A house bought for $140,000 in March resells for $265,000 in May with no work done and an appraisal from the same broker. If the parties knowingly fabricated the appraisal to support a value above the genuine market value, what fraud scheme does the resale illustrate?
Correct Answer
D) Illegal flipping: an inflated value supporting a very rapid resale
D. The fabricated appraisal makes this a fraudulent flipping scheme. The $125,000 increase alone is not the decisive fact; knowing falsification is. Scope and exceptions: Rapid resale without renovations can be legitimate. Source: Typical fraud schemes: Property Flips — https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2005/december/operation-quick-flip-1
Why This Is the Correct Answer
D. The fabricated appraisal makes this a fraudulent flipping scheme. The $125,000 increase alone is not the decisive fact; knowing falsification is. Scope and exceptions: Rapid resale without renovations can be legitimate.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: An appraisal dispute to be resolved by ordering a 2nd appraisal
Deliberate fabrication is more than a valuation disagreement.
Option B: A lawful flip, because a seller may resell at whatever price is agreed
An agreed price does not excuse false evidence.
Option C: Lawful where the $125,000 increase is disclosed to the new buyer
Disclosing profit does not cure the fabricated appraisal.
Exam Tip
Distinguish a profitable resale from a false valuation.
More Ethics & Fraud Questions
In a closing-readiness check, a disclosure specialist sees facts tied to Appraisal Fraud Detection. What should the file reflect?
An MLO recommends a loan with a low initial payment that will increase sharply in two years. The borrower says retirement income will be fixed and asks whether the payment can change. What is the appropriate response?
An MLO alters a bank statement to make the applicant's account balance appear higher and submits it to underwriting. Which response is appropriate?
A branch manager asks about a loan file because marketing proposes a rate the company is not prepared to offer. What should happen?
A borrower wants cash for necessary home repairs. A proposed refinance provides $15,000 cash but adds $12,000 in costs and extends repayment by 15 years. What is the best next step for the MLO?
Before closing, the team discovers that an ad shows an interest rate but omits the APR presentation. What is the safest compliant answer?
The loan team is resolving Privacy and Confidentiality during a quality-control sample. Which action best fits the rule?
A house last sold for $185,000 in January. In March it changes hands 3 times in 9 days, reaching $410,000, with the same appraiser and the same closing agent on every leg. Assuming the parties colluded to inflate appraisals without improvements to support the higher prices, what fraud scheme does this pattern illustrate?
For closings involving federally related mortgage loans, a title company pays a real estate brokerage $75 for each referred client who closes. The brokerage only passes along the client’s name and number. Does this referral payment comply with RESPA Section 8?
Before closing, the team discovers that a loan officer wants different terms because of a protected applicant characteristic. What is the safest compliant answer?
People Also Study
Federal Mortgage-Related Laws
24% of exam
General Mortgage Knowledge
20% of exam
Mortgage Loan Origination Activities
27% of exam
Uniform State Test Content
11% of exam
Related Study Resources
Previous Question
A branch asks 6 employees to post 5-star reviews describing closings they had no part in. Does asking employees to fabricate customer experiences constitute deceptive endorsement conduct?
Next Question
During a post-application update, a risk reviewer encounters a Fraud Detection and Reporting issue. Which response should select the answer that fits the governing requirement?
