Montana Practice TestContracts

Montana Contracts
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Contract law questions on the Montana real estate exam test both general contract principles and Montana-specific transaction requirements. The Montana Board of Realty Regulation tests how Montana contract law applies to purchase agreements, counteroffers, contingencies, and earnest money disputes. Pay close attention to offer and acceptance mechanics, how counteroffers extinguish prior offers, and the specific timelines under Montana law for earnest money handling and contingency resolution. These are areas where candidates who studied nationally often apply the right concept but the wrong MT-specific timeframe or rule.

Practice Questions

Montana Contracts — Practice Questions & Answers

138 questions on Contracts from the Montana real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 138.

Q1. For a real estate contract in Montana to be enforceable, it must be:

A.Notarized by a licensed notary public
B.In writing and signed by the parties
C.Recorded with the county clerk
D.Approved by a Montana licensed attorney

Explanation

Under Montana's Statute of Frauds, contracts for the sale of real property must be in writing and signed by the parties to be enforceable.

Q2. A buyer submits an offer to purchase. The seller makes changes to the price and signs it. This creates:

A.An accepted offer
B.A counteroffer, which voids the original offer
C.A binding contract on the original terms
D.A right of first refusal

Explanation

When a seller modifies any terms of an offer and signs it, this constitutes a counteroffer, which legally voids the original offer and gives the buyer the option to accept, reject, or counter again.

Q3. Earnest money in a Montana real estate transaction is best described as:

A.The commission owed to the listing agent
B.A deposit demonstrating the buyer's good faith intent to purchase
C.The down payment required by the lender
D.A fee paid to the title company at closing

Explanation

Earnest money is a good-faith deposit made by the buyer to show serious intent to purchase. It is typically applied toward the purchase price at closing.

Q4. Which contingency protects a buyer if they are unable to obtain financing?

A.Inspection contingency
B.Appraisal contingency
C.Financing (mortgage) contingency
D.Title contingency

Explanation

A financing contingency allows the buyer to cancel the contract and receive their earnest money back if they are unable to secure acceptable mortgage financing within a specified period.

Q5. In a Montana real estate contract, 'time is of the essence' means:

A.The contract expires within 24 hours if not signed
B.All deadlines and dates in the contract must be strictly met
C.The closing must occur within 30 days
D.The seller must respond within 48 hours

Explanation

'Time is of the essence' is a contract clause meaning that the specified dates and deadlines are material terms; failure to meet them may constitute a breach of contract.

Q6. A buyer's offer is accepted and they have a signed purchase agreement. Before closing, the seller refuses to proceed. What remedy may be available to the buyer?

A.The buyer may only recover the earnest money
B.The buyer may sue for specific performance to compel the sale
C.The buyer must accept a replacement property
D.The buyer has no legal recourse after 30 days

Explanation

Specific performance is a legal remedy available in real estate contracts that allows the non-breaching party to compel the breaching party to fulfill the contract terms, since real property is considered unique.

Q7. Which of the following is NOT an essential element of a valid real estate contract in Montana?

A.Mutual consent (offer and acceptance)
B.Lawful objective
C.Notarization by a public notary
D.Consideration

Explanation

The essential elements of a valid contract are mutual consent, lawful objective, consideration, and competent parties. Notarization is required to record a deed but is not required for a valid purchase contract.

Q8. A purchase offer states that the seller must accept or reject within 48 hours. The seller does not respond within that period. The offer:

A.Is automatically accepted by the seller's silence
B.Expires and the buyer is no longer bound
C.Becomes a binding contract after 72 hours
D.Can be extended by the buyer's agent

Explanation

An offer that specifies a deadline expires if not accepted within that time. The buyer is released from the offer, and the seller cannot later accept it to create a binding contract.

Q9. A voidable contract is one that:

A.Has no legal force from the beginning
B.Can be disaffirmed by one of the parties due to a legal deficiency
C.Is unenforceable in any court of law
D.Automatically terminates after 30 days

Explanation

A voidable contract is valid and binding unless one party chooses to disaffirm it. Common examples include contracts entered into by minors or under duress, which the affected party may void.

Q10. An option contract in real estate gives the optionee the:

A.Obligation to purchase the property at an agreed price
B.Right but not the obligation to purchase the property within a specified time
C.Right to list the property for sale with any broker
D.Automatic title to the property upon payment of consideration

Explanation

An option contract gives the buyer (optionee) the right — but not the obligation — to purchase property at a specified price within a set time period. The seller (optionor) is bound during that period.

Q11. In a land contract (contract for deed) in Montana:

A.The buyer receives the deed at the time of signing
B.The seller retains legal title until the buyer completes all payments
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