What does commingling refer to in real estate practice?

Commingling refers to the improper practice of mixing client funds with personal or business accounts. In real estate transactions, agents are typically required to hold client funds—such as security deposits or rent—in a separate escrow account specifically designated for that purpose. This ensures that the funds are protected and used only for their intended purposes. When an agent commingles these funds with their own or with the funds of their business, it not only violates ethical standards but can also lead to serious legal consequences. This practice undermines the trust between the agent and their clients, as it exposes client funds to potential misuse or mismanagement.

The other options focus on actions that are either acceptable practices in real estate (like properly managing escrow accounts or maintaining separate accounts for business expenses) or do not align with the definition of commingling (such as depositing personal funds in a client account, which is still a form of mixing funds but not specifically defined as commingling in the context of real estate). Thus, the correct choice distinctly characterizes the ethical breach involved when client and personal funds are improperly intertwined.