Advocacy - Rooted in Georgia

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During every legislative session, Georgia REALTORS® works tirelessly under the Gold Dome to protect private property rights, champion free enterprise, and strengthen our the real estate industry in Georgia. Additionally, a delegation of REALTORS® travel to Washington D.C. each Spring to advocate at the federal level alongside our colleagues from across the country.

Below are highlights of the legislative victories we’ve secured through the years to keep Georgia’s real estate industry thriving—and make homeownership and property investment more accessible for consumers.

For Buyers & Sellers

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Strengthened the statute of frauds to ensure that real estate contracts cannot be rescinded, or modified by oral agreement.

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Stopped legislation that would have statutorily increased the fee to obtain an estoppel letter from an HOA from $10 to $350.

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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.

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Successfully established procedure for water liens at closings.

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Passed legislation to allow financing of solar technology.

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Defeated efforts to provide super liens to condominium associations for unpaid fees.

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Passed legislation to reduce property owners’ liability in case of trespass.

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Defeated legislation to mandate a termite inspection prior to closing.

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Passed a $1,800 statewide home buyer tax credit.

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Prevented statewide point-of-sale plumbing retrofit mandates.

For All Georgians

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Clarified the Shoreline Protection Act to provide a clearer understanding for where permitting is required by DNR.

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Updated Georgia’s eminent domain laws to allow local governments to return blighted property to the market for the same legal use.

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Stalled efforts to place a $25,000 cap on the mortgage interest deduction.

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Expanded permissible delivery methods for issuing a summons notice.

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Strengthened the rights of taxpayers in the appeals process.

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Passed legislation to reform Georgia’s property tax assessment and appeals process.

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Protected private property rights by defeating language that would have allowed occupants of property to install solar panels, regardless of ownership status.

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Successfully limited local governments’ ability to register vacant and foreclosed properties by creating statewide standards to which all local governments must adhere.

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Worked with broad business coalitions to successfully strengthen laws to prevent metal theft.

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Protected water rights for Georgia property owners by preserving our riparian rights system.

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Ensured that private property owners maintain their right to dictate whether firearms are permitted on their property.

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Advocating for Consumers & Homeownership