A GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement contains two special stipulations that directly contradict each other. One states that the seller will pay all closing costs, and the other states that closing costs will be split equally between the parties. Both stipulations were added at the same time during negotiations, both are properly initialed, and standard rules of contract interpretation—such as giving precedence to later-added terms or applying specific-over-general rules—do not resolve the conflict. How would a Georgia court most likely resolve this dispute?
Correct Answer
C) Parol evidence would be admitted to determine the parties' true intent
Under Georgia contract law (O.C.G.A. § 13-2-2), courts strive to enforce contracts and ascertain the parties' intent. When two provisions directly conflict and standard interpretation rules—such as the 'last-in-prevails' rule or the 'specific-over-general' rule—cannot resolve the ambiguity (e.g., because both terms were added simultaneously and are equally specific), the conflict creates a latent ambiguity. In such cases, Georgia courts will admit parol evidence (testimony, emails, negotiation notes, and other extrinsic evidence) under O.C.G.A. § 24-6-622 to determine what the parties actually intended when they executed the contract.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Deep Analysis of This Ga Contracts Gar Forms Question
Background Knowledge for Ga Contracts Gar Forms
Real World Application in Ga Contracts Gar Forms
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Ga Contracts Gar Forms Questions
Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to perform their obligations under the contract without a legal excuse. The non-breaching party is entitled to legal remedies including damages, specific performance, or contract rescission.
Consideration is something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, making the agreement legally binding. It can be money, a promise to act, a promise to refrain from acting, or anything else of value.
Contingencies are conditions written into a real estate contract that must be met before the transaction can close. If a contingency is not satisfied, the buyer can typically cancel the contract without penalty.
More Ga Contracts Gar Forms Questions
A licensee is reviewing office compliance policies regarding the use of GAR forms in Georgia transactions. Which statement about GAR forms is NOT correct?
Which statement most accurately describes the legal status of GAR (Georgia Association of REALTORS®) forms in Georgia real estate practice?
Broker Tom's firm has a GAR membership, and he wants to modify the standard GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement by adding a custom clause about pool maintenance responsibilities. Under GAR form usage rules, what is the appropriate action?
A Georgia buyer's agent is reviewing a purchase contract to determine what remedies are available if the seller defaults. The contract includes an earnest money provision and an attorney-fee clause. Which statement best describes how remedy provisions work in Georgia residential contracts?
A special stipulation requires the seller to 'provide documentation that the septic system has been inspected within the last 2 years.' The seller provides a 25-month-old inspection report. Does this satisfy the requirement?
- → Under Georgia contract law and GAR form provisions, which statement most accurately describes how earnest money disposition is determined when a transaction fails to close?
- → A buyer wants to add a special stipulation to a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement requiring the seller to leave the kitchen refrigerator, which is not addressed elsewhere in the contract. How is this special stipulation made binding on both parties under GAR form procedures?
- → A buyer and seller executed a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement with a special stipulation stating: 'Buyer may terminate this contract if unable to obtain financing at 6% or less.' The buyer was offered financing at 6.25% but did not terminate the contract. Instead, the buyer accepted the 6.25% financing, completed the appraisal, scheduled movers, and continued performing under the contract for several weeks. Two days before closing, the buyer now attempts to terminate citing the financing stipulation. What is the most likely legal outcome?
- → A non-REALTOR® licensee asks whether the fact that GAR forms require membership access proves they are state-mandated documents. Which statement best reflects the correct understanding of GAR forms under Georgia law?
- → Under Georgia contract law and GAR form requirements, which statement about contract amendments is NOT correct?
- → New agent Carlos just obtained his Georgia real estate license and is working for a brokerage that is a GAR member. Regarding his use of GAR forms, which statement is most accurate?
- → A seller breaches a purchase and sale agreement for a $300,000 home. The buyer deposited $8,000 in earnest money and spent $3,500 on inspections and an appraisal. The property's current market value is $320,000. If the buyer elects to sue for benefit-of-the-bargain damages under Georgia law, what is the most the buyer could recover in damages (excluding the return of earnest money)?
- → Agent Sarah is representing a buyer and wants to use the GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement form. She downloaded a version from a real estate website that claims to be the 'latest GAR form.' Under Georgia law, what is the primary concern with this practice?
- → A newly licensed agent in Georgia asks her broker whether the state requires all real estate transactions to use GAR (Georgia Association of REALTORS®) forms. Which statement most accurately describes the legal status of GAR forms in Georgia?
- → Broker Smith's trust account contains earnest money from multiple transactions. One buyer's earnest money check bounces after deposit, but before anyone is notified, Broker Smith uses funds from other transactions in the same account to cover a different earnest money release. This practice is:
People Also Study
Buyer Representation Agreement
8% of exam
Property Ownership
10% of exam
Land Use Controls and Regulations
8% of exam
Valuation and Market Analysis
10% of exam
Related Articles
What to Review in the Last 72 Hours Before the Real Estate Exam Without Cramming Everything Again
Use the final 72 hours before the real estate exam to narrow your review, protect recall, and avoid panic cramming.
Real Estate Exam Financing: Mortgages, APR, Amortization (2026) + 20 Practice Problems
Learn mortgages, APR, amortization, and the financing questions most likely to appear—plus practice problems.
Cracking the Ethics Code: Navigating "What Next" Scenarios and Advertising Traps
Passing scores vary—learn how to verify your state’s requirement and set a safe target using practice tests.
Previous Question
Buyer Thompson's agent wants to add a special stipulation requiring the seller to provide a home warranty. The seller's agent objects, saying special stipulations can only address items not covered in the standard GAR form. Is the seller's agent correct?
Next Question
A buyer submits earnest money and enters into a GAR purchase contract that includes a financing contingency and an inspection contingency. Which statement best reflects how Georgia law treats contingencies in this transaction?