Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Iowa

I have built a building on a piece of land a person verbally agreed to sell to me over 6 months ago. He verbally consented to me "treating the land as my own" until we could sign the papers. The building is now built and he is refusing to sell the land to me. Do I have any legal grounds to fight this in court?


Asked on 10/18/11, 10:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Not sure if you have "grounds," but one thing is certain--you have a real mess on your hands. Oral contracts for real estate are generally not enforceable. You have, however, improved his land (possibly, I have not seen the building). Perhaps if he was aware of this improvement, you might have a chance. In any event, I highly recommend you hire an attorney as soon as possible.

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Answered on 10/19/11, 8:31 am


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