what lawyer do i need to inforce a sale land agreement

by Aron Hartmann PhD 7 min read

You may wish to hire a qualified contract lawyer in your area if you need help with a land contract agreement. Your attorney can review the documents for you, and can also represent you during any court proceedings you may be required to attend. Alaska

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer to get a land contract?

GET A LAWYER. While it is not required a land contract means you will not get a deed until you pay off the loan and who knows what the seller will do in the mean time. I hate these deals because they go bad most of the time. Otherwise Mr. Davis gave some helpful advice.

Do I need a lawyer to sell my land in NC?

You definitely need to hire an attorney. North Carolina recently enacted a new law which outlines the requirements for Land Sale Contracts. Such contracts have significant risk to you. Do not attempt to enter into a Land Sales Contract without the advice of a lawyer... GET A LAWYER.

Do I need a real estate attorney to sell my property?

By Ciaran John From a legal perspective, you do not need to hire a real estate attorney when you purchase or sell land or property. In fact, you do not even have to involve a real estate agent as you can draw up a legal agreement directly with the other party involved in the transaction.

How does a land contract work in real estate?

A land contract is used where the seller finances the buyer's purchase of the property. Rather than paying the entire purchase price at closing, the buyer pays the seller in installments and receives a deed when all the payments are made. Often a land contract will have a short term and involve a lump sum (balloon)...

When a seller breaches a sales contract?

If the Seller decides to breach the contract and keep their home, they may do so, but the court may order the Buyer receive money for the resulting breach. Generally, the money owed to Buyer may include reimbursing the Buyer with: The buyer's temporary housing costs. The buyer's inspection and survey fees.

Is a sales agreement binding?

The purpose of a sales agreement is to act as a legally binding contract between two parties involved in an exchange of money for goods, services, and/or property. One party is a buyer, while the other is a seller. Both the buyer and seller may be individuals or organizations.

Which of the following is a legally required element of a valid and enforceable real estate contract?

Which of the following is a legally-required element of a valid and enforceable real estate contract? A contract must contain a two-way exchange of valuable consideration as compensation for performance by the other party.

What does the statute of limitations require that parties to a contract who have been damaged or who question the contract's provisions do?

The Statute of Limitations requires that parties to a contract who have been damaged or who question the contract's provisions do what? Act within a statutory period. Select a specific, limited course of action for recouping their losses.

Can agreement of sale be Cancelled?

Cancellation of an agreement may be required in various scenarios. Both buyer and seller have the right to cancel the agreement. However, there must be a valid reason for cancelling the sale agreement.

What is the validity of sale agreement?

Validity of a registered sale agreement A registered sale agreement is valid for three years. In the presence of a negative clause in the agreement, for instance, if the buyer is required to register the property within three months, the limitation is then extended by such period.

How do you make a contract legally enforceable?

The basic elements required for the agreement to be a legally enforceable contract are: mutual assent, expressed by a valid offer and acceptance; adequate consideration; capacity; and legality. In some states, element of consideration can be satisfied by a valid substitute.

What clauses must exist for an agreement of sale to be valid and enforceable?

No contract is valid unless it contains three essential elements: (1) the names of the "parties," (2) the "subject matter," and (3) "consideration." Each of these terms is defined below.

What are the five essential elements of an enforceable contract?

5 Elements of a Legally Binding ContractThe Offer.Acceptance.Consideration.Mutuality of Obligation.Competency and Capacity.Other Considerations.Types of Contracts.Why Are Contracts Necessary?

How much can you sue for breach of contract?

If a dispute over a contract arises and informal attempts at resolution fail, the most common next step is a lawsuit. If the amount at issue is below a certain dollar figure (usually $3,000 to $7,500 depending on the state), the parties may be able to resolve the issue in small claims court.

What are damages for breach of contract?

Compensatory damages (also called “actual damages”) cover the loss the nonbreaching party incurred as a result of the breach of contract. The amount awarded is intended to make good or replace the loss caused by the breach.

What are the 4 types of damages available for breach of contract?

Today, we're looking into four types of damages you may be able to receive in a breach of contract case.Compensatory damages. ... Punitive damages. ... Nominal damages. ... Liquidated damages.

What state is the land located in?

Certain states require that a real estate attorney oversee the purchase and sale of land. In states that do not require an attorney, real estate transactions are handled by title companies.

Want to Sell Your Land the Quick and Easy Way?

Fill out our form and tell us about the land you want to sell. Get a cash offer to buy your vacant land fast.

What Advantages Does a Land Sale Contract Offer a Buyer?

For the buyer, the land contract may be the only financing available depending upon economic conditions, the type of property, or the buyer’s creditworthiness. It may have a smaller down payment, fewer closing costs, and even a lower interest rate than a mortgage.

What Advantages Does a Land Sale Contract Offer a Seller?

For the seller, land contract financing may be the only way to put the sale together. It allows a deferral of capital gains over the term of the land contract payments. Enforcement of a land contract is somewhat easier than a mortgage, but the seller assumes the risk that he will have to retake the property and resell it.

1 attorney answer

Of course you don't NEED a lawyer to do anything. You can always do anything on your own....even brain surgery. Here is what you need to sell: The ability to understand what is being sold and what disclosure obligations you have. The ability to set the correct price (only a real estate broker can legally advise on this issue).

James S. Tupitza

Of course you don't NEED a lawyer to do anything. You can always do anything on your own....even brain surgery. Here is what you need to sell: The ability to understand what is being sold and what disclosure obligations you have. The ability to set the correct price (only a real estate broker can legally advise on this issue).

Do Land Contract Agreements Need to Be in Writing?

Generally speaking, land contract agreements must always be formalized into writing and signed by the parties involved. The statute of frauds governs contract agreements and requires any contract involving the sale of land to be in writing.

What If a Land Contract Agreement Is Violated?

Most land contract agreements are also installment contracts. That is, the buyer usually renders their payments on a monthly installment basis. If the buyer fails to make payments on the home, they may be liable for damages covering the missed payment (s).

Do I Need a Lawyer for Help with a Land Contract Agreement?

Land contract agreements provide alternative options for both buyers and sellers in a home sale. However, they generally require the assistance of an attorney during the negotiation and drafting stages. You may wish to hire a qualified real estate lawyer in your area if you need help with a land contract agreement.

What are the requirements for a mortgage?

They should also contain information about: 1 Property insurance requirements 2 Who pays for property insurance 3 Which party is responsible for property taxes and maintenance 4 Who can make renovations or changes 5 A calculation of loan interest rates 6 Any late payment penalties 7 What happens if the buyer defaults or decides not to purchase the property 8 What happens if the market appreciates or depreciates dramatically

What happens if a buyer defaults on a land contract?

If the buyer defaults on a land contract by not following the terms, he or she will have a limited time to pay off the remaining balance or leave the property. Most defaults happen after the buyer is late making one or more payments. He or she has a notice period to make the payments due with late fees.

What happens if the seller doesn't make the payments?

If the seller doesn't make those payments, the bank could foreclose. Then, all the payments made by the buyer and the seller would be useless and the land contract would be invalid. The seller can also decide to terminate the bill of sale land contract agreement.

How do sellers get higher prices?

Sellers can sometimes get higher prices with larger down payments by offering to accept a bill of sale land contract. They get to collect interest instead of letting that money go to a bank as well. They can also agree on the price of the property years or decades before the deed will be transferred.

What is a bill of sale land contract?

A bill of sale land contract, also called a contract for deed, a land installment contract, or an installment sale agreement, is used to purchase real estate. The owner retains the legal title or deed to the property, and the buyer gets permission to use it for most purposes.

What is a heading in a deed?

A heading, like Land Contract or Contract for Deed. The signatures, names, and addresses of the buyer and seller. A legal description of the property, usually recorded in an ownership affidavit or requested from the local recorder's office. The terms, conditions, and limitations of the agreement.

Can a bill of sale land contract be reinstated?

If the notice period passes and the problem isn't resolved, the default process will begin. If the buyer can make the payments required, the seller can reinstate the bill of sale land contract. However, the seller can also choose to end the contract.

What can a court order do?

If you go to court and you are successful, the court may be able to do all or any of the following: Declare that you are owner of the land or that you are entitled to occupy, use, or enjoy the land. Quash or annul a law, permit, or decree legitimising a land “grab”.

What are the legal consequences of proving corruption?

Legal results of proving corruption could include: contracts under which land has been transferred may be challenged or cancelled. governmental grants, concessions, permits or decrees may be challenged or cancelled. Action may be easier in an investor-state court than in the courts of the host state.

What is an insurance company?

Insurers. Those who have taken or bought produce from the land. For example, if land is seized illegally to grow palm oil, which is then sold to a foreign company, you may be able to claim against that company in its home country.

How to stop someone from occupying your land?

Stop someone else occupying land, controlling it, or infringing your rights. Prevent a forced eviction. Enable you to return to land you have been evicted from. Provide you with (rights to) alternative land or re-housing. You may obtain the right to other land even if you do not recover your own land.

What is a community group?

Sometimes, a group of individuals lacking official title to land can form community organisations or trusts to advance a claim for the benefit of all. Organisations such as NGOs or conservation groups. Local and national government.

Where is the best starting point for a court?

The Courts, national or local. The best starting point is in the national or local court where the land in question is located . However this is not always possible or practical due to poor access to justice, lack of impartiality, or intimidation. Foreign Courts.

Do women have rights to land?

Women usually have fewer legally-recognised rights to land than men. Land disputes often involve discrimination against women, infringement of their rights and other gender issues. In many developing countries, it is women who work on the land and gather food and water from it.

Why Would a Home Buyer Want a Land Contract?

If you’re interested in buying a home, but face financial obstacles—perhaps you have a low credit rating or score, uneven employment history, or would have difficulty obtaining a mortgage for some other reason—buying property using a land contract offers a way into homeownership you wouldn't otherwise have.

How Do I Find a Property for Sale Via a Land Contract?

Keep your eyes open for advertisements say the seller will accept a land contract (often listed as an "accepted form of purchase"). The most common forms of purchase are cash, conventional mortgage, Federal Housing Act (FHA) mortgage, and Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

When Does Ownership Shift to the Home Buyer Under a Land Contract?

If you buy a house using a land contract, you don’t become its full owner right away. Upon entering into the agreement, you'd receive what’s called “equitable title” to the property, which lasts through the entire term of the land contract.

How Do Home Seller and Buyer Figure Out Payment Amounts on a Land Contract?

The seller of the property typically decides how much of a down payment to require in order to enter into a land contract, as well as how much the payments will be each month. (After all, the seller might not want to wait for decades to be paid off.)

What Happens If I Fail to Make Payments Under a Land Contract?

This arrangement can lead to serious trouble if you fail to make the payments as arranged. The seller can file a legal action against you in court, called a forfeiture.

What Terms Should a Land Contract Include?

For legal as well as practical reasons, a seller and buyer entering into a land contract will want to make sure to draft and sign a purchase agreement, (the so-called land contract).

What Are the Final Arrangements Made to Effect a Land Contract Purchase?

To protect yourself as the buyer, you might want to obtain title insurance for the property (as a bank would require with a mortgage). This helps make sure the seller truly owns the property, free and clear of any third-party interests, such as a mortgage, special assessment, or lien.