Forms Advisor™ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Forms Advisor™?
   Forms Advisor™ is an online software program that identifies which C.A.R. Standard Forms to use and when used in conjunction with Forms Tutor how to complete the forms. Local associations and brokers have the ability to extend the Forms Advisor to include local disclosure forms and broker-specific forms (subject to C.A.R. Legal review – see #15 below).
   
   
2. Do I have to pay a fee to use Forms Advisor™?
   Forms Advisor™ is a C.A.R. member benefit. It is only available to current C.A.R. members.
   
   
3. When can I begin using the Forms Advisor™?
   The Forms Advisor™ will be available for general usage on April 1, 2008.
   
   
4. How does Forms Advisor™ work?
   The C.A.R. Legal team has defined a set of rules regarding forms usage which have been embodied in the Forms Advisor™. The REALTOR® answers questions specific to the transaction and Forms Advisor™ provides a list of recommended forms to use for that particular phase of the transaction . It is anticipated that REALTORS® will use the Forms Advisor™ many times throughout a transaction as the transaction progresses through its many phases and as additional terms and conditions become germane. Additionally, users can employ features such as Forms Tutor™ and the C.A.R. Legal Q&A . Forms Tutor™ provides instruction on how to complete the form and the Legal Q&A offers legal charts and other information to assist users with compliance with the law. There is also a forms preview option available.
   
   Once the Forms Advisor™ has provided you with a list of forms, you have many options available:
   
   • You can print the list.
   • If you are using WINFormsOnline® or WINFormsOnlinePlus®, you can have the Forms Advisor™ add the recommended forms to:
     • Your current transaction,
     • a new transaction (or template), or
     • a transaction that you designate.
       
       
5. What is Forms Tutor™?
   C.A.R. Forms Tutor is component of Forms Advisor™. Forms Tutor™ provides fundamental instruction for completing C.A.R. Standard Forms. As of April 1 st , 2008, Forms Tutor™ is a feature available within Forms Advisor™.
   
   
6. How do I access Forms Advisor™?
   C.A.R. members have three options for accessing Forms Advisor™ effective April 1, 2008:
   

   •  via link on car.org on the Transaction Tools page
   •  via link within WINForms Online® software in three ways:

   a) Through the drop down list box next to each transaction on the transaction list page. This opens the Forms Advisor™ on that specific transaction and restores all of the answers to the questions to the state they were in the last time you used the Forms Advisor™ on that transaction.

   b) By creating a new transaction using the Forms Advisor™. This is a new option that is available to you after you click on the Add (Create) button.

   c) By clicking the Forms Advisor™ link at the top of the transaction list page

   •  via WINForms® Desktop by following the link on the car.org Transaction Tools page.

7. How do I access Forms Tutor™ and/or the Legal Q&A?
   Both of these features are available within the Forms Advisor™ program. After entering the specifics of your transaction, Form Advisor™ produces a list of recommended C.A.R. forms. At this stage, you will find an icon link(s) for Forms Tutor™ and/or Legal Q&A if you wish to have more information/instruction regarding a specific form. Of course, you can access the Legal Q&As directly through car.org. You will also be able to access the Forms Tutor content directly on car.org through a link on the Transaction Tools page effective April 1, 2008.
   
   
8. Is the Forms Tutor™ feature available for all forms?
   No, currently Forms Tutor™ feature is available for approximately 60 of the C .A.R. Standard Forms.
   
   
9. What forms are included in C.A.R. Forms Tutor™ ?
   Current Version includes:
   

   	*Starred items will be available with the April Forms release
   AB	BUYERS AFFIDAVIT (FIRPTA COMPLIANCE)
   AC­6	CONFIRMATION: REAL ESTATE AGENCY RELATIONSHIP*
   AD	DISCLOSURE REGARDING REAL ESTATE AGENCY
   ADM	ADDENDUM (FORMERLY DS­11 CONTRACT ADDENDUM)
   ARC	AUTHORIZATION TO RECEIVE & CONVEY INFORMATION
   AS	SELLERS AFFIDAVIT OF NONFOREIGN STATUS
   ASA	ADDITIONAL SIGNATURE ADDENDUM
   AVID	AGENT VISUAL INSPECTION DISCLOSURE
   BIA	BUYER'S INSPECTION ADVISORY
   BIW	BUYER INSPECTION WAIVER
   BMI	BUYER MATERIAL ISSUES
   BNA	BUYER NON­AGENCY AGREEMENT
   CA	COMMISSION AGREEMENT*
   CBC	COOPERATING BROKER COMPENSATION AGREEMENT
   CC	CANCELLATION OF CONTRACT, RELEASE OF DEPO. & JNT
   CFC	CONSENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS
   CO	COUNTER OFFER
   COL	CANCELLATION OF LISTING
   COP	CONTINGENCY FOR  SALE  OR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY
   CR	CONTINGENCY REMOVAL
   DA	DISCLOSURE & CONSENT FOR REPRESENTATION
   DCE	DEMAND TO CLOSE ESCROW
   ETA	EXTENSION OF TIME ADDENDUM
   FLD	FEDERAL LEAD BASE PAINT DISCLOSURE
   HID	HUD NOTICE TO PURCHASE*
   HOA	HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION
   ITA	INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR AGREEMENT
   KLA	KEY SAFE/LOCK BOX AUTHORIZATION ADDENDUM
   MCA	MARKET CONDITION ADVISORY*
   MCN	METHAMPHETAMINE CONTAMINATION NOTICE
   MHA	MANUFACTURED HOME ADVISORY ADDENDUM AND RELEASE*
   MHDA	MANUFACTURED HOME DEALER ADDENDUM*
   MHPA	MANUFACTURED HOME PURCHASE AGREEMENT & JOINT ESCROW*
   MHTDS	MANUFACTURED HOME TRANSFER DISCLOSURE*
   MS	MORTGAGE LOAN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT*
   NBP	NOTICE TO BUYER TO PERFORM
   NHD	NATURAL HAZARD DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
   NNR	NOTICE OF NON­RESPONSIBILITY
   NSP	NOTICE TO SELLER TO PERFORM
   OA	MULTI­PURPOSE OPTION AGREEMENT*
   PAA	PURCHASE AGREEMENT ADDENDUM
   PL	PROBATE LISTING AGREEMENT*
   PPA	PROBATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT & JOINT ESCROW*
   RA	REALTOR®'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
   RDN	REPORT & DELIVERY OF NOTICES TO PERFORM
   RFR	RECEIPT FOR REPORTS
   RGM	RADON GAS AND MOLD NOTICE AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
   RID	RECEIPT FOR INCREASE DEPOSIT LIQUIDATED
   RIPA	RESIDENTIAL INCOME PROPERTY PURCHASE AGREEMENT & JOINT ESCROW*
   RLA	RESIDENTIAL LISTING AGREEMENT ­ EXCLUSIVE
   RPA­CA	CALIFORNIA  RESIDENTIAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT
   RR	REQUEST FOR REPAIR
   SA	SELLER ADVISORY
   SBSA	STATEWIDE BUYER AND SELLER ADVISORY
   SFA	SELLER FINANCE ADDENDUM & DISCLOSURE*
   SNA	SELLER NON­AGENCY AGREEMENT
   SPQ	SELLER PROPERTY QUESTIONNAIRE
   SPT	NOTICE OF YOUR “SUPPLEMENTAL” PROPERTY TAX BILL
   SSD	SUPPLEMENTAL STATUTORY & CONTRACTUAL DISCLOSURES
   TDS	REAL ESTATE TRANSFER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
   TEC	TENANT ESTOPPELS CERTIFICATE*
   VLQ	SELLER VACANT LAND QUESTIONNAIRE*
   VP	VERIFICATION OF PROPERTY CONDITION
   WHSD	WATER HEATER AND SMOKE DETECTOR STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
   WOO	WITHDRAWAL OF AN OFFER
   WPA	WOOD DESTROYING  PEST  INSPECTION & ALLOCATION

   
   
10. Who do I contact for technical support?
    - Forms Advisor™ functionality question, 213-739-8227
    - Forms Tutor™ functionality question
    - Email: cs@car.org
    - Telephone: 1-866-798-5897
    
    
11. What are the program technical requirements?
    

    Forms Advisor™ System Requirements:

    • 1 GHz CPU or higher
    • 256 MB of available RAM
    • Microsoft Windows® XP/Vista (32 bit versions only)
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer® 6.0 or higher
    • Firefox 2 or higher
    • Safari, MacOS 10 and above
    • Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or higher
    • 20 MB available hard disk space
    • Video card supporting at least 1024 x 768 resolution and 256 colors
    • Any printer that can be configured with Windows Print Manager®
    • High speed Internet access
      
      The Forms Tutor™ feature makes use of Macromedia Flash and requires the Flash plugin. To test if your browser already has the proper Flash support installed, click here to view a test file . If you cannot see the image, please visit the Macromedia Flash website to download the latest version of the free Flash plugin for your browser.
      
      
12. Does Forms Tutor™ explain every single field?
    No, it includes general guidelines, instructions and many field specific references.
    
    
13. Who do I contact to report a correction to a form selection or instruction?

    •  Reporting a Forms Tutor™ suggestion or correction: carforms@car.org
    •  Reporting a Forms Advisor™ suggestion or correction: neilk@car.org
    •  Reporting a legal Q&A correction: legal_hotline@car.org
    

14. Is the service compatible with MAC ?
    Yes. it is compatible with WINForms®Mac-Connect softwrae. WINForms®Mac-Connect allows Mac users to access WINForms Online® transactions from their Macintosh platform.
    
    
15. Can Forms Advisor™ incorporate my custom form or a local library of forms?
    Yes, forms may be submitted and upon legal approval integrated into Forms Advisor™. The fee for this service varies. Please review the following Forms Advisor™ Submission Form and contact Joy Alafia at joya@car.org for a formal quotation.

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