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North Carolina real estate finance practice test

25 questions with answers and explanations · 2026

1. 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.

2. A borrower's monthly payment does not cover the interest due, and the unpaid interest is added to the loan balance. This is:

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. When unpaid interest is added to principal, the balance grows - negative amortization. An interest-only loan pays all interest, so the balance stays flat.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.)

7. 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.

8. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is typically required on a conventional loan when the down payment is:

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. PMI protects the lender and is generally required when the borrower puts down less than 20% (LTV over 80%).

9. 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.

10. 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).

11. A buyer contracts to buy a home for $300,000, but it appraises at $290,000. The lender offers 75% LTV. What is the maximum loan?

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. LTV is applied to the LESSER of price or appraised value: $290,000 x 0.75 = $217,500. Using the $300,000 price ($225,000) is the common mistake.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Which federal law requires disclosure of the true cost of credit, including APR?

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. The Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) requires disclosure of finance charges and the APR. RESPA covers settlement costs.

15. A conventional loan that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by the FHFA is called a:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. Loans above the conforming limits cannot be sold to Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac and are non-conforming 'jumbo' loans, usually at higher rates.

16. On the buyer's side of the closing statement, the earnest money deposit and the new mortgage loan are both:

Answer & explanation

Answer: A. Earnest money and loan proceeds are sources of funds that reduce what the buyer must bring, so they are buyer credits.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.)

20. 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.

21. A zero-down-payment government loan program aimed at low- and moderate-income buyers in eligible rural areas is offered through the:

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. USDA Rural Development loans serve eligible rural buyers who meet income limits, often with no down payment.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. A buyer purchases a $300,000 home with an 80% loan, pays 1 point on the loan, a $450 appraisal and $1,800 in title charges, and has already deposited $10,000 earnest money. How much must the buyer bring to closing?

Answer & explanation

Answer: D. Down payment = $60,000; 1 point = $240,000 x 0.01 = $2,400; total = $60,000 + $2,400 + $450 + $1,800 = $64,650; minus $10,000 earnest money = $54,650.

25. A loan whose payments are not large enough to pay it off by the end of the term, leaving a large final payment, is a:

Answer & explanation

Answer: C. Partially amortized loans require a balloon payment at maturity. Negative amortization means the balance actually increases because payments don't cover interest.

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