Washington State Real Estate Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Real Estate License!

The term that accurately describes the right of an occupant of land to acquire title against the real owner after meeting specific conditions is adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows a person who occupies land to claim ownership if their possession meets several criteria: it must be actual (open and physical possession), continuous (uninterrupted for the statutory period), hostile (without permission from the original owner), visible (so that it is obvious the land is occupied), and distinct (the possession is exclusive and not shared with others).

This concept serves to resolve disputes over land ownership and encourages the productive use of land. It underscores the principle that property rights can be established through long-term, rightful use, even if the possessor does not have the original owner’s consent.

In contrast, adjustable-rate mortgage refers to a loan with interest rates that can change, ad valorem tax relates to taxation based on property value, and an affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath, typically used as evidence in legal proceedings. None of these terms relate to the specific conditions of possession and subsequent title acquisition as outlined in the question.