CA RE Broker case studies
CA RE Broker · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The California real estate broker license is a professional credential issued by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), the state agency whose stated mission is "to safeguard and promote the public interests in real estate matters through licensure, regulation, education and enforcement." A broker license authorizes its holder to conduct real estate brokerage activity and to engage salespersons and other licensees, so the examination is aimed at candidates who already have real estate experience or substantial transaction background and who intend to operate at a supervisory level rather than as a salesperson. The exam is multiple choice and is organized around five content areas weighted equally: Practice of Real Estate and Disclosures; Real Estate Law and Regulations; Financing and Economics; Agency, Contracts, and Transfer of Property; and Broker Responsibilities, Escrow, and Trust Funds. The CA RE Broker case studies are 5 cases and about 3,427 words.
1The Fresno Ranch: Deaths, Patches, and a Late TDS
Your listing is a 1972 ranch-style home in Fresno, listed at $615,000. In the seller's TDS interview she tells you: (1) her husband died of a heart attack in the master bedroom four years ago; (2) a prior owner's adult son died of AIDS in the house in 1992; (3) the roof leaked in two spots last winter and she had a handyman patch it without pulling a permit; (4) an engineer's letter in her file calls the foundation's hairline cracks 'typical settlement; monitor annually.' The buyer's agent emails that her client specifically asks whether anyone has ever died in the home.
771 words, about 4 min2The Sacramento Open House: An Unlicensed Assistant and a Stager's 'Fee'
Your Sacramento brokerage has a busy listing in a competitive market. Your unlicensed assistant, Priya, has been hosting weekend open houses on her own.
555 words, about 3 min3The $950,000 Appraisal and a Misunderstood Seller Credit
Your buyer is in contract at 1,000,000 with 20% down on a conventional 30-year loan at 6.75%. Preapproval was for 800,000.
518 words, about 3 min4Summit Realty on Both Sides: Two Agents, One Brokerage
Ann is the listing agent and Bob is the buyer's agent at the same brokerage, Summit Realty. Bob's clients, the Nguyens, tell Bob in confidence they will pay up to 720,000 because the husband's job transfer is finalized and they must move within 60 days.
781 words, about 4 min5Coastline Realty: A Check in a Drawer and a $3,000 'Loan'
On Tuesday, March 4, your agent takes a 10,000 good-faith deposit check payable to 'Coastline Realty Trust Account' from a buyer whose offer has not yet been accepted. The check sits in your desk drawer because you plan to deposit it 'when the deal firms up.' That same week office rent of 3,200 is due and your commission check is delayed, so you transfer 3,000 from the trust account to the operating account, intending to repay it Friday.
802 words, about 4 min