Definition of "Duress"

Glory Bee Costa real estate agent

Written by

Glory Bee Costaelite badge icon

Keller Williams Select Realtors

Act of forcing an individual or business to do something against their will. It is a legitimate defense in court to reserve the effect of the compelled act.

Comments for Duress

Grace Grace said:

I would like to know why a law does not exist that forces real estate agents to say to vendors to take sale contract home or to their lawyers to verify. They always place contracts in front of people and point a finger to the signatory spor and say "sign here". I once said "I need to take contract home to think about it" and the agent immediately said "No, you can't, the purchaser will place an offer elsewhere". Is this action not considered duress. They are pushy and play on people's emotions.

Aug 20, 2019  23:25:44

 
Real Estate Agent

Hello! Thank you for bringing up this issue. There must be clients who have the same question. However, the answer is quite simple. Don't go alone! Whenever you have to sign a contract, ask a professional to join you - ideally, a lawyer. There is a lot of jargon and many real estate terms that you may not fully understand. If you want to study the contract, I'm sure that nobody would mind if you actually took the time to read it. If they didn't feel comfortable with this, then it would be a good idea to leave and do business with somebody else. Contracts are very powerful documents and both parties must know exactly what they are getting themselves into. As for the fact that agents play on people's emotions, this is true for all businesses. Emotions are the essence of marketing. 

Aug 26, 2019  16:14:05
 
 
image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Those factors causing the movement of people, industry, and business from the central city to the outside central city areas, suburbs, and/or small cities. Elements of the dispersing force ...

Amount to be paid by a person or business for violating a statute or legal court order. It may also be assessed for violating the provisions of a contract. Examples of penalties are a ...

Maximum credit a prospective buyer may be given. An example is the maximum mortgage a prospective home buyer may receive from the bank. ...

Home inspector is the name the real estate industry calls the professional responsible for the close and thorough examination of a property. The home inspector usually is called upon ...

Said of property that is bought subject to the existing loan against it. ...

Occupant's right in a structure to see out of the window without being hindered. For example, if someone wants to construct an office building adjacent to a home that will significantly ...

Ownership of property transfers from the seller to the buyer when the parties sign the contract. ...

Individuals who are legally entitled to inherit money and property when someone dies. ...

Primary horizontal support for a structure such as a house. It may be a large piece of wood, stone, iron, or other material that lies across the walls, and serves as support of the ...

Popular Real Estate Questions