Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What does an easement transfer regarding property rights?

1. Ownership of a property

2. Use but not ownership of a portion of an owner's property

3. Exclusive use of a property

4. Entire property rights

The correct answer is: Use but not ownership of a portion of an owner's property

An easement is a legal right that allows one party to use another party's property for a specific purpose, which is why the option indicating it transfers the use but not ownership of a portion of an owner's property is correct. This arrangement provides the holder of the easement with access or use rights, such as for utilities, pathways, or driveways, without transferring the full ownership of any part of the property itself. The easement grants limited rights, which might include the right to cross the property or to install utilities, but the property owner retains ownership, including the right to exclude others from that portion of the property. The easement holder does not have the authority to make alterations or to utilize the property beyond what is specified in the easement agreement. Other options indicating that an easement involves full ownership or exclusive use misinterpret the nature of easements, which are fundamentally about shared rights rather than total control over property. Therefore, the understanding of easements as granting specific use rights while the ownership remains with the original property owner is critical in property law and appraisal practices.