NYS Real Estate U: Core Concepts to Know Flashcards
Responsible for issuing real estate licenses, pocket cards, and handing down disciplinary action.
NYS Department of State
According to Article 12-A (NYS Real Property Law), who shall prosecute criminal actions for violations of the Real Property Law?
Attorney General
The __________________ is the highest court in New York State.
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York State.
The Department of State (DOS) may also impose a fine not to exceed $_____.
The Department of State (DOS) may also impose a fine not to exceed $1,000.
Before renewing a license, the salesperson must complete _____ hours of Continuing Education.
22.5-hours of Continuing Education.
License Exemptions
- Attorneys admitted to the NY State Bar are exempt from obtaining a license if they represent a client. If an attorney wants to employ salespersons, they then must obtain a broker’s license.
- Public officers are exempt when performing official duties.
- Persons under the judgement or order of a court.
Advertising
“All advertisements placed by a broker must indicate that the advertiser is a broker or give the name of the broker and his telephone number.
According to Article 443-a of the NY Real Property Law, sellers and seller agents do not have to disclose the following facts when selling or leasing residential property:
1) Occupants who have AIDS or other illnesses not transmitted through occupancy.
2) Properties that were a site of death due to natural causes, accidents, suicide, homicide, crime and other reasons.
Brokers must maintain records of all transactions for at least __ years.
Brokers must maintain records of all transactions for at least 3 years.
General Agent
Someone authorized to transact every kind of business for the principal.
Example: Property Manager
Special Agent
An agent with limited authority to act on behalf of the principal, such as created by a listing.
Example: Real Estate Agent / Real Estate Broker
Universal Agent
A universal agent has complete authority over any activity of the principal.
Example: Power of Attorney
The salesperson is a ______ of their broker.
The salesperson is a Sub-agent of their broker.
Use the acronym OLD CAR to remember the agent’s fiduciary duties to their client.
Obedience – Agent shall follow the legal instructions of their client.
Loyalty – Agent shall work in the best interests of their client.
Disclosure of Information (Full Disclosure) – Agent shall promptly communicate all information about the transaction to their client. This includes presenting all offers to the client.
Confidentiality – Agent shall not reveal confidential information about the client to prospective buyers, without the express consent from the client. Such confidential information may harm the client.
Accountability – (refers to financial accountability) the agent must account for and promptly remit all money or property entrusted to the agent.
Reasonable Care and Duty to Account – Agent shall possess the necessary skills and training to perform their requested services.
Agency Disclosure Form
This Agency Disclosure Form is known as the ‘New York State Disclosure Form for Buyer and Seller’.
The Agency Disclosure Form is not required for the sale of ________?
The sale of vacant land
According to Section 443 of the NYS Real Property Law, licensees must present a written Agency Disclosure Form that details consumer choices about representation at the _________________?
The first substantive contact.
Dual agency inherently puts the agents fiduciary duty of ______ at risk.
Loyalty
Estoppel
An agency by estoppel exists when a principal does not stop an individual from representing his or her interests, thus creating an agency relationship between the two.
Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement:
This listing contract offers the most security to the broker. The seller must work exclusively with the broker to sell their property. The broker is entitled to a commission even if the seller finds a buyer themselves.
Exclusive Agency Agreement:
Exclusive Agency Agreement:
Open Listing Contract:
The seller is allowed to work with any broker who brings them a buyer. Only the broker who brings a buyer is entitled to a commission. This is the riskiest type of listing contract for a broker.
An open listing contract is an example of a unilateral contract.
Net Listing
A net listing is not technically a listing agreement, but a method of establishing the listing broker’s commission as all money above a specified net amount to the seller.
What type of listing is illegal in NY?
Net listings are illegal in New York.
Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability is a situation in which one party is held partly responsible for the unlawful actions of a third party.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act made the following actions illegal:
1) Price fixing
2) Group boycotts
3) Market allocation
4) Tie-in arrangements
Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation consists of:
1) A false representation of a material fact.
2) A person making the false representation knew or should have known it to be false.
3) A person acts or does not act based on the misrepresentation.
4) A person who relies on the misrepresentation in acting or not acting.
Positive misrepresentation means the broker concealed a material defect from the buyer.
Self-dealing is another example of positive misrepresentation.
Positive misrepresentation
Positive misrepresentation means the broker concealed a material defect from the buyer.
Self-dealing is another example of positive misrepresentation.
Unintentional misrepresentation
Unintentional misrepresentation occurs when the broker makes a false statement to the buyer about the property and the broker does not know whether the statement is true or false.
Property Condition Disclosure Statement
The Property Condition Disclosure Act requires the seller to submit to the buyer, a Property Condition Disclosure Statement, prior to signing the contract of sale. If the statement is not signed, the buyer shall receive a $500 credit against the purchase price of the property.
Most seller attorneys advise their clients NOT to sign the statement, as it opens them up to a vast amount of liability.
Real property
Real property is the land and improvements, and all legal rights, powers, and privileges of real estate ownership. Real property includes the bundle of rights.
A fixture
A fixture is personal property that attaches permanently to the land or improvements and becomes part of the real property.
A few typical examples of a fixture include:
- chandelier
- custom book shelves
- wall-to-wall carpeting
- plumbing fixtures
Trade Fixtures
Trade fixtures are items of personal property that a business operator installs in rented building space.
Unlike a typical fixture, a trade fixture is considered personal property of the business owner. It is assumed the business owner will take the trade fixtures with them when moving out of the rented space.
A display case is a common example of a trade fixture.
Fee Simple
Fee simple absolute provides the most complete form of ownership.
Most properties in New York have a Fee Simple Absolute deed, unless specified otherwise!
Ownership in Severalty
When title to real estate is in the name of only one person or entity, it is an estate (ownership) in severalty.
Think of it as a single individual owns real estate, therefore, the ownership is ‘severed’ from all others.
Joint tenancy
Joint tenancy is a form of co-ownership by two or more persons, each of whom has an undivided interest WITH the “right of survivorship”.
Tenancy in common
Tenancy is common is a form of co-ownership by two or more persons, each of whom has an undivided interest, WITHOUT the “right of survivorship”.
Tenancy by the entirety:
This form of co-ownership is limited to married couples.
Unities of Co-ownership
The 4 possible unities include:
1) Time
2) Title
3) Interest
4) Possession
Life Estates
A life estate is ownership, possession, and control of a property for someone’s lifetime.
For example:
Joe will grant ownership of his property to Sarah until the death of Nancy.
Once Nancy passes away, the ownership of the property will revert back to Joe (or Joe’s heirs).
A life estate is a form of fee simple estate.
Estate for years
An estate for years exists for a fixed period of time. It can be as short as a day and as long as many years. Once the term of the lease ends, the rental agreement is automatically terminated.
Most residential leases are an estate for years.
Periodic Estate
A periodic lease automatically renews itself for another period at the end of each period unless one party gives notice to the other party at a time specified in the lease before the lease ends.
Estate at Will
The duration of an estate at will is for an unknown period of time. This is an open-ended estate.
Littoral Rights
Littoral Rights = Lake
Littoral rights apply to property bordering a stationary body of water.
Riparian Rights
Riparian Rights = River (stream)
Riparian rights belong to the owner of a property bordering a flowing body of water.
Easement
An easement is the right to cross or otherwise use someone else’s property for a specified purpose.
The common term for an easement is “right-of-way”.
Easements “run with the land”.
Easement in gross
A right of use in the land of another without the requirement that the holder of the right own adjoining land.
Also known as a commercial easement in gross.
This type of easement is commonly used by utility companies.
Easement by necessity:
Used when a property owner is landlocked and needs to cross an adjacent property to get access to their property.
Easement by prescription
Obtained by use of land without the owner’s permission for a legally prescribed length of time.
In New York, the use must be open and obvious and must continue uninterrupted for 10 years.
Easement by implication
This type of easement arises by implication from the conduct of the parties.
For example, if a landowner sells mineral rights to a company, that company has an easement by implication to go onto the property to do mining.
Encroachments
An encroachment is a building, part of a building, or obstruction which intrudes upon the property of another.
Common encroachments include:
- a fence that was partially built onto the neighbor’s property.
- a tree that has grown to cantilever over the property line.
- a deck that was built slightly over the property line.
- a garage or shed, part of which was built over the neighbor’s property line.
Mechanic’s Lien
This type of lien applies to individuals or companies who have “supplied labor or materials that improve a property”.
For example, if a roofing contractor does not get paid for work performed on a person’s property, they may file a mechanic’s lien against the property.
A mechanic’s liens is a type of an involuntary, specific lien.
Mortgage Lien
This is the most common type of lien.
When a homeowner obtains a mortgage, they are granting the lender a mortgage lien on their property. If the mortgage is not paid, the lender may exercise the mortgage lien and demand full payment of the loan through the sale of the property (also known as foreclosure).
A mortgage lien is another example of a voluntary, specific lien.
Tax Lien:
When a taxpayer is delinquent in paying property taxes, a tax lien attaches against the property.
A tax lien takes the highest priority among other liens (even higher than a mortgage lien).
Essential Elements of a Deed:
- Must be in-writing (according to the Statute of Frauds).
- Include a grantor (the person conveying title to the property).
- Include a grantee (the person receiving title).
- Contain a granting clause, which includes words of conveyance.
- Provide evidence of consideration (something of value).
- Include a legal description of the property.
- Include an habendum clause (this clause begins with the words “to have and to hold”).
- Include limitations and subject-to clause (any deed restrictions or easements must be noted).
- The signature of the grantor (the grantee is not required to sign the deed).
- Acknowledgement/recording (the deed must be notarized and recorded).
- Delivery and acceptance (a valid deed must be delivered to the grantee).
Conveyance
The transfer of the title of land from one to another. The means or medium by which title of real estate is transferred.
What are the 3 acceptable types of property descriptions:
1) Metes and bounds
2) Description by reference, lot and block
3) Monuments
Survey
A survey is a drawing prepared by a licensed surveyor, which shows the exact dimensions of a property and any improvements located on the property (including a garage, deck, fend, driveway).
A survey is drawn using the metes and bounds method.
Full Covenant and Warranty Deed
The Full Covenant and Warranty deed contains the broadest form of guarantee of title of any type of deed and provides the greatest protection to the grantee.
Title
Ownership of property
Chain of title
Chain of title refers to the sequence of historical transfers of title to a property.
It runs from the present owner all the way back to the original owner of the property.
Abstract of title
An abstract of title is a condensed history of title.
It is a summary of all links in the chain of title.
Using the old deed
The seller’s attorney uses the old deed to prepare a new deed for the closing.
A bi-lateral contract
A bi-lateral contract includes two parties.
Most contracts in real estate are bi-lateral.
A few common examples include listing contracts, sales contracts, buyer representation agreements and independent contractor agreements.
A uni-lateral contract
A uni-lateral contract is an “open contract” where one party promises to pay another party if the other party performs a specific action.
An open listing contract is an example of a uni-lateral contract.
The following people generally hold the deposit/down payment:
- Listing agent (seller’s broker)
- Seller’s attorney
Earnest money deposit
A deposit that a buyer makes at the time of submitting an offer to demonstrate the true intent of the purchase; also referred to as a binder, good faith deposit, and escrow deposit.
An earnest money deposit is usually binding.
Novation:
This is the act of either:
1) replacing an obligation to perform with a new obligation; or
2) adding an obligation to perform; or
3) replacing a party to an agreement with a new party.
Full performance
When the duties of the contract are performed by both parties, full performance is achieved. This is the most common and desirable way to discharge a contract.
Specific performance
This is an order from the court requiring specific performance means that the contract is to be completed as the parties originally agreed.
Compensatory damages
Compensatory damages equal the amount of money actually lost due to the breach of contract.
Liquidated damages
Liquidated damages are damages agreed to be paid in the contract.
Reformation
A doctrine that permits the court to rewrite a contract.
Right of first refusal
It allows the holder to purchase (or lease) a property if the seller decides to sell or another purchaser (or lessee) comes along.
The holder of the right of first refusal can match the offer from the third party or forfeit their claim to purchase or lease the property.
Use Provisions in a Lease
The ‘use provisions’ is a clause in a lease that requires a tenant reasonably use the space for its intended use.
For example, a tenant cannot continuously throw loud, late-night parties, which disturb the other tenants in the building.
Actual eviction
Actual eviction is where the tenant is physically removed from the premises. The most obvious case is when the landlord wrongfully evicts the tenant by physically throwing the tenant out or by locking the tenant out of the property.
Constructive Eviction
This occurs when the tenant is prevented from the quiet enjoyment of the property.
In other words, the landlord deliberately renders the property unfit or unsuitable to live in.
An example may be refusing to repair a broken toilet or bathtub.
Mortgagor
Mortgagor is the borrower (typically the person buying the house)
Mortgagee
Mortgagee is the lender or bank who provides a loan to the borrower or homeowner.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage / Fully Amortized Loan
This is the most common type of loan. The borrower makes installment payments (usually once a month). Over time the balance on the loan decreases. At the end of the term of the loan (30 years for examples), the loan balance reaches $0 and the loan is paid in full.
In a fixed-rate mortgage, the borrower pays both principal and interest with each mortgage payment.
Straight Loan (also known as a Term Loan)
This is an interest-only loan. The balance of the loan always remains the same. At the end of the term of the loan, the borrower must pay the full balance back.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
In this type of loan, the monthly payment fluctuates based on a standard index. These are considered high-risk loans for borrowers because the monthly payment may increase to an amount the borrower cannot afford.
Blanket Mortgage
A blanket mortgage is a type of commercial mortgage in which two or more parcels of real estate are pledged as security for payment of the mortgage debt.
Purchase Money Mortgage
A purchase money mortgage is a type of seller financing in which a mortgage is given by the buyer to the seller to cover part of the purchase price.
In this type of loan, the seller becomes the mortgagee and the buyer becomes the mortgagor.
Wraparound Mortgage
A wraparound mortgage is another type of seller financing. The seller extends to the buyer a junior mortgage, which wraps around the existing in addition to any superior mortgages already secured by the property.
Swing/Bridge Loan
A type of short-term loan, typically taken out for a period of 2 weeks to 3 years.
A bridge loan is a type of gap mortgage in which funds are provided over and above an already existing loan until more permanent financing is in place.
Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM)
In a graduated payment mortgage, the monthly payments are lower in the early years of the mortgage term, but increase at specific intervals until the payment amount is sufficient to amortize the loan over the remaining term.
The monthly payments are low in the early years because the borrower does not pay all of the interest that is then added to the principal balance.
Construction Mortgage
A construction mortgage is a form of interim, or temporary, short-term financing for creating improvements or buildings on a property.
Negative Amortization
Occurs when the monthly payment is less than full interest and does not pay any principal. The interest that is unpaid accrues and the principal balance owed increases.
Conventional loans
Conventional loans are loans issued by commercial lenders without any participation by an agency of the federal government.