In New York, a contract of sale for real property must be:

Oral contracts for real property are unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds. While some contracts can be made orally, real estate transactions require written documentation to prevent fraudulent claims and provide clear evidence of the agreement terms.

Notarization provides authentication but is not required for a real estate contract's enforceability. A contract can be valid without being notarized, though notarization may be necessary for recording purposes.

Recording a contract provides public notice but is not required for its enforceability between the parties. A valid contract exists once properly executed in writing, regardless of whether it's recorded.