the transaction. The offer was contingent on the sale of real property owned by the Ragos. On the morning of September 26, Abreu met with the Raposos to discuss the Ragos’ offer. The Raposos signed a counteroffer that raised the total purchase price and added a provision that would allow the Raposos to

All subsequent dates are in 2017 unless otherwise noted.

2 lease the property for 90 days after the close of escrow. The counteroffer specified that the Ragos’ acceptance must be in writing. Later that evening, the Raposos met as a family and decided not to sell the property so their daughter could continue to live on the property with her young child. It is…