Real Estate Law Exam
2025 Practice Examination
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Property Rights • Transactions • Land Use • Compliance
Original educational study resource. Not an official licensing examination or professor-verified
assessment. Legal rules vary by jurisdiction; consult controlling law.
Page 1 of 29
,Table of Contents
Section 1: Sources of Law, Property Rights & Estates in Land 3
Section 2: Ownership, Co-Ownership, Easements & Encumbrances 7
Section 3: Landlord-Tenant Law & Leasehold Estates 11
Section 4: Real Estate Contracts, Disclosures & Agency 15
Section 5: Deeds, Title, Recording & Title Insurance 19
Section 6: Mortgages, Financing Law & Foreclosure 23
Section 7: Zoning, Land Use, Environmental Law & Professional Ethics 27
Page 2 of 29
, Section 1: Sources of Law, Property Rights & Estates in Land
Q1: A state statute conflicts with a valid federal statute governing the same subject.
Which generally controls under the Supremacy Clause?
A. The state statute in every case
B. The deed recorded first
C. The local zoning ordinance automatically
D. The federal statute, to the extent of the conflict [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Federal law preempts conflicting state law when Congress validly acts within its authority.
Q2: A city requires a permit for a new structure under an ordinance adopted under
state enabling legislation. This is an example of:
A. Federal eminent domain
B. A private restrictive covenant
C. Local police-power regulation of land use [CORRECT]
D. Common-law adverse possession
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Local governments commonly regulate land use under delegated police power.
Q3: A statute of frauds generally requires which agreement involving land to be in
writing?
A. A month-to-month tenancy in every state
B. A contract for sale of real property [CORRECT]
C. A neighbor’s oral permission to park
D. A revocable license to enter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Land sale contracts generally must be written, subject to jurisdiction-specific exceptions.
Q4: A property owner challenges a new zoning rule as an uncompensated taking.
Which distinction is most relevant?
A. Whether regulation goes so far or operates so coercively as to constitute a taking under
constitutional standards [CORRECT]
B. Whether the owner dislikes the rule
C. Whether the parcel has a mortgage
D. Whether the rule was published in a newspaper
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A land-use regulation may trigger takings analysis based on its effect and legal
framework, not mere disagreement.
Page 3 of 29
2025 Practice Examination
100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Property Rights • Transactions • Land Use • Compliance
Original educational study resource. Not an official licensing examination or professor-verified
assessment. Legal rules vary by jurisdiction; consult controlling law.
Page 1 of 29
,Table of Contents
Section 1: Sources of Law, Property Rights & Estates in Land 3
Section 2: Ownership, Co-Ownership, Easements & Encumbrances 7
Section 3: Landlord-Tenant Law & Leasehold Estates 11
Section 4: Real Estate Contracts, Disclosures & Agency 15
Section 5: Deeds, Title, Recording & Title Insurance 19
Section 6: Mortgages, Financing Law & Foreclosure 23
Section 7: Zoning, Land Use, Environmental Law & Professional Ethics 27
Page 2 of 29
, Section 1: Sources of Law, Property Rights & Estates in Land
Q1: A state statute conflicts with a valid federal statute governing the same subject.
Which generally controls under the Supremacy Clause?
A. The state statute in every case
B. The deed recorded first
C. The local zoning ordinance automatically
D. The federal statute, to the extent of the conflict [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Federal law preempts conflicting state law when Congress validly acts within its authority.
Q2: A city requires a permit for a new structure under an ordinance adopted under
state enabling legislation. This is an example of:
A. Federal eminent domain
B. A private restrictive covenant
C. Local police-power regulation of land use [CORRECT]
D. Common-law adverse possession
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Local governments commonly regulate land use under delegated police power.
Q3: A statute of frauds generally requires which agreement involving land to be in
writing?
A. A month-to-month tenancy in every state
B. A contract for sale of real property [CORRECT]
C. A neighbor’s oral permission to park
D. A revocable license to enter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Land sale contracts generally must be written, subject to jurisdiction-specific exceptions.
Q4: A property owner challenges a new zoning rule as an uncompensated taking.
Which distinction is most relevant?
A. Whether regulation goes so far or operates so coercively as to constitute a taking under
constitutional standards [CORRECT]
B. Whether the owner dislikes the rule
C. Whether the parcel has a mortgage
D. Whether the rule was published in a newspaper
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A land-use regulation may trigger takings analysis based on its effect and legal
framework, not mere disagreement.
Page 3 of 29
