Reference Book - A Real Estate Guide

F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

Copyright 2000 by the California Department of Real Estate.

* Please note, format and page numbers differ from the printed version. Use form RE 350 to purchase the printed version. The chapters of the Reference Book below are in PDF format Graphic: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. Click here to download a free copy.

 Cover, Preface, Location of Department of Real Estate Offices, Past Real Estate Commissioners, A Word of Caution. MORE

Government Regulation of Brokerage Transactions, Original Real Estate Broker License, Corporate Real Estate License, Original Salesperson License, License Renewals – Brokers and Salespersons, Other License Information, Continuing Education, Miscellaneous Information, Prepaid Residential Listing Service License, Enforcement of Real Estate Law, Discrimination, Notice of Discriminatory Restrictions, Subdivisions, Department Publications, Recovery Account. MORE

Scope of Examination, Preparing for an Exam, Exam Construction, Examination Weighting, Exam Outline, Exam Rules – Exam Subversion, Materials, Question Construction, Multiple Choice Exam, Q and A Analysis, Sample Multiple Choice Items. MORE

Real Estate Associations and Boards, Related Associations, Ethics. MORE

Historical Derivations, The Modern View, Personal Property, Fixtures, Legal Difference Between Real and Personal Property, Land Descriptions, Other Description Methods. MORE

California Adopts a Recording System, Ownership of Real Property, Separate Ownership, Concurrent Ownership, Tenancy in Partnership, Encumbrances, Mechanic’s Liens, Design Professional’s Lien, Attachments and Judgments, Easements, Restrictions, Encroachments, Homestead Exemption, Assuring Marketability of Title. MORE

Scope of Examination, Preparing for an Exam, Exam Construction, Examination Weighting, Exam Outline, Exam Rules – Exam Subversion, Materials, Question Construction, Multiple Choice Exam, Q and A Analysis, Sample Multiple Choice Items. MORE

A Backward Look, the Pattern Today, Deeds in General, Types of Deeds MORE

Definition, Essential Elements, Escrow Holder, Instructions, Complete Escrow, General Escrow Principles, General Escrow Procedures, Proration, Termination, Cancellation of Escrow – Cancellation of Purchase Contract, Who May Act As Escrow Agent, Audit, Prohibited Conduct, Relationship of Real Estate Broker and the Escrow Holder, Designating the Escrow Holder, Developer Controlled Escrows – Prohibition MORE

Types of Leasehold Estates, Dual Legal Nature of Lease, Verbal and Written Agreements, Lease Ingredients, Contract and Conveyance Issues, Rights and Obligations of Parties to a Lease, Condemnation of Leased Property, Notice Upon Tenant Default, Non-Waivable Tenant Rights, Remedies of Landlord, Disclosures by Owner or Rental Agent to Tenant MORE

Introduction, Creation of Agency Relationships, Authority of Agent, Duties Owed to Principals, Duties Owed to Third Parties, Rights of Agent, Termination of Agency, Special Brokerage Relationships, Licensee Acting for Own Account, Unlawful Employment and Compensation, Broker-Salesperson Relationship, Conclusion MORE

Penal Code, Unlawful Practice of Law, Business and Professions Code, Civil Code, Corporations Code MORE

Background, The Economy, The Mortgage Market, Overview of the Loan Process, Details of the Loan Process, Federal and State Disclosure and Notice of Rights, Promissory Notes, Trust Deeds and Mortgages, Junior Trust Deeds and Mortgages, Other Types of Mortgage and Trust Deed Loans, Alternative Financing, Effects of Security, Due on Sale, Lender’s Remedy in Case of Default, Basic Interest Rate Mathematics, The Tools of Analysis. MORE

Syndicate Equity Financing, Commercial Loan, Bonds or Stocks, Long-Term Lease, Exchange, Sale-Leaseback, Sales Contract (Land Contract), Security Agreements (Personal Property). MORE

Real Estate Syndication, Real Estate Investment Trusts. MORE

Theoretical Concepts of Value and Definitions, Principles of Valuation, Basic Valuation Definitions, Forces Influencing Value, Economic Trends Affecting Real Estate Value, Site Analysis and Valuation, Architectural Styles and Functional Utility, The Appraisal Process and Methods, Methods of Appraising Properties, The Sales Comparison Approach, Cost Approach, Depreciation, Income (Capitalization) Approach, Income Approach Process, Income Approach Applied, Residual Techniques, Yield Capitalization Analysis, Gross Rent Multiplier, Summary, Appraisal of Manufactured Homes (Mobile homes), Evaluating the Single Family Residence and Small Multi-Family Dwellings, Typical Outline for Writing the Single Family Residence Narrative Appraisal Report, Conclusion, Additional Practice Problems, The Office of Real Estate Appraisers (OREA). MORE

Property Taxes, Taxation of Mobile homes, Special Assessments, Certain Assessment Statutes, Federal Taxes, Documentary Transfer Tax, State Taxes, Miscellaneous Taxes, Acquisition of Real Property, Income Taxation. MORE

Basic Subdivision Laws, Subdivision Definitions, Functions in Land Subdivision, Compliance and Governmental Consultation, Types of Subdivisions, Compliance With Subdivided Lands Law, Handling of Purchasers’ Deposit Money, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, Additional Provisions, Grounds For Denial of Public Report, Subdivision Map Act, Preliminary Planning Considerations, Basic Steps in Final Map Preparation and Approval, Types of Maps, Tentative Map Preparation, Tentative Map Filing, Final Map, Parcel Map, Other Public Controls, Health and Sanitation, Eminent Domain, Water Conservation and Flood Control, Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act. MORE

The Need For Planning, General Plans, Redevelopment. MORE

Brokerage as a Part of the Real Estate Business, Other Specialists, Operations, Office Size – Management, Office Size, Career Building, The Broker and the New Salesperson, Specialization, A Broker’s Related Pursuits, Professionalism, Mobile home Sales. MORE

A Basic Transaction, A Basic Listing, Purchase Contract/Receipt of Deposit, Disclosures. MORE

General Information, Trust Fund Bank Accounts, Accounting Records, Other Accounting Systems and Records, Recording Process, Reconciliation of Accounting Records, Documentation Requirements, Additional Documentation Requirements, Audits and Examinations, Sample Transactions, Questions and Answers Regarding Trust Fund Requirements and Record Keeping, Summary, Exhibits. MORE

Professional Organization, Property Managers and Professional Designations, Functions of a Property Manager, Specific Duties of the Property Manager, Earnings, Accounting Records For Property Management. MORE

Subdividing, Developer-Builder, Home Construction. MORE

Definition, Agency, Small Businesses and the Small Business Administration, Form of Business Organization, Form of Sale, Why an Escrow?, Buyer’s Evaluation, Motives of Buyers and Sellers, Counseling the Buyer, Satisfying Government Agencies, Listings, Preparing the Listing, Establishing Value, Valuation Methods, Lease, Goodwill, Fictitious Business Name, Franchising, Bulk Sales and the Uniform Commercial Code, California Sales and Use Tax Provisions, Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. MORE

History, Mineral, Oil and Gas Brokerage, 1994 – No Separate License Requirements. MORE