§3197. Applicability; exemptions

            A. The provisions of this Chapter apply to the transfer of any interest in residential real property or vacant residential property, whether by sale, exchange, bond for deed, lease with option to purchase, or any other option to purchase, including transactions in which the assistance of a real estate licensee is utilized and those in which such assistance is not utilized.

            B. The provisions of this Chapter do not apply to any of the following:

            (1) Transfers ordered by a court, including but not limited to a transfer ordered by a court in the administration of an estate, a transfer pursuant to a writ of execution, a transfer by any foreclosure sale, a transfer by a trustee in bankruptcy, a transfer by eminent domain, and any transfer resulting from a decree of specific performance.

            (2) Transfers to a mortgagee by a mortgagor or successor in interest who is in default.

            (3) Transfers by a mortgagee who has acquired the residential real property or vacant residential property at a sale conducted pursuant to a power of sale under a mortgage or a sale pursuant to decree of foreclosure, or who has acquired the vacant or residential property by a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

            (4) Transfers by a fiduciary in the course of administration of a decedent's estate, guardianship, conservatorship, or trust.

            (5) Transfers of newly constructed residential real property, which has never been occupied.

            (6) Transfers from one or more co-owners solely to one or more of the remaining co-owners.

            (7) Transfers from the succession executor or administrator pursuant to testate or intestate succession.

            (8) Transfers of residential real property or vacant residential property that will be converted by the purchaser into a use other than residential use.

            (9) Transfers of residential real property or vacant residential property to a spouse or relative in the line of consanguinity.

            (10) Transfers between spouses resulting from a judgment of divorce or a judgment of separate maintenance or from a property settlement agreement incidental to such a judgment.

            (11) Transfers or exchanges to or from any governmental entity.

            (12) Transfers from an entity that has acquired title or assignment of a real estate contract to a piece of residential real property or vacant residential property to assist the prior owner in relocating, as long as the entity makes available to the purchaser a copy of the property disclosure statement, any inspection reports if any furnished to the entity by the prior owner, or both.

            (13) Transfers to an inter vivos trust.

            (14) Acts that, without additional consideration and without changing ownership or ownership interest, confirm, correct, modify, or supplement a deed or conveyance previously recorded.

            Acts 2003, No. 308, §1, eff. June 13 2003; Acts 2018, No. 559, §1; Acts 2026, No. 708, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2027.