New Alabama Law: Buyers Can Tour Homes Without a Contract

In a significant move, Alabama has enacted a new law allowing prospective homebuyers to tour homes without the obligation of signing a binding contract. This legislative update, effective in a month, addresses potential “red flags” associated with buyer agreements, as noted by Jeremy Walker, CEO of the Alabama Realtors. He emphasized that while written buyer agreements are beneficial for clarity between parties, it’s crucial for consumers to have ample time to negotiate terms.

The newly passed House Bill 230 was unanimously approved by Alabama lawmakers and signed by the governor. The bill aims to prevent risky practices like the “sign now, amend later” approach to buyer agreements and was inspired by the Department of Justice’s concerns about limiting competition.

Background: This development ties into the National Association of Realtors’ $418 million settlement concerning commission lawsuits, which mandates that buyers sign an agreement before home tours. These agreements can vary from non-exclusive touring agreements to more comprehensive contracts.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) states that state law takes precedence over the NAR settlement terms, especially when state law requires a buyer agreement sooner. However, the settlement applies unless it conflicts with state or federal law. Alabama’s new law aligns with this, similar to Colorado’s stance, where buyer agreements are not required before property tours.

For more details, refer to the original article on Real Estate News.