Reference no: EM131657526

Question: Southridge Presbyterian Church, owner of a residential home, placed it on the market for $134,500. Ayalla viewed the home and made a written offer to buy the home for $130,000. The written offer was made on a residential real estate sale contract form furnished by Southridge Presbyterian's real estate agent, Henderson. Ayalla gave Henderson a check for $1,000 as an earnest money deposit. Henderson orally notified Ayalla's mortgage broker that Southridge Presbyterian had accepted Ayalla's offer. The mortgage broker left a message with Ayalla's nephew about this acceptance. The following day, Henderson orally told Ayalla personally of Southridge Presbyterian's acceptance. They agreed to meet on May 1, 2005, to complete the paperwork, and Ayalla made plans to take that day off work. She also scheduled a home inspection to take place on May 2 or 3. Ayalla and her friends and family gathered together on May 1 to celebrate. Before her scheduled meeting with Henderson, however, Henderson called and told Ayalla that Southridge Presbyterian had accepted a higher offer of $142,500 from a third party. Was Southridge Presbyterian legally obligated to sell the home to Ayalla?