Test Flashcards
(305 cards)
Which of the following regarding a sales associate acting as a transaction broker is FALSE?
A. Florida statue presumes that all licensees are working as transaction brokers.
B. The licensee can change from single agent to transaction broker during the transaction.
C. The main goal is to produce a sale between the buyer and seller.
D. Transaction brokers are not entitled to commissions over 5%.
D. Transaction brokers are not entitled to commissions over 5%.
Florida statutes presume that, in the absence of a signed agreement for single agency or no brokerage relationship, all sales associates are working as transaction brokers serving to represent all parties in a limited manner and produce a sale between the buyer and the seller. Transaction brokers provide limited representation to both parties, and a sales associate originally working as a buyer’s agent or seller’s agent can, with the written consent of both parties, transition to a transaction brokerage relationship in order to assist both parties.
A broker has just secured a new listing. If he wants to erect a “For Sale” sign on the property, what must he do first?
A. The broker must secure a permit with the local municipality according to their rules of signage.
B. The broker must secure a buyer for the property.
C. The broker must petition the property’s immediate neighbors for their permission.
D. The broker must get the property owner’s permission to do so.
D. The broker must get the property owner’s permission to do so.
A broker who wishes to place a “For Sale” sign on a listed property must first obtain the owner’s permission.
A broker with a list of rental properties acting as information broker for a tenant must give the tenant a 1-page contract specifying what?
A. Specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 50% of the fee if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 75% of the full fee if the information is inaccurate.
B. Specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 75% of the fee if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 100% of the full fee if the information is inaccurate.
C. Specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 25% of the fee if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 50% of the full fee if the information is inaccurate.
D. Specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 10% of the fee if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 20% of the full fee if the information is inaccurate.
B. Specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 75% of the fee if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 100% of the full fee if the information is inaccurate.
When a broker maintains a list of rental property and acts as an information broker to a tenant, the FREC requires that he give the tenant a 1 page contract specifying that the tenant has the right to request a refund of 75% of the fee (if requested within 30 days) if the tenant does not find a rental; and the right to request a refund of 100% of the full fee (if requested within 30 days) if the information is inaccurate.
A licensed sales associate accepted a deposit check from a buyer late on Friday evening. So that the check would not be lost, she deposited it into her personal bank account. Is this wrong?
A. No, because the intent was to protect the funds by placing them into a bank account for safe keeping.
B. No, as long as she informed the buyer she was going to do so.
C. Yes, it is against Florida real estate statutes to do so.
D. Yes, unless the buyer asked her to keep the funds in her account until such time as the contract had been accepted by the seller.
C. Yes, it is against Florida real estate statutes to do so.
A sales associate depositing a buyer’s down payment into his or her personal bank account is in breach of the law and may face discipline form the FREC.
A sales associate discovers an error on the closing statement. Who is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of closing statements?
A. The sales associate is responsible
B. The sales associate’s broker is responsible
C. The title company is responsible
D. The attorney is responsible
B. The sales associate’s broker is responsible
Although a sales associate should double-check all documents for accuracy, it is the broker who is responsible for the accuracy of agreements, offers, contacts, closing statements and other documents.
Can a successful sales associate who is ambitious to generate new business, place a series of advertisements in the newspaper?
A. Yes, if his broker approves and the ads carry the name of the firm or brokerage in addition to the sales associate’s.
B. Yes, if the ads ONLY feature the sales associate’s name and don’t attempt to “borrow equity” by including his brokerage firm’s name.
C. No, only real estate firms can place ads.
D. No, other than classifieds, newspapers only accept ads from recognized advertising agencies.
A. Yes, if his broker approves and the ads carry the name of the firm or brokerage in addition to the sales associate’s.
Sales associates are free to advertise or promote their own services so long as the name of the firm or brokerage is also prominently featured.
Can escrow accounts be interest-bearing in Florida?
A. No, escrow accounts may never be interest-bearing in Florida.
B. Yes, escrow accounts may be interest-bearing provided the interest rate offered is over 3% per year.
C. Yes, escrow accounts may be interest-bearing provided that: the broker has the written permission of all parties to the transaction; the name of the party to receive the interest is agreed; the date the earned interest must be disbursed is agreed.
D. Yes, escrow accounts may be interest-bearing provided that prior written consent is given by the FREC.
C. Yes, escrow accounts may be interest-bearing provided that: the broker has the written permission of all parties to the transaction; the name of the party to receive the interest is agreed; the date the earned interest must be disbursed is agreed.
Escrow money MAY be placed in an interest-bearing escrow account provided that: the broker has the written permission of all parties to the transaction; the name of the party who is to receive the interest is agreed in writing; the date the earned interest must be disbursed is agreed in writing.
What is the primary purpose of the Division of Real Estate?
A. To generate revenues with which to finance real estate education through the levying of license fees on real estate licensees.
B. To promote the business of real estate and maximize the number of real estate transactions throughout the state of Florida.
C. To protect the public by regulation of real estate licensees. The Division is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of individuals, corporations, real estate schools and instructors.
D. To act as the disciplinary body for all real estate licensees within Florida and all out-of-state individuals holding Florida licenses.
C. To protect the public by regulation of real estate licensees. The Division is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of individuals, corporations, real estate schools and instructors.
The Division of Real Estate protects the public by regulation of real estate and appraisal licensees pursuant to Florida Statutes. The Division is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of over a quarter of a million individuals, corporations, real estate schools and instructors.
Which of the following best describes the FREC’s duties and powers?
A. The FREC administers to disputes between licensees and mediates over cases involving unpaid or disputed commissions and real estate fees.
B. The FREC administers and enforces the real estate license law. The Commission is also empowered to pass rules that enable it to implement its statutorily authorized duties and responsibilities.
C. The FREC is the driving force behind advertising and promoting the business and practice of real estate throughout Florida.
D. The FREC provides advice to the civil courts and has is empowered to hand out judgments in the event that a licensee is found guilty of a crime.
B. The FREC administers and enforces the real estate license law. The Commission is also empowered to pass rules that enable it to implement its statutorily authorized duties and responsibilities.
The FREC administers and enforces the real estate license law, Chapter 475, Part I, Florida Statutes. The Commission is also empowered to pass rules that enable it to implement its statutorily authorized duties and responsibilities. These rules are contained in Chapter 61J2, Florida Administrative Code.
Who appoints the FREC and how many members are there on the Commission?
A. The FREC consists of 12 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
B. The FREC consists of 7 members appointed by the Association of Realtors.
C. The FREC consists of 4 members selected by public election.
D. The FREC consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
D. The FREC consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The FREC consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. 4 members must be licensed brokers, each of whom has held an active license for 5 years preceding appointment. 1 member must be a licensed broker or a licensed sales associate who has held an active license for 2 years preceding appointment. 2 members must be persons who are not, and have never been, brokers or sales associates.
A listing agreement is a contract between 2 parties and therefore subject to termination under the same conditions as other contracts. Which of the following does NOT meet one of the conditions required for termination of the contract?
A. Lanie, a real estate licensee, successfully helps her clients sell their property as agreed and receives her commission at closing.
B. Carol, a seller, is in a fatal collision and her heirs don’t want to sell the property.
C. Tara, a seller, accepts an offer from Jacob but decides not to sell after all.
D. The listing agreement term has passed without a single offer on the property, so Gary decides to take his house off the market.
C. Tara, a seller, accepts an offer from Jacob but decides not to sell after all.
A listing agreement is a contract that defines the relationship between the real estate agency and the seller, specifying the seller’s price and terms, the services provided by the brokerage, and the amount of commission to be paid at closing. The listing is in effect until it expires or the property sells. Other reasons for termination include mutual agreement between the seller and the brokerage or the death of either party. Change of mind about a sale affects the purchase contract rather than the listing agreement and would entail a breach of contract.
David, a licensed real estate sales associate, creates an offer for the buyer he is representing. In addition to the written offer, what other document must David furnish simultaneously?
A. A Florida Consumer Energy Information Booklet
B. An estimated closing statement
C. Notice of transaction brokerage relationship
D. A disclosure of all known material defects
A. A Florida Consumer Energy Information Booklet
The Consumer Energy Information Booklet is required to be provided to any purchaser of a resale property. An agency relationship has already been established at this point, and the seller is the party that furnishes, rather than receives, the disclosure statement.
Following having a few clients who failed to come through, Adnan decided that as an exclusive buyer’s agent, he would charge a retainer fee to all of his clients for his representation, which he insisted on receiving up front. The fee is not refundable, and will apply to closing fees if a transaction is consummated. If a transaction is not compensated the retainer belongs to the broker who in turn would share it with Adnan based upon their written agreement. Which is TRUE?
A. A non-refundable retainer fee that applies towards closing fees must be placed into the broker’s regular escrow account until closing or until the buyer brokerage expires.
B. Adnan may choose to call it a retainer, but in the eyes of the Florida statutes, it is an “advance upon commission”, which is illegal.
C. A retainer fee may only be held by the broker in the form of a check from the client, un-cashed until closing.
D. The retainer fee may be placed into the broker’s operating account, because it is not a commission.
A. A non-refundable retainer fee that applies towards closing fees must be placed into the broker’s regular escrow account until closing or until the buyer brokerage expires.
Adnan does have the right to ask for a retainer, and this fee, since it is non-refundable (just like commissions) must be placed in the broker’s escrow or trust account until the time of closing or the time that the buyer brokerage agreement expires. A retainer, because it is not connected with a listing agreement, is not considered an advance fee.
May a real estate broker list a property for sale based on the net price that the seller wants to make?
A. Yes, net listings are legal in Florida.
B. No, unless the agent has the written permission of the FREC.
C. No, net listings are illegal in Florida.
D. No, unless the net gain the agent makes is less than 6% of the total property sale price.
A. Yes, net listings are legal in Florida.
It IS legal in Florida to advertise a listed property based on a “net price”, although the practice can lead to serious issues and is strongly advised against.
Which of the following types of assistance can sellers working with a real estate brokerage NOT expect to receive?
A. Assistance in proving good title
B. Assistance attracting prospective buyers
C. Assistance qualifying prospective buyers for financing
D. Assistance with prorating property taxes and insurance at closing
A. Assistance in proving good title
Florida licensees have in-depth training in many technical areas, including; using comparative market analysis to determine property value, marketing property, pre-qualifying buyers for financing, and calculating prorated property taxes, insurance, and loan interest. Sellers who work with a Florida real estate associate can count on the licensee to save them from wasting precious time on buyers who aren’t truly interested or able to buy. The process of proving good title falls to title companies and attorneys at law.
Lane, a broker, listed a small cottage near the causeway at $250,000, but the seller finally had to accept an offer of only $230,000. When Lane met with the parties, both the buyer and seller asked her to prepare a second contract in the amount of $250,000 for the buyer to get a higher loan for repairs. Is there anything wrong with Lane following an agreed upon deal between the buyer and the seller?
A. No, as long as Lane genuinely believes the house is worth the $250,000, she can submit the contract.
B. No, Florida law allows for this exception to dual-contract prohibitions; the contract reflecting the offer to purchase can stand separate from that submitted for the purposes of financing.
C. Yes, Lane cannot fiduciarily represent both parties in any transaction, including the writing of a second contract.
D. This is mortgage fraud and Lane may be charged, found guilty and punished along with the seller and the buyer.
D. This is mortgage fraud and Lane may be charged, found guilty and punished along with the seller and the buyer.
Any person who violates subsection (2), and the loan value stated on documents used in the mortgage lending process exceeds $100,000, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084
What is the education requirement for obtaining a Florida broker’s license?
A. Complete and pass a Commission approved 50-hour broker’s pre-license course.
B. Complete and pass a Commission approved 115-hour broker’s pre-license course.
C. Complete and pass a Commission approved 16-hour broker’s pre-license course.
D. Complete and pass a Commission approved 72-hour broker’s pre-license course.
D. Complete and pass a Commission approved 72-hour broker’s pre-license course.
Applicants for a broker’s license must complete and pass a Florida Real Estate Commission approved 72-hour Florida broker’s pre-license course.
When a licensee moves from the state of Florida to another state, what must they do?
A. Notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of a change in residency within 3 days.
B. Notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of a change in residency within 60 days.
C. Notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of a change in residency within 30 days.
D. Notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of a change in residency within 10 days.
B. Notify the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of a change in residency within 60 days.
Florida law requires that any resident licensee who becomes a nonresident must notify the DBPR within 60 days of the change of state residency. A change of mailing address must be noticed in 10 days.
When applying for the Florida real estate licensure examination, what does a candidate need to submit?
A. A passport
B. An authenticated application; digital fingerprint data; the appropriate fee(s)
C. A high school or college transcript
D. A voter registration card
B. An authenticated application; digital fingerprint data; the appropriate fee(s)
The candidate must submit to the Department: the appropriate signed or electronically authenticated application; digital fingerprint data, and the appropriate fee(s). The digital fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Division of Criminal Justice Information Systems and to the FBI to determine if the applicant has a criminal history record. This information shall then be sent to the Department for the purpose of determining if the applicant is statutorily qualified for examination.
When Rex obtained his Florida sales associate license he misrepresented the facts and concealed that his insurance license in another jurisdiction had been revoked more than 20 years before. Which of the following is a mandated penalty according to Florida law?
A. There is a mandated $1,000 administrative fine, and Rex’s license will be revoked.
B. Rex’s license will be suspended and there will be a fine of $500.
C. The Commission will never allow Rex to become a broker.
D. There is no fine, but there will be an automatic 3-year suspension.
A. There is a mandated $1,000 administrative fine, and Rex’s license will be revoked.
Since there may be mitigating factors, the Commission may specify a lesser period of time for the license revocation. Typically, the salesperson’s license is revoked, and he or she would not be able to apply for a new salesperson’s license for 5 years.
Which of the following is NOT required of an applicant applying for a sales associate license?
A. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
B. Complete the approved 30-hour sales associate pre-license course
C. Pass the appropriate state exam
D. Submit the application to the Division of Real Estate with the applicable fee
B. Complete the approved 30-hour sales associate pre-license course
The state-approved course is 63-hours and must be fully completed before applying for a sales associate license.
Which of the following MUST be licensed as a real estate sales associate to avoid criminal prosecution?
A. Ali sells his own home without real estate representation.
B. Massa, a court-appointed guardian for a mentally-incapacitated client, accepts a small fee for helping his client with the sale of her home.
C. Roland, attorney-at-law, prepares an abstract of title for his brother in exchange for a modest fee.
D. Ashley, a personal real estate assistant, negotiates a listing on behalf of her employing broker and receives a $500 bonus when the property sells.
D. Ashley, a personal real estate assistant, negotiates a listing on behalf of her employing broker and receives a $500 bonus when the property sells.
Ashley is engaging in the business of real estate and MUST be licensed in order to avoid criminal prosecution. Individuals are exempt from licensure in a number of instances, including; real estate owners, individuals with power of attorney on behalf of a property owner, attorneys performing their legal duties, executors of estates, court-appointed guardians, federal and state officers serving in official capacity, and bankruptcy trustees.
Which of the following unlicensed individuals would be guilty of a third degree felony for violating Florida statutes?
A. The daughter of a couple living abroad with written authorization to sell her parents’ home.
B. An entrepreneur negotiating, for a fee, the sale of a businesses, including equipment and buildings.
C. The licensed director of a property management firm who, as a normal course of business, shows properties around the county.
D. An individual who owns and personally manages a 6-unit apartment building including collecting rents, showing available units, and providing maintenance.
B. An entrepreneur negotiating, for a fee, the sale of a businesses, including equipment and buildings.
A person MUST have a real estate license to sell a building. No license is required to negotiate a sale for which written authorization is given, or to manage one’s own building. By engaging in unlicensed activity, the entrepreneur is in violation of the law and has committed a third degree felony as stipulated by the statutes.
Which of the following is NOT included in a property management agreement?
A. The name and address of the owner and name and address of property manager.
B. The start and end date of the agreement and method and schedule of compensation.
C. Specific services to be rendered.
D. The name and address of the current tenants.
D. The name and address of the current tenants.
A property management agreement must contain: the name and address of the owner and name and address of property manager; the start and end date of the agreement; method and schedule of compensation; specific services to be rendered; legal description of the property; extent of the property managers authority; procedures for reporting on the status of the property; signature of owner and property manager.