Contracts for Sale of Real Estate
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This answer will give you information on regular contracts for the sale of real estate and information about contracts for deeds.
Generally, contracts are agreements that are legally enforceable. A contract is an agreement between two parties that creates an obligation to do or refrain from doing a particular thing. The purpose of a contract is to establish the terms of the agreement by which the parties have fixed their rights and duties. . Contracts are mainly governed by state statutory and common (judge-made) law and private law. Private law generally refers to the terms of the agreement between the parties, as parties have freedom to override many state law requirements regarding formalities of contracts. Each state has developed its own common law of contracts, which consists of a body of jurisprudence developed over time by trial and appellate courts on a case-by-case basis.
An unjustifiable failure to perform all or some part of a contractual duty is a breach of contract. A legal action for breach of contract arises when at least one party's performance does not live up to the terms of the contract and causes the other party to suffer economic damage or other types of measurable injury. A lawsuit for breach of contract is a civil action and the remedies awarded are designed to place the injured party in the position they would be in if not for the breach. Remedies for contractual breaches are not designed to punish the breaching party. The five basic remedies for breach of contract include the following: money damages, restitution, rescission, reformation, and specific performance. A money damage award includes a sum of money that is given as compensation for financial losses caused by a breach of contract. Parties injured by a breach are entitled to the benefit of the bargain they entered, or the net gain that would have accrued but for the breach. The type of breach governs the extent of damages that may be recovered.
Restitution is a remedy designed to restore the injured party to the position occupied prior to the formation of the contract. Parties seeking restitution may not request to be compensated for lost profits or other earnings caused by a breach. Instead, restitution aims at returning to the plaintiff any money or property given to the defendant under the contract. Plaintiffs typically seek restitution when contracts they have entered are voided by courts due to a defendant's incompetence or incapacity.
Rescission is the name for the remedy that terminates the contractual duties of both parties, while reformation is the name for the remedy that allows courts to change the substance of a contract to correct inequities that were suffered. In order to have a rescission, both parties to the contract must be placed in the position they occupied before the contract was made. Courts have held that a party may rescind a contract for fraud, incapacity, duress, undue influence, material breach in performance of a promise, or mistake, among other grounds.
Specific performance is an equitable remedy that compels one party to perform, as nearly as practicable, his or her duties specified by the contract. Specific performance is available only when money damages are inadequate to compensate the plaintiff for the breach.
Promissory estoppel is a term used in contract law that applies where, although there may not otherwise be an enforceable contract, because one party has relied on the promise of the other, it would be unfair not to enforce the agreement. Promissory estoppel arises from a promise which the promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or forebearance of a definite and substantial character on the part of the promisee and which does induce such action or forebearance in binding if injustice can be avoided only by enforcement of the promise. Detrimental reliance is a term commonly used to force another to perform their obligations under a contract, using the theory of promissory estoppel. Promissory estoppel may apply when a promise was made; reliance on the promise was reasonable or foreseeable; there was actual and reasonable reliance on the promise; the reliance was detrimental; and injustice can only be prevented by enforcing the promise. Detrimental reliance must be shown to involve reliance that is reasonable, which is a determination made on an individual case-by-case basis, taking all factors into consideration. Detrimental means that some type of harm is suffered.
Reasonable reliance is usually referred to as a theory of recovery in contract law. It was what a prudent person might believe and act upon based on something told by another. Sometimes a person acts in reliance on the promise of a profit or other benefit, only to learn that the statements or promises were either incorrect or were exaggerated. The one who acted to their detriment in reasonable reliance may recover damages for the costs of his/her actions or demand performance. Reasonable reliance connotes the use of the standard of an ordinary and average person.
There are various contracts relating to transfer of real estate including a contract for deed also known as a land contract, or an installment contract. A contract for deed allows the seller and purchaser to elect specific requirements concerning purchase price, interest, and payment terms. Also, fees related to insurance and taxes can be set in the direction of seller or the purchaser at their option before the signing of the agreement.
One of the most common methods of seller financing is a contract for deed, or land contract, which is often used as an alternative means of financing the purchase price of property. The buyer does not receive an actual deed until payments are made under the terms of the contract for deed agreement. Until the buyer receives a deed, ownership isn't transferred and the property is subject to being foreclosed on if the mortgagee/owner defaults on the mortgage. The responsibility for payment for the property is a separate issue from the ownership of the property.
If there is a mortgage on the property, the contract may violate a due-on-sale clause in the mortgage which the lender may or may not seek to enforce. Most lenders require that the mortgage or deed of trust contain a due on sale clause. This is an acceleration clause in a loan, calling for payment of the entire principal balance in full, triggered by the transfer or sale of a property. Such a clause permits a secured mortgage lender (federal, state or private) to call the entire unpaid loan balance due and payable immediately if the property securing the loan is sold, transferred, traded, gifted or otherwise disposed of without the lender’s prior written consent.
If the home is foreclosed on, the buyer may lose investment payments that are made and then the buyer loses the home. A contract for deed can be used as a form of financing of real estate by the owner. A contract for deed can be very useful when other financing may not be available for buyer, when seller wants to gain interest income or when the buyer wants the interest terms more favorable than conventional rates.
Please see the information at the following links for further discussion:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Advantages-of-Buying-With-Owner-Financing&id=1595064
http://www.curtepperson.com/seller.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_8133_offer-seller-financing.html
http://www.yourcreditadvisor.com/loans/mortgage/wrap_around_mortgage.html
http://www.businessfinance.com/wrap-around-mortgage.htm
A deed is the written document which transfers title (ownership) or an interest in real property to another person. The deed must describe the real property, name the party transferring the property (grantor), the party receiving the property (grantee) and be signed and notarized by the grantor. To complete the transfer (conveyance) the deed must be recorded in the office of the County Recorder or Recorder of Deeds. There are two basic types of deeds: a warranty deed, which guarantees that the grantor owns title, and the quitclaim deed, which transfers only that interest in the real property which the grantor actually has. The quitclaim is often used among family members or from one joint owner to the other when there is little question about existing ownership, or just to clear the title. A quitclaim deed conveys only such rights as the grantor has. A warranty deed conveys specifically described rights which together comprise good title.
A deed may be avoided by alterations made in it subsequent to its execution, when made by the party himself, whether they are material or immaterial, and by any material alteration, even when made by a stranger. The disagreement of those parties whose assent to the transfer is necessary may invalidate the deed. For instance, in the case of a married woman, by the disagreement of her husband or by the judgment of a competent tribunal.
Types of Deeds:
Warranty Deed - If a deed is intended to be a general warranty deed, it should contain a phase specified by state law such as the phrase "conveys and warrants". These words, called operative words of conveyance, carry with them several warranties which the grantor is making to the grantee. Examples of the warranties are:
First, the grantor warrants that the grantor is the lawful owner of the property at the time the deed is made and delivered and that the grantor has the right to convey the property.
Second, the grantor warrants that the property is free from all encumbrances or liens.
Third, the grantor warrants that he or she will defend title to the estate so that the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns may enjoy quiet and peaceable possession of the premises with the power to convey the property. Quitclaim Deed - A quit claim deed conveys to the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns in fee all of the legal or equitable rights the grantor has in the property that existed at the time of the conveyance. An example of operative words of conveyance are "convey and quit claim." There are no warranties of title.
Special Warranty Deed - In contrast to a general warranty deed, a special warranty deed limits the liability of the grantor by warranting only what the deed explicitly states. A special warranty deed has practically the same effect as a quitclaim deed. Special warranty deeds are generally used by corporations or other entities that want to avoid assuming the liability of a general warranty deed. Like the general warranty deed, the special warranty deed should contain the appropriate language such as "conveys and specially warrants." Usually, the grantor warrants that he or she did nothing to impair title during the period the grantor held the title. While a special warranty deed may contain covenants of title, these covenants will usually cover only those claims arising by, through, or under the grantor.
Fiduciary Deed - This is a deed to be executed by a fiduciary such as a trustee, guardian, conservator, or similar person in their appointed capacity.
Terms Common to Deeds:
Grantor - The person who owns the property and executes the deed conveying the property to another person. This can be one or more persons, a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership or other entity.
Grantee - The person who receives title to the property. The grantee can be one or more persons, a corporation, LLC, partnership or other entity.
Consideration - The value given to the grantor by the grantee in exchange for the conveyance. Some states include the exact consideration in the deed and others do not but instead include a statement of consideration as being 10.00 and other good and valuable consideration.
Operative Words of Conveyance - These are state specific and generally are statutory. They show intent to transfer present title. As previously mentioned, examples are "conveys and warrants", or "convey and quitclaim" or convey and specially warrant".
Legal Description - The legal definition of the property being conveyed. This is contained in the deed where the grantor obtained title to the property and should be used in the deed where the grantor conveys the property exactly as written in the grantors deed unless not all of the property is being conveyed.
Life Estate - A life estate is where a person owns all the benefits of ownership in the property during their life, or the life of another, with the property going to a remainder person after the death of the life tenant.
Tenants in Common - This is how two or more people (co-tenants) may take title to property who intent their share in the property to be separate from the other on death. On the death of the tenant in common the deceased persons ownership in the property is left to his or her heirs or as specified by Will. Compare to Joint Tenants. If tenant in common ownership is desired the deed usually provides, "to Grantees, A and B, as tenants in common and not as joint tenants".
Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship - This is how two or more persons may take title to property when the parties want the entire ownership to go to the survivor instead of the heirs of the survivor. On death of a joint tenant with rights of survivorship, the entire interest of the deceased co-tenant goes to the surviving co-tenants. Compare to Tenants in Common. It is common for husband and wife to take title as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. If joint tenant with rights of survivorship ownership is desired, the deed usually provides, "to Grantees, A and B, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common".
Community Property - In community property states, special laws govern how property is owned between husband and wife.
Reservation Clause - This is a provision of a deed where the grantor may reserve some right in the property such as mineral rights.
Exception Clause - This is a clause in a deed were exceptions to title conveyed may be listed. Example, "Less and Except a prior reservation of all oil, gas and mineral rights in the property conveyed."
Subject to Clause - This is a clause in a deed where property useage rights may be states. Example: "Subject to all rights of way, easements and protective covenants of record".
Execution and Acknowledgments
Execution - A deed must be in writing and signed by the grantor(s). Generally, deeds conveying a homestead estate must also be signed by the grantor's spouse.
Acknowledgments - In addition to the signature of the grantor(s), deeds must be acknowledged to be recorded and acceptable as evidence of ownership without other proof. Each state has special acknowledgment forms.
Procedural Requirements
Name, Address, phone - The names of the grantor and the grantee should appear on the deed. The address and phone numbers are also usually included.
Recording or Filing Place - Generally, deeds should be recorded in the county in which the real estate is located. Although generally a deed does not have to be recorded to be a valid conveyance, there are practical reasons for recording a deed. Deeds usually do not take effect as to creditors and subsequent purchasers without notice until the instrument is recorded. Thus, unrecorded deeds may be void as to all subsequent creditors and subsequent purchasers without notice until they are filed for record. Recording a deed places subsequent purchasers on constructive notice in that subsequent purchasers are deemed to have actual knowledge of any recorded instrument. Some states are "race-notice" states, which means that the first grantee without notice to record a deed to property will be protected against the interests of other grantees with unrecorded deeds to the same property.
Acceptance and Delivery - Another element of a valid deed is that the deed must be delivered and accepted to be an effective conveyance. Most states assume delivery if the grantee is in possession of the deed. The deed also must be accepted by the grantee. This acceptance does not need to be shown in any formal way, but rather may be by any act, conduct or words showing an intention to accept such as recording the deed.
Please note that a contract for sale of land or for lease periods in excess of one year are void unless the contract is in writing. Verify that you enter into a valid contract.
Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 111.210. Contracts for sale or lease of land for periods in excess of 1 year void unless in writing.
1. Every contract for the leasing for a longer period than 1 year, or for the sale of any lands, or any interest in lands, shall be void unless the contract, or some note or memorandum thereof, expressing the consideration, be in writing, and be subscribed by the party by whom the lease or sale is to be made.
2. Every instrument required to be subscribed by any person under subsection 1 may be subscribed by the agent of the party lawfully authorized.
The following are the elements of a valid contract.
1. offer
2. acceptance
3. consideration
4. mutuality of obligation
5. free consent
6. meeting of minds
7. competency and capacity
8. a written instrument, if required by law
9. registration, if required by law