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Real Estate Math

Calculations for commission, prorations, area, and financing

200 questions10 concepts
Real Estate Math — Study Card
Real Estate Math study card infographic showing key concepts, exam weight (12%), and memory aids
AI-generated study card for Real Estate Math. Covers 12% of the real estate exam.
Difficulty Breakdown
Easy107 (54%)
Medium69 (35%)
Hard24 (12%)
Study Tips for Math
  • Master the T-bar method for proportion problems (total on top, parts on bottom)
  • Commission = Sale Price × Rate; Cap Rate = NOI ÷ Value; GRM = Price ÷ Gross Rent
  • Prorations: Seller pays through closing day; interest paid in arrears, taxes in advance
  • Always check if the question asks for monthly or annual figures before calculating

Key Concepts

Percentage to Decimal Conversion

Converting a percentage to a decimal involves dividing the percentage value by 100.

IRV Formula

IRV stands for Income, Rate, and Value. It represents the relationship between Net Operating Income (I), Capitalization Rate (R), and Property Value (V).

Net Operating Income (NOI)

Net Operating Income (NOI) is the revenue a property generates after deducting all operating expenses.

Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)

The gross rent multiplier (GRM) is a quick method for estimating the value of income-producing property by multiplying the property's gross rent by a factor derived from comparable sales. GRM = Sale Price / Gross Rent.

Capitalization Rate

The capitalization rate (cap rate) is the ratio of a property's net operating income to its sale price, expressed as a percentage. It is used to estimate value and compare profitability of investment properties. Cap Rate = NOI / Value.

Net Operating Income (NOI)

Net operating income (NOI) is the annual income generated by an income-producing property after deducting operating expenses, but before deducting mortgage payments, income taxes, and depreciation.

Loan Qualification Math

Loan qualification math involves calculating the debt-to-income ratios that lenders use to determine whether a borrower qualifies for a mortgage. The two primary ratios are the front-end (housing expense) ratio and the back-end (total debt) ratio.

Proration Calculations

Proration calculations divide shared expenses such as property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and rent between buyer and seller at closing based on the number of days each party owns the property.

Commission Splits

Commission splits refer to the division of the total real estate commission among the listing and selling brokerages, and then between each broker and their respective agents. Commission rates and splits are always negotiable.

Area Calculation (Square Footage)

Area calculation involves determining the square footage or acreage of a property using geometric formulas. Key conversions: 1 acre = 43,560 square feet, 1 mile = 5,280 feet, 1 section = 640 acres.

Practice Questions

Area(18)

What is the price per front foot for a 50' wide x 100' long lot that sold for $75,000?

EASY

A lot in a subdivision is being sold for $8.00 per square foot. It is 200 feet wide and 400 feet deep. How much does the lot cost?

EASY

What is the price per front foot for a 100' wide x 125' long lot that sold for $125,000?

EASY

What is the price per front foot for a 100' wide x 125' long lot that sold for $125,000?

EASY

A lot costs $300,000. It is 100 feet wide and 150 feet deep. How much is the price per square foot?

EASY

A man died without a will and with no sur- viving relatives. His four-acre farm will

EASY

A lakefront property sold for $550,000 with 550 feet of lake frontage. About how much did it sell per front foot?

EASY

A lakefront property sold for $550,000 with 550 feet of lake frontage. About how much did it sell per front foot?

EASY

A lot costs $300,000. It is 100 feet wide and 150 feet deep. How much is the price per square foot?

EASY

What is the price per front foot for a 50' wide x 100' long lot that sold for $75,000?

EASY

A lot in a subdivision sells for $5.00 per square foot. It is 100 feet wide and 120 feet deep. How much does the lot cost?

EASY

A lot purchased 25 years ago for $40,000 has appreciated 45% total. What is it worth today?

EASY

A lot measures 150 feet by 200 feet. How many acres is this?

MEDIUM

A lot in a subdivision is being sold for $8.00 per square foot. It is 200 feet wide and 400 feet deep. How much does the lot cost?

EASY

A lot in a subdivision sells for $5.00 per square foot. It is 100 feet wide and 120 feet deep. How much does the lot cost?

EASY

Jane learns that a lakefront property sold for $700,000 with 400 feet of lake frontage. About how much per front foot?

EASY

Jane learns that a lakefront property sold for $700,000 with 400 feet of lake frontage. About how much per front foot?

EASY

A lot purchased 25 years ago for $40,000 has appreciated 45% total. What is it worth today?

EASY

Area_and_volume(20)

A house sells for $495,000 and contains 2,550 square feet. What is the price per square foot?

EASY

A house sells for $360,000 and contains 2,550 square feet. What is the price per square foot?

MEDIUM

How many square feet are in a lot containing 1.50 acres?

HARD

A rectangular lot measures 90 feet by 110 feet. What is the lot area in square feet?

EASY

A property has an L-shaped floor plan. The main section is 40 feet by 30 feet, and the wing is 20 feet by 15 feet. What is the total living area?

HARD

How many square feet are in a lot containing 1.75 acres?

MEDIUM

A rectangular lot measures 120 feet by 110 feet. What is the lot area in square feet?

MEDIUM

A house sells for $405,000 and contains 2,550 square feet. What is the price per square foot?

MEDIUM

How many square feet are in a lot containing 2.00 acres?

MEDIUM

A rectangular lot measures 135 feet by 110 feet. What is the lot area in square feet?

MEDIUM

A house sells for $450,000 and contains 2,550 square feet. What is the price per square foot?

MEDIUM

How many square feet are in a lot containing 1.00 acre?

EASY

A rectangular lot measures 150 feet by 110 feet. What is the lot area in square feet?

EASY

A warehouse is 80 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 20 feet high. What is the volume of the warehouse in cubic feet?

HARD

A trapezoid-shaped lot has a frontage of 100 feet, a rear width of 140 feet, and a depth of 160 feet. Using the average-width method, what is the lot area?

EASY

How many square feet are in a lot containing 1.25 acres?

EASY

A rectangular lot measures 105 feet by 110 feet. What is the lot area in square feet?

HARD

A house sells for $540,000 and contains 2,550 square feet. What is the price per square foot?

HARD

A triangular lot has a base of 200 feet and a height of 150 feet. What is the area of the lot?

MEDIUM

A lot contains 65,340 square feet. How many acres is this?

EASY

Commission(37)

During a listing agreement, a 6% commission is established. The house sells for $450,000. What is the commission?

EASY

A house sells for $280,000. The commission check to the broker is $16,800. What percentage did the broker receive?

EASY

A property sells for $300,000. You handled the sale and get 40% of what your broker receives. The broker received $18,000. How much do you earn?

EASY

A home you listed sells for $400,000. Your broker receives 6% and you receive 45% of their check. How much do you receive?

MEDIUM

An agent received 35% share of 3% gross commission. The salesperson received $4,500. What did the property sell for?

HARD

A house sells for $280,000. The commission check to the broker is $16,800. What percentage did the broker receive?

EASY

A property in Arizona sells for $400,000. If the agent earns 3% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% on the remainder, what is the total commission?

MEDIUM

A broker earns 5% commission on a $600,000 sale. If the listing broker gets 60%, how much do they receive?

EASY

A property sells for $300,000. You handled the sale and get 40% of what your broker receives. The broker received $18,000. How much do you earn?

EASY

Any individual may contact the Real Estate Commissioner to:

EASY

A subdivider needs to give a copy of the Real Estate Commissioner’s public report to:

EASY

A home you listed sells for $400,000. Your broker receives 6% and you receive 45% of their check. How much do you receive?

MEDIUM

A 6% commission on a $250,000 sale equals:

EASY

An agent received 35% share of 3% gross commission. The salesperson received $4,500. What did the property sell for?

HARD

The broker represents both buyer and seller with 5.25% commission rate and received $8,000. What was the final sales price?

MEDIUM

An agent lists a seller's house for 5% commission. The final sales price is $255,000. How much commission did the seller pay?

EASY

An agent receives 50% share of a 3% gross commission. The property sold for $350,000. How much commission will the agent receive?

EASY

A 6% commission is established. The house sells for $2,800,000. What is the commission?

EASY

The Real Estate Commissioner’s rules:

EASY

An agent lists a seller's house for 5% commission. The final sales price is $255,000. How much commission did the seller pay?

EASY

+ 17 more questions

Commission_calculations(20)

A seller closes on a property for $320,000. The commission is 6%, other seller closing costs are $5,000, and the existing mortgage payoff is $170,000. What are the seller's net proceeds before any tax effects?

MEDIUM

A seller wants to net $250,000 after paying a 6% commission and has no other closing costs to consider. What sale price is needed?

MEDIUM

A broker charges a graduated commission: 6% on the first $200,000 of the sale price and 4% on the amount above $200,000. If a property sells for $350,000, what is the total commission?

HARD

An agent received $7,200 as her share of a commission. She has a 60/40 split with her broker (agent gets 60%). What was the total commission paid to the brokerage?

EASY

A seller closes on a property for $500,000. The commission is 6%, other seller closing costs are $4,500, and the existing mortgage payoff is $150,000. What are the seller's net proceeds before any tax effects?

MEDIUM

A broker earns a total commission of $18,000 on a sale. If the commission rate was 6%, what was the sale price of the property?

EASY

A seller wants to net $350,000 after paying a 6% commission and has no other closing costs to consider. What sale price is needed?

HARD

A property sells for $415,000 at a commission rate of 5.0%. What is the total commission?

MEDIUM

A property sells for $380,000 with a 6% commission split equally between the listing broker and the selling broker. The listing agent receives 55% of the listing broker's share. How much does the listing agent earn?

MEDIUM

A property sells for $460,000 with a 6% commission split equally between the listing broker and the selling broker. The listing agent receives 65% of the listing broker's share. How much does the listing agent earn?

EASY

A seller closes on a property for $410,000. The commission is 6%, other seller closing costs are $5,500, and the existing mortgage payoff is $190,000. What are the seller's net proceeds before any tax effects?

EASY

A seller wants to net $400,000 after paying a 5% commission and $6,000 in other closing costs. What minimum sale price is needed?

HARD

A seller wants to net $300,000 after paying a 6% commission and has no other closing costs to consider. What sale price is needed?

MEDIUM

A property sells for $310,000 at a commission rate of 5.5%. What is the total commission?

HARD

A property sells for $275,000 at a commission rate of 6.0%. What is the total commission?

MEDIUM

A seller wants to net $325,000 after paying a 6% commission and has no other closing costs to consider. What sale price is needed?

EASY

A property sells for $300,000 with a 6% commission split equally between the listing broker and the selling broker. The listing agent receives 60% of the listing broker's share. How much does the listing agent earn?

EASY

A property sells for $380,000 at a commission rate of 5.5%. What is the total commission?

EASY

A seller closes on a property for $550,000. The commission is 5%, other seller closing costs are $8,200, and the existing mortgage payoff is $230,000. What are the seller's net proceeds before any tax effects?

MEDIUM

A property sells for $425,000 with a 5% commission. The commission is split 55% to the listing broker and 45% to the selling broker. The listing agent receives 70% of the listing broker's share. How much does the listing agent earn?

MEDIUM

Interest(22)

If Amanda's gross income is $8,550 monthly, she would need to spend less than ___ in total household debt to qualify for most loans (using 28/36 rule).

EASY

If a bank makes a 90% loan on a house valued at $88,500, how much cash is required at closing if the buyer already paid $4,000 in earnest money?

MEDIUM

If Amanda's gross income is $8,550 monthly, she would need to spend less than ___ in total household debt to qualify for most loans (using 28/36 rule).

EASY

Using the 28/36 rule, if Marty's gross income is $5,500 monthly, he needs to spend less than ___ in housing costs to qualify for most loans.

EASY

Using the 28/36 rule, if Marty's gross income is $5,500 monthly, he needs to spend less than ___ in housing costs to qualify for most loans.

EASY

What is the interest rate on a $150,000 loan requiring an annual interest payment of $6,500?

EASY

What is the interest rate on a $200,000 loan requiring an annual interest payment of $8,000?

EASY

The annual percentage yield (APY) applies to:

EASY

What is the interest rate on a $200,000 loan requiring an annual interest payment of $8,000?

EASY

Which of the following is of least interest to an appraiser?

EASY

Which of the following instruments does NOT transfer an interest in real property?

HARD

The degree, quantity, or nature of a person’s interest in real property is called his

EASY

If a bank makes an 85% loan on a house valued at $120,000, how much cash is required at closing if the buyer already paid $8,000 earnest money?

MEDIUM

If a bank makes an 85% loan on a house valued at $120,000, how much cash is required at closing if the buyer already paid $8,000 earnest money?

MEDIUM

In a deed that states “to Jonathon for his life,” the grantor has what type of interest?

EASY

If a bank makes a 90% loan on a house valued at $88,500, how much cash is required at closing if the buyer already paid $4,000 in earnest money?

MEDIUM

What is the annual interest rate on a $300,000 loan requiring a monthly interest payment of $500?

EASY

A buyer obtains a loan for $200,000 at 6% annual interest. What is the monthly interest payment for the first month?

EASY

All of the following are sufficient to transfer an interest in real estate, except:

HARD

What is the annual interest rate on a $300,000 loan requiring a monthly interest payment of $500?

EASY

+ 2 more questions

Investment_calculations(20)

An investor purchases a property for $800,000 with $200,000 cash down. The annual pre-tax cash flow after debt service is $24,000. What is the cash-on-cash return?

MEDIUM

A rental property generates $3,600 per month in gross rent. Annual operating expenses total $18,000. What is the annual net operating income (NOI)?

EASY

A property produces annual NOI of $57,000 and is purchased for $770,000. What is the capitalization rate?

HARD

A property has an annual net operating income of $54,000 and a market capitalization rate of 6.5%. What value indication does direct capitalization produce?

MEDIUM

A property has an annual net operating income of $48,000 and a market capitalization rate of 6.5%. What value indication does direct capitalization produce?

HARD

An investor puts $110,000 of cash into a property and expects annual pre-tax cash flow of $18,000. What is the cash-on-cash return?

EASY

A property has an annual net operating income of $36,000 and a market capitalization rate of 6.5%. What value indication does direct capitalization produce?

EASY

An investor is valuing a small rental property listed at $720,000 that produces gross monthly rent of $3,400. What is the gross rent multiplier (GRM)?

EASY

A property has an annual net operating income of $42,000 and a market capitalization rate of 6.5%. What value indication does direct capitalization produce?

EASY

A property produces annual NOI of $47,000 and is purchased for $630,000. What is the capitalization rate?

MEDIUM

An investor is valuing a small rental property listed at $660,000 that produces gross monthly rent of $3,150. What is the gross rent multiplier (GRM)?

MEDIUM

An investor is valuing a small rental property listed at $600,000 that produces gross monthly rent of $2,900. What is the gross rent multiplier (GRM)?

MEDIUM

A property produces annual NOI of $62,000 and is purchased for $840,000. What is the capitalization rate?

MEDIUM

A property produces annual NOI of $42,000 and is purchased for $560,000. What is the capitalization rate?

MEDIUM

A property has an annual net operating income of $60,000 and a market capitalization rate of 6.5%. What value indication does direct capitalization produce?

MEDIUM

A 4-unit building has a GRM of 180 based on comparable sales. Each unit rents for $1,250 per month. What is the estimated value of the building using the GRM method?

HARD

An investor is valuing a small rental property listed at $480,000 that produces gross monthly rent of $2,400. What is the gross rent multiplier (GRM)?

EASY

A property produces annual NOI of $52,000 and is purchased for $700,000. What is the capitalization rate?

EASY

An investor is valuing a small rental property listed at $540,000 that produces gross monthly rent of $2,650. What is the gross rent multiplier (GRM)?

HARD

An investor wants to buy a property that produces $72,000 annual NOI. The investor requires a minimum 8% cap rate. What is the maximum price the investor should pay?

HARD

Loan_and_interest_calculations(20)

A borrower pays $4,500 in total interest for the first year on an interest-only loan. If the annual interest rate is 4.5%, what is the loan amount?

HARD

A lender offers a $320,000 loan. The borrower must pay a 1% origination fee plus 1.5 discount points. What is the total upfront cost of these fees?

HARD

A buyer purchases a $500,000 property with 20% down. The lender charges a 1% origination fee and 2 discount points on the loan amount. How much does the buyer owe in total upfront loan fees?

HARD

A borrower's monthly interest payment is $1,500 on an interest-only loan at 6% annual interest. What is the outstanding loan balance?

HARD

What is the monthly interest on an interest-only loan of $450,000 at an annual rate of 6.0%?

MEDIUM

A lender will make a loan at 80% loan-to-value on a property priced at $280,000. What is the loan amount?

EASY

A borrower takes out a loan for $270,000 and pays 3 discount points at closing. How much do the points cost?

EASY

What is the monthly interest on an interest-only loan of $350,000 at an annual rate of 5.0%?

EASY

A lender will make a loan at 85% loan-to-value on a property priced at $480,000. What is the loan amount?

EASY

A buyer is purchasing a property for $500,000 with a loan at 90% LTV. How much is the required down payment?

EASY

A borrower takes out a loan for $180,000 and pays 1 discount point at closing. How much do the points cost?

MEDIUM

What is the monthly interest on an interest-only loan of $250,000 at an annual rate of 5.5%?

MEDIUM

A lender will make a loan at 90% loan-to-value on a property priced at $380,000. What is the loan amount?

MEDIUM

A buyer is purchasing a property for $420,000 with a loan at 80% LTV. How much is the required down payment?

MEDIUM

A borrower takes out a loan for $360,000 and pays 2 discount points at closing. How much do the points cost?

MEDIUM

A buyer is purchasing a property for $350,000 with a loan at 80% LTV. How much is the required down payment?

EASY

A borrower has a $240,000 loan at 6% annual interest. The monthly payment is $1,438.92. How much of the first month's payment goes to interest?

EASY

A property is appraised at $400,000 and the purchase price is $380,000. If the lender uses the lower value for LTV purposes and offers 90% LTV, what is the maximum loan amount?

EASY

A borrower takes out a $300,000 loan and pays 2.5 discount points at closing. How much do the points cost?

MEDIUM

A borrower has a $200,000 loan at 5.5% annual interest. The monthly payment is $1,135.58. After the first payment, how much principal has been paid?

MEDIUM

Mixed_practice(12)

A property generates a gross rent multiplier (GRM) of 120 in its market. If a similar property has monthly gross rent of $2,800, what is the estimated property value using the GRM method?

MEDIUM

A buyer purchases a home for $375,000 with a 20 percent down payment. The lender charges 2 points on the loan amount. How much does the buyer pay in points?

EASY

A property's value increased from $250,000 to $275,000 over two years. What is the total dollar amount of appreciation?

EASY

A property's market value is $400,000. The assessment ratio is 80 percent. The tax rate is $3.50 per $100 of assessed value. What is the annual property tax?

MEDIUM

A rectangular lot measures 150 feet by 200 feet. What is the area in square feet?

EASY

A real estate agent earns a total commission of $15,000 on a sale. If the commission rate was 5 percent of the sale price, what was the sale price?

EASY

An investor buys a duplex for $320,000. Each unit rents for $1,200 per month. Annual expenses total $12,000. What is the investor's annual cash-on-cash return if they made a $64,000 down payment and annual debt service is $15,600?

MEDIUM

A broker lists a property and negotiates a 7 percent commission. The property sells for $425,000. The listing broker splits the commission 50/50 with the selling broker. The selling agent receives 70 percent of the selling broker's share. How much does the selling agent earn?

MEDIUM

Property taxes are $5,475 per year. A property closes on March 20. Using a 365-day year and the day of closing belonging to the buyer, how many days of taxes does the seller owe?

MEDIUM

A property is purchased for $200,000 and sold five years later for $250,000. What is the total appreciation as a percentage of the original purchase price?

EASY

A closing occurs on September 15. The seller prepaid annual property taxes of $7,300 on January 1. Using a 365-day year and the day of closing belonging to the buyer, how much does the buyer owe the seller for the tax proration?

MEDIUM

An investment property generates $42,000 in annual net operating income. An investor wants a 7 percent return. Using the income capitalization approach, what is the property's value?

MEDIUM

Real Estate Math: What You Need to Know

Real Estate Math is one of the highest-weighted exam topics and the one that causes the most anxiety for test-takers. The good news is that most real estate math uses basic arithmetic with a handful of standard formulas — no advanced mathematics required.

The most important formulas to memorize are: Commission = Sale Price × Rate, Cap Rate = NOI ÷ Value (or Value = NOI ÷ Cap Rate), GRM = Price ÷ Annual Gross Rent, LTV = Loan Amount ÷ Appraised Value, and Property Tax = Assessed Value × Tax Rate. The T-bar method (also called the "magic T") is your best friend for solving proportion problems — put the total on top and the two parts that multiply to equal it on the bottom.

Prorations at closing are frequently tested and require careful attention to dates and the direction of charges. Remember that the seller is responsible for costs through the day of closing and the buyer from the day after. Interest on mortgage loans is paid in arrears (for the previous month), while property taxes and HOA dues are typically paid in advance. Practice converting between annual, monthly, and daily amounts, and always double-check whether a question asks for monthly or annual figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

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