EstatePass
ContractsContingenciesMEDIUM

Lisa is selling her home in Hunterdon County. She accepted an offer from Robert contingent on a home inspection. The inspection revealed a cracked foundation wall. Robert submitted a repair request for $22,000. Lisa refused to make any repairs or reduce the price. Robert then notified Lisa that he was voiding the contract under the inspection contingency. Lisa claims Robert cannot void the contract because the inspection contingency only allows Robert to request repairs, not to exit the contract. Which statement is correct under standard New Jersey contract practice?

Correct Answer

A) Robert is correct if the contingency language gives him the right to void the contract when the parties cannot reach agreement on repairs within the specified period.

Under standard New Jersey residential purchase contracts, a home inspection contingency typically provides the buyer with multiple remedies if the inspection reveals defects: requesting repairs, requesting a price reduction, or voiding the contract if the parties cannot reach agreement within the negotiation period specified in the contingency. If the contingency language grants Robert the right to void the contract when no agreement is reached, Lisa's position is incorrect. The specific rights available depend on the contingency language, but standard NJ contracts generally allow contract termination when seller and buyer cannot agree on remediation.

Answer Options
A
Robert is correct if the contingency language gives him the right to void the contract when the parties cannot reach agreement on repairs within the specified period.
B
Lisa is correct; a home inspection contingency only permits the buyer to request repairs and does not provide an exit right if the seller refuses.
C
Robert must accept a price reduction as the only remedy under a standard NJ inspection contingency when the seller refuses repairs.
D
The dispute must be resolved through the NJREC's complaint process before either party may void the contract.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Contracts Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Contracts

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Contracts

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Contracts Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

inspection_contingencybuyer_rightsnj_contractscontract_termination

Related Concepts

Novation is the substitution of a new contract for an existing one, or the replacement of one party with a new party, with the consent of all parties involved. The original party is completely released from all obligations.

Offer and acceptance is the process by which one party proposes specific terms for a contract and the other party agrees to those exact terms, creating mutual assent. This mutual agreement, also called a meeting of the minds, is an essential element of every valid contract.

An option contract gives one party the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to purchase or lease a property at a specified price within a specified time period. The buyer pays option consideration to keep the option open.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Contracts Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Contracts Questions

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing