Vermont Practice TestEscrow & Title

Vermont Escrow & Title
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Escrow, title, and closing questions on the Vermont exam test how real estate transactions are closed, how title is transferred, and what happens at settlement. Vermont requires a licensed attorney to conduct real estate closings — unlike escrow states — which shapes how these questions are framed on the VT exam. 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 Vermont practice.

Practice Questions

Vermont Escrow & Title — Practice Questions & Answers

109 questions on Escrow & Title from the Vermont real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 109.

Q1. Vermont's Property Transfer Tax is paid by the:

A.Seller at the time the deed is signed
B.Buyer at the time the deed is recorded
C.Both buyer and seller equally at closing
D.The real estate broker out of the commission

Explanation

Vermont's Property Transfer Tax is typically paid by the buyer when the deed is recorded. The tax is calculated based on the purchase price. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced rate.

Q2. In Vermont, real estate closings are most commonly conducted by:

A.Licensed title companies
B.The listing broker
C.A Vermont-licensed attorney
D.A licensed escrow officer

Explanation

Vermont is an attorney state. Real estate closings are typically conducted by a licensed Vermont attorney who examines title, prepares closing documents, handles disbursements, and records the deed. This is a standard practice in Vermont.

Q3. A buyer discovers after closing that there is an existing easement on the property that was not disclosed. If the buyer has an owner's title insurance policy, the policy would cover:

A.Any easement that reduces the property's enjoyment
B.Easements that were recorded before the policy was issued but not disclosed in the policy
C.Only physical defects in the property
D.Easements created after the policy was issued

Explanation

Owner's title insurance protects against title defects—including undisclosed recorded easements—that existed before the policy date. If a recorded easement was not listed as an exception in the policy and it causes a loss, the policy covers the claim.

Q4. In Vermont, to be valid for recording, a deed must be:

A.Signed by both buyer and seller and witnessed by two people
B.Signed by the grantor and acknowledged (notarized) before a notary or justice of the peace
C.Approved by the Vermont Real Estate Commission
D.Filed with the county courthouse within 30 days of signing

Explanation

In Vermont, a deed must be signed by the grantor and acknowledged (acknowledged before a notary public or justice of the peace) to be eligible for recording with the town clerk.

Q5. Vermont's Property Transfer Tax rate for a buyer purchasing a primary residence for the first time is:

A.0.5% on the first $100,000 and 1.45% on the remaining balance
B.0.5% on the first $100,000 and 1.25% on the remaining balance
C.1.25% on the entire purchase price
D.1.45% on the entire purchase price

Explanation

Vermont's Property Transfer Tax for first-time buyers of a primary residence is 0.5% on the first $100,000 of the purchase price and 1.25% on the amount above $100,000. Non-primary-residence purchases are taxed at 1.45%.

Q6. A title examination in Vermont involves reviewing:

A.Only the most recent deed transfer
B.The chain of title in the grantor/grantee index at the town clerk's office for a specified number of years
C.A digital database maintained by the Vermont Real Estate Commission
D.Only documents recorded within the last 5 years

Explanation

Title examination in Vermont requires searching the grantor-grantee index at the town clerk's office to trace the chain of title, typically for 40 years or back to a 'root of title,' to identify any defects, encumbrances, or gaps.

Q7. A Vermont quitclaim deed conveys:

A.The grantor's full warranty of title
B.Only whatever interest the grantor actually has, with no warranty of title
C.A life estate to the grantee
D.Title free and clear of all encumbrances

Explanation

A quitclaim deed conveys only whatever interest the grantor has in the property, with no warranty. If the grantor has full title, the grantee receives full title. If the grantor has no title, the grantee receives nothing.

Q8. Which of the following is a general warranty covenant contained in a Vermont warranty deed?

A.Covenant of quiet enjoyment only
B.Covenants of seisin, quiet enjoyment, further assurance, warranty, and freedom from encumbrances
C.Covenant of habitability for residential properties
D.Covenant of continuous use for commercial properties

Explanation

A general warranty deed contains multiple covenants including: seisin (grantor owns and has right to convey), quiet enjoyment, further assurance (grantor will execute additional documents if needed), warranty (defend title against all claims), and freedom from encumbrances.

Q9. In Vermont, a lis pendens (notice of pending litigation) affects a property by:

A.Immediately transferring title to the plaintiff
B.Providing constructive notice to subsequent buyers of the pending legal action affecting the property
C.Freezing all transfers until the Vermont Real Estate Commission approves the sale
D.Exempting the property from property taxes during litigation

Explanation

A lis pendens is recorded to provide constructive notice that there is pending litigation affecting the property's title. Any buyer who purchases the property after the lis pendens is recorded takes subject to the outcome of that litigation.

Q10. At a Vermont closing, the HUD-1 (or Closing Disclosure) lists a commission debit of $18,000 on the seller's side. This means:

A.The buyer pays $18,000 in addition to the purchase price
B.The commission will be deducted from the seller's proceeds at closing
C.The broker receives $18,000 from the buyer's lender
D.The seller pays $18,000 directly to the Vermont Real Estate Commission

Explanation

A debit on the seller's closing statement reduces the seller's net proceeds. The broker's commission is a debit to the seller — it is deducted from the sale proceeds before the seller receives their net amount.

Q11. A Vermont title search reveals a federal tax lien against the property's owner. At closing, this lien will typically be:

A.Ignored if the amount is less than $10,000
B.Paid and satisfied from the seller's proceeds before title passes to the buyer
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