If a man verbally agrees to purchase a house and pays a $6,000 earnest money deposit, is this contract enforceable?

A contract for the sale of real estate typically requires a written agreement to be enforceable due to the Statute of Frauds. This legal principle is designed to prevent misunderstandings and fraud by ensuring that certain types of contracts are documented in writing, including those involving the sale of land or property.

In this case, although the man made a verbal agreement and paid an earnest money deposit, the absence of a written contract means that the agreement is not enforceable. The earnest money deposit may indicate an intention to enter into a contract, but without a written document detailing the terms agreed upon, such as the price and conditions of the sale, there are no legal grounds to enforce the agreement.

Written confirmation from both parties is essential in real estate transactions to ensure clarity and to protect the interests of all involved. While a witness may lend some support to a verbal agreement, it does not substitute for the requirement of a written contract in property transactions. Therefore, the correct understanding here is that verbal agreements in this context do not hold up legally, making the correct answer valid in emphasizing the necessity of written contracts in real estate dealings.