Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson Exam Questions and Answers (Page: 2)

QUESTION: 9 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

Two top licensees in a small town have agreed not to show listings of a new real estate firm charging a low commission rate to sellers. This behavior is a violation of the

Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Blue-Sky laws.
Sherman Antitrust Act.
federal fair housing laws.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The Sherman Antitrust Act is a federal law that prohibits any contract, combination, or conspiracy that restrains trade or creates monopolies. In the context of real estate, antitrust violations include price fixing, market allocation, group boycotts, and tie-in arrangements.

The situation described -- where two licensees agree not to show listings from a competing brokerage charging lower commissions -- is a classic example of a group boycott. By conspiring to cut out competition, they are restraining trade and harming both consumers and the new brokerage.

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (A) deals with lending discrimination, Blue-Sky laws (B) regulate securities, and federal fair housing laws (D) prohibit housing discrimination. Only the Sherman Antitrust Act applies here.

Massachusetts licensees are specifically tested on recognizing antitrust violations. The penalties for Sherman Act violations are severe, including fines, loss of license, and even imprisonment.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Real Estate Practice & Antitrust Laws; Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. §§17.

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QUESTION: 10 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

A motel is the subject of an appraisal and it is determined that a rerouting of a county highway has limited customer access to the motel. This is an example of

economic obsolescence.
regression.
functional obsolescence.
landlocked property.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Economic obsolescence (also known as external obsolescence) occurs when property value declines due to factors outside the property itself that the owner cannot control. In this case, rerouting of a county highway reduces customer access, negatively impacting business and property value. This is entirely external and beyond the motel owner's ability to correct.

By contrast:

Regression (B) refers to when a higher-value property loses value due to surrounding lower-value properties.

Functional obsolescence (C) is caused by design flaws or outdated features within the property itself.

Landlocked property (D) refers to a parcel with no legal access, which is not the case here.

Therefore, the correct answer is economic obsolescence.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Valuation and Market Analysis; Principles of Appraisal.

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QUESTION: 11 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

A real estate licensee is a partial owner of a local inspection company. It is permissible for the licensee to tell all clients to use this company when

it is in the best interest of the client.
the licensee does not know any of the other title companies in the area.
the client does not ask for other recommendations.
the licensee discloses the interest in the company to the client.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Under Massachusetts law and federal RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Section 8), real estate professionals may have an ownership interest in related businesses (such as inspection, title, or mortgage companies), but they must provide full disclosure of this interest to clients in writing.

Steering clients exclusively to a business in which the agent has a financial interest -- without disclosure -- is a conflict of interest and a violation of fiduciary duties. However, once the relationship is disclosed, the client may freely choose whether to use that company or not.

The other options are incorrect because:

"Best interest" (A) doesn't override disclosure requirements.

Lack of knowledge of competitors (B) is not an excuse.

Failing to disclose simply because the client doesn't ask (C) is a violation.

Thus, the only permissible action is disclosure (D).

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Agency & Disclosure; RESPA, 12 U.S.C. §2607.

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QUESTION: 12 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

A salesperson's client is the lessee.
Who does the salesperson represent?

lender
tenant
landlord
lien holder

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In a leasing transaction, the lessee is the tenant -- the party obtaining the right to occupy and use the property. The lessor is the landlord, who owns the property and grants possession through the lease.

Therefore, when a salesperson's client is the lessee, the salesperson represents the tenant in the transaction. The role is similar to representing a buyer in a purchase transaction -- the agent owes fiduciary duties such as loyalty, confidentiality, and disclosure to the tenant client.

The other options do not apply:

Lender (A) provides financing, not leasing services.

Landlord (C) would be the lessor, not the lessee.

Lien holder (D) is a creditor with a security interest in property, unrelated to this relationship.

Thus, the correct answer is B: tenant.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Agency Law; M.G.L. c.112, §87AAA112.

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QUESTION: 13 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

What is the difference between a license to use property and an easement?

A license can be cancelled by the issuer.
An easement can be cancelled by the issuer.
There must be consideration paid for a license.
There must be consideration paid for an easement.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

A license is a personal, revocable privilege to enter or use another person's land for a specific purpose (e.g., a ticket to a sporting event). A license does not create an interest in land and may be revoked at any time by the issuer.

An easement, however, is a non-possessory interest in land that grants a legal right to use the property of another (e.g., a right-of-way). Easements are generally permanent, run with the land, and cannot simply be canceled by the property owner at will.

Massachusetts law distinguishes between the two: easements are formal property interests that usually require a written grant and may only be terminated by agreement, expiration, or court action, while licenses are informal, temporary, and revocable.

Thus, the correct answer is A: A license can be cancelled by the issuer.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Property Interests and Rights; M.G.L. c. 183.

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QUESTION: 14 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

If a deed creating a tenancy in common does NOT state the fractional interest of each co-owner, it

is void.
is presumed each owner has an equal interest.
must be determined by a majority vote of the tenants.
becomes a joint tenancy.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In tenancy in common, two or more individuals hold title together, each with an undivided right to possess the property. The co-owners may hold unequal shares, but unless otherwise specified in the deed, the law presumes equal ownership interests.

For example, if three people take title as tenants in common without specifying percentages, Massachusetts law assumes they each own one-third. The deed is not void (A), fractional shares are not decided by "vote" (C), and tenancy in common does not convert into joint tenancy (D) unless explicitly stated with survivorship rights.

Thus, the correct answer is B: presumed equal interest.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Forms of Ownership; M.G.L. c. 184.

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QUESTION: 15 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

Real estate taxes that are paid in advance are prorated on the closing statement as

no entry to buyer; a credit to seller.
no entry to buyer; a debit to seller.
a credit to buyer; a debit to seller.
a debit to buyer; a credit to seller.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

When real estate taxes are paid in advance, the seller has already paid for a period extending beyond the closing date. Since the buyer will benefit from part of that prepaid period, the buyer must reimburse the seller for the portion after closing.

In the closing statement, this appears as:

Credit to Buyer (because the buyer is receiving benefit from prepaid taxes).

Debit to Seller (because the seller has already advanced the payment).

This ensures fairness so that each party pays taxes only for the time they own the property.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Closing & Settlement; Real
Estate Math (Prorations).

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QUESTION: 16 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

A broker has a single agency relationship with the seller. Any required property condition disclosure would be completed by the

seller.
broker.
listing agent on behalf of broker.
listing agent on behalf of seller.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

In Massachusetts, the seller is legally responsible for completing the property condition disclosure form. The listing broker or agent may provide the form and ensure it is delivered to prospective buyers, but they do not complete it on behalf of the seller.

The rationale is that the seller is the party with direct knowledge of the property's condition. Licensees must never fill out the disclosure themselves, as this could expose them to liability for inaccuracies. The broker's duty is limited to ensuring the disclosure is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.93, §114) but not to make representations or complete the document.

Thus, the correct answer is A: seller.

Reference:

Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook Agency & Disclosure Obligations; M.G.L. c. 93, §114.

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Real Estate Licensing Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson Exam (page: 2) Real Estate Licensing Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Updated on: 07-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 9 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 10 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 11 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 12 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 13 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 14 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 15 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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QUESTION: 16 Exam Topic: 1, Section 1

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Real Estate Licensing Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson Exam (page: 2)
Real Estate Licensing Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson
Updated on: 07-Feb-2026