Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam — Study Guide
Free, topic-by-topic study notes for the Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam exam. Read a chapter, then practice it.
Property Ownership
This topic covers the nature of real property, the rights that come with ownership, the estates (interests) a person can hold in land, and the ways two or more people can co-own property. These fundamentals are the same nationwide.
Land Use Controls and Regulations
Both government and private parties can limit how land is used. This topic covers public controls such as zoning and the government's inherent powers over land, as well as private controls like deed restrictions.
Valuation and Market Analysis
Value is the heart of every transaction. This topic covers the economic principles behind value, the three approaches appraisers use, and how licensees prepare a comparative market analysis.
Financing
Most buyers borrow to purchase real estate. This topic covers the instruments that create and secure a loan, common loan types and clauses, and the federal laws that govern lending disclosures and fairness.
Contracts
Contracts are the backbone of every real estate transaction and the most heavily weighted national topic. This topic covers what makes a contract valid, how offers work, the main contracts used in practice, and remedies for breach.
Agency
Agency defines the relationship between a licensee and the people they serve. This topic covers how agency is created, the fiduciary duties owed to a client, the difference between clients and customers, and the forms agency can take.
Property Disclosures
Sellers and licensees must reveal known material facts about a property. This topic covers the duty to disclose, the federal disclosures that apply nationwide, and the difference between defects a buyer can and cannot discover on their own.
Transfer of Title
Title is the evidence of ownership. This topic covers how title passes from one party to another, the types of deeds and their warranties, and how public recording and title assurance protect ownership.
Practice of Real Estate
This topic covers the professional and legal standards licensees must follow: fair housing law, ethical advertising, handling money properly, and the trust-account rules that protect the public.
Property Management
A property manager operates real estate on behalf of an owner. This topic covers the management relationship, the leasehold estates and lease types, and the rights and duties between landlords and tenants.
Real Estate Calculations
The exam includes math you must compute correctly. This topic covers the core formula behind most problems, plus commissions, area and volume, and financial and proration calculations.
Iowa Real Estate License Law
Iowa real estate practice is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 543B and the administrative rules of the Iowa Real Estate Commission. This chapter covers who must be licensed, how salespersons work under a broker, and the Commission's enforcement authority.
Agency and Brokerage Relationships in Iowa
Iowa law defines how a licensee may represent consumers and requires clear disclosure of who represents whom. This chapter explains brokerage relationship disclosure, client duties, and the rules for dual agency.
Real Estate Practice in Iowa
Day-to-day Iowa practice is shaped by trust-account rules and disclosures required when property changes hands. This chapter covers earnest money handling and Iowa's state-specific transfer disclosures.
Iowa Licensing Requirements and Education
Becoming and staying licensed in Iowa involves pre-license education, the state exam, post-license education, and ongoing continuing education. This chapter summarizes the path for an Iowa salesperson.
Practice by topic
Jump straight into free practice questions for any single Iowa Real Estate Salesperson Exam topic.