What are real estate licensees in Georgia violating if they use deceit or misrepresentation in advertising?

Real estate licensees in Georgia who engage in deceit or misrepresentation in advertising are violating the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act. This law is designed to promote fair competition and protect consumers in the marketplace by prohibiting deceptive practices in advertising and sales. Misrepresentation in advertising can mislead consumers about the nature, quality, or price of a property, undermining the trust that is essential in real estate transactions.

The Georgia Fair Business Practices Act focuses specifically on unfair or deceptive acts or practices in consumer transactions, which includes real estate advertising. By enforcing this act, the state aims to ensure transparency and honesty within the real estate market, thus safeguarding consumers from fraudulent practices.

While other laws, such as the Deceptive Trade Practices and the Consumer Protection Act and the Georgia Fair Housing Law, address aspects of consumer rights, they do not specifically target the area of advertising within real estate as directly as the Fair Business Practices Act. The Business Opportunity Act is more focused on certain types of business sales rather than general real estate practices.