Town & Country Realty of Kearney, Inc. v. Glidden
Town & Country Realty of Kearney, Inc. v. Glidden
Opinion of the Court
Defendants, Richard M. Glidden and Cynthia J. Glidden, appeal from a judgment granting plaintiff a realtor’s commission. Defendants sold their house themselves before the listing agreement expired.
The issues were first litigated in the county court of Buffalo County, Nebraska, upon plaintiff’s petition and defendants’ answer and cross-petition for damages. Defendants alleged unfair acts on the part of the plaintiff under section 59-1602, R. R. S. 1943. The county court dismissed both the petition and cross-petition. Both parties appealed to the District Court, pursuant to the provisions of section 24-541, R. R. S. 1943, where that court, on September 14, 1978, entered a $2,541 judgment in favor of plaintiff and dismissed defendants’ cross-petition. Defendants appeal to this court, claiming error as follows: (1) Plaintiff breached its duty as a fiduciary; (2) the sale made by defendants was not within the terms of the listing contract; (3) the listing contract was mutually rescinded; and (4) plaintiff’s acts and practices were deceptive and unfair, in violation of section 59-1602, R. R. S. 1943.
At the time the listing contract was executed, Richard was completing his undergraduate studies at Kearney State College and Cynthia had a degree in education and two years teaching experience.
There is conflict in the evidence on all of the issues presented; however, as to the following facts there is little dispute. In September 1976, defendants bought their house in Kearney, Nebraska, for $41,000.
It is the obligation of the District Court upon an appeal de novo to reach an independent conclusion without reference to the decision of the county court, with the caveat that where evidence is in irreconcilable conflict, the District Court should consider the lower court’s opportunity to observe the witnesses and their manner of testifying. Phillippe v. Barbera, 195 Neb. 727, 240 N. W. 2d 50.
The review in this court of a law action is not de novo. A judgment of the District Court will not be set aside by this court on appeal unless it is clearly wrong and it is not supported by the evidence. Stitt Constr. Co. v. Canine’s Cupid, Inc., 199 Neb. 400, 259 N. W. 2d 29.
Defendants in their answer allege fraud and misrepresentation by plaintiff through its agents in influencing defendants to list their house for $46,000, claiming that this price was excessive and unrealistic.
There is no merit to this defense. The listing price was openly discussed between the parties, defendants concurred in that figure, and shortly before signing the contract defendants were asking only $500 less.
Defendants’ answer also claims that plaintiff orally agreed that they could sell the house privately at any time without paying a commission, which condition was not in the executed listing. The evidence on this issue is in conflict, with only defendants’ statements to support their claim.
“The rescission of a contract by the parties as much requires the meeting of the minds as does the making of the contract.” Utilities Ins. Co. v. Stuart, 134 Neb. 413, 278 N. W. 827. See, also, Davco Realty Co. v. Picnic Foods, Inc., 198 Neb. 193, 252 N. W. 2d 142; 17 Am. Jur. 2d, Contracts, § 490, p. 962.
“Though an agency to sell real estate may be revoked at any time before the sale, such revocation must be in good faith, and will not obtain to appropriate the broker’s services without compensation.” Dunn v. Snell, 124 Neb. 560, 247 N. W. 428. See, also, Annotation, 69 A. L. R. 3d 1270; Annotation, 88 A. L. R. 716.
From 17 Am. Jur. 2d, Contracts, § 492, p. 964, these rules are applicable: “* * * as a general rule * * * the parties to a written contract may rescind or cancel it orally, although evidence of rescission of a written contract by a subsequent parol agreement must be clear, positive, and above suspicion, * * *. An oral agreement rescinding a written contract must generally have the same elements of mutual consent and consideration as are necessary for the formation of other informal contracts.” Section 494, p. 967, states: “A contract may be rescinded or discharged by acts or conduct of the parties inconsistent with the continued existence of the contract, and mutual assent to abandon a contract may be inferred from the attendant circumstances and conduct of the parties.”
In summary, defendants’ evidence was that when Mr. Hensel contacted them on August 23rd he said that he would not discuss purchasing the home until defendants’ listing contract with the plaintiff had been “nulled,” since Mrs. Hensel was a licensed real estate salesperson; he told Cynthia to have the listing “nulled” and not “voided.” The next day Cynthia went to plaintiff’s office and talked to Kay,
Briefly, plaintiff’s evidence was that defendants discussed with Kay the possibility of renting the house and Kay offered to help them rent it; that with a renter in the house it could be sold, but it would be more difficult to sell.
Defendants were pressed for time and funds to move to Ord and complete the purchase of a house there. They were aware of plaintiff’s right to a commission under the terms of the listing agreement in the event they sold the house privately, and upon the suggestion of Myron Hensel they made an effort to protect themselves from such an obligation. It is clear defendants revoked plaintiff’s authority to sell the house by their sale, leaving the fact question of rescission for the trial court. From a full review
Defendants suggest that the District Court failed to consider the opportunity of the county judge to observe the witnesses. There being nothing in the record to the contrary, we presume that the District Court did do so, and fully complied with the caveat of Phillippe v. Barbera, 195 Neb. 727, 240 N. W. 2d 50.
Defendants argue that the assessment of $877.88 in costs against the defendants was unfair, burdensome, and exorbitant. These fees include transcripts and court fees of $354.88, and deposition fees of $520. We cannot say that the District Court was wrong in the assessment of the costs.
It is not necessary to further discuss defendants’ claim that the acts of plaintiff were in violation of section 59-1602, R. R. S. 1943. The dismissal of defendants’ cross-petition was within the evidence and was correct.
The judgment of the District Court in favor of plaintiff was supported by competent evidence and it should be affirmed.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Town & Country Realty of Kearney, Inc., a Nebraska corporation v. Richard M. Glidden and Cynthia J. Glidden
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published