RPAC/Advocacy

Whether you are a broker-owner or a part-time agent, politics directly impacts your profitability. Here in Georgia, RPAC has helped us accomplish numerous legislative victories:

For REALTORS® & Related Trades

• In 2020, GAR Advocacy played key role in the process to have real estate deemed critical infrastructure, and REALTORS listed as essential workers during COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Defended REALTORS®’ ability to write special stipulations and provide advisement to their clients in the completion of a real estate contract.
• Defeated legislation that would have required all REALTORS® who sold property via competitive bid, sealed bid or silent bid, to be licensed as an auctioneer in Georgia.
• Passed legislation to allow REALTORS® to engage in short sale transactions, which had previously been interpreted by the Banking Department as illegal.
• Protected REALTORS®’ ability to collect and distribute escrow funds.
• Amended disclosure portion of real estate license law to protect our members from burdensome requirements and undue legal liability after members were sued for not disclosing MLS fees.
• Passed legislation to allow independent contractors to pool together for insurance purposes in Georgia.
• Prevented cities and counties in Georgia from charging individual agents a business license fee for each jurisdiction in which they conduct business.
• Blocked a 6% state sales tax on real estate commissions.

For Buyers & Sellers

• Strengthened the statute of frauds to ensure that real estate contracts cannot be rescinded, or modified by oral agreement.
• Stopped legislation that would have statutorily increased the fee to obtain an estoppel letter from an HOA from $10 to $350.
• Supported legislation that increased the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority’s bond limit from $1.3 billion to $3 billion to fund the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, providing affordable homeownership to lower income earners and first-time homebuyers.
• Passed legislation to allow financing of solar technology.
• Defeated efforts to provide super liens to condominium associations for unpaid fees.
• Passed legislation to reduce property owners’ liability in case of trespass.
• Defeated legislation to mandate a termite inspection prior to closing.
• Passed a $1,800 statewide home buyer tax credit.