113 Mich. 14 | Mich. | 1897
This is a bill to enforce a mechanic’s lien. It appears that on the 19th day of January, 1894, the defendant Conrad Schafer was the owner of two lots in the village of Saline. On that day he entered into a contract in writing with the defendant Lawton. In the first paragraph of this contract it was agreed that Schafer, in consideration of the sum of $225, would sell and convey to Lawton the two lots mentioned. No time was set for the payment or the conveyance. It was further provided in the agreement that Lawton at once, upon the execution thereof, would “enter upon the work of erecting a dwelling house” upon the lots, or one of them, make excavation therefor, and draw, deliver, and furnish the stone to be used in the cellar wall and foundation, also the sand, gravel, and lime, at such times as they would be needed; that he would furnish and deliver all hardware, trimmings for doors and windows, and do all the carpenter work, tin work, and roofing, all the painting, and keep the house insured for the benefit of Schafer. Schafer was to do the mason work, and furnish the lumber. It was further agreed that Lawton would purchase the two lots, and pay for the said lands, and all other sums due for labor and material, “in the way and manner hereinafter provided for and agreed upon.” It was then agreed that, when the house should be completed, Schafer should deliver to Lawton a statement of all labor and material furnished by him, and that the full amount thereof, when agreed upon, with the $225 for the lots, should “be filled into the annexed land contract, which shall at that time, and after the said amount shall be filled in, be executed and acknowledged in duplicate by the parties hereto.”
The defendants’ contention is that the property is the homestead of defendant Lawton and wife, or was at the time the lien attached, and that, the contract not being in writing, and signed by the wife, the lien cannot be enforced. This contention cannot be sustained. The Law-tons never had any such interest in the property that a homestead interest could be based upon it. The contract made with Schafer was an agreement simply that, when certain conditions were performed, a contract would be máde upon terms to be agreed upon. No inrther discussion is necessary.
The decree of the court below must be affirmed, with costs.