(1) Unless exempt under the provisions of section 12-61-401 (3), a developer, before selling, leasing, or transferring or agreeing or negotiating to sell, lease, or transfer, directly or indirectly, any subdivision or any part thereof, shall register pursuant to this part 4.
(2) Upon approval by the commission, a developer who has applied for registration pursuant to section 12-61-403 may offer reservations in a subdivision during the pendency of such application and until such application is granted or denied if the fees for such reservations are held in trust by an independent third party and are fully refundable.