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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Technically, verbal agreement ARE binding.  However, verbal agreements are very risky in that they are hard to prove.  It becomes a "he said" she said" scenario.  Never, ever, ever accept a verbal agreement.  Get EVERYTHING in writing so there is no question as to the intent of all parties.  

Jan 04, 2017 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

A clear verbal is not a legal contract in my opinion, it is merely a promise.

Jan 04, 2017 04:08 PM
Ambassador
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Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

All you need to know is that in real estate it has to be in writing.

Jan 04, 2017 08:25 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,282
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

We don't honor verbal real estate contracts in Florida.

Jan 04, 2017 04:53 PM
Ambassador
2,704,797
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

No signature, no contract.  Except maybe a lease.

Jan 04, 2017 07:44 PM
Rainmaker
787,394
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I would say that agency can be consumated without any signature but a contract needs to be in writing.

Jan 04, 2017 07:06 PM
Rainmaker
4,273,331
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Follow your state laws and regulations...

Jan 04, 2017 06:52 PM
Rainmaker
8,126,776
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You may have an implied agreement with a prospect until you reduce it to writing and have their signature.

Jan 04, 2017 05:41 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,473
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Expressed or implied can be construed as a contract.

Jan 04, 2017 05:09 PM
Ambassador
5,475,599
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Depends upon your state law - in North and South Carolina, verbal agreements are not legally binding - it must be in writing.

Jan 04, 2017 05:04 PM
Ambassador
5,157,573
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I believe almost all, if not all, real estate contracts must be in writing, even though an express contract can be verbal or written. That said, writing is always best and safest and protects the parties. Implied contracts are based on actions

Jan 04, 2017 04:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,097,695
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Get it in writing. Implication binds ONLY the agent!

Jan 04, 2017 04:45 PM
Rainmaker
564,544
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

Follow Carol Williams advice and it will serve you well throughout your career - 

Jan 04, 2017 04:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,723,048
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

You should sit next to Stacey Wuyts who is also a student and asked a similar question.  Study for the test and learn the correct answers for your licensing exam but it's always best to have everything in writing and documented when you are dealing with real estate.   

Good luck.  

Jan 04, 2017 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,135
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great answers. 

Jul 08, 2019 08:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,915
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

There is no such thing as a binding verbal offer for real estate here in Virginia. Appreciate you taking the time to share the question hope you will continue :-Dave

    

Jan 29, 2018 08:09 PM
Rainmaker
5,584,578
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

ditto to Jeff Dowler.....

Jan 05, 2017 01:59 PM
Rainmaker
1,535,564
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

What Carol Williams said.  Get everything in writing that way there is no confusion or misunderstanding.

Jan 05, 2017 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,749,677
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Groundhog Day returns again. Read Chapter 2 Contracts

Jan 05, 2017 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,618,024
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

get everything in writing

Jan 05, 2017 06:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Heather Zollinger The Statue of Frauds requires all real estate contracts to be in writing to be enforceable in a court of law. An implied contract is when an agent does not represent a client, but by the agent's actions, the client feels they are being represented.

Jan 05, 2017 06:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,227
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Check state laws and talk to an attorney .

Jan 05, 2017 05:18 AM
Rainmaker
3,074,289
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Patricia Kennedy nailed this one!

Jan 05, 2017 03:49 AM
Rainmaker
5,289,780
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Answered this yesterday and week and a week before that, etc.

A good rule of thumb to follow in real estate is that if it's not in writing, it doesn't really exist.

There are two types of contracts: an expressedcontract, which states the promises in clear language, and an implied contract, which is where behaviors or actions lead parties to believe an agreement exists.

Jan 05, 2017 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,841
FN LN
Toronto, ON

The examples and the answers to your question may differ by jurisdiction

Jan 04, 2017 11:07 PM