Consumer Information

  • It is the Alabama Real Estate Commission's goal to protect the public interest in all real estate transactions. Please research your real estate transaction decisions carefully and always feel free to contact us.

    Buying or selling a home for the first time can be a daunting process for many consumers. The Alabama Real Estate Commission’s website provides information about the process and the role of licensed real estate brokers and salespersons in that process. Alabama law does not require the use of a licensed real estate broker for the sale or lease of real estate by the owner of the property, but we do recommend that you consult with or utilize the services of a licensed real estate broker or salesperson to facilitate the sale or an attorney for legal advice if you have questions or are uncertain about the process. Please see additional consumer information below and use the links for detailed information about real estate transactions in Alabama.

AGENCY/BROKERAGE SERVICES

  • Real estate licensees are required to present a Brokerage Services Disclosure Form (download our guide) which describes the alternative types of brokerage services available to consumers in Alabama transactions. The Real Estate Brokerage Services Disclosure form must be provided to consumers for them to sign as soon as reasonably possible. Signing this form does not obligate you in any way to the licensee, your signature is proof that you were given information the Alabama Real Estate Commission developed and requires licensees to provide so that you can be informed and choose the type of brokerage services best suited to your needs. The Alabama Real Estate Commission urges you to take the time to read and understand the disclosure form-know your rights.

REAL ESTATE LICENSE STATUS IN ALABAMA AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS
  • It is important to know that an individual who holds herself/himself out to have a real estate license does, indeed, have a current real estate license. You can search the Alabama Real Estate Commission’s Database for licenses issued in Alabama. This database will allow you to search by first name, last name, company name and or license number, so if you do not know an individual’s company name or license number, enter what you do know and a list of possibilities will show. From this list you can determine what type of license was issued and when it will expire.

    Want to search an international database? You can also search the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials’ (ARELLO) Licensee Database. ARELLO is an international association of real estate regulatory jurisdictions. A considerable number of its members currently submit licensee data to the ARELLO database. The number of jurisdictions participating is continually increasing.

    When searching the ARELLO licensee database, you may receive a reply including a message which states: “The following search results contain data from the REALTORS database, but do not yet include information from [the jurisdiction searched] licensing agency.” This means that the particular real estate regulatory jurisdiction is not submitting licensee information to the database. If you receive this message as a result of your search, click on “Int’l Real Estate Organizations” in the top menu. This will show you a list of real estate regulatory jurisdictions located in North America, Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, South America and the Atlantic/Caribbean. Find the real estate regulatory jurisdiction and click on its name. This will take you to its website, which may or may not, have a searchable licensee database. If it does not, contact information is available on the site. If the jurisdiction is listed but does not have a website, its contact information is available.

CAVEAT EMPTOR—WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

  • The Alabama Supreme Court has held caveat emptor (“buyer beware”) to be the law in Alabama when selling existing homes. Everyone should be on notice that there is no warranty which comes with the sale of a used home. Buyers have a chance to inspect the property and should assume the responsibility of a purchase. Simply stated, this means that neither the seller nor the seller’s agents, unless asked, are required to disclose defects, except those which might pose an immediate health or safety risk to the buyers. While sellers and their seller’s agents must not misrepresent conditions they are asked about, it is most important that buyers perform their due diligence.

HOME INSPECTIONS

  • To assist in verifying the condition of the property, you may wish to utilize the services of a Home Inspector. In Alabama, Home Inspectors are licensed by the State of Alabama Division of Construction Management. Access the Alabama Department of Finance Division of Construction Management's website for information.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

  • While the Alabama Real Estate Commission has attempted to provide information on more general and known environmental concerns, this list is not all-inclusive. For this reason we also suggest that you see additional resources in our Environmental Issues section that may assist you in your research.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

  • Moving to a new town or new part of town? Go to the Alabama Real Estate Commission's Community Resources for additional information regarding housing, education, etc. in the community or neighborhood you are interested in.

HELP STOP MORTGAGE FRAUD

  • Mortgage fraud can take many forms and many times parties are unknowingly brought into transactions which involve mortgage fraud. To learn more about how to spot mortgage fraud read information in the STOPFRAUD.gov archive.

LANDLORD TENANT ACT

  • Landlord tenant relations are generally governed by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act in Alabama and are NOT under the jurisdiction or authority of the Alabama Real Estate Commission. Landlord tenant disputes generally must be worked out between the parties involved or, if no resolution can be worked out, through the use of attorneys and or the court system.

COMPLAINT PROCESS

  • If you feel a licensee (broker or salesperson) has made a misrepresentation or not followed their duties or obligations under the license law you may file a complaint with the Alabama Real Estate Commission. If you are unsure as to whether the grounds for a complaint exist, please contact our office by phone or email and we will be glad to discuss it further.

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