BREA Broker Exam study plan
BREA Broker Exam · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Real Estate Appraisal Principles and Procedures & Valuation Approaches and Methods
Define the three approaches to value and list the data inputs each requires
Explain the appraisal process from problem identification through report delivery, in order
Distinguish the four agents of production and the forces that affect value
Compute simple depreciation splits using cost, sales, and income data
Your checkpoint
A one-page appraisal-process flowchart plus a 20-term glossary of appraisal principles written in your own words
Valuation Approaches and Methods
Apply the sales comparison approach, including adjustment grids and paired-data analysis
Calculate gross and net adjustment percentages and explain when each is meaningful
Build a cost approach estimate using replacement cost, accrued depreciation, and site value
Derive a capitalization rate from comparable sales and apply it to a subject net operating income
Your checkpoint
Three worked valuation problems (one per approach) with all arithmetic shown and a written reconciliation paragraph
Real Estate Appraisal Principles and Procedures & Valuation Approaches and Methods
Reconcile conflicting value indications and justify the weight given to each approach
Compute effective gross income, operating expenses, and net operating income from a rent roll
Explain the difference between reproduction cost and replacement cost and when each is appropriate
Identify the three categories of depreciation and give an example of each
Your checkpoint
A full income-property valuation worksheet with a reconciliation memo of at least 200 words
Real Estate Law, Regulations, and Ethics
Classify the bundle of rights and explain how each interest affects value
Distinguish easements, encroachments, licenses, and liens by their legal effect
Outline the steps of a condemnation or eminent-domain valuation assignment
Apply the appraisal independence and competency provisions of professional ethics rules to short scenarios
Your checkpoint
A 15-question self-written scenario quiz on property rights and legal interests, with answer rationales
Appraisal Standards and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
State the USPAP requirements for an assignment, including problem identification and scope of work
Explain the difference between complete and limited appraisal reporting under applicable standards
Identify the required contents of a summary appraisal report
Recognize common USPAP violations in sample report excerpts
Your checkpoint
A compliance checklist covering scope of work, reporting options, and recordkeeping, applied to one sample report
Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use & Property Description and Analysis
Write a highest-and-best-use conclusion that satisfies all four tests
Analyze a market area using supply, demand, and absorption data
Describe a property by site, improvements, zoning, and physical characteristics
Explain the difference between market value, market price, and investment value
Your checkpoint
A two-page market and highest-and-best-use analysis for a hypothetical subject property
Appraisal Report Writing and Review & Real Estate Finance and Economics
Structure an appraisal report with the required sections in a logical order
Write review comments that identify errors and state a corrected conclusion
Explain how mortgage terms, interest rates, and leverage affect property value and buyer behavior
Distinguish the appraisal report from the appraisal review in terms of scope and responsibility
Your checkpoint
A written review of a short sample appraisal, including at least three findings and a corrected value conclusion
Real Estate Appraisal Principles and Procedures & Valuation Approaches and Methods & Real Estate Law, Regulations, and Ethics & Appraisal Standards and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) & Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use & Property Description and Analysis & Appraisal Report Writing and Review & Real Estate Finance and Economics
Complete two full-length timed practice exams and record scores by domain
Re-study the two lowest-scoring domains using your own notes and worked problems
Recite the USPAP standards and the three approaches from memory
Review all prior deliverables and correct every error you flagged
Your checkpoint
A score-tracking sheet from both practice exams with a targeted final-review plan for the last three days
Milestones
Week 2: You can complete one valuation problem in each approach without notes and explain each step aloud
Week 4: You score at least 75 percent on a 30-question mixed set covering domains 1 through 3
Week 6: You score at least 75 percent on a 30-question mixed set covering domains 4 through 6, and your highest-and-best-use write-up passes all four tests
Week 8: You score at least 80 percent on two full-length timed practice exams, with no domain below 70 percent