CRECI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CRECI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under state real estate licensing law, a commercial broker's license can typically be suspended or revoked for: → Misrepresentation, fraud, commingling of funds, or engaging in unlicensed activity
2. A 'co-tenancy clause' typically allows a retail tenant to reduce rent or terminate the lease when: → An anchor tenant or required co-tenants vacate the property
3. What is the primary function of a 'tenant improvement allowance' (TIA) in a commercial lease negotiation? → To provide landlord-funded money for buildout of the leased space
4. Which aspect of commercial real estate education is specifically addressed by BOMA International's training programs? → Building operations, management, and office building standards
5. In commercial real estate, 'stabilized value' refers to the value of a property assuming: → The property operates at a typical, sustainable occupancy level
6. Which of the following best explains why CRECI requires a written application with supporting documentation rather than just self-reporting? → To independently verify that candidates meet objective, standardized experience criteria
7. Under CRECI guidelines, what is the recommended minimum reserve fund as a percentage of effective gross income for commercial properties? → 3–5%
8. When a fire sprinkler system undergoes a five-year internal inspection per NFPA 25, what is the inspector primarily looking for? → Pipe corrosion, tuberculation, organic growth, and foreign material obstruction
9. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) credential is best described as recognition for professionals who provide: → Expert real estate counseling and advisory services
10. When reconciling value indications from multiple appraisal approaches, the appraiser should assign the greatest weight to: → The approach most applicable given the property type and available data
11. What is the key characteristic of a percentage lease commonly used in retail commercial properties? → Base rent is supplemented by a percentage of the tenant's gross sales above a breakpoint
12. A commercial broker who fails to present a written offer to the seller because they personally believe it is too low is violating the duty of: → Obedience and loyalty
13. Which type of insurance covers loss of rental income when a commercial property is rendered uninhabitable due to a covered peril? → Business interruption insurance
14. In market analysis, 'net absorption' differs from 'gross absorption' because net absorption: → Subtracts space vacated during the period from total space leased
15. Which organization oversees ethical guidelines in commercial real estate? → The Commercial Real Estate Certification Institute (CRECI)
16. In real estate economics, 'functional obsolescence' refers to: → Loss in value due to outdated design, features, or layout
17. How often must a CRECI-certified professional renew their credential? → Every three to five years
18. Why is credential renewal important for CRECI-certified professionals? → It ensures professionals stay updated with industry standards
19. How long is CRECI certification valid before renewal is required? → Three to five years
20. What is a 'bridge loan' in commercial real estate? → A short-term loan used to bridge a gap until long-term financing or a sale is arranged
21. A commercial real estate student studying CCIM's CI 102 course is learning about which core topic? → Market analysis for commercial real estate
22. In a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for a commercial property, the 'terminal value' is typically calculated using which method? → Applying a cap rate to the final year's projected NOI
23. Which event would most likely trigger an insurance claim under a commercial property's 'loss of rents' policy? → Physical damage to the property causes tenants to vacate during repairs
24. What is the 'load factor' (also called the 'add-on factor') in commercial leasing? → The percentage added to usable area to arrive at rentable area
25. Under industry standards, a 'net listing' in commercial real estate is generally considered: → Ethically problematic because it creates a conflict between broker and client interests
26. The 'concentric zone model' of urban land use theory was developed by: → Ernest Burgess
27. How many core CCIM Institute CI courses must candidates complete before sitting for the comprehensive exam? → 4
28. Under CRECI standards, 'blockbusting' in the context of commercial real estate refers to: → Using fear of demographic change to induce property sales at below-market prices
29. What does a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of 1.25 indicate? → The property generates 25% more income than required to cover debt
30. Which of the following best describes 'anchor tenants' in a retail shopping center context? → Large, nationally recognized tenants that drive traffic to the center