# Real Property One-Pager | BarPrepPlay

Canonical: https://www.barprepplay.com/one-pagers/real-property/
Markdown mirror: https://www.barprepplay.com/llms/one-pagers/real-property.md
Byline: BarPrepPlay
Last reviewed: April 22, 2026
Subject: Real Property
CTA: https://www.barprepplay.com/?seo_slug=recording-acts-bfp-notice&seo_action=drill

## Overview

Use this Real Property one-pager to keep estates, recording acts, RAP, landlord-tenant, easements, and adverse possession in working memory before you test yourself.

## Estates

Fee simple, life estate, term of years. Future interests: Reversion, remainder (vested/contingent), executory interest. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: Fee simple, life estate, term of years. Future interests: Reversion, remainder (vested/contingent), executory interest.
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## Recording Acts

Race: First to record wins. Notice: BFP wins. Race-notice: BFP who records first wins. Know your jurisdiction! On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: Race: First to record wins. Notice: BFP wins. Race-notice: BFP who records first wins. Know your jurisdiction!
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## RAP

Lives in being + 21 years. Applies to: Contingent remainders, executory interests, class gifts. NOT grantor interests. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: Lives in being + 21 years. Applies to: Contingent remainders, executory interests, class gifts. NOT grantor interests.
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## Landlord-Tenant

Assignment: Entire term (privity of estate). Sublease: Less than entire (no privity). IWH: Residential only. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: Assignment: Entire term (privity of estate). Sublease: Less than entire (no privity). IWH: Residential only.
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## Easements

Creation: PING (Prescription, Implication, Necessity, Grant). Termination: Release, merger, abandonment (intent + act). On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: Creation: PING (Prescription, Implication, Necessity, Grant). Termination: Release, merger, abandonment (intent + act).
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## Adverse Possession

OCEAN: Open, Continuous, Exclusive, Adverse, Notorious. Tacking OK if privity. Disability tolls SOL. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.

- Quick rule block: OCEAN: Open, Continuous, Exclusive, Adverse, Notorious. Tacking OK if privity. Disability tolls SOL.
Sources: property-recording, property-easement-necessity, property-rap

## Primary law and source anchors

- **Race, Notice, and Race-Notice Recording Acts**: The recording-act framework that determines whether a later bona fide purchaser takes priority. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/recording_statute)
- **Easement by Necessity Doctrine**: An implied easement can arise from prior unity of title plus strict necessity at severance. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/easement)
- **Rule Against Perpetuities**: The common-law lives-in-being-plus-21-years limit on certain future interests. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/rule_against_perpetuities)

## FAQ

- **What is this Real Property one-pager best for?**: Use it as a fast recall reset before you do active practice. It is designed to put the core frameworks back into working memory, not replace question practice.
- **How should I pair this page with the rest of the public library?**: Scan the one-pager first, then open the matching deep dive for full doctrine or the matching most-tested page for review priority. After that, move into a drill or mixed set.

## Related pages

- [Recording Acts Guide for Bar Exam Property Questions](https://www.barprepplay.com/deep-dives/real-property/recording-acts-guide/)
- [Most Tested MBE Real Property Topics](https://www.barprepplay.com/most-tested/real-property/)