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.
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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 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 standard Georgia residential purchase contracts, which statement most accurately describes how remedy provisions work when a party defaults?
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)?
A Georgia licensee encounters a complex legal issue during a condominium transaction that is not addressed by any standard GAR form provision. Which statement about the licensee's proper course of action is correct?
First-time homebuyers ask their salesperson to explain the consequences of breaching the purchase and sale agreement. How should the salesperson respond?
- → 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?
- → Which of the following statements about GAR (Georgia Association of REALTORS®) forms is NOT correct?
- → Salesperson Karen is completing a GAR Buyer's Agreement with her clients. The buyers ask about the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive representation. What can Karen do within her license authority?
- → A Georgia exam-prep problem uses the following data. A Georgia contract states that, upon buyer default, the seller may keep liquidated damages equal to 1.0% of the purchase price, but not more than the earnest money actually paid. The purchase price is $322,600.00 and the earnest money paid is $7,000.00. What amount may the seller keep if the seller elects liquidated damages?
- → A GAR purchase and sale agreement includes a financing contingency with a specific deadline. The buyer fails to obtain loan approval by the deadline but does not notify the seller or request an extension. The listing agent asks whether the contingency has any effect on the parties' obligations. Which statement best reflects how contingencies function under Georgia contract law?
- → A Georgia real estate contract provides the non-breaching party with multiple potential remedies for default, including liquidated damages and specific performance, but does not explicitly state whether the party may pursue more than one remedy at the same time. Which statement best describes the legal issue this creates?
- → Under Georgia contract law and standard GAR forms, which statement most accurately describes the relationship between default remedies available to buyers and sellers?
- → A buyer under a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement fails to apply for financing in good faith, does not make reasonable efforts to obtain a loan, and misses the financing deadline without requesting an extension. The buyer then refuses to close. Under the standard GAR form provisions, what happens to the earnest money?
- → A GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement includes a clause stating 'time is of the essence.' The buyer fails to close by the specified closing date. Under Georgia law, what is the legal effect of this clause?
- → Under GAR contract forms, which statement correctly describes the relationship between liquidated damages provisions and specific performance provisions?
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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?