Bringing an Action for Specific Performance of a Real Estate Contract of Sale

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Typically, the sale of real estate involves the signing of a contract of sale between the owner of the real estate and the prospective buyer for a certain dollar amount. Each side is eager to close the transaction — the seller wants the money from the closing to purchase another property and the buyer wants to move into the house.

Sometimes, the seller/owner of the real estate attempts to delay or cancel the contract of sale for various reasons, including that another party has come along offering more money to purchase the property than the contract price. The buyer is put into a position of bringing an action to enforce his/her rights under the contract of sale to purchase the property.

The right of the prospective buyer to bring an action for “specific performance” is an important one, which is based upon an old, “common law” theory that real estate is considered a “unique asset,” for which a money judgment against the seller for breach of contract cannot recompense. The courts recognize that a certain piece of real estate cannot be replicated or replaced with another or with money.

The action to force the sale of real estate based upon a breach of contract starts with the filing of a Complaint with the Supreme Court in the county in which the property is located. At or about the same time, the buyer will file a “Notice of Pendency” with the County Clerk. The “Notice of Pendency” or, as commonly known as the “Lis Pendens,” is a document which serves as notice to the entire world that the buyer is laying an equitable claim to the ownership of the property and that an action is pending to determine the buyer’s potential ownership rights therein. Any person who later contracts to purchase the property is effectively “on notice” of the buyer’s claim and is taking substantial risk in proceeding in any transaction with the seller/owner of the real estate.

After the action is filed, the seller will have an opportunity to answer the Complaint. Then, typically, one of the parties will move for “summary judgment,” asking the judge to decide whether there was a breach of the contract of sale and whether the buyer is indeed entitled to the specific performance of the contract of sale. If the judge decides that the buyer is entitled to purchase the property, then the judge will issue an Order directing the seller/owner to proceed to closing and tender a Deed to the buyer.

It is important for the prospective buyer to move quickly to file the Notice of Pendency when it appears that a breach of the contract of sale has or will occur, in order to ensure that there is constructive notice of the action for specific performance; otherwise, the buyer, albeit entitled to money damages, will no longer have the right to the property.

Richard A. Klass, Esq., maintains a law firm engaged in general civil practice at 16 Court Street, 28th Floor, Brooklyn Heights, New York. He may be reached by phone or e-mail with any questions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.