Which of the following is not considered a real estate trust fund?

Commissions are not considered a real estate trust fund because they are payments made to real estate professionals for their services once a transaction is completed. Trust funds generally involve holding money on behalf of others for specific purposes, such as deposits made by clients for securing a property or funds held in escrow for a transaction.

Escrow deposits, security deposits, and down payments all involve funds that are held in trust for the benefit of a third party. An escrow deposit is money held by a neutral third party as part of a real estate transaction to ensure that both parties meet the terms of their agreement. Security deposits are funds collected from tenants to protect landlords against potential damages or unpaid rent and are required to be held in trust until the lease ends. Down payments are also moneys that buyers deposit as a show of good faith in the transaction, typically held until the completion of the sale.

In essence, commissions are compensation for work performed rather than funds held in trust for the benefit of others, which makes them distinct from the other options listed.