North Carolina Real Estate Commission NCREC-Broker-N NC Real Estate Broker National Exam Practice Test

ThePrinciple of Regressionin real estate appraisal dictates that the value of a higher-quality property is negatively impacted by surrounding inferior properties. In simple terms, even a well-maintained, high-end home can lose value if it's located among less desirable homes. PrepAgent explains:

“The principle of regression states that the value of a more expensive property will decrease when less expensive properties come into the area.”

This clearly matches the definition and corresponds exactly to optionD.

A slab-on-grade foundation is a flat concrete slab poured directly on the ground, often used in warmer climates where ground freezing is not an issue. It supports the building structure directly and does not include a crawl space or basement. Pier and beam and post and beam refer to elevated structures, while platform construction refers to framing, not the foundation. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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Under NCREC rules, the Working With Real Estate Agents Disclosure must be presented and reviewed with a prospective buyer or seller at the first substantial contact. “Substantial contact” occurs when conversations begin to include personal, financial, or confidential information. It does not have to be tied to signing an agreement or making an offer. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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In North Carolina, and in most states, ad valorem (real estate) property tax liens have “superior lien” status. They take precedence over all other liens, regardless of recording date. This includes mortgage liens and judgment liens. Therefore, even if a mortgage was recorded first, a property tax lien takes priority. Correct answer: A.

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A defeasible fee estate (specifically, a fee simple determinable or fee simple subject to a condition subsequent) is one that may be voided if a specific condition is violated or a required event does not occur. In this case, the condition is that the church cannot build a parking lot. If it does, ownership may revert to the grantor. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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NC brokers are bound by an affirmative duty to both discover and disclose material facts to all parties in a transaction, not just their clients. This includes facts they know or should reasonably know, such as structural defects, zoning violations, or environmental issues. This duty exists regardless of whom the broker represents. Therefore, option A is correct.

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Redlining refers to the illegal practice by lenders of denying loans or altering loan terms based on the racial or ethnic composition of a neighborhood. This violates federal fair housing laws and is discriminatory in nature. Blockbusting involves inducing sellers to sell by suggesting that a minority group is moving in; steering involves directing buyers to or from neighborhoods based on race; boycotting is an antitrust violation. Therefore, C is the correct answer.

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The total commission earned was 7% of the final sales price ($695,000 × 0.07 = $48,650).

The cooperating (buyer’s) broker received 3% ($695,000 × 0.03 = $20,850).

The listing brokerage firm retained the difference:

$48,650 – $20,850 = $27,800.

So, the listing firm earned $27,800 — answer C.

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Under NCREC rules, a broker must deposit any earnest money received (including cash) into the firm’s trust account within three banking days of receipt if the offer has been accepted. If the offer has not yet been accepted, the funds must be safeguarded and then deposited within three banking days following acceptance. Cash must be treated with particular care, and a detailed receipt should be provided. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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Under North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) rules, a broker may begin working with a buyer under oral buyer agency but must have a signed, written buyer agency agreement in place before presenting any offer on behalf of that buyer. Oral agency cannot be exclusive or have a defined time frame. Additionally, the broker must provide the Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure at first substantial contact. Therefore, oral buyer agency is permissible temporarily but must convert to a written agreement before drafting or presenting an offer, making option C correct.

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North Carolina License Law and Rules state that a buyer’s agent must disclose their agency statusat initial contactwith the seller or the seller’s agent. The statute explicitly requires agency disclosure at the earliest interaction. Thus,option Ais correct.

The North Carolina Good Funds Settlement Act requires that no disbursement of funds—including broker commissions—can be made until the deed and any deed of trust are recorded in the public records. Only once the documents are recorded can the closing attorney legally disburse funds. Thus, brokers should expect to be paid only after recording, making answer C correct.

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An appurtenant easement involves two properties: the dominant tenement (the one that benefits from the easement) and the servient tenement (the one that is burdened by the easement). In this case, Morgan benefits from the easement (dominant tenement), and Julie’s land must allow access (servient tenement). Therefore, Julie’s land is correctly identified as the servient tenement.

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Under NC General Statutes Chapter 42A (Vacation Rental Act), a landlord may employ theexpedited eviction process(using magistrate and four-hour notice) when a tenant under a vacation rental agreement (30 days or fewer) breaches the contract—such as overstaying, failing to pay rent, or materially violating terms. A two-week vacation rental falls under this provisionsog.unc.edufairhousingnc.org+14ncleg.gov+14nclamp.gov+14fairhousingnc.org. Option A is standard eviction, not expedited; B and C don't qualify under expedited procedures.

The Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) is best suited for valuing small residential income properties, typically 1-4 units, where monthly rental income is a primary valuation factor. Among the options, a residential duplex (two units) fits this criteria perfectly. Larger multi-unit properties and commercial properties typically require more complex income capitalization approaches.

According to NCREC advertising rules, any advertisement by a broker must clearly identify the firm with which the broker is affiliated. Failing to do so results in what is considered a “blind ad,” which is prohibited. Josh’s ad does not include his brokerage firm’s name—Atlantic Realty—so it is a blind ad. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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In North Carolina, a deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and delivered to the grantee to be valid. However, acknowledgment (notarization) is not required for validity—but it is required for the deed to be recorded at the county Register of Deeds. Recording provides constructive notice of ownership. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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The Conner Act in North Carolina requires that certain real estate documents (including deeds, leases over 3 years, and easements) must be recorded in order to be enforceable against third parties. Recording a deed provides constructive notice to the world that an ownership transfer has occurred. Constructive notice is a legal concept meaning everyone is deemed to know the facts once the document is publicly recorded. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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Under theNorth Carolina Condominium Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 47C), the buyer of a condominium unit has a7-day right of rescission only for new condominiums, meaning units offered for sale in a project not yet completed or occupied. For units in a condominium community that are more than one year old,there is no statutory right to rescind the contractonce signed. Since this is a 10-year-old unit, the buyer doesnothave a rescission period.

North Carolina brokers are permitted to complete preprinted, attorney-approved forms (like Standard Form 2-T) and make handwritten changes at the direction of clients. However, they may not draft legal language or new provisions—doing so constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. Brokers must refer clients to an attorney when custom provisions or legal interpretations are needed. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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Any change to the terms of a binding real estate contract must be made in writing and signed by all parties. In this case, the original Offer to Purchase and Contract remains valid, and the parties are modifying the terms (adjusting the sales price due to damage). This should be documented using a formal amendment. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

In North Carolina, theBroker‑In‑Charge (BIC)is responsible for supervisingall provisional brokersand ensuring they adhere to Commission rules. While a BIC may also supervise branch offices if appointed, the core statutory duty is direct supervision of licensed provisional brokers . Therefore,Option Dis the most accurate.

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Familial status includes pregnant women and families with children under 18. Age and military status are not federally protected classes under this law (though they may be under local ordinances). Marital status is not a protected class under federal law either. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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An offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to acceptance and communication of that acceptance. Even if the offer specifies a time frame for response, it does not prevent the buyer from withdrawing it before acceptance. Since the seller had not accepted the offer, the buyer has the legal right to withdraw and receive their earnest money back. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

According to Paragraph 12 of the NCAR/NCBA Offer to Purchase and Contract (Form 2-T), the settlement date may be extended by up to 7 calendar days if either party is acting in good faith and is prepared to settle. This flexibility ensures neither party is penalized for delays that are minor and in good faith, but it limits how long the contract can be extended before a material breach could occur. Therefore, the settlement date can be delayed up to 7 calendar days and still remain enforceable.

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The cost approach to value involves three primary steps: (1) estimate the replacement or reproduction cost of the improvements, (2) subtract accrued depreciation, and (3) add the market value of the land. In this case, the appraiser has already estimated the cost to rebuild the structure. The next steps are to subtract any depreciation from the improvements and then add the land value to derive the final opinion of value. Labor costs are already factored into the reconstruction estimate and are not added again.

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A bill of sale is the legal instrument used to transfer ownership of personal property—such as a tractor—from one party to another. While a deed is used for real property, and a personal property addendum may list included items in a real estate contract, the actual transfer of ownership for non-real items like equipment requires a bill of sale. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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In a gross lease, the tenant pays a fixed rent amount, and the landlord is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. This type of lease is common in residential rentals and contrasts with a net lease, where the tenant pays some or all ownership costs. A graduated lease involves rent increases at intervals, and a percentage lease involves paying rent based on the tenant’s gross business income. Therefore, the correct answer is B, gross lease.

The four economic characteristics necessary for real property to have value are:

Demand: There must be a desire or need for the property.

Utility: The property must serve a purpose or satisfy a need.

Scarcity: There must be a limited supply of similar properties.

Transferability: The ownership rights must be transferable from one party to another.

These four components form the acronym DUST and are foundational in property valuation. The correct answer is A.

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Under the federal Fair Housing Act, religious organizations may limit occupancy of their non-profit housing to persons of the same religion, provided the property is not operated commercially and there is no discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Thus, option D is correct — the charity may lawfully restrict tenancy to members of its own faith.

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An exclusive agency listing agreement gives the listing brokerage the exclusive right to market the property, but if the seller personally finds the buyer (e.g., a co-worker), no commission is owed. In contrast, an exclusive right to sell agreement would entitle the brokerage to a commission regardless of who finds the buyer. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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An executory contract is one in which terms have been agreed upon, but some or all of the obligations have yet to be performed. For example, a purchase contract where the closing has not yet occurred is executory. An executed contract is one where all parties have completed their obligations. A voidable contract is valid unless canceled by one party due to a legal defect. An unenforceable contract cannot be upheld in court. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

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North Carolina license law requires brokers to ensure their client receives a detailed closing statement. Even if the attorney or settlement agent prepares the statement, the broker must review it for accuracy and notify all parties of any errors. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

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According to 21 NCAC 58A .0104(a), a written agency agreement in North Carolina must include the broker’s license number and a definite expiration date. These are required by the Commission to ensure regulatory clarity and accountability. A broker protection clause is optional and negotiated between parties. Automatic renewal clauses are prohibited in listing agreements. Therefore, the correct and required component is the broker’s license number.

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Mold requires moisture to grow and is most commonly found in damp environments such as basements, bathrooms, and areas with water damage. Not all mold is toxic, and the presence of mold is not specifically listed on the NC Residential Property and Owners’ Association Disclosure Statement (though it may be disclosed as a material fact). Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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According to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and advertising guidelines in North Carolina, if a licensee advertises specific financing terms—such as the amount of down payment—this triggers the requirement to disclose additional terms, including the annual percentage rate (APR), amount of payments, and term of the loan. The failure to include these terms makes the advertisement misleading and non-compliant.

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing a client’s funds—such as earnest money—with the broker’s personal or business funds. North Carolina law strictly prohibits brokers from depositing trust money (like earnest deposits) into the firm’s general operating account. In this case, the broker used the funds to pay rent, which could also constitute conversion (intentional misuse). But since the question specifically addresses the deposit, the correct answer is B – commingling.

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