With each passing year our standard Georgia Association of Realtors (GAR) contract forms are revised to adapt to an ever changing real estate universe.
Generally speaking, most changes to preprinted real estate contracts are reactionary and not preemptive. Whether successful or not, litigation drives change and most contract updates are specifically designed to avoid lawsuits.
These annual tweaks cost money. A lot of money. And the money comes from the dues paying members of the Board of Realtors. For years non-members have been getting a free ride.
Beginning in January 2012, the GAR contracts forms will no longer be available free of charge to brokers or agents that are not Realtors. Any agent or broker that wishes to continue to use the GAR forms that is not a Realtor will have to pay an annual license fee of $199.
It is not a punitive measure. The intention is to share the burden of expense with everyone that uses the forms, board member or not.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. There is some expectation of contract chaos in the first few weeks of the year.
Only time will tell.
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