In a Georgia residential transaction using a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement, the parties have agreed on a $5,000 earnest money deposit. A dispute arises between the buyer and seller over who is entitled to the earnest money after the transaction fails to close. Which statement correctly describes how earnest money is handled under Georgia law and GAR contract provisions?
Correct Answer
C) Earnest money may be held by an authorized holder such as a broker or closing attorney as designated in the contract
Under Georgia law and standard GAR contract provisions, the parties designate in the contract who will hold the earnest money—typically the listing broker, the selling broker, or the closing attorney. The holder acts as an escrow agent and must follow the disbursement provisions outlined in the contract and Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-40-20). The holder's authority is defined and limited by the contract terms, and disbursement must comply with the agreed-upon conditions and applicable Georgia Real Estate Commission regulations.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
The Statute of Frauds is a legal requirement that certain types of contracts must be in writing and signed to be enforceable. In real estate, all contracts for the sale of land or interests in land must be in writing.
A time is of the essence clause in a contract means that all deadlines and dates specified in the agreement are strictly enforceable, and failure to meet them constitutes a material breach.
An appraisal contingency allows the buyer to cancel or renegotiate the contract if the property's appraised value comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price. This contingency protects buyers from overpaying.
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:
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Previous Question
A licensee is preparing a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement and wants to add a special stipulation. Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate special stipulation under Georgia real estate law?
Next Question
A buyer's agent adds a special stipulation to a GAR Purchase and Sale Agreement stating: 'This contract is contingent upon the approval of buyer's mother after visiting the property.' The buyer's mother visits and disapproves based on personal taste, but the buyer wishes to waive this contingency and proceed with the purchase. The seller, frustrated by the delay, wants to cancel the transaction. What is the most likely outcome under Georgia law?