Here is an interesting article about how Texts and Emails Can be Legal and Binding Contracts from attorney Rich Vetstein.
As a Massachusetts REALTOR, I have become increasingly aware that a an email can constitute a binding contract. Now it looks like a text can become an enforceable contract as well.
In the past, a verbal contract was legal but not binding. Where the grey area can come in is a text or email maybe like verbal communication, but the source of the communication can now be tracked with ip addresses, phone numbers, etc…. You can now pinpoint the source of the communication.
If you are a home buyer or seller and you send instructions to your agent to communicate to the other party, it is important to be aware that your texts and email can be considered lawful instruction to your agent that they may be acted upon in electronic communications as well. To make it worse, if you are a for sale by owner and you are communicating with a buyer electronically, you could be creating a legal and binding contract by your written communications.
Now there is certainly some grey area if it should ever go to court. There are certain criteria of what may be needed to create a legal and binding contract, but it is best to avoid putting yourself in that situation all together.
Think before you hit the send button. Make sure you really mean what you are saying.
See what Rich Vetstein has to say when it comes to Texts and Emails Can be Legal and Binding Contracts.
OMG! Text Messages May Form Binding Real Estate Contract, Land Court Rules
