Real Estate Trivia
Enjoy!
We've added these real estate trivia questions for your enjoyment. And you might learn something new in the process! Have fun...
Q Which U.S. hotel has more fountains than any other hotel in the world?
A The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada has more than 1,000 fountains embellishing an 11+ acre artificial lake.
Q Nearly every state has a mandate for seller disclosure. What must a seller disclose?
A The seller must disclose any existing problems, defects or conditions that could affect the value of the house.
Q Where was the first hotel built in the US?
A The Union Hotel (1802) Saratoga Springs, NY, is the first hotel emphasizing lodging and services, in addition to food and drink.
Q What is considered one of the greatest U.S. construction projects that was also of great strategic importance to the U.S.?
A The Panama Canal, begun in 1904 and completed in August, 1914, which cost $366,650,000.
Q Whose mansion sold for about $2 million after just one day on the market?
A Soon after the death of George Burns his home was put on the market; the home sold in 24 hours.
Q What land did the U.S. Government buy for $7.2 million?
A The U.S. bought all of Russian America (Alaska) from the Russian Czar in March 1867.
Q Why is the Terra Amata site in Nice, France famous?
A Remains of 21 huts found in 1965 are thought to be the oldest known habitation from the Acheulian culture 400,000 years ago.
Q Which home is considered the ultimate in California craftsman-style architecture?
A Located in Pasadena, the Gamble House, built in 1908 by Charles and Henry Greene, is a National Historic Home open to visitors.
Q What is considered to be one of the soundest long-term investments?
A Real estate has a long-term record of strong investment return and is a driving force of the national economy.
Q Legend has it that when Brigham Young first saw this city in 1847, he exclaimed: "This is the place!"
A Salt Lake City, Utah.
Q During what great land boom (1919) did investors pay up to $25,000 for lots that had not yet been dredged up from the ocean?
A The Florida Land Boom--Carl Fisher founded Miami Beach that year and brought hundreds of investors to the state.
Q How much does a celebrity's name boost the price of a property?
A Typically no more than 5 percent, but there are exceptions--the greater the fame, the higher the price!
Q What is currently the most technologically advanced way to vacuum your home?
A The self-propelling Dyson DC06 scans and maps a room with sensors and is controlled by built-in computers that prevent it from falling downstairs.
Q What is one of the most unusually shaped buildings in the world?
A The all-suite Arabian Tower hotel near Dubai is 1,052 feet tall, built on a man-made island and shaped like a boat sail.
Q What was the first territorial acquisition made by the U.S. Government?
A The Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803 for $15,000,000 increased U.S. national territory by 140%.
Q What was the first land designated by the US government as a National Park?
A Yellowstone was established "as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of people" in March 1872.
Q What is the mysterious American island whose private owners are intent on preserving the ways of early island life?
A The Robinson Family, owners of Niihau, Hawaii, have done everything in their power to preserve traditional ways.
Q What area in the U.S. has been referred to as the "American Riviera"?
A Miami Beach in Biscayne Bay is Florida's pre-eminent place for "people watching" and a hot spot for celebrities.
Q Which hazardous substance is contained in sixty-four million houses and apartments?
A HUD estimates that 64 million homes and apartments built before 1978 contain lead-based paint.
Q What is the most expensive piece of property ever recorded?
A In October 1988, the Mediya Building in central Tokyo was quoted at 358.5 million yen ($248,000) per square foot.
Q What is a Balloon Mortgage?
A A balloon is a short-term mortgage which requires the entire balance of the loan to be re-paid at the end of the loan term.
Q What took over 30,000 workmen to construct and is considered the second largest palace in the world?
A The Palace of Versailles, 14 miles southwest of Paris and completed in 1682, is famous for its size and its beauty.
Q What price range is considered upscale or high-end in residential real estate?
A The price range varies depending on the local market, but upscale homes are in the top 10% of an MLS area's annual home sales.
Q What is the highest altitude hotel in the world?
A The Hotel Everest View sits at the record altitude of 13,000 ft (3,964 m) above sea level, in the rarified atmosphere of Namche, Nepal, the village closest to the Mount Everest base camp.
Q What is the world's oldest wooden structure?
A The oldest wooden buildings are the Pagoda, Chumanar Gate and Temple of Horyu in Nara, Japan, dating from A.D. 670.
Q What criteria determines the hottest real estate markets?
A Job/personal income growth; population/household growth; housing affordability/appreciation; and current inventory of homes for sale.
Q What was the greatest land grant ever given to an English subject?
A William Penn arrived in October, 1682, to take over his enormous grant that later became Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Q Who is the world's richest living person?
A William H. Gates, III, Chairman of Microsoft Corporation, whose wealth was estimated at $46.6 billion in 2004.
Q What is considered the oldest surviving non-native building in the U.S.?
A The governor's palace in Sante Fe, New Mexico, built in 1609, was constructed with materials and methods adapted from the native Indians.
Q What private residence is considered the most expensive house ever built?
A The William Randolph Hearst Ranch in San Simeon, California cost over $30 million, equivalent today to $276,883,320. Bill Gates recently built a home for over $40 million.
Q What took over 30,000 workmen to construct and is considered the second largest palace in the world?
A The Palace of Versailles, 14 miles southwest of Paris and completed in 1682, is famous for its size and its beauty.
