A California property closes escrow on October 15. The California property tax fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30, and the first installment (covering July 1–December 31) is due November 1. The seller has prepaid the full first installment prior to closing. How should property taxes be prorated at closing?
Correct Answer
B) The buyer credits the seller for the portion of the prepaid first installment covering October 15 through December 31
Because the seller prepaid the first installment covering July 1 through December 31, and the property transfers to the buyer on October 15, the seller has paid taxes for a period during which the buyer will own the property. Standard escrow practice requires the buyer to reimburse the seller — via a credit to the seller on the closing statement — for the prepaid taxes covering October 15 through December 31. This ensures each party bears the tax cost only for the days they hold title.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Transfer Of Property Question
Background Knowledge for Transfer Of Property
Real World Application in Transfer Of Property
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Transfer Of Property Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
The closing process, also called settlement, is the final step in a real estate transaction where documents are signed, funds are disbursed, and title is officially transferred from the seller to the buyer.
Constructive notice is the legal presumption that a person has knowledge of information that is available through public records or visible inspection of the property, regardless of whether they actually knew about it.
A deed is a written legal document that conveys (transfers) ownership of real property from one party to another. It must be delivered to and accepted by the grantee to be effective.
More Transfer Of Property Questions
Determining who pays what at closing involves:
Closing is always the _____ step in real estate transactions.
Depreciation on rental property for federal tax purposes is calculated over:
A title company examines the public records and finds that all deeds in the property's history are properly recorded and connect in an unbroken sequence. This unbroken sequence of ownership is called the
In a jurisdiction where a later purchaser must both lack notice and record before the earlier claimant records, what kind of recording act applies?
- → A buyer records a deed at the county recorder's office. What is the primary purpose of recording?
- → A buyer drives past the property and sees someone other than the seller living there and maintaining the yard. This observation should put the buyer on what type of notice?
- → In a covered purchase transaction, the borrower receives a final form showing the loan terms, cash to close, and settlement charges shortly before consummation. What form is this?
- → Along with the signed offer, Quinn Brooks delivers a check to demonstrate serious intent to complete the transaction if the offer is accepted. What is this deposit called?
- → On a settlement statement, the buyer's earnest money reduces the remaining cash needed to close. How is that item characterized?
- → On a settlement statement, an item increases the buyer's amount due at closing. How is that item characterized?
- → On the seller's settlement statement, the purchase price of $400,000 appears as what?
- → At closing, the purchase price of $350,000 appears on the buyer's side of the settlement statement. Is this amount a debit or a credit to the buyer?
- → Under TRID rules, the lender must deliver the Closing Disclosure to the borrower at least how many business days before loan consummation?
- → In an escrow closing, the escrow agent discovers that the seller has not yet provided the signed deed. What should the escrow agent do?
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Property Ownership
10% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Valuation and Market Analysis
10% of exam
Related Articles
How to Review Real Estate Ownership Transfer Questions Without Losing the Sequence
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for review real estate...
How to Review Real Estate Transfer Questions Without Mixing Deeds, Delivery, and Recording
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for review real estate...
How to Study Real Estate Ownership Questions by Comparing Rights, Forms, and Transfer Limits
A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for study real estate...