Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Utah
first right of refusal
I am selling our house and splitting the equity with my ex-husband. The divorce decree gives me first right of refusal, so I can purchase if I choose and match any bona fide offer. The realtor did not attach an addendum stating he will accept this, but verbally agreed. Will a district court divorce order supersede a real estate contract? And if so will I have to pay the realtor his full commission? He is a real jerk and we are almost at the end of our contract. I am afraid he will sue for his commission and say I did not keep the house marketable if the house doesn't sell. I have not given him cause to think I made the house not marketable, but did call him a jerk and he is really mad at me. The house is on a landslide and not very sellable to begin with. I only put the right of refusal in the event the price tanks to almost nothing for a place to live. Please advise.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: first right of refusal
Without the first right of refusal in the contract, your contract is not enforceable. A court will not enforce a verbal agreement about real estate. You can fire your real estate agent - call the agent's broker. You cannot sell the house without disclosing all of the adverse information - including the landslide.