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200+ Free NC Real Property Specialist Practice Questions

NC State Bar Certified Specialist - Real Property Law (Residential & Business) practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.

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Key Facts: NC Real Property Specialist Exam

G.S. 47-18

Connor Act pure-race recording statute

North Carolina General Statutes

4 findings

Clerk findings to authorize power-of-sale foreclosure (G.S. 45-21.16)

North Carolina General Statutes

10 days

Upset-bid window after a foreclosure sale (G.S. 45-21.27)

North Carolina General Statutes

30 years

Marketable Title Act root of title (Chapter 47B)

North Carolina General Statutes

30 days / 15 days

Assessment-lien delinquency and pre-filing notice (G.S. 47F-3-116)

North Carolina General Statutes

100+

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The NC State Bar Certified Specialist in Real Property Law requires NC Bar membership in good standing (commonly 5+ years), substantial involvement in real property law, real property CLE, favorable peer review, and passing the Board's written specialty exam (roughly a 6-hour day; passing standard set by the Board, commonly about 70%). North Carolina certifies Residential and Business Real Property as subspecialties sharing a common core. The exam emphasizes that North Carolina is a pure-race recording state under the Connor Act (G.S. 47-18): the first to record prevails regardless of notice. Heavily tested areas include deeds and warranty covenants, the Marketable Title Act 30-year root (Ch. 47B), title-theory deeds of trust and power-of-sale foreclosure before the clerk (G.S. 45-21.16, 10-day de novo appeal, upset bids G.S. 45-21.27), anti-deficiency protections (G.S. 45-21.36 and 45-21.38), the Good Funds Settlement Act (Ch. 45A), Chapter 42 landlord-tenant (Tenant Security Deposit Act G.S. 42-50 to 42-52, warranty of habitability G.S. 42-42, no self-help eviction), and the Planned Community Act (Ch. 47F-3-116 assessment liens) and Condominium Act (Ch. 47C). Confirm current fees and format on nclawspecialists.gov.

Sample NC Real Property Specialist Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NC Real Property Specialist exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A grantor signs and delivers a North Carolina deed conveying Blackacre to Buyer A on Monday. The deed is never recorded. On Wednesday the same grantor signs and delivers a deed for the same parcel to Buyer B, who knows about the earlier sale to A. Buyer B records first. Under North Carolina law, who owns Blackacre?
A.Buyer B, because North Carolina is a pure-race state and B recorded first even with actual knowledge
B.Buyer A, because A's deed was delivered first regardless of recording
C.Buyer A, because B had actual notice of the prior conveyance
D.Neither, because the second conveyance is void for fraud
Explanation: North Carolina's Connor Act, N.C.G.S. 47-18, makes the state a pure-race recording jurisdiction. The first party to record a properly executed conveyance prevails, and notice (even actual knowledge) of a prior unrecorded interest is irrelevant. Because Buyer B recorded first, B takes title even though B knew of the sale to A.
2Under the North Carolina Connor Act, where must a deed conveying real property be registered to be valid against lien creditors and subsequent purchasers for value?
A.With the clerk of superior court in the county of the grantor's residence
B.With the register of deeds in the county where the land lies
C.With the North Carolina Secretary of State
D.With the county tax assessor's office
Explanation: N.C.G.S. 47-18 provides that a conveyance of land is not valid against lien creditors or purchasers for value from the grantor but from the time of registration in the office of the register of deeds in the county where the land is located. Recording in the proper county register of deeds is the act that perfects priority.
3A North Carolina seller conveys property by a deed that warrants only against defects in title arising during the seller's own period of ownership, not against defects predating the seller's ownership. What type of deed is this?
A.General warranty deed
B.Quitclaim deed
C.Special warranty deed
D.Bargain and sale deed without covenants
Explanation: A special warranty deed warrants title only against claims arising by, through, or under the grantor (defects created during the grantor's ownership). It does not cover defects predating the grantor's tenure. By contrast, a general warranty deed warrants against all defects regardless of when they arose.
4A North Carolina commercial lease has a primary term of two years with two three-year renewal options, making the potential total term eleven years. To protect the tenant's leasehold against a subsequent purchaser of the property, what should the attorney do?
A.Nothing, because possession by the tenant gives constructive notice to all buyers
B.File the full lease with the clerk of superior court
C.Send written notice of the lease to the seller's title insurer
D.Record a memorandum of lease with the register of deeds, because the term exceeds three years
Explanation: Under the Connor Act (N.C.G.S. 47-18), a lease for a term of more than three years, including renewal options, must be recorded to be valid against subsequent purchasers and lien creditors. Recording a memorandum of lease in the register of deeds preserves the tenant's priority. Because the renewal options extend the term past three years, recording is required.
5In a typical North Carolina residential purchase financed by a lender, what instrument does the borrower sign to secure the loan with the real property, and who holds bare legal title under it?
A.A deed of trust, with a neutral trustee holding legal title for the benefit of the lender
B.A mortgage, with the lender holding legal title until payoff
C.A contract for deed, with the seller retaining legal title
D.An installment land contract, with title held in escrow by the closing attorney
Explanation: North Carolina is a deed-of-trust (title-theory) state. The borrower conveys legal title to a neutral trustee who holds it for the benefit of the lender (beneficiary). This three-party structure allows non-judicial foreclosure under a power of sale governed by Chapter 45, Article 2A.
6Before a North Carolina trustee may conduct a power-of-sale foreclosure under a deed of trust, the trustee must file a notice of hearing and obtain findings from which official?
A.A superior court judge after a jury trial
B.The clerk of superior court of the county where the property is located
C.The register of deeds
D.A magistrate in small claims court
Explanation: Under N.C.G.S. 45-21.16, the trustee or mortgagee must file a notice of hearing with the clerk of superior court and serve it on parties entitled to notice. The clerk holds a hearing and may authorize the sale only upon finding a valid debt held by the foreclosing party, default, the right to foreclose under the instrument, and proper notice.
7At a North Carolina power-of-sale foreclosure hearing under N.C.G.S. 45-21.16, which of the following is NOT one of the findings the clerk of superior court must make to authorize the sale?
A.The existence of a valid debt of which the party seeking to foreclose is the holder
B.Default under the instrument securing the debt
C.That the fair market value of the property exceeds the outstanding debt
D.The right to foreclose under the instrument and proper notice to those entitled
Explanation: N.C.G.S. 45-21.16(d) requires the clerk to find: (i) a valid debt of which the foreclosing party is the holder, (ii) default, (iii) the right to foreclose under the instrument, and (iv) proper notice to those entitled. The clerk does not evaluate whether the property's value exceeds the debt; that is not a statutory finding.
8After the clerk authorizes a North Carolina power-of-sale foreclosure, a party who wishes to challenge the clerk's order must appeal within what period, and how is the appeal heard?
A.Within 30 days, heard on the record only
B.Within 60 days, by petition to the Court of Appeals
C.Within 3 days, heard by a magistrate
D.Within 10 days, heard de novo by a district or superior court judge
Explanation: Under N.C.G.S. 45-21.16(d1), the clerk's act of finding or refusing to find the statutory elements is a judicial act appealable to the district or superior court judge within 10 days. The appeal is heard de novo, meaning the judge considers the matter anew rather than reviewing only the clerk's record.
9Following a North Carolina foreclosure sale under a power of sale, a third party files a higher bid at the courthouse. North Carolina law permits an upset bid to be filed within how many days after the prior bid is reported, and what must accompany it?
A.10 days, with an increase of at least 5 percent (minimum $750) and the required deposit
B.5 days, with no deposit required
C.20 days, with a 10 percent deposit
D.30 days, with a cashier's check for the full bid
Explanation: Under N.C.G.S. 45-21.27, an upset bid must be filed within 10 days after the report of sale (or the last upset bid). The upset bid must raise the prior bid by at least 5 percent, but in no event by less than $750, and must be accompanied by the statutory deposit. Each timely upset bid restarts the 10-day period.
10Under the North Carolina Good Funds Settlement Act, when may a settlement agent disburse closing proceeds from its trust account?
A.Immediately upon signing of the closing documents, regardless of funding status
B.Only after the agent has received collected funds (or qualifying deposited funds such as a North Carolina attorney trust account check)
C.Within 24 hours of closing in all cases
D.Only after the deed and deed of trust have been recorded for at least 30 days
Explanation: The Good Funds Settlement Act, Chapter 45A, prohibits a settlement agent from disbursing settlement proceeds unless those proceeds are collected funds. The Act allows disbursement in reliance on certain qualifying deposits, including cashier's checks, certified checks, and checks drawn on the trust account of a North Carolina-licensed attorney. This prevents disbursing against uncollected funds.

About the NC Real Property Specialist Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for NC State Bar Certified Specialist - Real Property Law (Residential & Business) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.