Q: Is information given to me over email be considered a binding agreement.
I received an email from a representative of a county run program stating the selling price of a home that want to purchase. It has the amount stated in the email. the person stated that she will check with the executive officer to get the amount. She sent me an email back a few days later with the amount, clearly stated the "asking price is" then the amount. This was a year ago, now that I am preparing to purchase, the executive officer is stating the asking price is almost 40K more than before. I want to know if I can hold her to the amount stated to me in the email that I have a copy of?
A: No. In order to make a binding contract, there must be both an offer and an acceptance of the offer, plus an understanding of all material terms of the agreement. You never accepted the offer of sale and closed the deal. In real estate, prices increase or decrease over time. You never locked in the price with a signed agreement.
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