Delaware Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Delaware real estate exam is administered by the Delaware Real Estate Commission and covers Delaware's unique realty transfer tax structure — Delaware splits the transfer tax between buyer and seller by custom, and specific tax calculation questions appear on the exam. Delaware's Coastal Zone Act imposes significant restrictions on development near coastal areas and is frequently tested. Agency questions on the state portion focus on Delaware's distinction between a licensee acting as an agent vs. a limited agent.
Administered by: Delaware Real Estate Commission · 120 questions · Passing score: 70%
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Updated May 2026 · Delaware Real Estate Commission exam outline
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Free Delaware Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Delaware real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Delaware Real Estate Commission exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which agency regulates real estate licenses in Delaware?
Explanation
The Delaware Real Estate Commission, operating under the Division of Professional Regulation within the Department of State, is responsible for licensing and regulating real estate brokers and salespersons in Delaware.
Q2. Delaware's Seller Agent Disclosure requires that the listing agent provide the seller with written disclosure of agency:
Explanation
Delaware requires the listing agent to provide the seller with a written agency disclosure explaining the nature of the agency relationship before or at the time of signing the listing agreement.
Q3. Which of the following is a required element for a valid real estate contract in Delaware?
Explanation
A valid contract in Delaware requires: competent parties, mutual assent (offer and acceptance), consideration, lawful purpose, and — for real estate — the agreement must be in writing per the Statute of Frauds.
Q4. Which type of mortgage requires the borrower to pay only interest for a specified period, after which principal payments begin?
Explanation
An interest-only mortgage requires the borrower to pay only the accrued interest during the initial period. At the end of this period, the borrower must begin paying principal and interest or refinance the loan.
Q5. A Delaware property owner who dies intestate (without a will) has their property distributed according to:
Explanation
When a property owner dies without a valid will (intestate), their property is distributed according to the state's laws of intestate succession, which generally prioritize spouses, children, and other close relatives.
Q6. The income capitalization approach to value is most appropriate for:
Explanation
The income capitalization approach is most applicable to income-producing properties (apartments, office buildings, retail centers) where the value is primarily driven by the property's ability to generate rental income.
Q7. Redlining is the illegal practice of:
Explanation
Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders refuse to make loans or offer unfavorable loan terms in certain areas based on the demographic characteristics of the neighborhood, particularly racial or ethnic composition.
Q8. In Delaware, transfer taxes on a real estate sale are:
Explanation
In Delaware, the realty transfer tax (state and county combined) is customarily split equally between the buyer and the seller, although the parties may negotiate otherwise.
Q9. A Delaware property sells for $295,000. The state and county transfer tax combined rate is 4%. If the buyer and seller split this equally, how much does each pay?
Explanation
Total transfer tax = $295,000 × 4% = $11,800. Each party pays $11,800 ÷ 2 = $5,900. To solve this, multiply the relevant values: $295,000 at 4%.. The correct answer is $5,900.. This is a common calculation on the Delaware real estate exam.
Q10. Which federal law governs the cleanup of contaminated sites and is commonly known as 'Superfund'?
Explanation
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also called Superfund, authorizes the federal government to clean up contaminated sites and hold responsible parties liable for costs.
Q11. Zoning ordinances in Delaware are adopted by:
Explanation
Zoning ordinances are local laws enacted by counties and municipalities to regulate land use. In Delaware, counties and municipalities adopt and administer their own zoning codes.
Q12. A Delaware property manager who negotiates leases on behalf of an owner for compensation must:
Explanation
In Delaware, managing property and negotiating leases for compensation on behalf of an owner constitutes a real estate activity requiring a Delaware real estate license.
Q13. How many hours of pre-license education must a Delaware real estate salesperson candidate complete before sitting for the licensing exam?
Explanation
Delaware requires 99 hours of pre-license education for salesperson candidates before they may sit for the state licensing examination.
Q14. In Delaware, a buyer's agent owes the buyer the fiduciary duty of obedience. This means the agent must:
Explanation
The duty of obedience requires the buyer's agent to follow the buyer's lawful instructions, even if the agent disagrees with those instructions. The agent cannot follow instructions that are illegal or unethical.
Q15. A Delaware buyer submits an offer on a home. The seller changes the price and signs the modified offer back to the buyer. This is legally a:
Explanation
Any change to the terms of an offer creates a counteroffer, which legally terminates the original offer. The buyer is not bound to the changed terms — they may accept, reject, or counter the seller's counteroffer.
Q16. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires lenders to disclose the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is:
Explanation
The APR represents the true cost of credit as a yearly rate, including the interest rate plus fees, points, and other loan costs. It allows borrowers to compare loan offers on an equal basis.
Q17. Under Delaware law, a life estate grants the life tenant the right to:
Explanation
A life tenant has the right to use and enjoy the property for the duration of their life (or the measuring life). They cannot sell a greater interest than they hold, and the property reverts to the remainderman upon the life tenant's death.
Q18. Using the income approach, if a property has a NOI of $45,000 and the cap rate is 7.5%, what is the estimated value?
Explanation
Value = NOI ÷ Cap Rate = $45,000 ÷ 0.075 = $600,000. To solve this, multiply the relevant values: $45,000 at 7.5%.. The correct answer is $600,000.. This is a common calculation on the Delaware real estate exam.
Q19. Which of the following is a protected class under BOTH the federal Fair Housing Act and Delaware state fair housing law?
Explanation
Race is one of the original protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. Delaware state law also protects race, and provides additional protections for other classes such as marital status, sexual orientation, and source of income.
Q20. A special warranty deed in Delaware warrants title only against defects arising:
Explanation
A special warranty deed provides a limited warranty — the grantor only warrants title against defects that arose during their ownership of the property. It does not warrant against defects that existed before they took title.
Q21. A property has annual gross rents of $36,000. After a 6% vacancy factor and $15,000 in operating expenses, what is the NOI?
Explanation
Effective Gross Income = $36,000 − ($36,000 × 6%) = $36,000 − $2,160 = $33,840. NOI = $33,840 − $15,000 = $18,840.
Q22. Lead-based paint disclosure is required for properties built before:
Explanation
Federal law (RRPPA) requires sellers and landlords of properties built before 1978 to disclose known lead-based paint hazards and provide EPA's informational pamphlet.
Q23. A nonconforming use in zoning law is:
Explanation
A nonconforming use is a use that was legally established before a zoning ordinance was enacted but no longer conforms to current zoning requirements. It is generally allowed to continue.
Q24. The document that establishes the relationship between a property owner and a property manager is the:
Explanation
The property management agreement is the contract between the owner and the property manager that defines duties, authority, compensation, and the scope of the management relationship.
Q25. What is the minimum passing score on the Delaware real estate licensing examination?
Explanation
Delaware requires a minimum passing score of 75% on both the national and state portions of the real estate licensing examination.
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Delaware Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Delaware Real Estate Exam?
The Delaware real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Delaware Real Estate Commission and tests both national real estate principles and Delaware-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
The national portion covers topics that apply in every state: property ownership, land use controls, valuation and market analysis, financing, agency law, contracts, leasing and property management, transfer of title, fair housing laws, and real estate calculations. The state portion tests knowledge specific to Delaware — including regulations set by the Delaware Real Estate Commission, Delaware agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Delaware exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Delaware License Law. Candidates who struggle on the DE exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Delaware law questions require targeted preparation.
Official Delaware Exam Content Areas
Source: Delaware Real Estate Commission · Updated June 2026
| Content Area | Questions |
|---|---|
| Property Ownership | 6 |
| Land Use Controls and Regulations | 4 |
| Valuation and Market Analysis | 6 |
| Financing | 8 |
| General Principles of Agency | 10 |
| Property Disclosures | 5 |
| Contracts | 14 |
| Leasing and Property Management | 2 |
| Transfer of Title | 6 |
| Practices of Real Estate | 11 |
| Real Estate Calculations | 8 |
| Delaware State Section (DE Real Estate Commission, licensing requirements, licensee conduct) | 40 scored |
- ▸Administered by Pearson VUE; must score 70% (56/80 national, 28/40 state) — sections scored independently
- ▸National section question counts are from the official Pearson VUE content outline (pub. #099913, effective August 2024)
- ▸Source: Pearson VUE Delaware Candidate Handbook (pub. #090800) and Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (dpr.delaware.gov)
Practice Delaware questions by topic — start with Delaware License Law, Agency, and Contracts to build your foundation, then work through remaining topics.
How Many Questions Are On The Delaware Exam?
The Delaware real estate salesperson exam has 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Delaware-specific laws administered by the Delaware Real Estate Commission. You have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Delaware Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 70% to pass the Delaware real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Delaware is approximately 59%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the DE-specific portion. Our Delaware practice exam is built specifically around the Delaware Real Estate Commission exam outline.
Read our complete Delaware exam study guide — state-specific topics, 5-week study plan, and what to focus on before exam day.
Most Difficult Topics On The Delaware Exam
These are the areas where Delaware candidates most commonly lose points — and a key reason why some states produce harder real estate exams than others.
The Delaware Real Estate Commission's specific licensing requirements, supervision rules, and license categories are tested on the state portion and differ from what most candidates studied nationally.
Delaware has a unique transfer tax structure where the tax is typically split between buyer and seller, but at specific rates that differ from neighboring states. Tax calculation questions appear on the state exam.
Delaware's Coastal Zone Act restricts industrial and certain commercial development near coastal areas. Understanding which activities require permits and how this affects property transactions is a Delaware-specific exam topic.
Delaware's specific rules around limited agency — when a licensee can represent both parties and what disclosures are required — are heavily tested on the state portion.
Delaware Real Estate Math
The Delaware real estate exam includes math questions covering commission calculations, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, property tax prorations, area and volume, and appreciation/depreciation. A common example: if a property sells for $350,000 and the total commission is 6%, split equally between listing and buyer's broker, each side earns $10,500. Proration questions — such as calculating how many days of property taxes a seller owes at closing — are also common. On the DE exam, you will not need a calculator for most math questions, but you do need to understand the formulas. Practice the "T-bar" method for commission splits and the 360-day banker's year for prorations.
🧮 See all exam math formulas →How To Get Your Delaware Real Estate License
- 1Complete 99 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Delaware Real Estate Commission.
- 2Submit your application to the Delaware Real Estate Commission and pay the required fees (exam fee: $85).
- 3Pass the Delaware real estate salesperson exam (120 questions, 70% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Delaware law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Delaware Real Estate Commission.
Best Study Strategy For The Delaware Exam
Start with Delaware license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Delaware Real Estate Commission make up a significant portion of the DE exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Delaware real estate exam includes questions on commission calculations, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and area calculations. Set aside dedicated math practice sessions — don't leave it until the last week.
Take timed practice exams. The Delaware exam has 120 questions within a 4 hours time limit. Simulate exam conditions to build stamina and identify weak topics before exam day.
Focus heavily on agency law. Agency relationships, disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties are consistently among the most-tested topics on the DE exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Delaware law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Delaware may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Delaware-specific protections cold — this topic appears on virtually every exam.
Use active recall, not passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. Use flashcards or practice questions to test retention. Research shows active recall improves long-term retention significantly compared to passive review.
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