Vanessa E. Goggans is a partner and Chair of the firm’s Residential Real Estate Practice. Vanessa practices in the areas of residential real estate and finance, representing builders, developers, homebuyers, homeowners and lenders in all phases of residential real estate development and sales. Though her practice began in residential real estate closings, primarily conducting closings and advising lenders in the areas of TILA, RESPA and TRID compliance, more than half of her practice is now devoted to the advisement of residential real estate builders and developers (including three of the top ten by home sale volume builders in Georgia), guiding them through all phases of real estate development, from land acquisition, financing and community development through the ultimate sale to the residential consumer. She is an active member of the Atlanta real estate community and a frequent speaker on topics regarding CFPB compliance, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), ethical issues facing real estate licensees and attorneys, new trends in the title insurance industry and practical tips for real estate brokers and closing attorneys.

In May of 2021, the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia awarded Vanessa the prestigious George A. Pindar Award for lifetime achievement in real estate law. Earlier in the same year she was elected as a Fellow of the American College  of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL).

Vanessa practices out of the firm’s Atlanta – Northside office and is the director of the firm’s real estate school. She has authored 20+ courses for Georgia real estate licensees and teaches an average of 600 students per year on various three hour topics.

Honors and Affiliations

• State Bar of Georgia, Member
• State Bar of Georgia Real Property Section, Chair (2019-2020); Chair-Elect (2018-2019) Secretary/Treasurer (2017-2018) and Executive Committee Member (2011-2021)
• Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
• Real Property Law Institute, ICLE, Chair (May 2019)
• Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association – President (2014-2016); Board of Directors
• The GSH Learning Institute, Director
• Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Member

Speaking Engagements

• 23-time featured speaker/presenter on “Real Estate Today,” a weekly radio show sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and hosted by Stephen Gasque. Each show lasts 10-30 minutes. A complete list of recordings can be found here, including:
  • (May-2020) “Closings- Before COVID-19 and After”
  • (April 2019) “The Closing! The Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Side of the Closing”
  • (April 2018) “Understanding the Title Abstract and Other Closing Documents”
  • (August 2017) “First Time Buyers” and “First Time Sellers.”
  • (March 2016) “Your Real Estate Dream Team- Common Closing Documents”
• “Update on TRID- New Disclosures and the ALTA Closing Statement” (May 2016)
• “GAR Contract and Form Changes,” Dogwood Learning Institute (2015)
• “CFPB Update – Best Practices & Integrated Disclosure Rule,” Stewart Title Guaranty 2014 GA TiPS (2014)
• “Pitfalls of Contract Drafting,” Dogwood Learning Institute (2014)
• “Condominium vs. Townhome vs. Single Family Residence: What’s the Best Choice for Your Client?,” Dogwood Learning Institute (2014)
• “Ethical Conduct in Real Estate Transactions,” Dogwood Learning Institute (2014)
• “What Your Customers Need from You, From the Agent’s Perspective,” 2014 Stewart Title Agency Services Group Conference, Board of Advisors Panelist (2014)
• “The New Trust Accounting Handbook for Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys,” ICLE Real Property Law Institute (2014)
• “Real Estate Issues for the Estate Planner,” Atlanta Bar Association’s Probate Section Meeting (2013)
• “Residential Sales Contracts: Survey of Trends & Alternative Forms,” Georgia Bar Association’s Real Property Law Seminar (2013)
• “Overview of Residential Real Estate,” State Bar of Georgia YLD Mid-Year Meeting (2012)
• “Understanding Builder Issues,” ICLE (2008)
• “Understanding Settlement Statements,” SunTrust Mortgage Seminar (2006)
• “How to Minimize the Risk of Fraud in Real Estate Transactions,” Dogwood Learning Institute (2007)

Publications

• “REO Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” Realtor Magazine (May 2011)