My father-in-law is visiting us in Arkansas and was considering moving here. He looked at some homes for sale, and made a verbal offer (no realtors or paperwork involved) on a house. The seller counter-offered, but would not come down far enough. My f-i-l never signed any paperwork or offered any earnest money, but the seller is now saying that he "is out some money" and is owed $1,000. It seems that the seller may have contacted a home inspector, but I do not believe the inspection has been done yet. Is there some law that I am unaware of that makes my f-i-law somehow liable for any $$$ when NO paperwork was completed of any kind? Thanks for any info.

Hello sep:

If this wasn't a real estate deal, your f-i-l would be liable for his contract. But, since it IS real estate, it MUST be in writing for it to be upheld.

excon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sep1998

My father-in-law is visiting us in Arkansas and was considering moving here. He looked at some homes for sale, and made a verbal offer (no realtors or paperwork involved) on a house. The seller counter-offered, but would not come down far enough. My f-i-l never signed any paperwork or offered any earnest money, but the seller is now saying that he "is out some money" and is owed $1,000. It seems that the seller may have contacted a home inspector, but I do not believe the inspection has been done yet. Is there some law that I am unaware of that makes my f-i-law somehow liable for any $$$ when NO paperwork was completed of any kind? Thanks for any info.

---

Did your father in law ask that an inspection be done and, if so, did he offer to pay for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sep1998

My father-in-law is visiting us in Arkansas and was considering moving here. He looked at some homes for sale, and made a verbal offer (no realtors or paperwork involved) on a house. The seller counter-offered, but would not come down far enough. My f-i-l never signed any paperwork or offered any earnest money, but the seller is now saying that he "is out some money" and is owed $1,000. It seems that the seller may have contacted a home inspector, but I do not believe the inspection has been done yet. Is there some law that I am unaware of that makes my f-i-law somehow liable for any $$$ when NO paperwork was completed of any kind? Thanks for any info.

---

Ok, person makes a offer, they can be held liable unless the offer is rejected BUT, once there is a counter offer, that is a refusal of the offer
And a new offer on their terms,

So had they not made a counter offer, then yes perhaps but since they made a counter offer then there is no contract what so ever.
Now in many places a real estate contract is not valid unless it is in writing, so there may also be protection there also.

First a home inspection costs 300 or so, not 1000 dollar, but if your father asked for one, he may be liable for it but only if he asked for an inspectoin