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A Utah REPC for a home in Lehi includes a seller-paid closing cost concession of $5,000 and specifies that the transaction is contingent on the buyer obtaining a conventional loan at no more than 6.5% interest. The buyer's lender approves the loan at 6.75% interest. The buyer provides written notice before the Financing & Appraisal Deadline that the financing condition has not been satisfied. The seller argues the buyer should have tried harder to find a lower rate. What is the most accurate legal outcome under the Utah REPC?

Correct Answer

B) The buyer may cancel the contract and receive a return of earnest money because the loan terms did not meet the contractual financing condition

The Utah REPC's Financing & Appraisal condition is satisfied or failed based on the specific loan terms written into the contract. The contract specified a maximum interest rate of 6.5%, and the lender could only offer 6.75%. The financing condition was objectively not met. Provided the buyer gave written notice before the Financing & Appraisal Deadline, the buyer is entitled to cancel and receive a return of earnest money. The seller's subjective belief that the buyer should have tried harder is not a legal basis for retaining earnest money.

Answer Options
A
The buyer must proceed to closing because the rate difference is minimal and does not constitute a material failure of the financing condition
B
The buyer may cancel the contract and receive a return of earnest money because the loan terms did not meet the contractual financing condition
C
The seller may retain the earnest money because the buyer failed to make good-faith efforts to obtain the specified loan terms
D
The buyer must accept the loan at 6.75% because the seller's concession offsets the higher interest cost

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

financing_conditioninterest_ratebuyer_cancellationrepcutah_contracts

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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