Purchase Agreements
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Purchase Agreements
The person or company acquiring, receiving, and purchasing the property referred to as the “Buyer.” The person or company disposing, conveying, and selling the stock or assets is referred to as “Seller.” A Michigan home purchase agreement includes other documents to be executed and include, but are not limited to, purchase agreement amendments, FHA/VA Amendments, Seller Disclosure Statements, Lead Paint Disclosure Statements, Assignments, claim of liens, and deeds.
Because purchase agreements are contracts, their provisions can be disputed and challenged. Problems with purchase agreements arise when they are drafted poorly and fail to address important concerns at the onset of a contractual or business relationship. This is because a Michigan purchase transaction has many ‘moving parts” and until a closing occurs, there are outside factors that can influence the outcome of a ‘deal’. Even after a closing, legal obligations made as a result of the agreement, survive long afterwards.
Remember, only attorneys can provide legal opinions on the effects of a contract provision found in your purchase agreement; real estate sales people and title people are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Call us before you sign!
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A Word About Purchase Agreements
Top Purchase Agreement Questions
Do you have other concerns about real estate purchase agreements? Don’t wait – call us today!
Does a purchase agreement always need to be in writing?
The Statute of Frauds requires that for a purchase agreement concerning real estate to be enforceable it must be in writing. Leases that have less than a one year term are the exception.
Is it required by law or is it just customary practice for the seller to pay the title insurance for the buyer?
It is purely customary. The parties can negotiate what closing costs and expenses they will be responsible for.
I signed a purchase agreement and was approved by a mortgage company, but now I want to opt out. What are the consequences?
First, your rights and remedies are spelled out in the provisions of the purchase agreement. No one can tell you if and how you can stop the process without first reviewing the documents. Second, do not feel bullied by any mortgage broker or agent to complete a transaction without first speaking with a competent real estate attorney. You may be able to “back out” of your deal, but not without first reviewing the transaction documents.
I signed a Non-Disclosure agreement ("NDA") and Purchase Agreement for a commercial building and now the Landlord/Seller is telling me not to deal with the real estate broker. What do I do?
It depends on what the Non-Disclosure Agreements says. Usually in a commercial brokerage agreement there will be some provision dealing with Non-Circumvention of the broker.
Once listings or buyers agreements are endorsed with a broker, the signor may be obligated for a sales commission even if the broker was not directly involved with the final transaction. You will need to provide the documents to a competent real estate attorney for further review to determine what your obligations and options are.
The ad for the property said the lot was 426' x 215', but that it would be redrawn to 500' x 250'. After the Purchase Agreement was signed the lines were surveyed at 395' x 220'. What can I do now?
So the legal description/lot size was misrepresented in the home listing. Unless you made the listing document itself as part of the purchase agreement, it cannot be relied upon, and the seller is not liable to you for the stated lot size. You did your due diligence by having the property surveyed. There should be a contingency period in which you can either move forward or cancel the transaction. You should also have your earnest money returned or if you determine if the price is appropriate for the lot size, you have the option to move forward.
Articles About Purchase Agreements
Read our most recent articles on this topic
The Right Way to Write a Purchase Offer
The Power of a Written Purchase Agreement A Michigan purchase agreement is a critical document. Whether you buy your first home, invest in rentals, or flip houses, this contract controls everything. It dictates the price you pay, the protections you receive, and your legal remedies if things go wrong. As…
Earnest Money Deposits: Everything You Need to Know
Why Require An Earnest Money Deposit When you find a home you want to buy in Michigan, you make an initial financial commitment. This payment is an earnest money deposit. Real estate professionals also call this a good faith deposit. This upfront payment signals to the seller that you are…
Top 10 Reasons Why You Need Property Title Insurance
If you are buying property in Michigan, title insurance is one of the most important and most misunderstood protections you can purchase. As a Michigan real estate professional, I have spent more than 35 years watching buyers skip owner\'s title insurance to save a few hundred dollars at closing. They…
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