Back to CA RE Salesperson

CA RE Salesperson · Cheat Sheet

Practice & Disclosures

Tip: Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) to save as PDF for offline study.

Practice Topic — Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

California Disclosure Framework

|---|---|---|---|

Deaths: Must disclose if asked and within 3 years. AIDS-related = NEVER required regardless of age.

NHD — 6 Hazard Zones

  • Special Flood Hazard Area (FEMA)
  • Potential Flooding (dam inundation)
  • Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
  • State Responsibility Area (wildland fire)
  • Earthquake Fault Zone (Alquist-Priolo)
  • Seismic Hazard Zone (liquefaction/landslide)
  • California Property Taxes

    |---|---|

    DisclosureStatuteTiming3/5 Day Rescission?
    TDSCivil Code §1102ASAP before transferYes
    NHDCivil Code §1103ASAP before transferYes
    SPQCustomWith TDSNo separate right
    Lead paintFederal (pre-1978)Before buyer bound10-day inspection window
    Mello-RoosCFD statuteBefore buyer boundYes
    DeathsCivil Code §1710.2If buyer asks (3 years)N/A
    ItemDetail
    Prop 13 (1978)Base year = acquisition; max 2%/year increase; transfers reset
    Base year valuePurchase price (or new construction value)
    Prop 19 (2021)Parent-child transfer: primary residence only; child must occupy; tax basis partially protected
    Supplemental taxTriggered when property transfers; pro-rated from date of change
    Mello-RoosSpecial CFD tax; NOT subject to Prop 13 cap; must be disclosed
    Tax installments1st: due Nov 1, delinquent Dec 10; 2nd: due Feb 1, delinquent Apr 10

    Environmental Disclosures

    • CERCLA: Federal Superfund; seller must disclose known contamination
    • Underground storage tanks (UST): major liability; disclose known tanks
    • Asbestos: pre-1980 buildings; friable asbestos = immediate hazard; non-friable = monitor
    • Lead-based paint: pre-1978; federal + CA requirements
    • Formaldehyde: in manufactured homes; disclose
    • Radon: less common in CA than other states; disclose if known

    Natural Hazards

    • Alquist-Priolo: prohibits most structures within 50 feet of active fault trace
    • SGMA (2014): Sustainable Groundwater Management Act; governs aquifer depletion
    • Wildfire risk: VHFHSZ designation; sellers must disclose; homeowner's insurance increasingly difficult to obtain in CA fire zones

    Common Exam Traps

    • TDS CANNOT be waived (even in as-is sales or foreclosures by institutional lenders)
    • 3/5 day rescission: 3 days personal delivery; 5 days mail
    • Agent AVID is independent of seller's TDS — both required
    • AIDS deaths: NEVER disclose regardless of when it occurred (HIV/AIDS is protected under CA law)
    • Prop 13: assessments may ONLY increase by max 2%/year until property transfers
    • Mello-Roos special taxes are NOT capped by Prop 13 and can be substantial
    • FIRPTA: buyer must withhold 15% if seller is foreign national (not 10% — rate increased to 15%)

    Aligned to the California DRE salesperson exam content outline.

    Make this cheat sheet yours

    Personalize this sheet — focus it however you study, or build one from the exact questions you keep getting wrong.

    Sign up free to create a personalized cheat sheet.