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Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES,  REALTOR and Broker (Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I'm assuming you mean to void the contract. This Q may best be posed to an attorney, but laws change all the time, and contracts are binding according to the laws in place at the time they were executed. Having said that, you can get out of a contract pretty much anytime you want if you're willing to accept the consequences.

Jan 14, 2018 10:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I think Candice A. Donofrio gave you the bottom line on that question with her last statement....

"you can get out of a contract pretty much anytime you want if you're willing to accept the consequences."

Jan 14, 2018 12:21 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have not.  I doubt that would be a reason to back out of a purchase agreement ... most especially in our market when home prices are high and affordability is there. 

Jan 14, 2018 11:26 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Any contingency can be written into a purchase agreement and as long as all parties agree to it, a contract written which incorporates a contingency on the tax law can be valid.

Jan 14, 2018 10:41 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Hi, Gary

      Any contract can be broken, but unless that is a contingency, you may need another reason.  See an attorney for legal advice, etc.

 

Jan 14, 2018 10:29 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I doubt the law would define this event as "force majeure" that would entitle one to void a contract. Check your "material change" clause and prove that the tax law would indeed constitute material change.

Jan 14, 2018 10:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'm sure there will be some bonehead that will use the excuse. I agree with you as it not really being one. If you expected a certain tax return & then it isn't there ... well?

Jan 14, 2018 02:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I like the answer provided by Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA.

Jan 14, 2018 01:54 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This is a question that needs to be answered by an attorney. 

Jan 14, 2018 01:18 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Follow the terms of the contract.

Jan 14, 2018 12:41 PM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think that a question for an attorney, and would liekly also depend where in the process you are. And there may be financial or other consequences.

Jan 14, 2018 12:02 PM
Rainmaker
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Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Hopefully it will be minimumal !

Jan 14, 2018 11:52 AM
Ambassador
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I think you mean "void" and not "avoid"? 

Jan 14, 2018 11:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

No idea. 

Nov 16, 2018 04:45 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

No idea...

Nov 16, 2018 04:41 PM
Rainmaker
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Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

I do not think one can do that, Gary Frimann.

Jan 14, 2018 09:01 PM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Sometimes voiding a contract is as easy as making it no longer acceptable to the lender.

Check with your attny and your lender and they will have a better idea as to the status of the deal.

Jan 14, 2018 06:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

What I know about contract law is that they are binding unless misrepresentation or fraud or a contingency of sale is present. Then it is voidable by the injured party or the one with the contingency.

Jan 14, 2018 04:33 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I would consult an attorney.

Jan 14, 2018 04:28 PM
Ambassador
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I would ask an attorney in your state.

One thing to consider that is often overlooked (and not what the media wants us to realize) - Say you currently deduct $20K in property taxes and next year, you'll only be able to deduct $10K. IT'S NOT THE $10K that the new tax bill is going to cost you; it's the rate of taxes that you pay. 

 

Jan 14, 2018 04:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Contract law plays by its own rules. It has nothing to do with current Tax etc

Jan 14, 2018 04:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm not aware of the new tax laws harming any sales out here.  Changes in tax law would not get you your EMD back though, if you cancelled for that.

Jan 14, 2018 04:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Probably not but to paraphrase Paul Simon, there must be 50 ways to leave a contract.

Jan 14, 2018 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have no idea

Jan 14, 2018 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,556,633
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

I agree with all the comments.  I was just wondering if  basically if anybody had a transaction go south because of the new tax law...  I could possibly see somebody who was going to take out a $1M mortgage (now limited to $750K) or getting their property tax partially taxed as it is over the $10K limit.  I was also kind of wondering if loan underwriters have factored that in, and has anybody had a sure thing loan go south.  Thanks for your answers!

 

Jan 14, 2018 10:50 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Legal question. Read the contract

Jan 15, 2018 02:38 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

actually, a loan can and will be denied on some future tax returns/ net income because of the states that now you have a 10k max deduction. so yes.

Jan 14, 2018 08:55 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Depending on some state laws and how the contrac is written.

Jan 14, 2018 06:56 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I would hope those bases would be covered before writing.  

Jan 17, 2018 06:38 AM
Rainer
117,135
Christine Kankowski North SD and Temecula
House Match Inc - Poway, CA
Excellent Sales and Property Management

Maybe if the taxes will exceed the $10K mark on a personal property and they are still within the contingency period, they could back out sayingt hey wont be able to deduct all the property taxes.

For investment proeprties, I dont see much of a change that would affect anything.

Jan 15, 2018 09:43 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Candice A. Donofrio nailed this one!

Jan 15, 2018 08:37 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I'm unsure what you are asking... or don't quite understand your question.

Jan 15, 2018 06:44 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't know.

Jan 15, 2018 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Not in my wheelhouse.

I do like the distinction made between 'voiding' and 'avoiding.'

Sounds like the best legal firm AND deepest pockets will prevail.

Jan 15, 2018 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

A contract is a contract and unless there is a clause it can be voided due the tax law, most likely it can not. Now the tax law will benefit far more than it will make pay more. The way it has been shown is those with the mansions wil pay more. Isn't that what the left wanted?

Jan 15, 2018 05:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

See comments by Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA 

Jan 15, 2018 04:20 AM