Most real estate transactions pass off relatively smoothly. The property details are correct, and the seller has the right to sell it. Yet, sometimes, through confusion or dishonesty, details about the property are not as clear as the buyer needs them to be in order...
Real Estate Law
Contingency clauses: The safety nets in a home-buying contract
One crucial aspect of a home-buying contract, which can help to protect your interests if you’re a potential home buyer, is contingency clauses. A contingency clause is a provision in a contract that allows a party to back out of the agreement under certain...
Easements in Georgia real estate
Many of us are fond of the old saying that a person's home is their castle, meaning that no one else has any right to use another person's real estate. However, that isn't necessarily always true. In some cases, another party may have the right to use part of a...
Why would you make a real estate offer with no contingencies?
Generally speaking, an offer to purchase a piece of real estate is going to have a contingency clause. This can be true for both commercial and residential purchases. These clauses are used to protect the potential buyer. For example, perhaps you already got pre...
How long can a bank sell a foreclosed property?
Georgia operates under the "non-judicial foreclosure" policy, meaning a bank doesn't have to go to court to repossess a house. After the bank has repossessed the property through foreclosure, it typically wants to sell the property as quickly as possible to recover...
Residential real estate process
A person’s home is often their biggest investment and there is a lot to know about the real estate transaction process. Finding a home Usually, the first step is to find a real estate agent who is familiar with the local housing market. Some buyers may choose to...
Gift and estate tax exemption increases substantially in 2023
Smart estate planning requires understanding the present and preparing for the future. Some events that can affect your plan stem from major life events – a new job, having children, getting married. Others stem from changes in the law. One example lies in the...
What is adverse possession?
The term “squatter’s rights” traditionally refers to a person who is permitted to live in an abandoned or condemned building because of their extended stay. Georgia’s adverse possession and real estate laws specifically govern this issue. Adverse possession laws...
What to do if you receive a foreclosure notice
The past few years have left many Georgia homeowners struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments. Losing a home is an incredibly stressful experience, with many people never regaining their sense of stability. When you fall behind on your mortgage payments,...
Home seller disclosure obligations
Buying or selling a home is a significant transaction. A home is where a person lives and raises their family, so buyers naturally want as much information as possible before committing to what is likely the largest single transaction of their life. Seller disclosure...