Free Rhode Island Real Estate Practice Exam

Q1.A consumer files a written complaint with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission alleging that a licensed salesperson engaged in misrepresentation during the sale of a home. Under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20.5, who has the authority to investigate this complaint?

• A.Only the Rhode Island Superior Court upon petition by the consumer
• B.The National Association of REALTORS® ethics committee
• C.The Rhode Island Real Estate Commission or its designated investigator
• D.The salesperson's principal broker, who must conduct an internal investigation and report findings

Q2.A Rhode Island listing agent is selling a pre-1978 home on behalf of a seller. The buyer waives the opportunity for a lead-paint inspection. Which of the following statements correctly reflects the lead-paint disclosure obligations under applicable federal and Rhode Island law?

• A.The buyer's waiver eliminates all lead-paint disclosure requirements for both the seller and the agent
• B.The seller must still provide the EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet and complete the lead-paint disclosure addendum, even though the buyer may waive the inspection contingency
• C.Because Rhode Island has its own lead-paint law, the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act disclosure requirements do not apply in Rhode Island
• D.The lead-paint disclosure form is only required if the seller has actual knowledge of lead-based paint on the property

Q3.A seller of a Rhode Island residential property decides to sell the home 'as-is.' Under the Rhode Island Residential Property Disclosure Act, which of the following statements is TRUE?

• A.The seller is still required to complete and provide the Seller's Disclosure Form to the buyer
• B.An 'as-is' sale exempts the seller from completing the Seller's Disclosure Form
• C.The seller may substitute a home inspection report in place of the Seller's Disclosure Form
• D.An 'as-is' sale requires only that the buyer sign a waiver of the disclosure requirement

Q4.Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), a lender is prohibited from:

• A.Asking about plans for having children
• B.Considering an applicant's employment history
• C.Asking about an applicant's marital status for a joint application
• D.Requiring documentation of income sources

Q5.A broker representing a seller in a dual-agency situation (where the same brokerage also represents the buyer) must navigate disclosure and consent requirements. Which action is legally required BEFORE the dual agency is created?

• A.Obtain informed written consent from both the seller and the buyer acknowledging the dual-agency relationship and the limitations on the broker's duties to each party.
• B.Obtain written consent only from the seller, since the seller is the party who originally engaged the brokerage and controls the listing.
• C.Disclose the dual agency in the purchase agreement at closing, which satisfies federal disclosure requirements for dual representation.
• D.Notify only the state real estate commission of the dual-agency arrangement within 10 business days of its creation.

Q6.Under federal law (24 C.F.R. Part 35), for which properties is lead-based paint disclosure required?

• A.All residential properties, regardless of age
• B.Residential properties built before 1978
• C.Only pre-1978 properties showing visible paint deterioration
• D.Commercial and multi-family buildings of any age

Q7.A recent Arizona Court of Appeals decision held that a buyer's agent who verbally promises 'this property will appraise at list price' may be liable for:

• A.Nothing — verbal opinions are protected as puffery
• B.Criminal fraud under A.R.S. § 13-2310 automatically
• C.A strict liability claim without proving intent or negligence
• D.Negligent misrepresentation if the agent lacked a reasonable basis for the statement

Q8.Under the Rhode Island Residential Disclosure Act, which of the following properties is EXEMPT from the requirement that a seller complete and deliver the Seller's Disclosure of Real Property Condition form?

• A.A single-family home being sold by an estate executor as part of probate proceedings
• B.A condominium unit in a building constructed after 1978
• C.A two-family residential rental property where the seller has personally occupied one unit
• D.A single-family home being sold by an owner who purchased it at a sheriff's sale and never occupied it

Q9.A Rhode Island salesperson's listing agreement expires, and the seller immediately re-lists with a different brokerage. Three weeks later, a buyer whom the original salesperson introduced to the property during the listing period purchases the home through the new brokerage. Under Rhode Island law, the original salesperson's RIGHT to a commission from the seller is BEST determined by:

• A.Whether the salesperson personally showed the property to the buyer at least once during the listing period.
• B.The procuring-cause doctrine applied by Rhode Island courts, independent of any written agreement.
• C.The presence and terms of a protection or carryover clause in the expired listing agreement.
• D.The Real Estate Commission's arbitration panel, which has exclusive jurisdiction over all commission disputes in Rhode Island.

Q10.Sofia submits an offer. The seller sends a counteroffer at a higher price. Before Sofia accepts, the seller receives a better offer and wants to revoke the counteroffer. What can the seller legally do?

• A.Revoke the counteroffer at any time before Sofia's acceptance is communicated to the seller
• B.Nothing — once a counteroffer is delivered, the seller is bound by it
• C.Accept the second offer only if Sofia does not respond within 24 hours
• D.Accept both offers simultaneously and let the buyers compete

Q11.Rhode Island General Laws § 5-20.5-20 requires that certain agency relationships be disclosed in writing. A broker's salesperson is working with a buyer who has not signed any written buyer-agency agreement. The salesperson shows the buyer a property listed by the same brokerage. Under Rhode Island's dual-agency statute and DBR regulations, what is the broker's minimum required action before the salesperson may continue representing both parties in this potential transaction?

• A.The broker must ensure that written informed consent to dual agency is obtained from both the buyer and the seller before the salesperson proceeds, and that consent must disclose the limitations on the broker's duties to each party as required by RIGL § 5-20.5-20.
• B.The broker may allow the salesperson to proceed because in-house transactions are automatically treated as transaction brokerage under Rhode Island law, requiring no additional disclosure.
• C.The broker need only provide a verbal disclosure of the dual-agency situation to both parties and document it in the transaction file within five business days.
• D.The broker must designate two separate salespersons as designated agents for each party, which fully eliminates any dual-agency disclosure requirement under Rhode Island law.

Q12.Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is NOT a protected class at the federal level?

• A.Race
• B.Religion
• C.Sexual orientation
• D.National origin

Q13.Under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20.5, what is the required pre-licensing education that an applicant must complete before sitting for the Rhode Island salesperson licensing examination?

• A.45 hours of approved real estate courses
• B.60 hours of approved real estate courses
• C.75 hours of approved real estate courses
• D.90 hours of approved real estate courses

Q14.Under federal fair housing law, which enforcement action can a state real estate licensing board take against a licensee who violates the Fair Housing Act?

• A.Impose criminal penalties including imprisonment
• B.Suspend or revoke the licensee's real estate license
• C.Order monetary damages to be paid to the complainant
• D.Issue federal civil rights injunctions

Q15.In Rhode Island, which of the following is a prohibited practice for a licensed real estate salesperson under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-20.5?

• A.Advertising a listed property on a real estate website
• B.Accepting a commission directly from a buyer without the knowledge of the salesperson's broker
• C.Showing a listed property to a prospective buyer on a weekend
• D.Presenting all written offers to the seller in a timely manner