Blog
Property-Management Form?
Q: Which form can I use to manage an owner’s property? A: You may use RF172, Property Management Agreement. This form is strictly for managing property. If the Owner wants you to market and manage the property, you will need to use RF171 in conjunction with this...
Leasing-Agreement Form?
Q: I am looking for a residential listing agreement to exclusively list a property for lease. Can you help? A: As of January 1, 2019, Tennessee REALTORS® offers an Exclusive Right to Market for Lease Agreement, RF171. This is not a property management agreement...
Accept Counter-offer After Deadline?
Q: A counter-offer was sent from the seller’s agent to the buyer’s agent with a deadline. The buyer signed the counter but missed the deadline. The buyer’s agent contacted the seller’s agent and asked if it was okay; the seller’s agent said it was. The buyer’s...
Advertise ‘Low-Crime’ Area in MLS?
Q: We have a client who wants us to promote that his area has less crime/fewer break-ins than other areas. He wanted us to pull the last 10 years of police reports to prove it. Can we do that? Can we enter it into the MLS, either in Public or...
Non-REALTOR® Present at Listings?
Q: I have an owner on a listing that wants someone present for every listing. They are comfortable with their property manager or best friend being there and opening the property if I cannot. Would this be allowable if they are not licensed REALTORS®?...
Leave the Fire Extinguisher?
Q: Are fire extinguishers supposed to stay with the home? A: A fire extinguisher is not required to go with the property, especially residential. If the buyer wants a fire extinguisher to go with the property, it should be address in the contract.
Disclose a Past Fire?
Q: If a seller signs the disclosure exemption form, yet he is aware that there has been a major fire at the house, is he required to disclose it? A: Please note that the Tennessee REALTORS® Legal & Ethics Hotline cannot (and nor should you) advise sellers as...
Indentify the Fire Department?
Q: The 2018 property condition disclosure form asks which fire department services the property. Is there a place for a seller to find that information? A: Yes, the seller may visit https://tnmap.tn.gov/fdtn/ and enter the property address. This question is not...
Non-Refundable Earnest Money
Q: Can you advise the position that Tennessee takes on “non-refundable” earnest money clauses? A: Non-refundable earnest money is an acceptably legal concept in Tennessee. The forms committee has added a clause in the special stipulations form that can...
Property-Condition Exemption
Q: Please why the property condition exemption form no longer has a space for buyer’s signature of necessary disclosure questions on the form? A: The exemption form is different because it is not required by law. If a seller is exempt, they are exempt; they do...