Real estate transactions are governed by a wide body of federal statutes and state statutory and common law. The requirements established by state law often differ significantly from one state to the next.

Real estate brokers are employed as the agent of the seller in order to obtain a buyer for their property. See Agency. The contract between the broker and seller is called a listing agreement. The agreement may be an open agreement where by the broker earns a commission only if he or she finds a buyer. A listing is exclusive if the broker is the only agent entitled to a commission for finding a buyer. Under an exclusive arrangement a broker may be entitled to a payment even if the seller finds the buyer without the brokers aid. Real estate brokers and salesperson are licensed and regulated by local state laws. See, e.g., California Civil Code § 2079. Professional organizations may also provide further guidelines.

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions on account of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3631. Real estate brokers are specifically prohibited from discriminating by the act. See § 3606 of the act.

The agreement to sell between a buyer and seller of real estate is governed by the general principles of contract law. See Contracts. The Statute of Frauds requires that contracts for real property be in writing. See, e.g., California Civil Code § 1624.

It is commonly required in real estate contracts that the title to the property sold be marketable. This requires that the seller have proof of title to all the property he or she is selling and that third parties not have undisclosed interests in the title. See Property.

A title insurance company or an attorney is often employed by the buyer to investigate whether the title is, indeed, marketable. Title insurance companies also insure the buyer against losses caused by the title being invalid.

In order to pass title, a deed with a proper description of the land must be executed and delivered. Some states require that the deed be officially recorded to establish ownership of the property and/or provide notice of its transfer to subsequent purchasers.

The most common method of financing real estate transactions is through a mortgage. See Mortgages. 

Federal Statutes

• U.S. Code: 42 U.S.C., Chapter 45 - Federal Fair Housing Act

  Federal Judicial Decisions

• U.S. Supreme Court: Recent Fair Housing Decisions

• U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals: Recent Fair Housing Decisions

State Statutes

• State Property Statutes

Judicial Decisions

Useful Offnet (or Subscription - $) Sources

• Good Starting Point in Print: Grant S. Nelson and Dale A. Whitman, Black Letter on Land Transactions and Finance, West Group (1998)

Other Commercial Law Topics