New Hampshire Finance
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Finance questions on the New Hampshire real estate exam cover mortgage types, loan-to-value ratios, qualifying ratios, and federal lending laws. The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission tests both the mechanics of real estate financing and the regulatory framework — particularly RESPA, TILA (Truth in Lending), and the TRID rules that govern loan disclosures. New Hampshire candidates often lose points on financing questions because they understand the concept but miss the specific numerical thresholds or disclosure timing requirements that appear on the NH exam. Pay particular attention to ARM vs. fixed-rate mortgage distinctions, the calculation of LTV ratios, and what information must appear in specific disclosure documents.

Practice Questions

New Hampshire Finance — Practice Questions & Answers

135 questions on Finance from the New Hampshire real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 135.

Q1. New Hampshire does not have a general state sales tax or state income tax. How does this affect real estate transactions?

A.Real estate transfers are always tax-free in New Hampshire
B.New Hampshire relies on a real estate transfer tax collected at closing
C.Only federal taxes apply to all real estate transactions
D.Buyers pay no closing costs in New Hampshire

Explanation

Despite lacking a broad-based income or sales tax, New Hampshire does impose a real estate transfer tax (RETT), which is collected at closing and typically split between buyer and seller.

Q2. A mortgage with a 30-year term and fixed rate compared to a 15-year fixed rate will have:

A.Lower total interest paid over the life of the loan
B.Lower monthly payments but higher total interest paid
C.Higher monthly payments and lower total interest
D.The same total interest costs regardless of term

Explanation

A 30-year mortgage has lower monthly payments because the principal is spread over more payments, but the borrower pays significantly more total interest compared to a 15-year loan.

Q3. An FHA loan requires an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the base loan amount. For a $250,000 loan, what is the UFMIP?

A.$2,500
B.$3,500
C.$4,375
D.$5,000

Explanation

UFMIP = $250,000 × 0.0175 = $4,375. This amount is typically financed into the loan.

Q4. Points paid to a lender at closing to reduce the mortgage interest rate are called:

A.Origination points
B.Discount points
C.Processing fees
D.Prepaid interest

Explanation

Discount points are fees paid upfront to permanently reduce the loan's interest rate. Each point equals 1% of the loan amount and typically reduces the rate by 0.125%–0.25%.

Q5. Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), a lender may NOT deny a mortgage based on:

A.The borrower's credit score
B.The borrower's debt-to-income ratio
C.The borrower's race, sex, religion, or national origin
D.The borrower's employment history

Explanation

ECOA prohibits credit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or receipt of public assistance. Lenders may consider creditworthiness factors but not these protected characteristics.

Q6. What is the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio a lender uses to qualify a borrower?

A.Monthly gross income divided by monthly debt payments
B.Monthly debt payments divided by monthly gross income
C.Annual income divided by total loan amount
D.Monthly net income minus monthly expenses

Explanation

The debt-to-income ratio compares monthly debt obligations (including the proposed mortgage payment) to monthly gross income. Most conventional loans require a DTI of 43% or less.

Q7. A conventional loan typically requires private mortgage insurance (PMI) when the down payment is less than:

A.5%
B.10%
C.15%
D.20%

Explanation

Lenders typically require PMI when a conventional loan's down payment is less than 20%, because the lender's risk is higher with less equity in the property.

Q8. What is the maximum loan amount for a standard conforming conventional mortgage in most U.S. markets for a single-family home in 2024?

A.$548,250
B.$647,200
C.$726,200
D.$806,500

Explanation

The FHFA sets conforming loan limits annually. For 2024, the baseline conforming loan limit for a single-family home is $766,550 in most areas, but $806,500 is the limit effective for 2025.

Q9. A VA loan benefit available to eligible veterans and service members includes:

A.A requirement for at least 5% down payment
B.No down payment requirement and no PMI
C.Below-market interest rates set by the VA
D.Unlimited loan amounts with no restrictions

Explanation

VA loans offer eligible veterans and active-duty service members the ability to purchase a home with no down payment and without private mortgage insurance (PMI), making homeownership more accessible.

Q10. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires lenders to disclose the:

A.Property's appraised value
B.Annual percentage rate (APR) and total cost of the loan
C.Seller's net proceeds
D.Escrow account balance

Explanation

TILA requires lenders to disclose the APR, finance charge, total amount financed, and total of all payments so borrowers can compare loan costs on an apples-to-apples basis.

Q11. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) has a 2/1 buydown structure. This means:

A.The rate is fixed for 2 years then adjusts annually
B.The rate is reduced 2% in year 1 and 1% in year 2 before rising to the note rate
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