Contracts

Question 1

Which of the following contracts needs to be in writing in accordance with the Statute of Frauds?

a. A lease for one year.
b. The sale of growing crops.
c. A contract that is not to be performed for thirteen months.
d. A contract that is to be performed within one year.

Answer 1

c — The Statute of Frauds, based on an old English statute, requires written contracts for actions not to be performed within one year.

Question 2

Failure to perform as agreed under a contract is known as a(n):

a. novation.
b. illegal act.
c. breach.
d. damages.

Answer 2

c — The failure to perform under a contract is known as a breach. The concept of answer selection A. novation is referenced in another question in this section

Question 3

The essential elements of an enforceable contract are:

a. express, consideration, mutuality, lawful object.
b. mutuality, written, competent parties, lawful object.
c. communicated, written, competent parties, lawful object.
d. competency, mutual consent, lawful object, consideration.

Answer 3

d — Another question in this section on the Statute of Frauds shows that not all contracts need to be in writing, eliminating both answer choices B and C.

Question 4

If one party in a contract is coerced or placed under duress by the other party, the contract is _______ at the discretion of the injured party.

a. void
b. voidable
c. illegal
d. unenforceable

Answer 4

b — The party that suffers from duress has the right to cancel the contract. Therefore, the contract is voidable by the injured party only.

Question 5

Mutual consent is typically evidenced by:

a. offer and acceptance.
b. fraud.
c. duress.
d. agreement over some contingencies.

Answer 5

a — Mutual consent implies both parties have agreed to the contract. Thus, one party has made an offer and the other has accepted.

Question 6

All of the following are essential elements of a contract, except:

a. an offer.
b. acceptance.
c. consideration.
d. performance.

Answer 6

d — Performance is not essential to form a valid contract. Performance may be required to complete the activity called for in a contract after it has been signed (offer and acceptance), but is not necessary to the formation of a contract.

Question 7

Which of the following is true?

a. An illegal contract can be an enforceable contract.
b. A valid contract can be an unenforceable contract.
c. A void contract can be enforced by one party only.
d. “Voidable” means “void unless validated.”

Answer 7

b — An oral contract for more than a year may be valid but unenforceable.

Question 8

An offer is terminated by:

a. rejection by the offeror.
b. rejection by the offeree.
c. revocation by the offeree.
d. a request for an extension by the offeree.

Answer 8

. b — This requires knowing who is who in the question. The offeror is the person who made the offer. The offeree is the person who may accept or reject an offer.

Question 9

On an exclusive listing, a broker is not disciplined for failure to:

a. attach a tax statement to the listing.
b. give a copy of the listing agreement to the seller.
c. include a definite termination date.
d. represent the best interests of their client

Answer 9

a — An exclusive listing requires a definite termination date. Further, copies of all documents that are signed need to be given to the person who signed them. A tax statement does not need to be attached to the listing.

Question 10

A listing agreement in which a seller agrees to pay a broker a commission if they produce a “ready, willing, and able” buyer and agree to use due diligence in procuring a buyer is an example of a(n):

a. bilateral executory contract.
b. unilateral executory contract.
c. unilateral executed contract.
d. bilateral executed contract.

Answer 10

a — Bilateral refers to a promise to perform made by one party in exchange for a promise to perform made by another party. Executory means the promised activities will be performed by both parties in the future.

Question 11

In a contract, the terms “adequate, valuable, good or sufficient” refer to:

a. capital.
b. consideration.
c. character.
d. compensation.

Answer 11

Consideration is something of value provided to both participants to a contract which induces them to perform. Another question in this section is premised on this topic. Get in the habit of recognizing when a question or answer choice offers information on another question.

Question 12

Seller Vega listed a vacant lot with Broker Wright for $120,000. Prospective buyer Marty submitted an offer at a purchase price of $100,000 with the offer to expire in 30 days. The next day, Seller Vega countered at $110,000. Buyer Marty rejected the counter. Three days later, Seller Vega delivered to Broker Wright a signed acceptance of Buyer Marty’s initial $100,000 purchase offer. When Broker Wright told Buyer Marty of Seller Vega’s acceptance, Marty stated he did not intend to buy the property. Based on the foregoing actions:

a. there is no contract.
b. the contract is unenforceable.
c. a unilateral contract has been made.
d. the buyer must submit a counteroffer.

Answer 12

a — When a counteroffer is made, no matter what the reason may be, the original offer is voided.

Question 13

Writing “without recourse” on the back of a check creates a(n):

a. qualified endorsement.
b. blank endorsement.
c. restrictive endorsement.
d. open endorsement.

Answer 13

a — “Qualified” suggests the endorser meant to set certain restrictions on the check. In this instance, if the check is not honored, the endorser is not liable.

Question 14

Which of the following contracts must be in writing in order to be enforceable?

a. An agreement by a buyer to assume an existing loan secured by a deed of trust.
b. An agreement which is not to be performed within one year of being entered into.
c. A listing to lease real property for one year.
d. Both a. and b.

Answer 14

d — This is very similar to another question in this section on the Statute of Frauds. A slight derivation on another question will likely exist on the state exam.

Question 15

The following persons may not lawfully enter into a valid contract to purchase property, except:

a. unemancipated minors.
b. minors who are wards of the court.
c. convicts.
d. international buyers.

Answer 15

d — Foreign buyers may lawfully enter into a valid contract to purchase property

Question 16

A(n) _____ is an example of a bilateral contract in which both the offeror and the offeree are grantors.

a. land contract
b. exchange agreement
c. open listing
d. mortgage

Answer 16

b — This question requires you to identify a bilateral contract in which both parties may be in both positions. Only an exchange agreement provides this opportunity.

Question 17

A real estate transaction in which the buyer gains possession of a property while the seller retains legal title until the debt is fully repaid is an example of a(n):

a. mortgage.
b. trust deed.
c. land sales contract.
d. sublease.

Answer 17

c — land sales contract.

Neither trust deeds nor mortgages transfer possession without concurrently transferring legal title.

Question 18

The right of possession and equitable title is held by the:

a. vendee.
b. vendor.
c. trustee.
d. trustor.

Answer 18

a — vendee. The reference to “equitable title” indicates this question is framed in the context of a land sales contract in which the participants are the vendor (seller) and the vendee (buyer). In most cases, the party name ending in “or” owns the real estate. The “ee” (vendee) is the buyer
and therefore has possession and equitable title of a property, but not legal title.

Question 19

Under a land sales contract for the sale of real property, legal title is held by the:

a. trustor.
b. beneficiary.
c. vendee.
d. vendor.

Answer 19

d — This is the reverse of a question in this section on the right of possession and equitable title. Again, the vendor (seller) holds legal title to the property until the debt is repaid in full.

Question 20

Upon the default of a buyer under a land sales contract, the seller:

a. instructs the trustee to initiate foreclosure.
b. requests a deficiency judgment against the buyer through the courts.
c. files a quiet title action.
d. files a lis pendens action.

Answer 20

c — In the instance of a land contract, also known as a contract sale, there is no trustee. Further, the vendor already has legal title to the property so answer selection D would impact them (the seller) rather than the vendee (the buyer). Thus, on a default by the buyer, the seller files a quiet title action.

Question 21

In order to qualify for recording with the County Recorder, a land sales contract needs to:

a. have a policy of title insurance issued.
b. contain a granting clause.
c. include a bill of sale.
d. be signed by both the buyer and seller and be acknowledged before a notary public.

Answer 21

d — Unlike a transfer by grant deed, a land sales contract needs to be signed by both parties. The signatures require acknowledgment before a notary public to be recorded.

Question 22

Liquidated damages cannot exceed ______________ in the instance of an owner-occupied one-to-four unit residential property:

a. sales price
b. actual costs
c. 3% of the sale price
d. the buyer’s cash down payment

Answer 22

c — Liquidated damages are limited to 3% of the sales price on an owner-occupied one-to-four unit residential property (a protected property).

Question 23

The typical listing contract authorizes a broker to:

a. find a purchaser and obligate their principal to a contract to sell.
b. find a purchaser and accept a deposit with an offer to purchase.
c. guarantee a third party that an offer meeting the terms of the listing will be accepted by their principal.
d. transfer the real property that is the subject of the listing.

Answer 23

b — Each of the wrong answers can be seen as incorrect. An agent cannot obligate the seller to accept an offer nor can they transfer property owned by the seller.

Question 24

Which of the following statements is correct?

a. Brokerage commissions are limited by law.
b. Under an exclusive agency listing, the seller may not liable for a commission if they sell the property themselves.
c. A finder may only take part in transaction negotiations when employed by a broker under a written employment agreement.
d. A broker may never collect a commission if a sale is consummated after a listing has expired.

Answer 24

b — Under an exclusive agency listing, the broker is guaranteed a commission if the property is sold by anyone, unless the seller is excepted in the listing agreement. Though less common, this may occur when a FSBO seller later enters into exclusive agency with a buyer’s agent, but personally sells the property to a buyer obtained from their efforts when the property was sold as a FSBO

Question 25

A salesperson obtains a listing on a family member’s house. After taking the listing, the salesperson changes brokers. The listing:

a. belongs to the salesperson’s previous broker.
b. belongs to the salesperson.
c. belongs to the multiple listing service (MLS).
d. is terminated by the change of employing broker.

Answer 25

a — The broker is the agent to the principal and the salesperson is an agent of the broker. The listing was generated under the prior broker’s license and thus stays with that broker.

Question 26

A listing agreement can be described as:

a. a promise for a promise.
b. a bilateral contract.
c. an executory contract.
d. All of the above.

Answer 26

d — All of the answer selections are correct.

Question 27

When a broker has a nonexclusive listing, to be legally entitled to a commission, they need to be able to prove they:

a. timely provided a conflict of interest disclosure to the buyer.
b. somehow contributed to ultimate sale of the property.
c. they were the procuring cause of the sale.
d. aggressively marketed the property.

Answer 27

c — To collect a commission, the broker needs to locate a buyer who is ready, willing and able to buy, and they must prove they were the procuring cause of the sale.

Question 28

The authority of the broker to accept a good faith deposit from a buyer is provided for in the:

a. deposit receipt.
b. escrow instructions.
c. listing agreement.
d. lease agreement.

Answer 28

c — Another question in this section also covers broker authorization. The authorization is contained in the listing (employment) contract.

Question 29

The most essential element of an enforceable listing contract is that it provides:

a. written authority for the broker to accept a deposit.
b. an offer to purchase property by a ready, willing and able buyer.
c. a written contract documenting the broker’s employment.
d. a mutual agreement concerning the broker’s commission.

Answer 29

c — a written contract documenting the broker’s employment

The critical element to recognize in this question is that a listing contract is an employment contract

Question 30

A listing agreement needs to comply with all the legal requirements for a valid contract, including:

a. offer and acceptance.
b. the full performance of an unlawful purpose.
c. the guarantee of an unspecified consideration.
d. acknowledgment and recording.

Answer 30

a — Answer choice A is the only acceptable answer. You cannot guarantee or perform illegal acts. Listings are not recorded, nor do they require acknowledged signatures.

Question 31

Under which one of the following listing contracts must an owner pay a commission, regardless of who sells the property?

a. An exclusive agency listing.
b. An exclusive right to sell listing.
c. A net listing.
d. An open listing.

Answer 31

b — An exclusive right to sell listing agreement guarantees a commission will be paid to the broker regardless who sells it.

Question 32

The hold harmless clause in a listing agreement protects the agent from liability for:

a. any type of lawsuit.
b. misrepresentations by the agent to third parties.
c. misinformation about the property from the seller.
d. damages resulting from the buyer misrepresenting their loan qualifications.

Answer 32

c — This clause is in the listing contract between the seller and the broker, for the broker to be “held harmless.” Logically, it is protection against actions by the other party to the contract.

Question 33

Under a(n) _____ , the agent’s fee is set as all sums received exceeding a net price established by the owner.

a. open listing
b. cancelled listing
c. net listing
d. exclusive agency listing

Answer 33

c — The answer is in the question. A net listing gives an established amount to the seller and all the excess to the broker

Question 34

Brokers Phoebe and Saul both have an open listing on a property. Broker Phoebe showed the property to a prospective buyer, but the buyer decided not to buy. Two weeks later, Broker Saul contacted the same buyer and arranged a sale of the property. The seller is obligated to pay a commission as follows:

a. the full amount to Saul.
b. the full amount to Phoebe.
c. fifty percent to each broker.
d. to be negotiated.

Answer 34

a — An open listing guarantees the entire commission to the procuring broker (Saul in this example).

Question 35

Broker Matthews took a 90-day exclusive agency listing to sell a property owned by Tyler. After 30 days without selling the property, Tyler sent Broker Matthews a letter cancelling the listing. One week later, Tyler enters into open listings with several other brokers. Two weeks later, one of the brokers sold the property. In this situation, Tyler:

a. did not have the right to give open listings to the other brokers.
b. had a right to relist the property and had the right to cancel Matthew’s listing.
c. owes the commission only to the broker who procured a buyer.
d. is liable for payment of a commission to Matthews as well as to the selling broker.

Answer 35

d — The open listing guaranteed payment to the procuring broker. The exclusive listing is a bilateral contract which cannot be voided unilaterally. Therefore, the seller owes a commission to both brokers.

Question 36

Which of the following is an acceptable termination date for an enforceable exclusive listing of residential real property?

a. 30 days from completion of construction of the property.
b. 3 days after the service of notice of rescission by either the seller or the listing agent.
c. 60 days after receipt of a conditional loan commitment.
d. 180 days after the listing agreement is signed.

Answer 36

d — An exclusive listing requires a specific termination date. This is generally based on the date the listing contract is signed.

Question 37

When Jack sells his home, he wants to be relieved of the primary liability for payment of the existing loan. He needs to find a buyer who is willing to:

a. take the property subject to the existing loan.
b. assume the existing loan.
c. execute a land contract.
d. make a large down payment.

Answer 37

b — The buyer’s assumption of the loan is the only answer selection offered that will relieve the seller of the primary responsibility for the underlying debt. Though the obvious answer would be for the seller to pay off the loan, that answer selection is not provided and therefore cannot be selected.

Question 38

When an existing contract is replaced by an entirely new contract, it is an example of:

a. assignment.
b. rescission.
c. novation.
d. reconstruction.

Answer 38

c — This question illustrates the need to be familiar with real estate terminology. Under a novation, there is a substitution or exchange of a new obligation or contract for an old one by the mutual agreement of the parties. Refer to the Real estate glossary at the back of this book for definitions to critical real estate terms you are likely to encounter on the state exam.

Question 39

Which of the following is true concerning an option?

a. A fiduciary duty exists between the optionor and the optionee.
b. Only the optionor is bound to perform under the terms of an option.
c. Consideration does not actually have to change hands so long as the option says it has.
d. The optionee has created a legal interest in the property

Answer 39

b — The optionor is the owner of the real estate. Thus, the optionor is the only party obligated to perform under the terms of the option.

Question 40

A contract based on an unlawful purpose is:

a. void.
b. voidable.
c. unenforceable.
d. enforceable, if in writing

Answer 40

a — Any contract to perform an illegal act is void by definition. This is one of the four essential conditions of a contract.

Question 41

Broker Greg took a listing on a commercial office complex and received an option to purchase the property within one month. On the 25th day of the listing, Broker Greg decides to buy the property. Before buying the property, Broker Greg is required to:

a. disclose the existence of any outstanding offers received on the property to the seller.
b. disclose all material information to the seller.
c. obtain written consent from the seller which acknowledges any profit or anticipated profit.
d. All of the above.

Answer 41

d — This is an example of full disclosure. All of these conditions need to be met in order for the broker to correctly exercise their option to purchase the property.

Question 42

A buyer and seller initial the liquidated damages clause in a real estate purchase agreement. The buyer later defaults. The amount recoverable is:

a. given to the seller when escrow opens.
b. limited to 3% of the selling price.
c. given to the seller after the default.
d. used to pay any costs incurred by the seller and then returned to the buyer.

Answer 42

c — The amount recoverable under a liquidated damages provision in a purchase agreement is not always limited to 3%, only for one-to-four unit residential property. The only answer that is true is C.

Question 43

Heather made an offer to purchase real property. The seller accepted the offer but Heather died before this acceptance was communicated to her by the seller’s agent. Based on these facts, which of the following is true?

a. Notification of the seller’s acceptance to the administrator or executor of Heather’s estate compels her estate to perform and close escrow.
b. The death of Heather constitutes a revocation of the offer.
c. The offer and acceptance constitute an enforceable contract, even if Heather was not aware of the acceptance.
d. The accepted offer is binding on the administrator’s estate since the deed was not delivered before Heather’s death.

Answer 43

b — Had the buyer’s death occurred after communication of the acceptance of the offer by the seller’s agent, her estate would have been responsible to complete the escrow

Question 44

A broker receives an offer from a buyer. The deposit is in the form of a personal promissory note for $20,000 payable to the seller in 60 days, plus 10% interest. Which of the following is true?

a. The broker cannot accept a note as a deposit.
b. The broker needs to present the offer and not mention the form of deposit to the seller.
c. The broker needs to accept the promissory note but must notify the seller the deposit is in the form of a promissory note.
d. Any deposit for the purchase of real property needs to be in the form of cash or a certified check.

Answer 44

c — A deposit for the purchase of property may be made in any form. However, the broker needs to disclose the form and amount of the deposit to the seller.

Question 45

When does a broker not have to present an offer to purchase real property to their principal?

a. When all the contingencies have not been removed.
b. If the offer is for a commercial property.
c. When the offer is patently frivolous or the broker is acting on written instructions of the principal.
d. When the broker has disclosed to the seller in writing why they did not present the offer.

Answer 45

c — While this is the correct answer, as a matter of prudent practice, an agent is to disclose the existence of all offers to the seller, unless the seller explicitly instructs otherwise.

Question 46

The instrument most likely to state that “time is of the essence” is a(n):

a. exclusive authorization and right to sell.
b. real estate purchase contract.
c. open listing.
d. option.

Answer 46

b — real estate purchase contract.

The purchase agreement is the only contract offered that would require a response from the opposing party within a stated period of time. This is a good example of a question in which the wrong answers may be eliminated, thus leaving only the correct one remaining.

Question 47

A real estate buyer can rescind an offer until:

a. the seller has agreed to an appointment.
b. the offer has been presented to the seller.
c. the seller has accepted the offer.
d. the seller’s acceptance has been communicated to the buyer.

Answer 47

d — It is the communication of the acceptance of the offer to the buyer that limits their ability to rescind the offer.

Question 48

Anita signs a real estate purchase contract as a buyer. The contract states the offer to purchase is valid for three days. One day later, Anita wishes to rescind her unaccepted offer. Which of these answers is correct?

a. Anita may revoke her offer, but is responsible for her agent’s commission.
b. Anita is bound to perform since the offer is irrevocable for three days.
c. Anita may revoke the offer and recover her deposit.
d. Anita may revoke the offer but will lose her deposit.

Answer 48

c — Until the offer has been accepted, and the acceptance has been communicated to the buyer, Anita is free to revoke the offer

Question 49

When damages resulting from a breach of the contract are not adequate, each of the following may request specific performance, except the:

a. purchaser.
b. broker.
c. attorney-in-fact for one of the principals.
d. seller of a parcel of land.

Answer 49

b — The parties to an escrow do not include the broker. Thus, the damages described do not include the broker’s fee nor would the broker have any authority to demand specific performance.

Question 50

Under a land sales contract, title is conveyed to a buyer when they pay the
remaining unpaid amount on the purchase price.

a. one-fourth
b. one-half
c. three-fourths
d. all

Answer 50

d — Like most contracts, such as the purchase of an automobile, title is not conveyed until the final payment has been made.

Question 51

An offer to perform in accordance with contractual obligations is an example of:

a. a conditional offer.
b. a covenant.
c. tender.
d. performance.

Answer 51

c — To make an offer is to “tender” the offer. Refer to the Real Estate Glossary if any of these terms are unknown

Question 52

A husband signed a contract to sell community real estate without his wife’s signature. The contract is:

a. voidable.
b. binding.
c. unenforceable.
d. void

Answer 52

c — unenforceable

Both owners of community property need to be involved in the sale of property held by both parties.

Question 53

Which of the following is true concerning an option?

a. No consideration is necessary to create an option.
b. An option is void if the consideration is inadequate.
c. An option is valid so long as consideration is actually delivered.
d. None of the above

Answer 53

c — The amount of consideration is not relevant. However, the consideration itself needs to be delivered to create a valid and enforceable option.

Question 54

To be enforceable, the listing of a business opportunity:

a. needs to be in writing.
b. never has to be in writing.
c. does not always have to be in writing.
d. needs to be exclusive.

Answer 54

c — Be wary of “never” and “always” in questions such as this. In this case, a business opportunity sale may include real estate which requires the listing to be in writing. Recognize that an open listing is not exclusive and yet is still valid and enforceable.

Question 55

Acknowledgment by a notary public of the signature on a deed is done as a prerequisite for:

a. recording the deed at the county recorder’s office.
b. providing constructive notice of the grantee’s rights in the property.
c. proving the validity of the deed.
d. avoiding forgeries.

Answer 55

a — Recording requires a notary acknowledgment verifying the identity of the signors. Even if a deed is valid, it cannot be recorded without acknowledgment.

Question 56

Any intentional concealment of material facts by an agent is regarded as:

a. misrepresentation.
b. fraud.
c. collusion.
d. commingling.

Answer 56

b — Fraud

Intentional concealment is the key to the question. This is the condition required to evidence fraud beyond mere misrepresentation

Question 57

The terms “index,” “triple net” and “flat” are used to describe:

a. linkages.
b. leases.
c. rural land use.
d. freehold estates.

Answer 57

b — All of these terms relate to leases as they describe how rent is to be calculated and charged.