Florida Practice TestEscrow & Title

Florida Escrow & Title
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Escrow, title, and closing questions on the Florida exam test how real estate transactions are closed, how title is transferred, and what happens at settlement. Florida uses title companies or settlement agents to handle closings, and candidates must understand the closing process, settlement statement, and title insurance requirements under Florida law. Title insurance, title searches, and the difference between standard and extended coverage policies are tested, as are the specific closing costs that are customarily paid by buyers vs. sellers under Florida practice.

Practice Questions

Florida Escrow & Title — Practice Questions & Answers

111 questions on Escrow & Title from the Florida real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 111.

Q1. Florida is primarily a 'title insurance state,' meaning that:

A.All real estate transactions require an attorney to close
B.Title companies, rather than attorneys, typically conduct closings and issue title insurance
C.The state government guarantees all real estate titles
D.Lender's title insurance is not required in Florida

Explanation

Florida is known as a title insurance state because title companies (rather than attorneys) typically handle real estate closings and issue title insurance policies. Attorneys may be involved but are not required for most residential closings.

Q2. In Florida, documentary stamp taxes on a warranty deed are calculated based on the:

A.Loan amount
B.Appraised value
C.Total purchase price or consideration paid
D.Assessed value for tax purposes

Explanation

Florida documentary stamp tax on deeds is calculated at $0.70 per $100 (or fraction thereof) of the total purchase price or consideration paid. In Miami-Dade County, the rate is $0.60 per $100.

Q3. What is the purpose of a title commitment (also called a title binder) issued before a Florida closing?

A.To guarantee the property's value
B.To commit the title insurer to issue a title insurance policy, subject to certain requirements and exceptions
C.To confirm the property is free of all liens
D.To certify that the survey is accurate

Explanation

A title commitment is the title insurance company's promise to issue a title insurance policy after closing, subject to the satisfaction of listed requirements (such as payoff of existing mortgages) and subject to listed exceptions.

Q4. Which of the following liens would take priority over a first mortgage in Florida if not satisfied at closing?

A.A judgment lien recorded after the mortgage
B.Ad valorem real property tax liens
C.A second mortgage recorded after the first
D.An HOA lien for unpaid assessments

Explanation

Ad valorem real property tax liens in Florida have super-priority and take precedence over all other liens, including first mortgages, regardless of the recording date.

Q5. In Florida, when must a broker deposit earnest money into an escrow account?

A.Within 1 business day of receipt
B.Within 3 business days of execution of the contract
C.By the end of the business day on which the last party signs the contract
D.By the closing date

Explanation

Florida law (FREC Rule 61J2-14.010) requires a broker to deposit earnest money into the escrow account no later than the end of the third business day following receipt of the funds (not execution of the contract).

Q6. When a Florida escrow dispute arises and the broker cannot determine to whom the funds belong, the broker may:

A.Retain the funds until the parties resolve the dispute in court
B.Release the funds to the seller as default
C.Mediate, arbitrate, litigate, or disburse to the Florida Real Estate Recovery Fund
D.Request an escrow disbursement order (EDO) from FREC

Explanation

When a Florida escrow dispute cannot be resolved, the broker may: (1) request an Escrow Disbursement Order (EDO) from FREC, (2) initiate mediation, (3) initiate arbitration, or (4) file an interpleader action in court. The EDO is a common first step.

Q7. A Florida title insurance policy issued at closing protects against which of the following?

A.Future physical damage to the property
B.Defects in title that existed prior to the policy's issue date
C.Future zoning changes affecting property use
D.Natural disaster damage including floods and sinkholes

Explanation

Title insurance protects against losses arising from defects in title that existed BEFORE the policy was issued — such as unknown liens, forged deeds, errors in public records, undisclosed heirs, or prior fraud. It does not cover future events.

Q8. In Florida, a 'warranty deed' provides which guarantee from the seller to the buyer?

A.The property is free from physical defects
B.The seller guarantees title against claims from the entire history of the property
C.The seller guarantees title only against claims arising during their ownership
D.The property will appreciate in value

Explanation

A General Warranty Deed provides the broadest protection — the grantor (seller) warrants title against all claims, not just those arising during the grantor's ownership, but extending back through the entire chain of title.

Q9. A Florida 'special warranty deed' (limited warranty deed) differs from a general warranty deed because the seller only warrants title against:

A.Claims arising from any source at any time
B.Claims arising during the seller's period of ownership only
C.Physical defects discovered within one year of closing
D.Claims made within 5 years of the deed's recording

Explanation

A special warranty deed (also called a limited warranty deed) limits the seller's warranty to claims arising only during their own period of ownership. The seller makes no warranties against claims predating their ownership.

Q10. In a Florida closing, who typically pays for the owner's title insurance policy?

A.Always the buyer
B.Always the seller
C.The party designated in the contract, which varies by county custom
D.The lender as part of the loan origination fee

Explanation

In Florida, who pays for the owner's title insurance policy depends on the contract and local county custom. In many South Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach), the buyer pays. In other areas, the seller traditionally pays.

Q11. A Florida property is sold with a lien for unpaid homeowner association (HOA) dues. After closing, who is responsible for the unpaid dues?

A.The buyer, because liens run with the land
B.The seller, because the lien arose before the sale
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