Contract in Maryland/MAR Contract

[Luis Aviles]

Do I have to use a MAR (Maryland Association of Realtors) Contract? Or can I make my own contract? I'm curious because I joined a local REIA and they wanted me to use a MAR contract. I really need help on this guys.

[Russell Brazil]

@Luis Aviles The MAR contract is copywrited material, so only those with permission, Realtors, can use it. I prefer the Regional Contract (Also a Realtor contract) myself.

What contract you use is going to depend on the property. If it is an MLS listed property...you should seek the services of an agent to write a contract. If it is an off market property, I would suggest hiring a real estate attorney to write up your contract. Maryland real estate law can be surprisingly complicated compared to other states, which can be seen in the length of contracts us agents use. Also much of the terminology used in contracts means something very different to the layman than it means to agents, courts, lawyers etc. As @Account Closed mentioned one term "Time is of the essence" means something very different in a contract than it does to the layman. 

It may cost you some money having an attorney write up a contract for you, but I think it is going to be money well spent in the long run.