Bilateral Contract
A bilateral contract is a pretty straightforward term. No horseplay there. It’s a legal agreement between two individuals who both agree to do (or not to do) a specific act.
The truth is that, when you think of the standard contract, you think of a bilateral contract. It’s one of those instances where one part of the term is so usual, it gets dropped out of the term, so people omit the “bilateral” and just say contract. In it, each party has its set of obligations; even if it’s party A does a service, party B pays for it. Or, more simple than that: if party A is responsible for giving money and party B for transferring the title to party A.
However, there are rare unilateral contracts where one party is under the obligation of giving a compensation should the other party perform a specific task, but the other party is not obligated to perform that task. In other words, when one party failing to perform a task is not considered a breach of contract, it’s not a bilateral contract but a unilateral.
An example of a bilateral contract in real estate is a regular property sale. The home seller is obligated to give the house and put it under the buyer’s name if the home buyer pays for the amount specified on the bilateral contract. Now, in an exclusive agency listing, what the real estate agent does with a home seller is not a bilateral contract but an unilateral contract because it specifies that the homeowner must pay a commission to that agent if the real estate agent brings the best deal for him; however, he is not in breach of contract if he doesn’t bring the winning bid. Got it?
Sign a bilateral contract with “smart”: don’t go the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route; find a real estate agent to go with you on this journey!
Popular Real Estate Terms
Also called a rollover mortgage. Provides a borrower with a fixed-rate mortgage that expires at a preestablished time, such as in four years. This permits the lender and borrower to ...
Business that transforms an underdeveloped tract of land into plots ready for construction. ...
The definition of front foot is a person or an entity that has an advantage or has the initiative. It could also be used to suggest that someone is taking an offensive position. Based on ...
The term accusation refers to a declaration made by an individual about another individual or entity having behaved in an immoral, improper, or wrong manner. The two parts of an accusation ...
Large scale map of an urban area detailing land use. City plans are essential for projecting the growth, development, and redevelopment of the urban area. The major objective of a city plan ...
The definition of obligee is the person to whom a debt or obligation is owed. An obligee is one party of a contract to who the other party, the obligor, is obligated. An obligee is also the ...
Notice sent from a plaintiff to a defendant requiring the defendant to appear before a court or judge. For example, a landlord might send a summons to a tenant regarding a notice of ...
Principle stating that all joint tenants must acquire their interest from the same deed or will. ...
Insulation covered on each side by a material, such as metal. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.