6 ms·

I think the difference here is between what contract law states under common law and what people imagine it to state. I agree it feels weird to say hey I offer

I think the difference here is between what contract law states under common law and what people imagine it to state. I agree it feels weird to say hey I offer you X for a house and you accept then we're under contract. It's such a big purchase and typically there's so much else going on (local regs, mold disclosures, lead paint disclosures, etc.) that it feels weird, but this is how contract law operates.

tempnow987 4y ago
Many house offers have "contingencies" (financing, inspection etc etc). These are somewhat less binding on buyer. Where I am though for a while contingency free offers were being made. These are more binding. Emails however are the gotcha's. Lots of "esignature" rules mean that you don't have to actually sign an offer or acceptance anymore, but can do stuff via email. Folks DO run into trouble this way - with sometimes terrible deals agreed to via email. Kloian v. Domino’s Pizza for a funny one where they couldn't even get a formal settlement agreement, but Domino's still forced a contract.