Connecticut Real Estate License Exam Prep: All-in-One Review and Testing to Pass Connecticut's PSI Real Estate Exam
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About this ebook
Features of Connecticut Real Estate License Exam Prep (CT-RELEP):
National Principles & Law Key Point Review (60 pages)
Real Estate Math Key Formula Review & Practice (20 pages)
Connecticut-Specific Laws and Practices (30 pages)
National Practice Tests (500 questions)
Connecticut Practice Tests (110 questions)
Connecticut Sample Exam (100 questions)
We know the real estate licensing exam can be tough, and very nerve-wracking to prepare for. That’s why we created Connecticut Real Estate License Exam Prep (CT-RELEP) the way we did. Since we have been managing real estate schools and developing curriculum for forty years, we know how all this works – or fails to work.
CT-RELEP is comprehensive in that it contains both key content review and testing practice. And the text review is Connecticut-specific – not just simplistic national content, but terse, relevant and accurate Connecticut laws and regulations presented as a well-organized set of state ‘key point reviews’ ideal for pre-test memorization. But let’s not dismiss the importance of the national content either. CT-RELEP’s national key point reviews are a succinct compression of tested national principles and practices that comprise the national portion of state license exams from coast to coast. Our content is drawn from our own national textbook, Principles of Real Estate Practice – one of the most widely used principles textbooks in the country. Finally, our national content, as well as our question selection, is further tailored to the state testing outline promulgated by PSI for Connecticut. Thus the breadth and depth of the law reviews and test questions reflect the topic emphasis of your state’s testing service and your Connecticut license exam.
A word about the test questions... CT-RELEP’s testing practice section consists of ten national practice tests, five state practice tests, and one state exam sample test. The practice tests are roughly 50 questions in length and the sample test is 100 questions. The test questions are designed to cover the content covered by the law reviews – which reinforces your learning of the total body of information tested by your state exam. The questions are direct, to the point, and designed to test your understanding. When you have completed a given test, you can check your answers against the answer key in the appendix. You may also note that each question’s answer is accompanied by a brief explanation, or “rationale” to further reinforce your understanding.
In the end, as you know, it’s all up to you. Unlike other publications, we are not going to tell you that using this book will guarantee that you pass your state exam. It still takes hard work and study to pass. But we have done our best here to get you ready. Following that, the most we can do is wish you the best of success in taking and passing your Connecticut real estate exam. So good luck!!
Stephen Mettling
For over forty years, Stephen Mettling and David Cusic, PhD, have operated Performance Programs Company, one of the nation's most successful custom training organizations specializing in real estate program development. Mr. Mettling and Dr. Cusic have jointly written over 100 books, courses, and custom programs in all facets of real estate for some of the country’s largest organizations including the National Association of Realtors® and its many Institutes.Mr. Mettling has also served as vice president and author for the country’s largest real estate training and publishing organization. Under various capacities, he has managed the acquisition, development, and sale of national real estate textbooks and publications, as well as directed the country's largest affiliated group of real estate schools.
Read more from Stephen Mettling
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Connecticut Real Estate License Exam Prep - Stephen Mettling
Introduction
Welcome licensee candidates and future real estate professionals!
We know you have worked hard just to get here – you’ve completed or nearly completed your pre-license curricula, and now all you have to do is pass the state license exam. But easier said than done – and that’s where we come in. We know the exam can be tough, and very nerve-wracking to prepare for. That’s why we created Connecticut Real Estate License Exam Prep (CT-RELEP) the way we did. Since we have been managing real estate schools and developing curriculum for forty years, we know how all this works – or fails to work. Let us assure you – you made the right decision buying this publication to prepare for your Connecticut exam. Here’s why.
First, CT-RELEP is comprehensive in that it contains both key content review and testing practice. And the text review is Connecticut-specific – not just simplistic national content, but terse, relevant and accurate state laws and regulations presented as a well-organized set of state ‘key point reviews’ ideal for pre-test memorization. But let’s not dismiss the importance of the national content either. CT-RELEP’s national key point reviews are a succinct compression of tested national principles and practices that comprise the national portion of state license exams from coast to coast. Our content is drawn from our own national textbook, Principles of Real Estate Practice – one of the most widely used principles textbooks in the country. Finally, our national content, as well as our question selection, is further tailored to the state testing outline promulgated by PSI for Connecticut. Thus the breadth and depth of the law reviews and test questions reflect the topic emphasis of your Connecticut license exam.
A word about the test questions… CT-RELEP’s testing practice section consists of ten national practice tests, five state practice tests, and one state exam sample test. The test questions are designed to cover the content covered by the law reviews – which reinforces your learning of the total body of information tested by your state exam. The questions are direct, to the point, and designed to test your understanding. When you have completed a given test, you can check your answers against the answer key in Section VII. You may also note that each question’s answer is accompanied by a brief explanation, or rationale
to further reinforce your understanding.
Your particular study and testing practice strategy using CT-RELEP is up to you. But to fully exploit its comprehensive content coverage, you should try to review and memorize the key point reviews as much as possible. Then you should make every effort to take each exam, review your mistakes, and re-read the key point reviews that cover your weaker areas.
In the end, as you know, it’s all up to you. Unlike other publications, we are not going to tell you that using this book will guarantee that you pass your state exam. It still takes hard work and study to pass. But we have done our best here to get you ready. Following that, the most we can do is wish you the best of success in taking and passing your state exam. So good luck!!
About the authors
For nearly fifty years, Stephen Mettling has been actively engaged in real estate education. Beginning with Dearborn in 1972, then called Real Estate Education Company, Mr. Mettling managed the company’s textbook division and author acquisitions. Subsequently he built up the company’s real estate school division which eventually became the country’s largest real estate, insurance and securities school network in the country. In 1978, Mr. Mettling founded Performance Programs Company, a custom training program publishing and development company specializing in commercial, industrial, and corporate real estate. Over time, Performance Programs Company narrowed its focus to real estate textbook and exam prep publishing. Currently the Company’s texts and prelicense resources are used in hundreds of schools in over 48 states. Mr. Mettling has authored over 100 textbooks, real estate programs and exam prep manuals.
David Cusic, Ph.D., has been a training consultant, author, and Performance Programs Company partner for over forty years. As an educator with international real estate training experience, Dr. Cusic has been engaged in vocation-oriented education since 1966. Specializing in real estate training since 1983, he has developed numerous real estate training programs for corporate and institutional clients nationwide. Dr. Cusic is co-author of the Company’s flagship title, Principles of Real Estate Practice by Mettling and Cusic, now complemented by over 18 state supplements and 20 exam prep texts.
Ryan Mettling, partner and currently publisher of Performance Programs, is an accomplished online curriculum designer, author and course developer. His other principal publication is Real Estate Math Express. Mr. Mettling graduated Valedictorian from the University of Central Florida’s College of Business Administration.
GT Williams has over 30 years of real estate experience as a practicing attorney, a licensed real estate agent, college instructor and investor. Mr. Williams is an instructor in the real estate licensing field, teaches pre-licensing and post-licensing and tutors college students in real estate related subjects. In addition to his real estate activities, Mr. Williams has received awards for non-profit service and sports coaching.
Section I: National Principles & Law Key Point Review
Rights
Land / Real Estate / Real Property
Land:
surface, all naturalthings attached to it, subsurface, and air above the surface
Real estate:
land + manmade permanent attachments
Real property:
real estate + bundle of rights
Constitution guarantees private ownership of real property.
Physical Characteristics of Real Estate
Physical characteristics
Immobility; indestructibility; heterogeneity.
Immobility
Land cannot be moved from one site to another; its location is forever fixed
Indestructibility
Land is permanent and cannot be destroyed since by definition it extends below ground and into the sky
Since land is permanent, it does not depreciate
Only improvements depreciate and are insurable
Non-homogeneity
Land is non-homogeneous; no two parcels of land are exactly the same since they have a different location
Land versus Real Estate
physicalReal Estate as Property
The Bundle of Rights:
PUTEE
:
P ossess
U se
T ransfer
E xclude
E ncumber
Legal Title v. Equitable title
Legal title
Full legal ownership of property and the bundle of rights as they apply to it. Contrasts with equitable title.
Equitable title
An interest that gives a lienholder or buyer the right to acquire legal title to a property if certain contractual conditions occur
Property characteristics:
property is either real or personal
property is either tangible or intangible
Real Property Rights
Airspace = air rights
Surface (of the earth) = surface rights
Subsurface = subsurface or mineral rights
Water rights:
Doctrine of Prior Appropriation
State controls water usage
State grants usage permits
Riparian Rights (Rivers and Streams)
applies to rivers and streams
if waterway is navigable: owners own land to water’s edge
if waterway is not navigable: owners own land to midpoint of waterway
Littoral Rights (Lakes and Seas)
applies to seas and lakes
abutting property owners own to high water mark
state owns underlying land
Memory Tip:
R: River Riparian
L: Lake Littoral
Real Property versus Personal Property
Real Property:
land
fixtures
attachments
Personal Property:
chattels
trade fixtures
emblements
Differentiation criteria: item is real or personal property depending on why, how item is attached to the real estate. Depends on the owners'
intention; adaptation; functionality; relationship of parties; contract provisions
Trade fixtures:
personal property items temporarily attached to real estate in order to conduct business
Emblements:
plants or crops that are considered personal property despite being attached to land
Conversion:
real to personal property referred to as severance
personal to real property referred to as affixing
Factory-built housing – mobile homes and manufactured homes
Units are real or personal property:
Real property if permanently affixed to ground; otherwise it is personal property
Regulation of real property interests
Federal regulation
Grants rights of ownership
Controls broad land usage standards
Regulates anti-discrimination laws
Examples: land grants; federal flood zones; fair housing laws; FHA; EPA
State regulation
Governs real estate business
Sets regional usage standards
Examples: license laws; water rights; development regulation
Local regulation
Levies real estate taxes
Controls specific usage
Examples: property assessing; zoning; building permits; tax levies
Judicial regulation
Applies case law and common law to disputes
Contrasts with statutory law
Interests & Estates
Interests and Estates in Land
Interests:
Possession / Possessory
Estate in land
Non-possession / Non-possessory
Private: Encumbrance
Public: public interest
Estates in Land
Include right of possession
Leaseholds = limited duration
Freeholds: duration is not limited
Freehold (Own)
Fee simple
Absolute
Defeasible
Life Estates
Conventional
Legal
Leasehold (Lease)
Estate for years
Periodic
Estate at Will
Estate at Sufferance
Freeholds
Fee simple
not limited by one’s lifetime
absolute: highest form of ownership interest
defeasible: reverts to previous owner per conditions
Life estate
passes to another upon death of a named party
remainder: named party to receive estate
reversion: previous owner to receive estate
Conventional life estate
limited to lifetime of life tenant or named party
ordinary: estate passes to remainderman or previous owner when life tenant dies
pur autre vie:limited to lifetime of another, passes to remainderman or previous owner
Legal life estate
created by operation of state law as opposed to a property owner’s agreement
designed to protect family survivors
Homestead:
rights to one’s principal residence
laws protect homestead from creditors
family must occupy the homestead
cannot be conveyed by one spouse
endures over life of head of household
interests extinguished if property destroyed
Leaseholds
Estate for years
specific, stated duration, per lease; expires at end of term
Periodic
lease term renews automatically upon acceptance of rent
Estate at Will
for indefinite period subject to rent payment; cancelable with notice
Estate at Sufferance
tenancy against landlord’s will and without an agreement
Ownership
Forms of Ownership
Tenancy in severalty
sole ownership of a freehold estate; passes to heirs
Tenancy in common
co-tenants individually own undivided interests
any ownership share possible
no survivorship
can convey to outside parties
Joint tenancy
equal undivided interest jointly owned
survivorship (may require express provision)
requires four unities to create: time, title, interest, possession
Tenancy by the entireties
husband and wife own equal undivided interest
Now applies to same-sex couples in some states
Community property
joint property ownership by spouses as opposed to separate property
Joint Tenancy & Four Unities
Unity of ownership
owners hold single title jointly
Equal ownership
owners always hold equal shares
Transfer
may transfer to new owner as a tenancy in common interest with remaining joint tenants
Survivorship
on death, interests and rights pass to other joint tenants
Creation
requires four unities,
PITT:
Possession: acquire same possessory rights
Interest: acquire equal, undivided interests
Time: acquire interests at same time
Title: acquire interests with same deed
Community Property
Separate
acquired before marriage
acquired by gift or inheritance
acquired with separate-property funds
income derived from separate property
Community
all other property earned or acquired during the marriage
Estates in Trust
Trustor gives title, deed, trust agreement to trustee
Trustee renders fiduciary duties to trustor and beneficiary
Beneficiary receives ownership benefits
Living / testamentary trust - conveyance of real, personal property during one’s lifetime
Land trust - grantor and beneficiary are same party; beneficiary uses, controls property but does not appear on public records
Condominiums
ownership of a unit of airspace plus an undivided interest in the common elements as tenant in common with other owners
may be sold, encumbered or foreclosed without affecting other unit owners
creation: by developer’s declaration
individually taxed
managed by condo association
owners share common area expenses
Cooperatives
ownership of
shares in owning corporation
proprietary lease in a unit
corporation has sole, undivided ownership
owners potentially liable for expenses of entire co-op; creditors may foreclose on entire property
Time shares
lease or ownership interest in property for periodic use on a scheduled basis
lease: tenant leases property per the lease’s schedule
freehold: tenants in common own undivided interests, pay expenses per separate agreement
Encumbrances & Liens
Encumbrances
Non-possessory interests limiting legal owner’s rights
Do not include possession
Two types:
encumbrances that affect use
encumbrances that affect ownership, value, transfer
Encumbrances affecting use: easements, encroachments, licenses, deed restrictions
Encumbrances affecting ownership, value, transfer: liens, deed conditions
Easements
Characteristics
Rights to use portions of another’s property
affirmative easement: allows a use
negative easement: prohibits a use
Appurtenant
attaches to the estate
dominant tenement’s right to use or restrict adjacent servient tenement
by necessity, to landlocked owners
party wall easement in a shared structure: to not damage or destroy
in Gross
does not attach to the estate
Personal-- not transferrable, ends upon death of easement holder
Commercial-- transferrable, granted to a business
by Prescription
property used without permission; can come to exist regardless of owner’s consent
obtainable through continuous, open, adverse use over a period
License
personal right to use a property
does not attach
non-transferrable
revocable
ceases upon death of owner
Encroachments
Unauthorized intrusions of one owner’s real property onto another’s
May require survey to detect
May become prescriptive easements if not remedied over prescription period
Deed restrictions
Conditions, covenants imposed on property by deed or subdivision plat
Goes with the property upon transfer
Established to control quality, standards of a subdivision
Apply to land use, type of structure, setbacks, minimum house size, etc.
Deed conditions
Created upon property transfer
If violated, ownership may revert to previous owner
Deed covenants
Created by mutual agreement
Enforceable by injunction
Liens
Claims attaching to real and personal property as security for debt
Recorded on title effectively reducing equity in the amount of the lien
Does not convey ownership unless a mortgage in a title theory state
Lien attaches to the property
Property can be encumbered by multiple liens
Lien terminates upon payment, recording satisfaction
Lien Types and characteristics
voluntary / involuntary:
example:
mortgage lien / tax lien
general / specific:
example:
against any & all assets / against car or house
superior / junior:
example:
paid before juniors / paid after superiors by date of recording
Lien vs. Title Theory State
lien theory state – lender of mortgaged property holds equitable title rather than legal title; borrower holds legal title.
title theory state – lender holds legal title to the mortgaged property until the mortgagor satisfies the terms and obligations of the loan.
Lien Priority
Order in which liens against a property are satisfied
Determined by superior v junior class and by date of recordation
The highest priority lien is paid by foreclosure proceeds before any other lien
Superior Liens by rank (not by date of recordation; paid before junior liens)
Real estate tax liens
Special assessment liens
Federal estate tax liens
State inheritance tax liens
Junior Liens by date of recording (by date of recording)
Federal income tax liens
Judgment liens
Mortgage liens
Vendor’s liens
Mechanic’s liens (priority by date work performed)
Foreclosure
Liquidation or transfer of collateral property by judicial, non-judicial, or strict foreclosure
Mortgage lien foreclosure:
liquidation of collateral property by judicial, non-judicial, or strict foreclosure
Judicial foreclosure:
lawsuit by creditor and court-ordered public sale to enforce lien; deficiency judgments, redemption rights
Deficiency judgments
judgment by court on borrower to forfeit other property to payoff any shortfalls from foreclosure
Redemption rights
borrower’s right to reclaim property before or after foreclosure sale
Non-judicial foreclosure:
power of sale
granted to lender; no suit; no deficiency judgment; no redemption period after sale
Strict foreclosure:
court orders legal transfer of title directly to lender without public sale
Deed in lieu of foreclosure:
defaulted borrower deedsproperty to lender to avoid foreclosure
Transferring & Recording Title
Legal v Equitable Title
Legal title: owner enjoys full bundle of rights
Equitable title: party can obtain legal title subject to agreements with creditors
Notice
Notice:
how ownership is evidenced to the public
Actual notice:
knowledge acquired directly through demonstrable evidence, e.g., presenting or inspecting a deed, visiting a party in possession
Constructive notice:
knowledge one could have obtained, as presumed by law; imparted by recording in public records for all to see
Voluntary / Involuntary
Voluntary transfer
deed
will
public grant
Involuntary transfer
descent (without will, with heirs)
escheat (without will nor heirs)
foreclosure (loan default)
eminent domain (public good)
adverse possession (hostile, open use)
Deeds of Conveyance
Key characteristics
grantor grants deed to grantee
legal title transfers upon intentional delivery and grantee’s acceptance
Deed Validity
Requirements:
grantor
grantee
in writing
legal description
granting clause
consideration
grantor’s signature
acknowledgement
delivery and acceptance
Deed Clauses
Premises: granting
Habendum: type of estate
Reddendum: restrictions
Tenendum: other property included
Deed Types
Bargain and sale: I own but won’t defend
General warranty: I own and will defend
Special warranty: I own and warrant myself only
Quitclaim: I may or may not own, and won’t defend
Special purpose deeds: Used for different purposes, interests conveyed, or by different parties
Deed Restrictions
Deed restriction
single-property use restriction as stipulated in a deed; may not be discriminatory
examples: minimum area of a residence; setbacks; limits on other structures; conducting commercial activities
Declaration restriction
use restriction in multiple-property declarations; enforced by court injunction
Deed condition
usage restriction that can trigger repossession by a previous owner if violated
Transfer Tax
Documentary stamp tax: tax on conveyance of real property based on price of property conveyed
Facilitates ad valorem assessment
Payment evidenced on deed
Wills
Key characteristics
will transfers estate to heirs upon death
maker= owner; devisor or testator
heir = beneficiary or devisee
Types of wills
witnessed: in writing and two witnesses
holographic: will in testator’s handwriting
nuncupative: oral will written by witnesses; generally not valid for property transfer
Validity of will
legal age; mentally competent; entitled last will & testament;
signed, witnessed, voluntary
Testate / Intestate
Dies testate with heirs:
Order of Title Transfer
first to creditors
then to homestead
then to heirs by will
Dies intestate with heirs:
Order of Title Transfer
first to creditors
then to homestead
then to heirs by laws of descent
Dies intestate, no heirs:
Order of Title Transfer
first to creditors
then to state by escheat
Involuntary title transfer
Adverse possession
unwanted owner
may claim ownership to a property
must show claim of right
as reason
must be notorious possession (unconcealed)
must be hostile (possessor claims ownership)
must be continuous for a statutory period of time
Title Records
Instruments affecting title must be recorded
Gives public notice of ownership, condition of title
Determines property marketability
Protects lienholders; establishes chronology for lien priority
Key Terms
chain of title – successive property owners from original grant to present
cloud on title – unrecorded claims
suit to quiet title – lawsuit to settle claims
abstract of title: written chronology of recorded owners, transfers, encumbrances
Evidence of Title
title insurance (best form of evidence)
attorney’s opinion of abstract
title certificates
Torrens registration
Leases
Key characteristics
lease is both an instrument of conveyance and contract of covenants between tenant and landlord
lease conveys temporary, exclusive use of premises in exchange for rent and right of reversion
Tenant rights and obligations
rights: use, possession, quiet enjoyment, profits
tenant obligations: pay rent; maintain premises; follow rules
Landlord rights and obligations
rights: receive rent; repossess upon expiration; monitor tenant compliance
obligations: property condition, habitability, support services
Estate Types
Gross lease
landlord pays expenses; tenant pays higher rent than net
Net lease
tenant pays some or all expenses; rent is less than gross
Percentage lease
landlord receives rent minimum plus percentage of retailer’s sales
Residential lease
gross lease hybrid; short term; uniform terms reflect landlord-tenant standards
Ground lease
landlord owns and leases ground but does not own improvements
Proprietary lease
for cooperative unit owners; indefinite term; assigned to new unit owner on sale
Leasing of rights
leasehold transfer of rights for limited use; examples: air, mineral, water rights
Lease Termination
Causes
default
notice
property destruction
death
term expiration
voluntary agreement
condemnation
abandonment under certain conditions
Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Purposes
balance landlord and tenant rights
standardize leases
have uniform eviction procedures
protect tenants
serve as model for state legislation
Leases:
clear lease terms
fair market rent
cannot waive rights
Deposits:
limits on amounts
tenant’s right to interest
rules and deadlines for returning
Landlord Obligations:
bargain in good faith
provide maintenance and repairs
comply with building codes
provide safety and access
procedure for delivery of notices
Tenant Obligations:
maintain condition
abide by rules and regulations
no damage or abuse
abide by approved uses
no disturbance of other tenants
Land Use
Planning and Zoning Definitions
Building code: A standard of construction of an improved property established by local government officials
Certificate of occupancy: A document confirming that a newly constructed or renovated property has fully complied with all building codes and is ready for occupancy
Concurrency: A planning policy that requires developers to correct foreseen negative impacts of a development during the construction period of the project itself rather than afterwards
Condemnation: 1. A decree that a parcel of private property is to be taken for public use under the power of eminent domain. 2. A government order that a is no longer fit for use and must be demolished.
Deed restriction: A provision in a deed that limits or places rules on how the deeded property may be used or improved
Eminent domain: A power of a government entity to force the sale of private property for subsequent public use
Land use control: Regulation of how individual owners use property in a municipality or planning district. Control patterns are in accordance with a master plan
Master plan: An amalgamated land use plan for a municipality, county, or region which incorporates community opinion, the results of intensive research, and the various land use guidelines and regulations of the state. Acts as a blueprint for subsequent zoning ordinances and rulings
Non-conforming use: A legal or illegal land use that is not consistent with the current zoning ordinance
Police power: A government’s legal authority to create, regulate, tax, and condemn real property in the interest of the public’s health, safety, and welfare
Restriction: A limitation on the use of a property imposed by deed, zoning, state statute, or public regulation
Special exception: A land use in conflict with current zoning that is authorized because of its perceived benefit to the public welfare
Variance: A land use that conflicts with current zoning but is authorized for certain reasons, including undue hardship to comply and minimal negative impact to leave it alone
Zoning ordinance A municipal land use regulation
Land Use Planning
Goals of land use control
preserve property values; promote highest and best use; safeguard public health, safety and welfare; control growth; incorporate community consensus
process: develop plan; create administration; authorize controls
The master plan
long term growth and usage strategies; often required by state law
local plans fuse municipal goals and needs with state and regional laws
Planning objectives
control growth rates: how much growth will occur and at what rate
control growth patterns: type of growth desired, where it should be located
accommodate demand for services and infrastructure
Plan development
research trends and conditions; blend local and state objectives into master plan
Planning management
commission makes rules, approves permits, codes, and development plans
Public Land Use Controls
Zoning
police power
granted by state-level enabling acts; zoning ordinance: creates zones, usage restrictions, regulations, requirements
Enables urban land managers to create separate land uses that do not conflict with one another nor create incompatible adjacencies
Types of zone
residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, public, PUD
residential zoning regulates density or number of dwellings in an area
commercial zoning regulates intensity, or how much commercial activity is permitted in relation to size of the site
Zoning administration
Zoning Board of Adjustment oversees rule administration and appeals
Zoning Appeals
Nonconforming use: legal if use existed prior to zone creation, illegal otherwise
Variance: use exception granted based on hardship
Special exception: based on public interest
Amendment: change of zones; rezoning
Eminent Domain
allows a government entity to purchase a fee or easement interest in privately owned real property for the public good and for public use in exchange for just compensation
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
PUD zoning designed to regulate use of whole tracts of land with a singular design
Design purposes are to achieve optimum space efficiency and open space
Subdivision Regulations
plat of subdivision and relevant requirements must be met and approved; must meet FHA requirements for insured financing
location, grading, alignment, surfacing, street width, highways
sewers and water mains
lot and block dimensions
building and setback lines
public use dedications
utility easements
ground percolation
Building Codes
comprehensive onsite and offsite construction and materials standards; must be met to receive certificate of occupancy
Environmental Restrictions
flood control; solid waste disposal; air quality; water quality; marine protection; noise control; toxic substances controls; lead paint; CERCLA; Superfund
Zoning Appeals
Zoning Board of Adjustment:
oversees rule administration and appeals.
Nonconforming use:
legal if use existed prior to zone creation, illegal otherwise
Variance:
use exception granted based on hardship
Special exception:
based on public interest
Amendment:
change of zones; rezoning
Environmental Controls
Areas of concern
air, soil, water quality; ambient health hazards; natural hazards
Major legislation
limits damage to environment; standards for air, land, water, materials use
Responsibilities & liabilities
disclosure and information for practitioners; remediation for owners
Environmental Laws
Legal Descriptions
Purpose
to accurately locate and identify the boundaries of a parcel of real property to a degree acceptable by courts of law in the state where the property is located
general criterion is that it alone provides sufficient data for a surveyor to locate the parcel
Metes and Bounds Method
describes perimeter by landmarks, monuments, distances, angles
usable within rectangular survey system
Starting at point of beginning (POB), follow perimeter, return to POB
Lot and Block System
Used to describe properties in residential, commercial, industrial subdivisions
Tracts of land divided into lots, then grouped into blocks
Rectangular Survey System
Key points:
Simplify and standardize property descriptions
All land in system surveyed using longitude and latitude lines
Lines created uniform grids of squares called townships
Meridians:
north-south lines six miles apart
Parallels:
east-west lines six miles apart
Range:
north-south strip between meridians
Tier:
east-west strip of area between parallels; also called township strip
Township:
the six-mile by six-mile square at the intersection of a range and a tier
Section of a township:
a 1 mile x 1 mile square; 1 section = 640 acres; 36 sections per township
Fractions of a section:
going from the smallest to largest unit, indicate size and location within successively larger quarters or halves of the section: E 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 8
Contract Law
Contract defined
An agreement between two or more parties who have a meeting of the minds,
and have pledged to perform (or refrain from performing) some act.
A valid contract is legally enforceable by meeting certain requirements of contract law.
If a contract does not meet requirements, it is not valid and the parties to it cannot resort to a court of law to enforce its provisions
Contract Status
Valid:
meets all requirements
Valid but unenforceable:
certain oral contracts; if performed, cannot change outcome
Void:
not valid; unenforceable
Voidable:
may be rescinded due to subsequent discoveries: if performed, cannot change outcome
Contract validity
contractCompetent parties
legal age
mental competency
legitimate authority
Mutual consent
clear and unequivocal offer and acceptance with an underlying meeting of the minds
Valuable consideration
two-way exchange of valuable consideration for performance by the other party; not love and affection
Legal purpose
promise, intent and content must be lawful; if illegal, contract is void – cannot contract to break the law
Voluntary, good faith
no duress, coercion, fraud or misrepresentation
Validity of a conveyance contract
must be in writing
must contain legal description
must be signed by one or more parties
exception: per Statute of Frauds, leases for one year or less may be verbal and still be enforceable
Offer / Counteroffer / Acceptance
Offer:
intention to enter into contract
must contain all intended terms
must be in writing
expires in reasonable time
or date and time specified
Acceptance:
unequivocal and manifest agreement to offer
no changes to offer whatsoever
signed, preferably dated
Completed contract:
communication of acceptance to offeror
if by mail, offer is communicated upon mailing
Counteroffer:
new or amended terms of a received offer
original offer is void
Revoking an offer:
may be done at any time prior to offeree’s communication of acceptance
Termination of an offer:
acceptance; rejection; revocation; expiration; counteroffer; death or insanity of either party
Contract Assignment
assignable unless expressly prohibited or contract is a personal service contract (listings)
Contract Preparation
Restricted unless licensed as attorney or a party to the contract
Licensees must be aware of contract preparation restrictions in the states where they operate
Contract Classifications
Oral vs. written:
oral, or parol, contract may not be enforceable
Express vs. implied:
express: all terms expressly agreed to
implied: unintentional agreement deemed to exist due to terms implied by actions
Bilateral vs. Unilateral:
bilateral: both parties promise to perform
unilateral: one party performs only if other party performs
Executed vs. Executory:
executed: fully performed
executory: performance yet to be completed
Termination
Causes:
Performance
Infeasibility
Mutual agreement
Cooling-period rescission
Revocation
Abandonment
Lapse of time
Invalidity of contract
Breach of contract
Breach & Remedies
Rescission:
cancel contract; return deposits
Forfeiture:
defaulting party gives up something according to contract terms
Liquidated damages:
damages due a damaged party as stated in contract
Suit for damages:
civil suit for money damages not covered by contract
Specific performance:
suit to force party to fulfill contract promises
Agency
The agency relationship in real estate
Principal (client) hires agent (broker) to find ready, willing, and able customer (buyer, seller, tenant, landlord)
Client – agent relationship governed by fiduciary duties of trust, confidence, good faith
Universal / General / Special
Universal:
represent in all matters
can contract for principal
General:
represent in business matters
agent can contract for principal
Special:
represent in single business transaction
normally agent cannot contract for principal
characterizes the brokerage relationship
Agency Creation
Express written or oral agreement (listing)
established for a specified transaction
contains an express expiration
Implied agreement by actions of either party
can be intentional or unintentional
can obligate the agent to fiduciary duties and professional standards of care
not allowed to exist in some states
Termination
Voluntary:
fulfillment
expiration
mutual agreement
Involuntary:
incapacity
abandonment or destruction of property
renunciation
breach
bankruptcy
revocation of license
Duties & Obligations
Agent’s Fiduciary Duties to Client
Skill, care and diligence:
proactive; competent; act within bounds