Stern v. Old Colony Trust Co.

276 Mass. 456 | Mass. | 1931

Wait, J.

We find no error in the refusal of the trial judge to direct a verdict for the defendant. There was evidence to justify finding that the plaintiff was asked to find a purchaser for certain real estate at a price of $375,000, $50,000 in cash and the balance in a mortgage payable in ten years at six per cent interest; that he found a purchaser and received a check for $5,000 as a deposit; that, at the seller’s request, he retained the deposit, but eventually returned it, after the seller changed his mind and refused to go on with the transaction. There was no testimony that the seller ever questioned the readiness, willingness and ability of the proposed purchaser to make the necessary payment and to give the mortgage". There was evidence that he had met the purchaser and learned from him that he had purchased adjoining property and proposed building upon it. Although he did not take the deposit check, he instructed the plaintiff to hold it until he returned from an intended trip when “we will do business.” There was evidence that the refusal to go on with the sale was due to the seller’s desire to get a higher price; that he stated to a witness that “I made a mistake when I gave Ike [the plaintiff] a price for I didn’t think he would ever get a customer at that price.” Furthermore, when the plaintiff demanded the agreed payment on the ground that he had earned it by producing the customer, the seller urged him to try to get a bigger price but promised to pay the commission; and, at other times, offered smaller sums which the plaintiff refused to take.

There is here evidence to justify a finding that the seller admitted the financial ability, the readiness and willingness of the customer; that he accepted him so far as these qualifications were concerned. The contention of the defendant that the plaintiff had not produced evidence sufficient to require submission to the jury on these matters is not well founded. It makes no other serious contention.

The law is unquestioned that a real estate broker has earned his commission or the agreed price when before the offer is withdrawn he has produced a customer able, ready and willing to purchase on the stipulated conditions of the offer to the broker or the contract of employment with him. Whitkin v. Markarian, 238 Mass. 334. Laidlaw v. Vose, 265 Mass. 500. Frankina v. Salpietro, 269 Mass. 292. It follows that the entry must be

Exceptions overruled.