All funds received by a broker must be deposited into what type of account?

The correct answer is that all funds received by a broker must be deposited into a trust account. A trust account is specifically designed to hold funds that belong to clients or third parties and is subject to strict regulations to ensure those funds are handled appropriately. This is crucial in real estate transactions, as brokers often receive earnest money deposits, security deposits, or other client funds that must be kept separate from the broker's personal or operational funds.

Using a trust account helps protect clients’ money, ensures proper accounting practices, and adheres to legal obligations set forth by state laws. Trust accounts are subject to audit and oversight to prevent mismanagement or commingling of funds.

The other types of accounts mentioned are not appropriate for holding client funds. A personal checking account could mix personal funds with client funds, which would violate legal and ethical guidelines. Similarly, investment accounts and mutual funds accounts are designed for investment purposes and do not provide the safeguard and accounting structure required for handling client trust funds.