practice exam Flashcards
____ is the right of the government to acquire property when the owner dies intestate and has no heirs eligible to inherit the property.
A. Severance
B. Eminent domain
C. Claimancy
D. Escheat
D
When a property owner dies without a will or survivors, the state assumes title through escheat
When an appraiser is looking at the quality of interior finishes, the appraiser will
evaluate all of the following EXCEPT
A. Countertops
B. Walls
C. HVAC
D. Presence or absence of molding
C
HVAC, choice (HVAC.), is its own category for appraisals. Choices (countertops.), (walls.), and
(presence or absence of molding.) are considered part of interior finishes
Builders are the best source of which kind of data that appraisers need?
A. Cost
B. Taxes
C. Market Value
D. Real estate closings
A
The tax assessor’s office for public tax records is the best source for choice (Taxes). Choice (Real
estate closings) is what the appraiser is attempting to determine. Choice (Real estate closings) is
also best sourced through public records, usually the county recorder’s office.
The city buys a block of condemned houses, razes them, and establishes a park. In
order to create the park, the city required
A. Nonconforming use zoning
B. Density zoning
C. Spot zoning
D. Open space zoning
C
Spot zoning is property zoned for a different purpose than the surrounding area. It can be
beneficial, but can also be “arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.” A zoning variance is a better
way to deal with a zoning issue. Choice (nonconforming use zoning.) is incorrect because the park
did not exist previously to the current zoning. Choice (density zoning.) refers to the number of
houses that may be built on an acre of land. Choice (open space zoning.) is a distracter
Which of the following phases of an environmental assessment estimates the cost
for cleaning up a site?
A. Phase I
B. Phase II
C. Phase III
D. Phase IV
C
Choice (Phase I) identifies potential contamination. Choice (Phase II) involves taking samples and
analyzing them to confirm contamination. Choice (Phase IV) develops a site management plan if
the contamination is too large or dangerous to remove.
An appraisal will not help you with ____.
A. Fair market interest
B. Mortgage approval
C. Eminent domain
D. Estate valuation
A
An appraisal is usually performed on a piece of property to help with buying, selling, eminent domain, estate valuation, exchanges of ownership, mortgage approval, property and other taxes, and various court proceedings
In looking at well-kept homes in Tower Beach, buyers typically refer to the kitchens
and bathrooms as dated. This comment is an example of
A. Functional obsolescence.
B. Economic obsolescence.
C. Physical deterioration.
D. Economic life
A
Choice (economic obsolescence.), also called external obsolescence, refers to a loss in value
because of factors outside a property. Choice (physical deterioration.) doesn’t apply because the
scenario states that the properties are well maintained. Choice (economic life.) refers to the
period of time during which a building is estimated to provide value
The Petersons have failed to pay their property taxes for the last 4 years. When the
mortgage company discovered this, it moved to have the Petersons pay their entire
mortgage. The mortgage company could do this because the mortgage contained a
A. Default clause.
B. Prepayment penalty clause.
C. Escrow clause.
D. Acceleration clause
D
Choice (default clause.) is incorrect because it is not precise enough, but this answer choice is a
good distracter. Choice (prepayment penalty clause.) is incorrect because it refers to a penalty that
a mortgagor pays if the mortgagor pays off the loan ahead of schedule. Choice (escrow clause.) is
incorrect because this refers to the account into which the mortgagor pays a certain amount in
advance on a regular basis to pay property taxes
The ____ requires that all real estate transfers of title be in writing
A. Transfer clause
B. Law of rights
C. Statute of frauds
D. Statute of adjudication
C
The statute of frauds was designed to address the importance of establishing and proving property
ownership.
Mike has listed the Tubmans’ 2,500 square foot, 3-bedroom, 3-and-a-half bath
house. In order to determine a sales price, he will conduct a
A. Sales comparison analysis.
B. Comparative market analysis.
C. Highest and best use analysis.
D. Site valuation
B
Choice (comparative market analysis.) looks at the prices of recently sold properties in the neighborhood that are similar. Choice (sales comparison analysis.) is an approach to estimating
valuation used by appraisers. Choice (highest and best use analysis.) is a distracter; setting a sales price has nothing to do with estimating highest and best use. Choice (site valuation.) is a method used by appraisers to estimate the value of a site without including the value of existing or potential improvements
Why are net listings generally frowned upon in the real estate industry?
A. They can lead to brokers taking advantage of property owners.
B. All of these.
C. The broker typically takes a smaller than average commission.
D. They drive down the prices of homes for sale
A
In a net listing, the seller names a price they want for their property, and any amount above that sale
price goes to the broker. Net listings are frowned upon in many states (and illegal in others) because
they can lead to brokers not acting in the best interest of the seller. For example, if a seller wanted
$150,000 for their home, and there was an offer for $152,000, in a net listing the broker may be
tempted to not accept the offer because his commission on the sale would be relatively small
Lori signed listing agreements with both the Petersons Real Estate Agency and
Cramers Realtors to sell her co-op. Lori has what kind of listing with the brokers?
A. MLS
B. Net Listing
C. Dual agency
D. Open listing
D
Choice (MLS) is a service shared by a group of brokers in an area, but it is not an agreement between a seller and a broker. Choice (Net listing) is a listing in which the amount of the broker’s commission, if there is one, depends on how much the property sells for over the price that the
seller wants.
Laches is
A. A type of deed restriction.
B. The loss of the right to evict a tenant.
C. The loss of the right because of a failure to enforce it within the proper amount of time.
D. The court order to enforce an eviction
C
Choices (a type of deed restriction.), (the loss of the right to evict a tenant.), and (the court order to
enforce an evictions.) are incorrect
All of the following are recorded after a closing EXCEPT
A. The mortgage.
B. Liens
C. Inspection reports
D. Easements
C
Choices (the mortgage.), (liens.), and (easements.) as well as the deed are recorded after a
closing. Choice (inspection reports.) is not recorded, so it is the correct answer to the question.
What is the purpose of underwriting?
A. To determine the risks of making a loan
B. To get a current appraisal on a home’s value
C. To determine how much a property is worth
D. To compare the interest rates of different lenders
A
Mortgage lenders use a process called underwriting to assess the risks of making a loan. To assess a potential borrower’s risk, they look at factors such as salary, credit history, and terms of
employment
Which of the following must be given to mortgage applicants the day before the
closing?
A. Uniform Residential Appraisal Report
B. Good Faith Estimate
C. Uniform Residential Loan Application
D. Closing Disclosure
D
Choice (Uniform Residential Appraisal Report) is used by professional appraisers hired by lenders
to appraise the property in order to determine the value of the mortgage. The mortgagor is
entitled to a copy of the report within 90 days of being informed of the lender’s action on the
mortgage request. Choice (Good Faith Estimate) is required to be given persons seeking a
mortgage within 3 days of applying for a loan.
For a loan to meet the requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it must have a loan-to-value ratio of
A. 80/20
B. Less than 80 percent.
C. Less than or equal to 80 percent.
D. More than 80 percent
C
The best LTV ratio is less than or equal to 80 percent and does not require private mortgage
insurance. Choice (80/20.) is a distracter because it seems familiar; it is the financing of a
mortgage by taking out two loans, one for 80 percent and one for 20 percent, which is used to
cover the down payment. Choices (less than 80 percent.) and (more than 80 percent.) are
incorrect
Which type of deed grants the highest and most complete form of ownership?
A. General warranty deed
B. Quitclaim deed
C. Deed of trust
D. Judicial deed
A
Choice (Quitclaim deed) has no warranties. Choice (Judicial deed) has no warranty. Choice (Judicial deed) has limited warranties
Some states require that real estate sales contracts be in writing because of the
state’s
A. Statute of Frauds.
B. Statute of Delivery.
C. Real Estate Commission regulations.
D. Statute of Liability
A
Choices (Statute of Delivery.) and (Statute of Liability.) are distracters. Choice (Real Estate
Commission regulations.) is incorrect because a Real Estate Commission does not have the power
to regulate the form of a contract
Mike is considering buying the Peterson Company’s apartment building as an
investment. Which of the following will help him decide how long the building will
contribute to the value of the property?
A. Economic life
B. Physical life
C. Effective age
D. Actual age
A
Choice (Economic life) is also called useful life. Choice (Physical life) is the period of time during
which an improvement is estimated to last. Choice (Effective age) is the functional age of an
improvement based on the condition of the improvement and market conditions. Choice (Actual
age) is the chronological age of an improvement
The Petersons bought their home 10 years ago for $175,000, paying 10 percent down and taking a mortgage for $157,500. Today, the outstanding principal is $98,900. What is the total equity that the Petersons have in their home?
A. 17500
B. 58600
C. 76100
D. 116400
C
Choice (17500) is incorrect because it is only the down payment. Choice (58600) is incorrect
because it represents only the amount that the mortgage has been reduced
Someone who buys a timeshare owns it as
A. A share in a fee simple estate.
B. Community property.
C. A partnership.
D. A qualified fee conditional
A
An assignment of a lease is a
A. Partial transfer of rights between landlord and lessee.
B. Partial transfer of rights from sublessor to sublessee.
C. Total transfer of rights from lessee to a third party.
D. Total transfer of rights from sublessee to sublessee
C
The first part of choices (partial transfer of rights between landlord and lessee.) and (partial
transfer of rights from sublessor to sublessee.) makes these answers incorrect regardless of the
second part of the answer. An assignment of a lease is the total transfer of rights between a tenant
and a third party, choice (total transfer of rights from lessee to a third party.). Sublessor and
sublessee, choice (total transfer of rights from sublessee to sublessee.), are terms used in a
subleasing arrangement, not an assignment of a lease.
Ad valorem is a method used to
A. Appraise property.
B. Determine market value.
C. Determine a listing price.
D. Assess property
D
Ad valorem means “according to value.” Choice (appraise property.) is incorrect; the three ways
to appraise property are sales comparison, cost, and income. Choice (determine market value.) is
determined through appraisal. Choice (determine a listing price.) is determined using competitive
market analysis.
Which phrase in the following ad would be considered a violation of the Fair Housing Act: “Two-bedroom apartment for rent in elevator building with handicap- accessible bathroom. Husband and wife preferred. Children welcome.”
A. “Elevator building”
B. “Handicap-accessible bathroom”
C. “Husband and wife preferred”
D. “Children welcome”
C
Choice (“Husband and wife preferred”) states that married couples are preferred and implies that
it’s heterosexual couples that are preferred. Choice (“Elevator building”) and (“Handicap-
accessible bathroom”) are acceptable because they state facts and don’t state or imply that
people with disabilities are not welcome to apply. Choice (“Children welcome”) is not a negative
either. Saying that a group is welcome as long as it doesn’t shut out other groups is not considered
discriminatory advertising
Which of these would determine if there is encroachment on a property?
A. Appraisal
B. Survey
C. Ejectment
D. Easement
B
A survey determines if one’s building or property encroaches (trespasses) on another’s. A survey is
typically part of a real estate contract.
Worn, dirty carpet would be considered in an appraisal as
A. An incurable functional obsolescence.
B. A curable physical deterioration.
C. An incurable economic obsolescence.
D. A curable functional obsolescence
B
Choice (an incurable functional obsolescence.) is incorrect because a worn, dirty carpet is not an
example of functional obsolescence. Choice (an incurable economic obsolescence.) is incorrect
because it is not incurable or an example of economic obsolescence. Choice (a curable functional
obsolescence.) is correct because it is curable, but it’s not functional obsolescence. Therefore,
choice (a curable functional obsolescence.) is incorrect
Which of the following situations would be exempt under the provisions of the Fair Housing Act?
A. A landlord renting an apartment in a four-unit building
B. A FSBO property
C. A developer selling townhouses in a PUD
D. Nuns who run an assisted living facility for the elderly and accept public funding
B
A “for sale by owner” property is exempt from the requirements of the Fair Housing Act. Choice (A landlord renting an apartment in a four-unit building) is not exempt unless the landlord occupies
one of the units in a four-unit building. Choice (A developer selling townhouses in a PUD) would only be exempt if the townhouses were in an over-55 community
Deed restrictions and easements on a property are considered ____ when written
into the deed.
A. a consideration
B. a bad investment
C. exceptions and reservations
D. a turnaround investment
C
Exceptions and reservations are restrictions or limitations explicitly described in the deed.
Which of the following established “innocent landowner immunity”?
A. SARA
B. CERCLA
C. Brownfields Program
D. LUST Trust Fund
A
Choice (CERCLA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980, was the predecessor to SARA, the Super-fund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986, and held the current landowner responsible for any contamination, even if the landowner
had nothing to do with the contamination. Choice (Brownfields Program) is the program that
cleans up contaminated land and is administered under these two acts and the Small Business
Liability Relief and Brown-fields Revitalization Act of 2002
The local furniture store property sold and had an 8% rate of appreciation per year
for 12 years. It was originally bought for $653,800. What was the latest sales
price?
A. 627,648
B. 1,281,448
C. 607,104
D. 1,265,439
B
$653,800 × 0.08 = $52,304 ** $52,403 × 12 = $627,648 ** $627,648 + $653,800 = $1,281,448
At closing, the borrower turns over to the lender for deposit into an escrow
account a certain number of months of all of the following payments EXCEPT
A. county property taxes.
B. municipal property taxes.
C. Interest.
D. hazard insurance premiums
C
Choice (interest.) is paid on an ongoing monthly basis with pay-ment of the principal, and so is the
correct answer to the question, which is asking for what is not included in escrow. Some number of
months of choices (county property taxes.), (municipal property taxes.), and (hazard insurance
premiums.) are paid to the lender at closing and placed in an escrow account. (If the amount is
larger than allowed under RESPA, an adjustment is made in the amount of the payments.
Investor Mike is purchasing a building from the Acme Tool Company with a 20-year net-net-net leaseback offering outstanding cash throw off and good tax treatment.
The building was built to the seller’s needs under strict specifications to the seller’s
business. Mike should be most concerned with
A. the physical condition of the building.
B. the financial condition of the seller.
C. the chance of property appreciation.
D. the chance of increased maintenance costs
B
the financial condition of the seller
The Petersons Development Company is planning on rehabbing a block of
tenements in the city. It is buying up the property from three owners and is paying
them in installments. This type of installment contract is also known as a/an
A. binder contract.
B. Option.
C. equity contract.
D. land contract
D
Choice (land contract.) may have another name in your state, so be sure that you know what terms
are used in your state for all unfamiliar terminology used in this book. Choice (binder contract.)
may seem familiar because of the word “binder,” but a binder contract doesn’t exist. Choice
(option.)
The Petersons are getting a general warranty on their home purchase. They expect
that it will contain all of the following EXCEPT
A. covenant of right to convey.
B. covenant of right to grant.
C. covenant of quiet enjoyment.
D. covenant against encumbrances
B
The ownership of the title and the grantor’s right to convey that title is found in the covenant of
seisin; there is no covenant of right to grant. Choices (covenant of right to convey.), (covenant of
quiet enjoyment.), and (covenant against encumbrances) are all found in a general warranty deed,
and so are incorrect answers to the question