Florida Association of Realtor Contracts (real estate, condos, broker)

[tickybox]

I am hoping that some of you who are local to the area can help me with this set of questions.

I am trying to sell a condo in the area that belonged to a relative that died. I have no contacts in the area, and it's difficult to deal with remotely. I was given a recommendation for a realtor in the area, and they seem generally nice enough.

However, the exclusive listing contract I was sent to sign was a pre-written contract by the Florida Association of Realtors. It had several sections that gave me (and my attorney) pause when we read them, as it seemed to place unnecessary indemnifications onto the Seller. Additionally, they have added a clause which bypassed the Florida Statute requiring a judgment by a court before the broker could place a lien on the property.

They have stated both that 1) it's Florida Law that requires the use of this contract (I have found nothing to indicate that this is true) and 2) that I will find that all realtors in the area use "FAR" and "FARBAR" contracts, that it is how things are handled there.

Is this the case? Is this standard practice for the area, and not something I should worry too much about? Certainly this type of contract is not standard in the Northeast, and I'm inclined to walk away and start over, but want to know if I will just be beating my head against a wall no matter where I go.

[LarryTheExpert]

I thought I already posted a reply, but the system is asking once again.

There are dozens of different listing contracts in use by Florida real estate brokers, but a given office may offer only two or three choices. Two or three are state-wide, many are created by the various Realtor associations, and some brokers create their own proprietary contract.

[gaash2]

show me. i'm in the market to buy south florida condos. send me a PM..

[gregm]

Dig in and strike out anything that isn't required by state law. 80% of RE agents do not have YOUR best interest in mind.