Financing: real estate exam study notes

Financing questions cover loan types, underwriting basics, the promissory note and security instrument, and federal lending and settlement laws.

Updated 2026-09-23 · 2 sources · By the RealEstateExamKit team

How much it counts

VendorOutline area (salesperson national)
Pearson VUEFinancing and settlement (7) of 80 scored items
PSIFinancing 10% of the national portion

Study notes

  • Note vs mortgage/deed of trust. The note is the promise to pay; the mortgage or deed of trust secures it with the property.
  • Loan types: conventional, FHA-insured, VA-guaranteed, USDA; fixed vs adjustable; amortized, partially amortized (balloon), interest-only.
  • RESPA prohibits kickbacks and unearned fees for settlement-service referrals; TRID sets Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure timing.
  • Clauses: acceleration, alienation (due-on-sale), prepayment, defeasance.

Exam traps

  • Insured vs guaranteed. FHA insures; VA guarantees.
  • Points are a percentage of the loan amount.
  • Alienation vs acceleration. Alienation is triggered by transfer; acceleration makes the full balance due on default.

Educational summary, not legal advice. State law can change the rule - your state portion tests your state’s version.

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Sources

  1. Pearson VUE - Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook (national salesperson outline, effective March 1, 2025) (accessed 2026-09-23)
  2. PSI - Georgia Real Estate Commission Candidate Information Bulletin (national portion outline) (accessed 2026-09-23)