Georgia is an attorney-closing state — which means every real estate transaction must be closed by a licensed Georgia attorney, not a title company or escrow officer. But here's the question that trips up buyers and sellers alike: who actually gets to choose that attorney? In Georgia, it's typically the buyer who designates the closing attorney, though sellers can negotiate this in the contract. The attorney you choose matters more than most people realize — their availability affects your closing timeline, their fees vary by firm, and their responsiveness during the process can make or break a smooth transaction. Here's what Metro Atlanta buyers and sellers need to know before signing.

Georgia is a buyer-beware state — but that doesn't mean sellers can stay silent. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-1-16, sellers must disclose known material defects whether or not they use a formal form, and selling as-is doesn't change that. I work with buyers and sellers across Metro Atlanta, and this question comes up before almost every listing. Here's exactly what the law requires in 2026, including two new questions added to the GAR Seller's Property Disclosure Statement.