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Patricia is purchasing a home in Bentonville, Arkansas. Her purchase agreement contains an inspection contingency but does not specify what happens if the buyer and seller cannot agree on repairs. After the inspection, the buyer requests $12,000 in repairs; the seller offers $4,000. Negotiations break down. Patricia's agent tells her she has no right to terminate because the contract does not include explicit termination language for failed repair negotiations. Under Arkansas contract law, is the agent's advice correct?

Correct Answer

C) No, the agent is incorrect because an inspection contingency generally gives the buyer the right to terminate if the parties cannot reach agreement on repairs

An inspection contingency is designed to protect the buyer's interest by allowing the buyer to evaluate the property's condition. Under Arkansas contract law and standard real estate practice, if the buyer and seller cannot reach agreement on repairs within the contingency period, the buyer generally retains the right to terminate the contract and recover the earnest money. The absence of explicit termination language does not strip the buyer of this right — the contingency itself implies the right to terminate if the condition (satisfactory inspection outcome) is not met.

Answer Options
A
Yes, the agent is correct because without explicit termination language, the buyer must proceed to closing
B
Yes, the agent is correct because only the seller can terminate when repair negotiations fail
C
No, the agent is incorrect because an inspection contingency generally gives the buyer the right to terminate if the parties cannot reach agreement on repairs
D
No, the agent is incorrect because AREC rules automatically grant a 10-day extension for all failed repair negotiations

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

inspection_contingencyrepair_negotiationbuyer_termination_rightcontract_interpretation

Related Concepts

A bilateral contract is an agreement in which both parties exchange promises and are both obligated to perform, while a unilateral contract is one in which only one party makes a promise and the other party is not obligated to act.

A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to perform their obligations under the contract without a legal excuse. The non-breaching party is entitled to legal remedies including damages, specific performance, or contract rescission.

Consideration is something of value exchanged between parties to a contract, making the agreement legally binding. It can be money, a promise to act, a promise to refrain from acting, or anything else of value.

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