RAA Property Description 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which HVAC system type distributes conditioned air through a network of ducts and vents throughout a home?
- Hydronic radiant system
- Forced-air system (Correct answer)
- Baseboard electric system
- Mini-split ductless system
Correct answer: Forced-air system
A forced-air system uses a furnace or air handler to heat or cool air and distribute it through ducts to registers in each room.
Question 2: A residential lot described as having a 'flag' configuration means the lot:
- Is rectangular with street frontage on two sides
- Has a narrow access strip leading to a larger buildable area set back from the street (Correct answer)
- Is wider at the rear than at the street
- Is a triangular corner lot
Correct answer: Has a narrow access strip leading to a larger buildable area set back from the street
A flag lot has a narrow strip of land (the 'pole') providing street access, with a larger buildable area (the 'flag') set back from the road.
Question 3: What does 'R-value' measure when describing insulation in a property?
- The reflectivity of exterior surfaces to solar heat
- The thermal resistance of insulation to heat flow (Correct answer)
- The fire resistance rating of wall assemblies
- The moisture vapor permeability of building materials
Correct answer: The thermal resistance of insulation to heat flow
R-value measures a material's resistance to heat flow; higher R-values indicate better insulating performance.
Question 4: When an appraiser describes a home as having a 'split-level' design, what does this mean?
- The home has one story with a vaulted ceiling in the main area
- The home has floors staggered at half-level intervals, typically with three or more levels (Correct answer)
- The home has a main floor and a fully finished basement only
- The home is divided into two separate living units
Correct answer: The home has floors staggered at half-level intervals, typically with three or more levels
A split-level home has floors offset by half a story from each other, creating typically three or four distinct levels connected by short stair runs.
Question 5: In property description, 'orientation' refers to:
- The legal status of the deed
- The positioning of the structure on the lot relative to compass directions (Correct answer)
- The number of bedrooms facing the street
- The zoning classification of the parcel
Correct answer: The positioning of the structure on the lot relative to compass directions
Orientation describes how the structure is positioned on the lot in relation to the cardinal directions, which affects solar gain, views, and energy efficiency.
Question 6: Which roofing material is made from fired clay or concrete shaped into interlocking curved or flat tiles and is common in Mediterranean-style homes?
- Asphalt composition shingles
- Tile roofing (clay or concrete) (Correct answer)
- Wood shake shingles
- Standing seam metal roofing
Correct answer: Tile roofing (clay or concrete)
Clay or concrete tile roofing is durable, heavy, and distinctive to Mediterranean, Spanish, and Mission architectural styles.
Question 7: A property description notes the home has 'balloon framing.' This construction method is characterized by:
- Prefabricated panels assembled on-site
- Continuous wall studs running from the sill plate to the roof line without a second-floor platform (Correct answer)
- Short wall studs stacked floor by floor with a platform at each level
- Steel stud framing throughout
Correct answer: Continuous wall studs running from the sill plate to the roof line without a second-floor platform
Balloon framing uses continuous studs that run the full height of the building from foundation to roof, a method largely replaced by platform (stick) framing after the mid-20th century.
RAA Property Description 3
Which HVAC system type distributes conditioned air through a network of ducts and vents throughout a home?