Maloney v. Strain
Maloney v. Strain
Opinion of the Court
Robert H. Strain, Jr., a licensed real estate broker, brought suit against V. J. Ma-loney and wife for real estate commissions in the amount of $300.00. The Maloneys answered alleging that plaintiff did not have a written contract listing their property for sale and agreeing to pay a commission, as required by law, at the time he found a purchaser and at the time a contract of sale was entered into between defendants and such purported purchaser. The case was tried before the court without a jury and judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff for $175.00, with interest. The Maloneys have appealed from the judgment. Strain has also appealed, asserting that he was entitled to a judgment for $300.00 as provided in the contracts for sale of the property.
Article 6573a, Sec. 28, Vernon’s Ann.Tex. Civ.St. provides as follows:
“No action shall be brought in any court in this State for the recovery of any commission for the sale or purchase of real estate unless the promise or agreement upon which action shall be brought, or some memorandum thereof, shall be in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith or by some person by him thereunder lawfully authorized.”
The record shows that Robert H. Strain, Jr., was at all times material a licensed real estate agent. He entered into two contracts in writing with V. J. Maloney and wife to sell their property on a 5%
Appellants, V. J. Maloney and wife, urge two points contending that the court erred in rendering judgment for Strain for any amount (1) because at the time of the finding of the purchaser by Strain he did not have a written contract with appellants then in effect listing the property for sale and (2) because at the time of the entering into the contract of sale and purchase between the Maloneys and purchaser Cox, the written contract of listing between the Maloneys and Strain had expired more than a year prior thereto, and Cox was not then a customer of Strain. These points are overruled.
The Maloneys are correct in the contention that the written contracts of July 10th and November 26, 1963, listing the property for sale with Strain had expired and were of no further force and effect. Strain was not entitled to recover under and by virtue of these contracts. The record, however, shows subsequent dealings between the parties whereby Strain at the instance of the Maloneys continued his effort to make a sale, and procured Leslie Cox, a prospective purchaser of the property. It is undisputed that on September 13, 1965, the Maloneys, by reason of the efforts of Strain, entered into a written contract with Cox for the sale and purchase of the property for $6,000.00. One of the provisions of the contract of sale was that the Maloneys were to pay to Strain a commission of 5% of the purchase price. This written contract was signed by the Ma-loneys. It is held that such a contract of. purchase and sale which provides that the
It is true that the written contract in question was later torn up by agreement of all the parties when it appeared that the Maloneys were unable to satisfy an objection to the title but the record shows, conclusively, that at the time the contract was torn up Mr. Maloney had in his possession an affidavit which fully met the last remaining title objection. The evidence shows that Cox was ready, willing and able to purchase the property on the terms provided in the contract. The failure to consummate the sale was not due to the fault of Strain but to the fault of the Maloneys. Under such circumstances, Strain was entitled to the commission provided in the contract. West Realty & Investment Co. v. Hite, 283 S.W. 481 (Tex.Com.App.); Air Conditioning, Inc. v. Harrison-Wilson-Pearson, 151 Tex. 635, 253 S.W.2d 422 (1952); Golden v. Halliday, supra; Lattimore v. George J. Medina & Co., 195 S.W.2d 250 (Tex.Civ.App.1946, no writ history); Peters v. Coleman, 263 S.W.2d 639 (Tex.Civ.App.1953, no reversible error); Merzbacher v. Kirk, 278 S.W.2d 544 (Tex.Civ.App.1954, writ dismissed); Caneer v. Martin, 238 S.W.2d 828 (Tex.Civ.App.1951, writ dismissed); Kittrell v. Barbee, 198 S.W.2d 155 (Tex.Civ.App., 1946, writ dismissed); McGregor v. Alexander, 274 S.W.2d 867 (Tex.Civ.App.1954, Ref. N.R.E.).
Strain’s counterpoints urging in effect that the court erred in not rendering judgment in his favor for the full 5% commission provided in the sales contract is well taken. At the instance of the Maloneys Strain secured a purchaser who was ready, able and willing to purchase their property at the agreed price. By reason of Strain’s efforts the Maloneys and the prospective purchaser, Cox, entered into a written sales contract which was signed by the Maloneys. By the terms of the sales contract the Ma-loneys were obligated to pay to Strain a 5% commission. Strain was entitled to the full commission. The judgment for Strain is proper but should be and is hereby modified to grant him recovery of the full 5% commission provided in the contract, towit, $300.00.
The judgment is reformed and affirmed.
070rehearing
ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
In their motion for rehearing appellants particularly urge that we erred in reforming the judgment and giving appellee Strain the full five percent (5%) commission sued for because appellee did not except to that judgment in the trial court and complained of the judgment for the first time by counterpoints set forth in his brief filed in this court. Appellants’ contention in this respect is well taken.
The trial was before the court without a jury and no motion for a new trial was required as a prerequisite for an appeal. Rule 324, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. In such a case a Court of Civil Appeals is authorized to consider errors assigned by an appellee by way of cross-points even though he has not perfected an appeal. Bowman v. Puckett, 144 Tex. 125, 188 S.W.2d 571; Dallas Electric Supply Co. v. Branum Co., 143 Tex. 366, 185 S.W.2d 427; English v. Century Indemnity Co.,
The judgment is in all things affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- V. J. MALONEY Et Ux., Appellants, v. Robert H. STRAIN, Jr., Appellee
- Cited By
- 22 cases
- Status
- Published