Olivia is purchasing a home in Boulder through a CREC contract. She has a loan contingency with a deadline of Day 21. On Day 19, her lender verbally tells her the loan is approved. On Day 22, the lender sends a written denial due to a last-minute underwriting issue. Olivia wants to terminate and recover her earnest money. Which analysis best describes her situation under the Colorado contract?
Correct Answer
B) Olivia has waived the loan contingency because she did not deliver written notice of a financing problem by Day 21, and the verbal approval indicated the contingency was satisfied
This is a high-difficulty trap question. Under the CREC-approved Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate, the loan contingency deadline is strict. By Day 21, Olivia had received verbal approval and did not deliver any written notice of a financing problem. Under the CREC contract, buyer inaction by a contingency deadline is treated as a waiver. Olivia's failure to deliver written notice of a financing issue by Day 21 — combined with the apparent satisfaction of the contingency through verbal approval — means the loan contingency was waived. The Day 22 written denial, arriving after the deadline, does not revive a waived contingency. Olivia is now obligated to proceed, and her earnest money may be at risk if she refuses.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Contracts Question
Background Knowledge for Contracts
Real World Application in Contracts
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Contracts Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to perform their obligations under the contract without a legal excuse. The non-breaching party is entitled to legal remedies including damages, specific performance, or contract rescission.
Consideration is something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, making the agreement legally binding. It can be money, a promise to act, a promise to refrain from acting, or anything else of value.
Contingencies are conditions written into a real estate contract that must be met before the transaction can close. If a contingency is not satisfied, the buyer can typically cancel the contract without penalty.
More Contracts Questions
Which of the following is required for a valid contract in California?
An “as is” clause in a general purchase contract:
A contract formed for an illegal purpose is considered:
After a residential purchase contract has been signed by both parties in Illinois, the buyer and seller verbally agree to change the closing date. What is the legally sound way to document this change?
Specific performance in North Dakota:
- → In a contract for deed (land contract), who retains legal title to the property until the purchase price is fully paid?
- → Which of the following is NOT required for a valid bill of sale?
- → A Nevada real estate salesperson is helping a buyer draft a purchase agreement. Which of the following is NOT a required element for a Nevada residential purchase agreement to be legally enforceable?
- → Sawyer Iverson is reviewing an Illinois issue in Joliet. The person assumes that attorney review automatically replaces every inspection, appraisal, or financing deadline in a standard Illinois residential contract. Which statement best applies?
- → Tom and Linda sign a purchase agreement for a home in Hartford, Connecticut. The agreement includes a financing contingency stating that if Tom cannot obtain a mortgage commitment within 21 days, either party may void the contract. On day 19, Tom's lender issues a written mortgage commitment. On day 22, Tom changes his mind and tries to void the contract by claiming the financing contingency was not satisfied. Which of the following best describes the legal status of the contract?
- → Avery Jenkins is reviewing an Illinois issue in Normal. The person asks what happens if neither attorney sends a disapproval or proposed change during the standard review period. Which statement best applies?
- → Under Montana law, a purchase agreement for residential real property becomes legally binding on the seller when which of the following occurs?
- → Johnny wants the seller's patio furniture included in his purchase of a house. Before the offer is signed and delivered to the seller, he asks his agent to attach a page covering the furniture to the offer. That attached page is best described as:
- → A bilateral contract in real estate is best described as:
- → A contract where one party uses threats to force the other party to sign is considered:
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
Real Estate Exam Practice Questions by Topic (2026): Free Sets for Contracts, Agency, Financing
Get topic-based real estate exam practice sets and a simple sequence to move from learning to timed mocks.
Real Estate Exam Topics (2026): High-Yield Areas + Common Traps (Contracts, Agency, Financing, Fair Housing)
Learn the highest-frequency real estate exam topics and the traps that cause most wrong answers—plus how to study them.
Real Estate Exam Contracts: The Only Guide You Need (2026) + Practice Questions
Learn the contract rules the exam loves, common trick wording, and how to practice contract questions efficiently.