Real Property Flashcards
Real Estate Contracts
Five Steps in Property Transaction
- K created and Signed
- K must satisfy or exclude Warranty of Marketable Title
- Once K signed, Legal and Equitable Split
- Closing
- Once delivered, buyer may only sue on deed
Real Estate Contracts
Requirements of Real Estate Contract
- Must be in writing
- signed by the party to be charged
- Contain Essential Terms: Name the parties, provide a property description, and list price.
Part Performance Exception: Possession, pay, improvement.
Real Estate Contracts
Exception to Real Estate Contract Requirements
Part performance exception exists if the a party (a) takes possession, (b) pays the purchase price or a substantial portion of it, or (3) makes a substantial improvement to the property.
Real Estate Contracts
Who may negotiate Real Estate Ks on behalf of a party?
Broker, real estate agent, or lawyer so long as they are in an agency relationship and have the legal capacity to do so.
Real Estate Contracts
Real Estate Broker rights under Exclsuive Agency Agreement?
Right to commission only if broker finds the buyer during k period
Real Estate Contracts
Real Estate Broker rights under Exclsuive Right to Sell Agreement?
Right to commission no matter who finds the buyer (even the party themself) so long as the buyer was found during the K period.
Real Estate Contracts
Disclosure of Defects by the Seller?
Seller does not have to disclose defects unless they are (1) not obvious, (2) he knows or should of them, (3) and the defect is serious. The cannot actively conceal defects.
Not obvious - buyer can identify it (inspection?)
Real Estate Contracts
Warranty of Fitness
For new homes sold by a builder-seller, there is an implied warranty of fitness.
Are their construction defects?
Real Estate Contracts
Warranty Marketable Title
A marketable title is one that is “reasonably free of defects.” Must be given on day of closing. Sale Contract must satisfy or exclude this warranty.
One can pay off mortgage with funds from sale.
Real Estate Contracts
What makes a title unmarketable?
- Defects in the CHAIN OF TITLE
- Encumberance (mortgange or easement) not mentioned in the contract.
- Violation of a Zoning Ordinance.
- Title acquired by adverse possession
Housing or building code violation does not make title unmarketable
DEVA
Real Estate Contracts
When is Legal and Equitable Title Split?
Once K is signed, Equitable title is passed to the Buyer
Real Estate Contracts
Equitable Title
The buyer has equitable title once the K is signed. Risk of loss is on the buyer (flood, tornado, etc.).
Buyer’s interest is in the property
Real Estate Contracts
Legal Title
Legal title remains with the seller. The seller’s interest is in the money (personal property interest) for the sale.
Real Estate Contracts
Closing Requirements
Deed Must be (1) Executed and (2) Delivered
Meger occurs at closing, B cannot sue on K only deed.
Real Estate Contracts
Executing a deed requirements (Closing)
The deed (1) identifies the parties, (2) has words of grant, (3) is signed by the seller, and (4) describes the land.
Marketable title must be given on the day of closing, not before.
Real Estate Contracts
Delivery of Deed Requirements (Closing)
Delivery means intent to pass pass title presently. Delivery is assumed if the deed is in the grantee’s possession, or it is recorded.
Real Estate Transactions
Quitclaim Deed
gives no warranties
Real Estate Transactions
Warranty Deed Covenents:
Three Present: (1) right to Convey, (2) right to Seisin (possess), and (3) the right to no encumberances.
Three Future: Covenants of (1) further assurances, (2) quiet enjoyment, and (3) warranty.
Recording Acts
Common Law Rights (for recording)
First in time, first in right.
One does not need to record one’s interest to have title. However, recording acts have to power to change the common law result.
Recording Acts
Notice Act
A subsequent (1) BFP for (2) value and (3) without notice can obtain title that is superior to that of someone who recieved property before him.
Recording Acts
Race-Notice Act
A subsequent (1) BFP (2) for value (3) without notice (4) who records their interest forst can obtain superior title.
Recording Acts
Purchasers
Mortgagess and those qwho pay consideration.
Not donees, heirs, and judgement lien creditors.
Recording Acts
Notice
Actual, inquiry, or record notice.
Recording Acts
Shelter Rule Exception
Traditional grantees who are not protected by a recording act previal by sheltering under the rights of those who conveyed the land to them.
Recording Acts
Forged Deed and Defective Documents
Forged deeds and defective documents do not give notice, so BFP’s who recieve these are not protected by recording acts.
Recording Acts
Estoppel by Deed
If a grantor (without title) transfers property to a grantee by warranty deed and then later gets title, the title will automatically go to the grantee unless the grantor later gave to a BFP.
Recording Acts
Ttitle Insurance
The purchaser’s protection against unknown defects. Personal to the person, not the property.
Adverse Possession requirements
- Continuous
- hostile
- actual
- open and notorious
- for the statutory period
- exclusive
Adverse Possession Tacking
If the owner has a disability JIM (jail, insane, or minor) at the time the adverse possessor enters, the adverse possession date is tolled until the disability lifts.
Property
Exoneration (wills)
A devise of land in a will that is subject to a line may be paid off by the testator’s residuary estate.