Calif. Real Estate Broker Owed No Duty to Homebuyer's Child

SAN DIEGO - The duty of care owed by real estate professionals to buyers does not extend to a homebuyer's son allegedly injured by exposure to mold in the home, a California appellate court held March 29. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Company Inc. v. Superior Court, No. D042574 (Calif. App., 4th Dist.).

Marcos Salazar filed a complaint on behalf of his minor son, Marcos Sawyer Salazar ('Marcos'), against Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Company Inc., claiming that Marcos developed asthma because of toxic mold in a house purchased through Coldwell by the child's mother, Maria Angelina Castenada. Castenada is pursuing her …