What does commingling refer to in real estate transactions?

Commingling refers to the inappropriate mixing of client funds with a broker's personal or operational accounts. This practice is problematic because it can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability regarding client funds, which must be held separately to protect clients' interests. Commingling is considered a serious violation of real estate regulations and can result in disciplinary action against the broker.

In real estate transactions, brokers are required to maintain trust accounts where client funds, such as earnest money deposits, are kept separate from the broker's own money. This ensures that clients' funds are secure and can easily be accounted for. The other options provided do not accurately describe commingling; for instance, keeping funds in a single escrow account or separating funds into different client accounts would comply with proper fiduciary practices, and investing client funds implies a different type of transaction that is also not related to commingling.