All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Georgia License Law CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Law Violations & Unfair Trade Practices
This broker-written blog post gives a punchy rundown of behaviors that can get Georgia agents in big trouble. It defines unfair trade practices (basically any deceptive or unethical means of getting business) and reminds you that violations can lead to license suspension or even revocation.
The article then bullet-points dozens of forbidden actions in plain English – from false advertising and discrimination to mishandling trust funds and poaching another agent’s client.
It’s like a checklist of “what not to do,” helping you internalize the code of conduct expected under Georgia law. Reading this will reinforce your understanding of the law’s practical do’s and don’ts so you can protect your reputation and your license.
RMAA
2️⃣ Advertising Another Agent’s Listings
Georgia’s advertising rules can feel tricky, especially online. This friendly article shows how you can leverage another agent’s listing for your own marketing without breaking laws. It emphasizes that you must get the listing agent’s written permission and your broker’s sign-off before advertising someone else’s property.
It also highlights key requirements like including both the listing brokerage’s name and your brokerage info in the ad to avoid any “blind ad” issues. The post even touches on the Unfair Practices section of GA law (e.g. you can’t advertise a property on terms different from what the owner agreed).
In short, it’s a practical how-to guide for creative advertising that can grow your business while keeping you 100% compliant with Georgia license law and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.
RMAA
3️⃣ Unlicensed Real Estate Assistants
If you work with an assistant or plan to, this resource is pure gold. Georgia has strict limits on what unlicensed support folks can do, and this blog lays it out in plain language with lists. It starts by warning that an assistant must not perform any duties that require a license – doing so is actually a misdemeanor and can get both the assistant and the supervising agent punished!
The article then cheerfully lists tasks an unlicensed assistant can handle (like answering phones, preparing paperwork, putting up signs, or depositing earnest money checks) and clearly distinguishes them from what they cannot do (like making cold calls to prospects or showing properties).
You’ll get a crystal-clear picture of how to utilize support staff efficiently without accidentally crossing any legal lines. This will help you leverage help in your business while staying safe under Georgia law.
Maidenhead Taxi Service
4️⃣ Broker Review of Advertising
Did you know every single real estate ad you create must be approved by your broker before it goes public? This short read drives home that point. It explains that Georgia law requires brokers to supervise and sign off on all advertising by their agents, and that failure to get broker review is one of the “biggest violations” seen by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
The post shares what a compliant ad needs – e.g. your brokerage’s full name and main phone in at least equal prominence to yours – and how to handle tricky cases like social media posts or tiny-text internet ads (hint: use a link to a full info page).
Essentially, it’s a friendly reminder that your broker is your compliance partner. Reading this will make you appreciate why your broker might be picky about your Facebook ads or yard signs, and it will keep you from accidentally incurring fines by flying solo on advertising.
RMAA
5️⃣ A Broker’s Duty Regarding Earnest Money
When a deal falls through, who gets the earnest money? This practical article walks you through Georgia’s earnest money escape routes – crucial knowledge for avoiding trust account disputes. Written by a broker, it breaks down the Georgia Association of REALTORS® (GAR) contract forms and state rules that dictate how earnest money should be disbursed if a sale doesn’t close.
You’ll learn that if buyer and seller agree in writing on who gets the funds, the broker (as the “Holder”) can simply release it. But if they do not agree, the broker must follow a defined procedure: making a reasonable interpretation of the contract and sending both parties a 10-day notice of who the broker believes is entitled to the money.
The article explains how, if objections fly, the broker can stick to their decision or revise it, or ultimately deposit the funds with a court via an interpleader action. Reading this gives you a real-world feel for how trust funds are handled under Georgia law. It’s an eye-opener that will help you confidently advise clients and avoid missteps with earnest money in your transactions.
Insulation Retrofits Victoria, BC
6️⃣ Timelines & Deadlines Under Georgia Law
License law isn’t just about big-ticket rules – it’s also about little deadlines that can sneak up on you. This resource is basically a cheat-sheet of all those timing requirements Georgia licensees need to remember (some of which might surprise you!). It’s presented as a handy list. For example, you’ll learn that you must remove your “for sale” signs within 10 days after a listing expires.
Have a personal agent website? If any info becomes outdated (like “Sold” status or an old price), you’re required to update or remove it within 30 days. Brokers opening a new trust account must notify the Commission within one month. Got convicted of a crime or sanctioned elsewhere? You have 10 days to report it to GREC.
This list goes on to cover license renewals, address changes, record-keeping (3 years), post-license education deadlines, and more. It’s an easy read that ensures you won’t overlook these technical requirements in your day-to-day practice. Think of it as a safety net to keep you 100% compliant on timing rules.
RMAA
7️⃣ 10 Things REALTORS® Should Know
This PDF from the Georgia REALTORS® is like having a mentor point out “watch out for this!” in ten common scenarios. Written by GAR’s legal experts, it’s conversational and full of practical examples. One highlight: it busts the myth that you can automatically take your clients with you when switching brokerages. In fact, Georgia license law prohibits a departing agent from contacting any clients of the firm about moving with them unless the broker gives written OK. (Yes, that means you can’t even call up your favorite seller to say you’ve joined a new company without permission!)
Another gem from the list: if you’re buying or leasing property for yourself, you must notify your broker in writing before doing so – a rule many agents overlook. Each of the 10 points addresses real-life issues, like handling multiple offers, keeping security deposits in the right trust account, and not using a contract to try to adjust your commission. It’s very clear and tailored for Georgia agents. You’ll walk away with a sharper legal common sense, which is exactly what continuing education is all about.
8️⃣ How to Transfer Your Georgia License
Planning a move to a new brokerage? This one-page FAQ gives you the step-by-step game plan for transferring your license in Georgia. It’s succinct and straight from a real estate education provider. You’ll learn that the process isn’t scary: essentially, you fill out the required GREC form (the “Certified License History” form) and have your current broker release you and your new broker sign off to accept you.
The page confirms that the onus is on the brokers to update your affiliation with the Commission, but it’s good practice for you to ensure all the pieces are in place. In short, this link is a nice procedural checklist to complement the course material. It ensures that when you do change firms, you won’t miss any official steps – so you can hit the ground running with your new company without a licensing hiccup.
Real Estate U
9️⃣ Trust Account Tips & Reminders
Straight from the Georgia Real Estate Commission, this two-page newsletter is packed with official guidance on trust accounts. It’s an easy read that can save you from costly mistakes. Some key reminders: if you’re a broker who maintains trust accounts, you must register each account with the Commission within one month of opening it (failure to do so is a common oversight).
Also – and this is critical – you cannot treat any part of client trust funds as your commission until the transaction is actually closed or terminated. The newsletter format means it’s not dry legal code; instead, it highlights practical “must-do’s” and “don’ts,” like keeping thorough records and reconciling the account monthly.
Even if you’re an agent and not the broker, reading this will boost your understanding of how earnest money and other trust funds are handled behind the scenes. It’s a peek into the compliance side of brokerage that will make you a more informed professional. Plus, it shows you the kind of issues GREC is watching like a hawk – useful knowledge to keep your broker (and yourself) out of hot water.