What term describes the mixing of trust funds with the broker's own money or other brokerage business accounts?

The term that describes the mixing of trust funds with the broker's own money or other brokerage business accounts is "commingling." This practice is a violation of real estate laws and regulations, as it can lead to the misappropriation of client funds and a lack of transparency regarding the handling of those funds. Trust funds are typically held in separate accounts to ensure they are protected and used solely for the purpose intended, such as earnest money deposits or funds held in escrow.

Using a separate trust account ensures that fiduciary duties are upheld, which requires brokers to manage clients' funds responsibly and ethically. Commingling undermines this responsibility by blending these funds with personal or business finances, making it difficult to track and manage them correctly.

Commingling is distinct from other terms like trust funds, which refer specifically to the funds held in trust for clients, and conversion, which refers to the wrongful appropriation of someone else's property for personal use. Earnest money is simply a payment made to demonstrate a buyer's commitment to purchasing a property. Each of these terms plays a specific role in real estate transactions, but commingling specifically highlights the importance of keeping trust and personal funds separate to maintain integrity in real estate practice.