Q: If a verbal offer is discussed and agreed to, and seller jacks price before contract, is this legal?
House was listed for a certain price, agent had a verbal agreement with owner to proceed with purchase, four days later seller relisted with a different agency and increased selling price $10,000. Is this legal? No written contract was made, as seller relisted before process could be started. Seller was using a discount brokerage firm, and was selling the house herself.
A:
Under Maryland law, contracts involving the sale of land must be in writing to be valid. So while one hopes people honor both their oral and written word, generally, yes, either party can change their mind for real estate sales until it is put in writing and signed.
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