1. In real estate, 'HOA′ commonly stands for:
A. Home Owners Assistance
B. Housing Opportunity Agency
C. Homeowners Association
D. Homestead Ownership Act
2. What is the purpose of a 'property survey′ in a real estate transaction?
A. To assess the interior design and layout of the property.
B. To determine the market value for property tax assessment.
C. To establish the legal boundaries and dimensions of the property.
D. To evaluate the structural condition of the buildings on the property.
3. What is 'capital gain′ in real estate investment?
A. The initial down payment on a property.
B. The profit earned from selling a property for more than its original purchase price.
C. The annual rental income generated by a property.
D. The cost of renovations and improvements made to a property.
4. What does 'zoning′ regulations primarily control in real estate?
A. Building material standards for construction.
B. The types of activities that are permitted on specific parcels of land.
C. Property tax rates within a municipality.
D. Historical preservation guidelines for older buildings.
5. What is 'amortization′ in the context of a mortgage?
A. The process of insuring a mortgage against default.
B. The schedule of payments that reduces the loan balance over time.
C. The penalty for paying off a mortgage early.
D. The process of refinancing a mortgage at a lower interest rate.
6. What does 'cap rate′ (capitalization rate) measure in real estate investment?
A. The annual rate of property appreciation.
B. The potential rate of return on a real estate investment.
C. The total cost of capital improvements over time.
D. The percentage of a property′s value covered by insurance.
7. What is 'ad valorem′ property tax based on?
A. The income generated from the property.
B. The assessed value of the property.
C. The size of the property in square footage.
D. The number of bedrooms in the property.
8. What is 'short sale′ in real estate?
A. Selling a property for less than its original purchase price.
B. Selling a property for less than the outstanding mortgage balance.
C. A quick sale process designed to close within a week.
D. Selling a property with a significantly reduced agent commission.
9. What is 'PMI′ (Private Mortgage Insurance)?
A. Insurance that protects the buyer in case of job loss.
B. Insurance that protects the lender if the borrower defaults, typically required with a low down payment.
C. Insurance covering property damage from pests.
D. Publicly funded mortgage assistance program.
10. What is the difference between 'gross′ and 'net′ rental income?
A. Gross income includes property taxes, net income does not.
B. Gross income is income before expenses, net income is after deducting operating expenses.
C. Net income is for residential properties, gross income is for commercial.
D. There is no practical difference; the terms are interchangeable.
11. What is 'REIT′ (Real Estate Investment Trust)?
A. A type of government housing subsidy program.
B. A company that owns or finances income-producing real estate.
C. A regulatory body overseeing real estate transactions.
D. A certification for environmentally friendly buildings.
12. What does 'due diligence′ refer to in the process of buying real estate?
A. The initial offer price made on a property.
B. The legal contract signed by buyer and seller.
C. A comprehensive investigation and verification of property details and risks before purchase.
D. The final walkthrough of the property before closing.
13. Which of these factors generally increases property value?
A. Proximity to busy highways and industrial zones.
B. Declining local job market.
C. Improvements in local schools and amenities.
D. High crime rates in the neighborhood.
14. What is the term for a professional who is licensed to negotiate and arrange real estate transactions, acting as an intermediary between buyers and sellers?
A. Appraiser
B. Property Manager
C. Real Estate Agent
D. Mortgage Broker
15. Which term describes the legal right to pass through property owned by another?
A. Encroachment
B. Easement
C. Lien
D. Variance
16. A 'comparative market analysis′ (CMA) is primarily used by real estate agents to:
A. Determine the structural integrity of a building.
B. Estimate the fair market value of a property.
C. Assess the environmental impact of a property.
D. Calculate property taxes for a given area.
17. Which of the following is NOT typically considered a 'closing cost′ for a homebuyer?
A. Appraisal fees
B. Home inspection fees
C. Property taxes paid in advance
D. Monthly mortgage payments
18. What is a 'contingency′ in a real estate purchase agreement?
A. A mandatory fee charged by the real estate agent.
B. A condition that must be met for the contract to be binding.
C. A penalty for backing out of a real estate deal.
D. A clause that automatically renews the contract annually.
19. Which professional typically conducts a 'home inspection′ during a real estate transaction?
A. Real Estate Appraiser
B. Licensed Home Inspector
C. Title Company Representative
D. Mortgage Underwriter
20. Which document legally transfers ownership of real property from the seller to the buyer?
A. Promissory Note
B. Deed
C. Title Insurance Policy
D. Purchase Agreement
21. What is 'title insurance′ designed to protect against?
A. Damage to the property from natural disasters.
B. Financial loss from defects in the property title, such as liens or encumbrances.
C. Loss of personal property within the home.
D. Fluctuations in property market value after purchase.
22. What is 'like-kind exchange′ (1031 exchange) in US real estate?
A. Exchanging properties directly between two individual owners without agents.
B. A tax-deferred exchange of similar investment properties.
C. Trading residential property for commercial property to diversify investments.
D. Selling a property and reinvesting the proceeds within 30 days.
23. What is 'rent control′?
A. A government subsidy for renters.
B. Regulations limiting the amount landlords can charge for rent.
C. Insurance that protects renters′ personal belongings.
D. A system for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants.
24. What is the meaning of 'fixture′ in real estate?
A. A temporary decoration in a model home.
B. Personal property that is easily removed from the property.
C. An item of personal property that has become permanently attached to the real property.
D. A discount offered by the seller to cover repair costs.
25. What is 'leasehold improvement′?
A. Repairs made to a property by the landlord.
B. Enhancements made to a leased property by a tenant.
C. Increases in property value due to market appreciation.
D. Tax benefits for landlords offering lease agreements.
26. What does 'foreclosure′ mean in real estate?
A. The process of renovating an old property.
B. The legal process by which a lender takes possession of a property due to borrower′s default.
C. The act of selling a property quickly below market value.
D. The initial stage of property development and construction.
27. In real estate development, what is 'entitlement′?
A. The initial funding secured for a project.
B. The legal rights to develop land, typically obtained through government approvals.
C. The marketing phase of a new development project.
D. The process of insuring a development project against construction delays.
28. The term 'brownfield′ in real estate commonly refers to:
A. Undeveloped green spaces in urban areas.
B. Agricultural land suitable for farming.
C. Previously developed land that may be contaminated.
D. Newly constructed residential subdivisions.
29. Which of the following best describes 'escrow′ in a real estate context?
A. A type of property insurance.
B. A neutral third party holding funds and documents until transaction conditions are met.
C. A government tax on property sales.
D. The process of evaluating a property′s value.
30. In real estate financing, what is the 'loan-to-value′ (LTV) ratio?
A. The interest rate charged on a mortgage.
B. The total amount of the loan divided by the appraised value of the property, expressed as a percentage.
C. The monthly payment amount including principal and interest.
D. The duration of the mortgage loan in years.
