A buyer submits an offer on a property in Santa Barbara. The offer includes all essential terms. Before the seller responds, the buyer dies in an accident. Under California law, what happens to the offer?
Correct Answer
D) The offer is automatically terminated by operation of law upon the buyer's death
Under California Civil Code §1587, an offer is revoked by the death of the offeror before acceptance. The death of the buyer automatically terminates the offer by operation of law, and the seller cannot create a binding contract by accepting after the buyer's death.
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Previous Question
Under California contract law, which of the following scenarios would most likely render a real estate purchase contract VOID rather than merely voidable?
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A buyer takes possession of a California property and pays $60,000 toward the purchase price under an oral agreement with the seller. When the seller refuses to complete the sale, the buyer sues to enforce the agreement. The seller raises the Statute of Frauds as a defense. How would a California court MOST likely rule?