Free practice tests

Hawaii real estate finance practice test

25 questions with answers and explanations · 2026

1. A borrower pays $4,500 for 1.5 discount points. What is the loan amount?

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. Loan = cost of points / points as a percentage = $4,500 / 0.015 = $300,000.

2. Which document is recorded in the county records and makes the property collateral for a loan?

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. The mortgage creates the lien and is recorded. The promissory note is the borrower's personal promise to repay and is not recorded.

3. An agent tells a buyer he will show homes only if the buyer uses the agent's brother as mortgage broker. This is an illegal:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Conditioning one service on the purchase of another is a tying arrangement prohibited by antitrust law.

4. Under federal rules, a lender must automatically cancel borrower-paid PMI when the loan balance reaches what percentage of the original value (purchase price)?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. PMI terminates automatically at 78% LTV based on original value. At 80% LTV the borrower may REQUEST cancellation, which is the tempting distractor.

5. A buyer purchases a $275,000 home with an 80% LTV loan and pays 2.5 discount points. What do the points cost?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Loan = $275,000 x 0.80 = $220,000; points = $220,000 x 0.025 = $5,500. ($6,875 wrongly applies points to the price.)

6. RESPA primarily governs:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. RESPA requires disclosure of settlement (closing) costs on 1-4 family residential loans and prohibits kickbacks. Rate advertising falls under TILA.

7. On an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate after the initial period is determined by:

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. ARM rate = index + margin, subject to periodic and lifetime caps. In a 5/1 ARM the rate is fixed 5 years, then adjusts every year.

8. A short-term loan used to buy a new home before the borrower's current home sells is a:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. A bridge loan 'bridges' the gap between buying and selling and is typically repaid within about 12 months when the old home sells.

9. A home sells for $389,000. The seller pays a 5% commission, a $212,600 mortgage payoff, $1,200 attorney fee, $1,950 transfer tax and $600 in other costs. What are the seller's net proceeds?

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. Commission = $389,000 x 0.05 = $19,450. Total costs = $19,450 + $212,600 + $1,200 + $1,950 + $600 = $235,800. Net = $389,000 - $235,800 = $153,200.

10. A buyer purchases a home for $425,000 with a loan of $361,250. What is the LTV?

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. LTV = loan / price = $361,250 / $425,000 = 0.85 = 85%. (15% is the down payment percentage.)

11. Under TRID, the borrower must receive the Closing Disclosure at least how long before loan closing?

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. The Loan Estimate is due within 3 business days after application, and the Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing.

12. On a $250,000 loan, how much is 2 discount points?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. 1 point = 1% of the loan. 2 points = 0.02 x $250,000 = $5,000.

13. Adding a new financing contingency to an existing sales contract is done by a(n) ____, while changing the existing closing date is done by a(n) ____.

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. An addendum ADDs new terms; an amendment changes existing terms. Both require agreement of both parties.

14. Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z), which phrase in an ad is a 'trigger term' requiring full credit disclosures?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Specific terms like the down payment amount, number or amount of payments, finance charge or repayment period trigger full disclosure (including APR). General statements do not.

15. The mortgage clause that allows the lender to declare the entire balance due immediately upon the borrower's default is the:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. The acceleration clause lets the lender call the entire debt due on default. The alienation (due-on-sale) clause is triggered by transfer of the property.

16. A lender approves a $276,000 loan and the buyer wants to keep an 80% LTV. What is the maximum purchase price?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Purchase price = loan / LTV = $276,000 / 0.80 = $345,000. ($220,800 wrongly multiplies by 0.80.)

17. The reasonably probable use of a property that is legally permissible, physically possible, financially feasible and maximally productive is its:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. Highest and best use is the use producing the greatest value that meets the four tests.

18. The periodic report a property manager gives the owner showing rents and other income collected and expenses paid for the period is the:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. The income statement (P&L) summarizes income and expenses for the accounting period, typically monthly.

19. The document issued by a VA-approved appraiser for a VA loan is the:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. The VA appraiser issues a CRV. The Certificate of Eligibility establishes the veteran's entitlement before applying.

20. A lender's refusal to make loans in certain neighborhoods based on demographics is:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Redlining is denying loans or services to areas based on protected characteristics rather than the borrower's qualifications.

21. Which statement about FHA-insured loans is correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. FHA loans are made by approved lenders and insured by FHA, with down payments as low as 3.5% and mortgage insurance premium (MIP) required on all FHA loans, for 1-4 family homes.

22. A home is worth $410,000. The owner owes $238,500 on a first mortgage and $41,200 on a home equity loan. What is the owner's equity?

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. Equity = value - all loan balances = $410,000 - ($238,500 + $41,200) = $410,000 - $279,700 = $130,300.

23. Hawaii permits which forms of mortgage foreclosure?

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. HRS 667 Part IA covers foreclosure by action and Part II covers the power-of-sale process.

24. Which loan is insured by the federal government and allows a low down payment?

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and permit down payments as low as 3.5%. Conventional loans are not government-backed.

25. A borrower paid $3,150 in points on a $210,000 loan. How many points were paid?

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Points = cost / loan = $3,150 / $210,000 = 0.015 = 1.5 points (1 point = 1% of the loan).

Sources

Source verification pending. Confirm current requirements with your state regulator.

Last verified: Not yet verified