MRES - Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam

Question 1: A buyer asks whether Massachusetts requires a private home seller to complete a standard, state-mandated property condition disclosure form before selling. What is the correct answer?

No statutory seller disclosure form is required

Yes, a state form is always required

Yes, but only for new homes

Only the buyer must complete one

Question 2: Although a private seller need not volunteer condition information, a licensee involved in the sale carries a broader duty. What must the licensee do about facts that could influence a buyer's decision?

Disclose them only if the buyer asks

Keep them confidential for the seller

Affirmatively disclose known material facts

Disclose them only after closing

Question 3: A homeowner sells her own residence in a one-time, private sale. A buyer later claims the consumer protection law applies to the seller. Under Massachusetts case law, is the private seller generally liable under that law?

Yes, every seller is covered

No, a private seller is not covered

Yes, but only if a broker helped

No, and the licensee is exempt too

Question 4: A seller markets a home as is, then paints over a known water stain to hide a leak from the buyer. What is the effect of the as-is clause here?

It excuses the concealment entirely

It transfers all duties to the buyer

It cancels the licensee's disclosure duty

It does not excuse the active concealment

Question 5: While listing a home, a licensee learns the roof leaks badly during heavy rain, a problem not visible on a normal walk-through. How should the licensee treat this known defect?

Mention it only if the buyer asks

Leave it for the buyer to discover

Disclose it as a known material defect

Disclose it only to the seller

Question 6: A buyer asks a licensee whether anything unsettling ever happened in a home, having heard a death once occurred there. Under Massachusetts law, is the prior death a material fact the licensee must volunteer?

No, the event need not be volunteered

Yes, every past death must be disclosed

Yes, but only suicides must be disclosed

No, so the licensee may lie

Question 7: A buyer directly asks a licensee whether a previous occupant of a home had a serious illness such as HIV. Under Massachusetts law, how must the licensee handle this particular question?

Answer truthfully with the details

Disclose it only in writing

Confirm or deny if the buyer insists

Decline to disclose such status

Question 8: At the signing of the first written contract to purchase a home, Massachusetts requires that the buyer receive a particular educational item about a common pre-purchase step. What must be provided?

A copy of the seller's deed

A home inspection consumer brochure

A title insurance policy

A municipal lien certificate

Question 9: A buyer asks her agent to recommend a specific home inspector. The agent represents the buyer as a buyer's agent. Under Massachusetts rules, may this agent recommend a particular inspector?

No agent may ever recommend one

Only the seller's agent may recommend

Yes, a buyer's agent may recommend one

Only after closing may anyone recommend

Question 10: A recent Massachusetts law concerns offers in which a buyer gives up the right to a home inspection. For sales it covers, what does the law prohibit a seller from doing?

Accepting an offer conditioned on waiving inspection

Allowing any home inspection at all

Hiring a licensed home inspector

Disclosing known property defects

Question 11: Massachusetts lead paint requirements focus on homes of a certain age. Generally, residential homes built before which point fall within the reach of the Lead Law?

Before the year 2000

Before the year 1950

Before the year 1990

Before the year 1978

Question 12: The Massachusetts Lead Law's central protections are directed at preventing lead poisoning in a particular group of residents. Which group is the focus of the law?

Elderly residents over sixty-five

All adult tenants

Children under the age of six

Pregnant women only

Question 13: When a pre-1978 home is being sold, Massachusetts requires that a particular lead document reach the buyer at a specific time. When must the Property Transfer Lead Paint Notification be delivered?

Before the purchase and sale agreement

Only at the closing table

Within thirty days after closing

Only if the buyer requests it

Question 14: A landlord of a pre-1978 apartment wants to avoid the cost of deleading and decides not to rent to families with young children for that reason. Under Massachusetts law, is this lawful?

Yes, the landlord may avoid the cost

No, refusing such families is unlawful

Yes, if disclosed to applicants

Yes, for buildings over four units

Question 15: A home served by a private septic system is being sold in Massachusetts. Under Title 5, when must the septic system generally be inspected in connection with the sale?

Only after the sale closes

Never, if the buyer agrees

Only every ten years

Generally within two years before the sale

Question 16: A seller needs the required Title 5 septic inspection before a sale. Who is qualified to perform this inspection under Massachusetts rules?

The listing real estate agent

Any licensed home inspector

A state-approved system inspector

The local building commissioner

Question 17: Before a single-family home in Massachusetts is sold, the seller must obtain a certificate confirming that working smoke alarms are installed. Who issues this certificate?

The local fire department

The state appraiser board

The buyer's home inspector

The registry of deeds

Question 18: Massachusetts law named for a child who died of poisoning requires carbon monoxide alarms in residences with fossil-fuel equipment or an attached garage. At a sale, which residences does the carbon monoxide requirement reach?

Only buildings of three or fewer units

Only newly built homes

Only commercial buildings

Essentially any residence at transfer

Question 19: At the sale of a home, who is responsible for obtaining the required smoke and carbon monoxide compliance certificate before the transfer is completed?

The buyer

The seller

The lender

The listing broker personally

Question 20: An owner plans to fill part of a vegetated wetland and the land within one hundred feet of it. Under the Wetlands Protection Act, which local body must generally review the work first?

The zoning board of appeals