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Legal Articles

Topics

  • Legal Line Overview
  • Contracts (6)
    • All Written Offers Must Be Presented to Your Client June 30, 2022
    • Alabama Supreme Court Upholds As-Is Clause in Residential Purchase Agreement September 8, 2020
    • Propane Tanks on Rural Property: Leased versus Owned September 15, 2020
    • Appraisal Issues: What Can I Do? September 22, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Buyer's Agent October 24, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Seller's Agent October 31, 2017
  • Risk Management (13)
    • Buyer’s Love Letters October 20, 2020
    • Website Accessibility under the ADA for REALTORS® August 24, 2020
    • How the Stay at Home Order Affects REALTORS® April 3, 2020
    • Identifying and Avoiding COVID-19 Scams March 26, 2020
    • REALTORS® Should Avoid Posting General Mortgage Comparisons December 1, 2022
    • Social Media Do’s & Don’ts for REALTORS® July 28, 2020
    • Foreign Property Ownership August 2, 2023
    • Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act March 27, 2025
    • The Dos and Don'ts of Social Media Advertising January 24, 2024
    • Property Sale Scams Resources March 5, 2024
    • FCC Rules Regarding Telemarketing March 21, 2025
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Cyber Security November 7, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: 2018 Cyber Security Update and Alabama’s Data Breach Notification Law June 26, 2018
  • Disaster Relief (3)
    • Rental Assistance Now Available for Alabama Renters & Landlords March 2, 2021
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Q & A's Regarding Disaster Relief September 12, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Business Checklist for a Disaster or an Emergency October 2, 2018
  • Dispute Resolution (3)
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Dispute Resolution- Interpleader January 22, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Alternative Dispute Resolution- "A Useful Tool" January 31, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Arbitration for the REALTOR® February 6, 2018
  • Landlord & Tenant (7)
    • Eviction Moratorium Struck Down – Alabama REALTORS® vs. Centers for Disease Control August 31, 2021
    • REALTORS® Argue Against Eviction Moratorium in Court May 4, 2021
    • Rental Assistance Now Available for Alabama Renters & Landlords March 2, 2021
    • Terminix Settlement Update – Process in Place February 9, 2021
    • Terminix to Pay $60 Million in Coastal Alabama Termite Claims Settlement November 10, 2020
    • Alabama Realtors® Asks Governor Ivey to Establish Rental Assistance Program; NAR Asks Congress for Rental Relief November 17, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: A General Overview of Alabama’s Laws on Landlords and Tenants March 13, 2018
  • License Law (15)
    • A Note from the Legal Helpdesk: A Primer on Alabama Contract Law May 7, 2019
    • A Note from the Legal Helpdesk: A Primer on Alabama Contract Law May 13, 2019
    • The Dos and Don'ts of Social Media Advertising January 24, 2024
    • A Note from the AAR Legal Team: Texting & Emailing Offers June 27, 2025
    • Things to Consider When a Licensee Changes Companies April 28, 2025
    • All Written Offers Must Be Presented to Your Client June 30, 2022
    • AREC Holds February Meeting – Seats New Commissioners February 22, 2022
    • AREC Holds First Meeting of Year January 25, 2022
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Seat, District 5 November 30, 2021
    • AREC Holds August Meeting August 23, 2021
    • Common Violations & Tips for Dealing with the Alabama Real Estate Commission July 31, 2020
    • Website Accessibility under the ADA for REALTORS® August 24, 2020
    • NAR and DOJ Reach Anti-trust Settlement November 24, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Earnest Money Issues September 26, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: How to File a Complaint with the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) October 17, 2017
  • Property Laws (14)
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: A Look at Basic Property Concepts and Issues That Can Arise When Transferring Property in Alabama August 7, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: A Primer on Opportunity Zones for Alabama REALTORS® March 18, 2019
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Property Taxes in Alabama June 5, 2018
    • Eviction Moratorium Struck Down – Alabama REALTORS® vs. Centers for Disease Control August 31, 2021
    • Eviction Moratorium: Small Housing Providers Head Back to Court August 5, 2021
    • Alabama REALTORS® Applauds AL Supreme Court Decision on Property Rights and Development July 1, 2021
    • Escalation Clauses – Do’s and Don’ts June 15, 2021
    • Alabama Realtors® Asks Governor Ivey to Establish Rental Assistance Program; NAR Asks Congress for Rental Relief November 17, 2020
    • Alabama Realtors® Challenges CDC Eviction Moratorium in Federal Court November 24, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Buyer's Agent October 24, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Seller's Agent October 31, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Right of Redemption in Alabama March 20, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: The Power of Eminent Domain May 9, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Inverse Condemnation - When Private Property is Taken Without Just Compensation May 15, 2018
  • Q & A (13)
    • A Note from the Legal Helpdesk: Queries from the Field October 9, 2018
    • Recent Legal Line Questions June 27, 2025
    • Recent Legal Line Questions April 28, 2025
    • Recent Legal Line Questions December 19, 2024
    • Recent Legal Line Questions July 17, 2024
    • Fair Housing Legal Line Questions April 17, 2024
    • Recent Legal Helpdesk Questions January 24, 2024
    • Notes from the Field: Recent Legal Helpdesk Questions October 25, 2023
    • Notes From the Field: Recent Legal Helpdesk Questions August 2, 2023
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: REALTOR® Submitted Questions October 3, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Queries From The Field November 28, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Queries From The Field February 20, 2018
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Queries From the Field March 26, 2019
  • Regulatory (43)
    • State Land Bank Authority Holds Organizational Meeting August 27, 2018
    • Alabama Credit Union Administration Board Report September 10, 2018
    • Alabama Public Service Commission Meeting Report September 11, 2018
    • State Board of Education Report September 17, 2018
    • Alabama Real Estate Commission Meets, Holds Legislative Planning Meeting September 5, 2017
    • Senate Confirms New Real Estate Commissioner May 23, 2017
    • The Alabama Real Estate Commission Proposes New Administrative Rule for Consideration May 9, 2017
    • Alabama Real Estate Commission Meets Last Week, Receives Audit Results April 25, 2017
    • New Real Estate Commissioner Sworn in, Chair & Vice Chair Re-elected April 4, 2017
    • AREC: Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Rule Amendments June 3, 2016
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Position, District 6 July 14, 2025
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Position, District 3 July 14, 2025
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Position, District 1 July 14, 2025
    • AREC Holds February 2025 Meeting February 24, 2025
    • AREC Holds First Meeting of 2025 January 21, 2025
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Seat, District 4 May 31, 2022
    • AREC Holds First Meeting of 2023 – Bad E-check Cases Continue January 24, 2023
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Position, African American at Large Seat January 30, 2023
    • AREC - August Meeting Update August 23, 2022
    • AREC Holds February Meeting – Seats New Commissioners February 22, 2022
    • AREC Holds First Meeting of Year January 25, 2022
    • Now Accepting Nominations for AREC Commissioner Seat, District 5 November 30, 2021
    • AREC Holds October Meeting October 18, 2021
    • AREC Holds Public Hearing at September Meeting September 28, 2021
    • AREC Holds August Meeting August 23, 2021
    • DOJ Files Notice of Withdrawal of Consent to November 2020 Code of Ethics, MLS Policies Agreement July 6, 2021
    • AREC Meets – Considers New Regulations, Wholesaling June 29, 2021
    • AREC Holds May Meeting May 25, 2021
    • AREC Holds April Meeting April 27, 2021
    • AL Dept. of Insurance Creates New Division for Natural Disasters and Wind and Flood Mitigation May 19, 2020
    • Common Violations & Tips for Dealing with the Alabama Real Estate Commission July 31, 2020
    • AREC Held August Meeting – License Renewal Deadline Looms August 25, 2020
    • Alabama Real Estate Commission Holds September Meeting September 28, 2020
    • AREC Appoints New Chair, Vice Chair November 2, 2020
    • Two Projects Approved for Historic Tax Credit November 3, 2020
    • NAR’s Board Amends Code of Ethics and MLS Rules for Discriminatory Conduct November 17, 2020
    • Alabama Realtors® Asks Governor Ivey to Establish Rental Assistance Program; NAR Asks Congress for Rental Relief November 17, 2020
    • NAR and DOJ Reach Anti-trust Settlement November 24, 2020
    • Public Comment Period Open for Rule Amendment on CE June 8, 2020
    • AREC Meets - Conducts Hearings on Complaints June 29, 2020
    • AREC Meets, Discusses Sunset Committee Review July 28, 2020
    • State Board of Education Report November 13, 2018
    • Report from Meeting of Alabama Ethics Commission June 17, 2019
  • Taxes & Licenses (13)
    • REALTOR® and Homeowners' Guide to Tax Season March 19, 2019
    • Your Guide to Homeownership Tax Savings for 2024 February 18, 2025
    • Property Tax 101: What Alabama’s New Property Tax Cap Means for Homeowners September 17, 2024
    • Taxes 101: What to Know Before You File March 7, 2023
    • Homeowner Tax Perks: What to Know Before You File March 17, 2022
    • AREC Holds February Meeting – Seats New Commissioners February 22, 2022
    • AREC Holds First Meeting of Year January 25, 2022
    • Homeowners Celebrate Tax Season: 10 Tax Tips You Need to Know February 23, 2021
    • Two Projects Approved for Historic Tax Credit November 3, 2020
    • NAR and DOJ Reach Anti-trust Settlement November 24, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Taxes and Fees Audits November 21, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Business License Fees December 5, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Property Taxes in Alabama June 5, 2018
  • Transactions (16)
    • Buyer’s Love Letters October 20, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: A Look at Basic Property Concepts and Issues That Can Arise When Transferring Property in Alabama August 7, 2018
    • A Note from the Legal Helpdesk: A Primer on Alabama Contract Law May 7, 2019
    • A Note from the Legal Helpdesk: A Primer on Alabama Contract Law May 13, 2019
    • Timelines and Deadlines for Purchase Agreements February 17, 2025
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Earnest Money Issues September 26, 2017
    • A Note from the AAR Legal Team: Texting & Emailing Offers June 27, 2025
    • All Written Offers Must Be Presented to Your Client June 30, 2022
    • Escalation Clauses – Do’s and Don’ts June 15, 2021
    • Alabama Supreme Court Upholds As-Is Clause in Residential Purchase Agreement September 8, 2020
    • Appraisal Issues: What Can I Do? September 22, 2020
    • Propane Tanks on Rural Property: Leased versus Owned September 15, 2020
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Buyer's Agent October 24, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Caveat Emptor for the Seller's Agent October 31, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Closing Disclosures – Sharing with Real Estate Agents November 14, 2017
    • A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: Money Laundering and Real Estate Transactions January 2, 2018
Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act

Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act

March 27, 2025
This article is updated regularly with the most up-to-date information regaring the Corporate Transparency Act. 
Read More
Opening Doors: The History of Fair Housing in the U.S.

Opening Doors: The History of Fair Housing in the U.S.

March 26, 2025
Upholding the spirit and provisions of the Fair Housing Act is a responsibility that every REALTOR® shares, and though the effort to ensure equal treatment for all is centuries old, federal ...
Read More
FCC Rules Regarding Telemarketing

FCC Rules Regarding Telemarketing

March 21, 2025
The FCC recently enacted new rules related to telemarketing, but due to ongoing litigation, it is currently unclear which rule(s) will ultimately take effect, or when they will become effective. In ...
Read More
Timelines and Deadlines for Purchase Agreements

Timelines and Deadlines for Purchase Agreements

February 17, 2025
The AAR Legal Line has recently seen an increase in calls voicing concerns that a licensee involved in a transaction has disregarded the deadlines listed in the Purchase Agreement. To be ...
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December 2024 Judicial Update

December 2024 Judicial Update

December 19, 2024
AAR’s Legal Team monitors both in-state and federal appellate courts to bring you summaries of judicial opinions impacting real estate. Read on to learn more.
Read More
FinCEN Issues Final Rule Regarding Certain All-Cash Transactions

FinCEN Issues Final Rule Regarding Certain All-Cash Transactions

October 10, 2024
The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently announced a final rule related to certain all-cash transactions. The rule will take effect on December 1, 2025.
Read More
Property Tax 101: What Alabama’s New Property Tax Cap Means for Homeowners

Property Tax 101: What Alabama’s New Property Tax Cap Means for Homeowners

September 17, 2024
Home and property owners across Alabama will avoid unexpected and dramatic property tax increases thanks to the successful legislative efforts of the Alabama Association of REALTORS® and its partners. 
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July 2024 Judicial Update

July 2024 Judicial Update

July 17, 2024
The summertime tends to be a busy season for the appellate courts, and this year has been no different. With the United States Supreme Court already in its full swing of ...
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Fair Housing Legal Line Questions

Fair Housing Legal Line Questions

April 17, 2024
In the spirit of April being Fair Housing Month, we have compiled some commonly asked questions regarding Fair Housing Law.
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April 2024 Judicial Update

April 2024 Judicial Update

April 17, 2024
As always, AAR’s Legal Team has been monitoring the appellate courts to update Alabama REALTORS® about cases that could impact their business. Read the latest Judicial Update to learn about cases ...
Read More
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Alabama Association of REALTORS

The Alabama Association of REALTORS® (AAR) is the largest statewide organization of real estate professionals comprised of over 18,000 members from 23 boards and 1,200 real estate companies. United by adherence to a Code of Ethics, our members work as real estate professionals in the sale, lease, appraisal, management and development of residential, commercial, rural, and resort properties throughout Alabama.

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Address
522 Washington AvenueMontgomery, Alabama 36104

Tel: (334) 262-3808(334) 262-3808

Email
mailbox@alabamarealtors.com

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