Georgia Real Estate Forms changes coming for 2012, how will this affect our clients?

Georgia Real Estate Forms changes coming for 2012, how will this affect our clients?

In the decade I’ve been a Realtor, the Georgia Association of Realtors has published forms for may be used by all real estate agents. This has been a tremendous benefit to Clients, Brokers, and all agents as you were basically dealing with a single Purchase and Sale Document in the state of Georgia that everyone was familiar with in the industry.

In 2012, this is all about to change. Tim Francis Realty has maintained its membership in the Georgia Association of Realtors (and National Association of Realtors.) A lot of folks have dropped out, as it’s over $400 a person to belong and times are tough. While there are a lot of good things about being a Realtor, I respect everyone’s right to make a business decision.

However, what this means is the GAR copyrighted FORMS that had been the only standard within Georgia, will no longer be the only standard. If you are a Realtor, or if you pay a forms fee of $199 per person, you will be able to still utilize these forms. However, if you don’t then you need to get your own forms. Conceptually I am good with this. BUT (and you sensed a BUT was coming didn’t you?) the challenge will be when we have a variety of forms and we need to understand what this form A says verses form B or form C.

The MLS in the state – FMLS & GaMLS (that make up metro Atlanta) are working together to come up with their own set of forms for use by any agent. I have also heard of some brokerages working together to offer a forms package. Both are good ideas, but not sure how well implemented they are. FMLS was going to offer about 10 forms to start – (today in GAR Forms – there are over 200.)

I am most concerned that this hurts the consumers in the long run when forms are no longer standard. For years, we’ve attended a forms class to understand the latest updates for the year in forms. (This year is no exception – I’m going Friday, January 13^th, 2012 to get the latest.)

Our goal is to do what’s right for our clients. It will add another interesting layer in the Real Estate world to say the least. I am glad we are still part of the Georgia Association of Realtors and at least for forms we control, we will have the standard form. Time will tell how this one works out.

What changes are you seeing that will affect your clients in the year ahead?