Under what condition can Marney, a Virginia licensee, write a contract for her client?

The correct answer emphasizes that a Virginia licensee can write a contract under specific conditions, particularly when it is incidental and done without charging a fee. This situation allows the licensee to assist their client in the context of a real estate transaction while remaining compliant with the regulations governing their professional conduct.

In Virginia, for a licensee to draft contracts, they must ensure that their actions do not cross into unauthorized practice of law or violate the terms of their brokerage agreements. Writing a contract that is considered incidental allows for flexibility; it means that the licensee is supporting their client in a manner that does not require specialized legal knowledge or entails formal representation that is typically reserved for attorneys.

While the other options may present scenarios where a licensee is involved in a transaction, they have limitations or stipulations that may not align with the legal requirements and best practices for licensees. For example, contracts for commercial properties or those involving family members may not inherently exempt a licensee from regulatory scrutiny depending on the specifics of their engagement. Approvals from a principal broker could also imply conditions that are too strict or involve additional responsibilities that change the fundamentals of the licensee's authority.

Therefore, choosing the option that focuses on the incidental nature of contract preparation without a fee highlights a