Georgia Real Estate Purchase Agreement

Additionally, it includes a clause detailing the procedures for concluding the transaction. Our simplified lawful Georgia Real Estate Purchase Agreement template ensures you adhere to state laws.

Legal Aspects 

A real estate purchase agreement in Georgia is deemed valid and enforceable when it satisfies four (4) critical elements:

• The parties have mutually agreed to enter into the contract.
• A valid offer presented by the buyer and its acceptance by the seller
• Adequate consideration, which involves the exchange of items of value
• A legal purpose and parties who are legally competent

Georgia law considers the agreement invalid and unenforceable if any of these components are missing. Forming a legally binding real estate purchase agreement in Georgia is essential and must be signed by both parties.

Writing Requirement (when it becomes legal) 

A Georgia Real Estate Purchase Agreement must be documented in writing. While an oral contract can be legally enforceable, the Statute of Frauds in all U.S. states mandates that specific agreements, including those involving the sale and lease of real property, be written.

In Georgia, not every agreement detail needs to be written down. Still, at the very least, the Statute requires the following:

• Names of the buyer and seller
• The agreement itself
• A “sufficient” description of the land or property
• The agreed-upon contract price
• Terms of sale, unless the payment is made in cash
• The closing date
• Any conditional clauses
• Any stipulations related to the broker and brokerage fees or compensation
• Signatures of both parties

This ensures that both parties clearly define and agree upon all critical aspects of the transaction, providing a legal framework for the real estate transaction.

Required Disclosures 

The disclosure statement addresses a comprehensive range of specific aspects:

• Covenants, Fees, and Restrictions: The property may have specific use restrictions or rules.
• Lead-Based Paint: Relevant if the property was built or manufactured before 1978.
• Structural Items, Additions, and Alterations: These pertain to the foundation, additions, code breaches, and type of home.
• Systems and Components: Refers to the HVAC’s status, wiring, fireplace, and moisture issues.
• Sewer/Plumbing: Involves the water source, water heater, sewer system, and any related problems.
• Roofs, Gutters, and Downspouts: Details about the roof’s condition, leaks, and seller’s repairs.
• Flooding, Moisture, Drainage, and Springs: Concerns about water intrusion, flooding, and flood-prone areas.
• Soil and Boundaries: Issues related to landfills, graves, settlements, encroachments, or boundary disputes.
• Termites, Pests, Dry Rot, and Wood-Destroying Organisms: Information about history, damage, or hazardous conditions.
• Environmental, Health, and Safety Concerns: Presence of underground tanks, harmful substances, meth production, and adverse test results.
• Litigation and Insurance: Issues related to negligent construction, defective building products, and related insurance claims.
• Other Hidden Defects: Any undisclosed defects.
• Agriculture Disclosure: Applicable if the property is near or within an agricultural or forestry area and benefits from agrarian tax treatment.