Real Estate Contracts Flashcards
(148 cards)
A ________ is a legally enforceable promise or set of promises between competent parties, upon legal consideration, to do or abstain from doing some legal act, for which, if breached, a remedy is
provided by law.
contract
Contracts can be classified in four different ways:
A. Method of Creation
B. Parties Involved
C. By Status
D. By Validity
_______ ________: In contracts this one method of creation is formed by the suggestion of the parties’ acts and conduct. The conduct of the parties is a demonstration of their agreement. The terms do not need to be written or even spoken to be effective and legally binding.
For example, if Mr. Baker eats
breakfast every day at a certain restaurant and every day the waitress routinely brings him toast and coffee, then just by sitting down, he enters into an implied contract with the waitress. That is, if she brings him the food, he agrees to pay for it.
Implied Contract
_______ ________: In this method of creation the terms are communicated in words. The words can be either written or spoken. Each party is clearly aware of exactly what is being contracted and exactly what is expected at exactly what time. If Mr. Baker had actually told the waitress to bring him toast and coffee, an _______ ________would have been formed. Under the statute of frauds, some types of contract must be in writing to be enforceable.
Express contract
____ _________ are valid but unenforceable.
Oral contracts
Contracts for the sale of real estate are required to be in writing to be enforceable.
Written Contracts
If there is a discrepancy as to the intent of the parties to the contract, the intent will be interpreted _______ the person who wrote the contract, and __ _____ __ the other party. If a pre-printed form was used, it will be interpreted against the party who provided the form.
against
in favor of
If there is a discrepancy as to the intent of the parties to the contract, the intent will be interpreted _______ the person who wrote the contract, and __ _____ __ the other party.
against
in favor of
__________ ________: with parties involved, one party makes a promise with the hope that it will motivate another party to do something. The second party is not legally obligated to comply, but if he does, the first party is obligated to keep the promise. This contract must be signed by only one party. An example of this type of contract is an “option.”
Unilateral contract
An ______ is a right extended to purchase real property for a specified amount within a specified period of time. If the second party accepts the ______ to purchase, the party offering the ______ is obligated to sell to him.
option
_________ ________: both parties promise to perform as stated in the contract. An example is a real estate sales contract. The seller promises to sell a parcel of real estate and the buyer promises to pay a certain sum of money for it. This contract must be signed by both parties to be legally binding.
Bilateral contract
__________ ________: By status this contract is one which has not been completed or fulfilled. All of the terms of the contract have yet to be met
Executory contract
________ ________: By status this contract is one in which all the parties have met all the terms and conditions of the contract. The contract is completed.
Executed contract
_____ ________is one that is binding and enforceable. It contains all the essentials of
a legal contract. Each party may be required to perform, as stated in the contract, by
any of the other parties.
Valid contract
____ ________ is actually no contract at all. It has no legal effect and is not binding on
either party. It is often created when the subject of the agreement does not conform with the law. (* Null in Louisiana).
Void contract
__________ ________ is a contract that is still binding, but is flawed. These contracts arise from threats or fraud and can be void by the wronged party. If the wronged party chooses not to void the contract, the guilty party remains bound to it. This contract is considered to be valid unless voided by the wronged party within a prescribed period of time.
(* Relatively Null in Louisiana).
Voidable contract
____________ ________a contract is whose terms cannot be enforced by the courts. This contract has all of the essential elements of a valid contract, however, for some reason,
neither party can sue the other for specific performance. An example would be an oral contract.
Unenforceable contract
A contract may also be classified as legal or illegal. A _____ contract is one that is required or permitted
by law. An _______ contract is one that is in violation of local, state, or federal law.
legal
illegal
_____ ___ __________ All parties must enter into a contract with a clear understanding of the contract’s terms and agreements. There must be a “meeting of the minds”.
Offer and acceptance
An offer may be revoked by the offeror at any time prior to acceptance. (*In Louisiana, an offer is irrevocable.) After acceptance, the offer is irrevocable. If any change is made by the offeree to the original offer this constitutes a rejection of the original offer and is known as a ____________.
counteroffer
After receiving an offer, the offeree has three choices.
Agree to the contract exactly as submitted
Reject the offer
Make a counteroffer
Communication of acceptance may be viewed as either ____________ or ______.
Constructive
actual
____________ _____________
occurs when an offeror specifies the means by which he wants his offer accepted. It is legally binding as soon as the offeree follows the offeror’s directions.
Constructive communication
______ _____________ is said to occur when the offeror receives written or oral communication
of acceptance, or when there is a meeting of the minds.
Actual communication