North Carolina Practice TestEscrow & Title

North Carolina Escrow & Title
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Escrow, title, and closing questions on the North Carolina exam test how real estate transactions are closed, how title is transferred, and what happens at settlement. North Carolina uses title companies or settlement agents to handle closings, and candidates must understand the closing process, settlement statement, and title insurance requirements under North Carolina 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 North Carolina practice.

Practice Questions

North Carolina Escrow & Title — Practice Questions & Answers

113 questions on Escrow & Title from the North Carolina real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 113.

Q1. In North Carolina, who typically handles real estate closings?

A.Real estate agents
B.Title insurance companies without attorney involvement
C.Licensed attorneys
D.Escrow officers at banks

Explanation

North Carolina is an 'attorney closing state.' Real estate closings must be conducted by a licensed North Carolina attorney, who certifies title and disburses funds.

Q2. A North Carolina attorney issues a title opinion (certificate of title) to:

A.Guarantee the physical condition of the property
B.Certify the results of the title search and the condition of the title
C.Confirm the property's appraised value
D.Verify the buyer's creditworthiness

Explanation

A title opinion (certificate of title) is the attorney's professional opinion, based on the title search, about the condition of the title and any known defects or encumbrances.

Q3. In North Carolina, trust account funds (earnest money) must be deposited within:

A.24 hours of receipt
B.3 banking days of receipt of the signed contract
C.7 days of closing
D.10 business days of receipt

Explanation

North Carolina rules require that trust account funds be deposited within 3 banking days of receipt once the contract is fully executed.

Q4. Which of the following would appear as a buyer's debit on a closing disclosure?

A.The sales price
B.The buyer's earnest money deposit
C.The seller's outstanding mortgage balance
D.Property taxes prepaid by the seller

Explanation

The sales price is a debit (charge) to the buyer and a credit to the seller on the closing disclosure. Debits are what the buyer owes; credits are what the seller receives.

Q5. In North Carolina, real estate closings are typically conducted by:

A.Real estate brokers
B.Title companies independently
C.Licensed attorneys
D.Escrow officers employed by the lender

Explanation

North Carolina is an attorney-closing state, meaning a licensed attorney must conduct the closing and provide the opinion of title.

Q6. An owner's title insurance policy in North Carolina protects:

A.The lender against borrower default
B.The buyer against title defects arising prior to their ownership
C.The seller against post-closing claims
D.The real estate broker against commission disputes

Explanation

An owner's title insurance policy protects the buyer against losses from title defects, liens, or encumbrances that existed prior to their ownership and were not discovered during the title search.

Q7. A lender's title insurance policy (mortgagee's policy) in North Carolina:

A.Protects the buyer's equity
B.Is optional for the buyer to purchase
C.Protects the lender's interest in the property and is usually required by lenders
D.Covers the property for its full market value

Explanation

A lender's title insurance policy protects the lender's interest (the loan amount) against title defects. Lenders almost always require this coverage as a condition of the loan.

Q8. The chain of title in North Carolina refers to:

A.The physical chain used to secure a property gate
B.The chronological sequence of ownership transfers recorded for a property
C.A list of liens on the property
D.The title insurance policy number sequence

Explanation

The chain of title is the sequential history of ownership transfers and encumbrances recorded in the public record for a specific parcel of real property.

Q9. A 'cloud on title' in North Carolina is best described as:

A.A clear and marketable title
B.Any document, claim, or encumbrance that may affect or impair the title's marketability
C.A government survey reference
D.A title insurance exclusion for weather damage

Explanation

A cloud on title is any outstanding claim, lien, or encumbrance that casts doubt on the owner's clear title and may need to be resolved before the property can be sold.

Q10. In North Carolina, a deed must be recorded in the:

A.Secretary of State's office
B.Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located
C.North Carolina Real Estate Commission
D.County tax assessor's office

Explanation

Deeds in North Carolina must be recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the real property is located to provide constructive notice of ownership.

Q11. A general warranty deed in North Carolina provides the buyer with:

A.Warranty against defects in construction
B.The grantor's promise to defend title against all claims, both during and before the grantor's ownership
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