Expert: Dick Dennis - 4/4/2011

Question
My question involves real estate located in the State of: Oregon
When My agent filled out the Exclusive Buyer Agreement, under the terms of the agreement section, he wrote: begin on December 15th 2010 and end at 5 pm, July 31st, 2010. The end date is a typo, as the end date comes before the start date, and I assume he meant to write, "ends July 31st 2011"...BUT he did not write that. As this is a legally binding document, and what is written says "ends July 31st 2010", am I still legally bound by this service agreement?

Answer
Surprisingly enough, Eddy, that is not an uncommon occurance in real estate documents. But in this case, it is my opinion that the agent has no listing contract with you. However, I am not a legal expert or attorney. If you intend to negate the contract, make sure you consult with a real estate attorney before you take those steps. But if it is your intention to retain that agent as your Realtor, simply advise him of his error. His face will turn red and then he will correct it. But in correcting it, he should create a totally new listing agreement. To take a pen and make corrections on the contract is the sign of a slovenly agent, even if he asks you to initial the alteration and he does, too. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis
CA real estate broker #00349415
dixiedee13@aol.com