Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc. v. Downey

3 Mass. Supp. 714
Massachusetts District Court·Decided July 2, 1982·No. No. 303·Published

Opinion

DECISION AND ORDER

This cause came on to and was heard in the Appellate Division for the Southern District sitting at Dedham upon Report from the District Court Department, Attleboro Division and it is found and decided that there was no prejudicial error.

T is hereby

ORDERED: That the Clerk of the District Court Department, Attleboro Division make the following entry in said case on the docket of said Court, namely: REPORT DISMISSED.

Daniel H. Rider, Presiding Justice Richard O. Staff, Justice Charles E. Black, Justice

Opinion filed herewith.

Patricia D. Minotti, Clerk

OPINION

Black, J.

This is a civil action in contract brought by the plaintiff, Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc., against the defendants, Robert A. Downey and Marion B. Downey, on December 4, 1979, seeking to recover a $2,730.00 broker’s commission under a Purchase and Sales Agreement entered into on June 15, 1979 by and between Robert A. Downey and Marion B. Downey, as “Sellers,” Ronald W. Cummins and Jeannette L. Cummins as “Buyers,” and Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc., as “Broker,” relating to premises located at 158 North Avenue, Attleboro, Massachusetts. The complaint alleges that on or about October 31, 1979 and again on November 2, 1979, the plaintiff produced a buyer ready, willing and able to purchase the property in accordance with the terms of the said agreement and that the defendants breached the agreement, thereby wrongfully depriving the plaintiff of its commission.

The defendants’ answer denied these allegations and set forth numerous affirmative defenses, including the fact that by its terms the said agreement was to expire on August 30, 1979, that it had not been extended and was, therefore, null and void. The answer also alleged that the subject agreement specifically provided that a firm bank commitment had to be obtained by the buyers on the property in question on or before July 30, 1979, and that such a commitment had not been obtained. An additional defense specified that the agreement was further conditioned upon there being a Purchase and Sale Agreement in effect on or before July 5, 1979, regarding the buyers’ property ai 51 Emory Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts, and that such an agreement had not been effected.

[716] The defendants moved for summary judgment predicated upon various affidavits presented to the court, Answers to Interrogatories, and the Response to Demand for Production of Documents filed with the court. On April 27, 1981, after hearing, the court ruled that there was no genuine issue of material fact raised in the case, and that the defendants were entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The execution was duly issued on May 11, 1981. On May 14, 1981 the plaintiff filed a motion for permission to file a late request for a draft report, which was duly allowed on June 8, 1981. The draft report was filed on August 27, 1981 and allowed on September 8, 1981.

According to the report, the court found the following facts:

“ On or about October 28, 1978, Robert A. Downey and Marion B. Downey separated. Marion B. Downey continued to live in the marital home on 158 North Avenue, Attleboro, Massachusetts. Robert A. Downey moved out of the City of Attleboro at that time. The marital home at 158 North Avenue, Attleboro, Massachusetts was listed with Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc., (the plaintiff herein) for sale. On June 15, 1979, a purchase and sale agreement was consummated between Robert A. Downey and Marion B. Downey as Sellers; Ronald W. Cummins and Jeannette L. Cummins as Buyers; and Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc., as Broker. Said agreement provided that the Five. Hundred ($500.00) Dollar deposit paid by the Cummins was to be held by Ed Pariseau Real Estate, Inc. It was further provided that should the Cummins default, they waived claim to the deposit, and said deposit would become the property of the Seller and Broker equally as liquidated damages. It was provided that time was of the essence of the agreement. It was further provided that the purchase and sale agreement was to expire on August 30,1979, at 4:00 p.m. The agreement also provided that the sale was subject to a sale of the Cummins property located on 51 Emory Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts.
“TheCummins entered into a purchase and sale agreement dated July 2, 1979, to sell their property at 51 Emory Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts, to Robert T. Sirois and Ann Sirois. Said agreement was contingent upon obtaining Y.A. financing on the part of the Buyers, and was to expire on September 30, Í979, at 4:00 p.m. It was provided that time was of the essence of that agreement.
“Prior to the August 30, 1979, expiration of the Downey-Cummins Purchase and Sale Agreement, an undated extension agreement was circulated among the parties purposing to extend that purchase and sale agreement from August 30, 1979, to October 31, 1979. Said agreement was signed by Ronald W. Cummins, Jeannette L. Cummins and Robert A. Downey. Said agreement was not signed by Marion B. Downey. As of August 30, 1979 at 4:00 p.m., no closing had been scheduled nor had taken place on the sale of the Downey marital home to the Cummins.
“The Cummins had not conveyed their property to the Siroises as of August 30, 1979. The Cummins-Sirois purchase and sale agreement, which was to expire on September 30, 1979, was extended to and including the date of actual sale. The property was actually conveyed on October 29, 1979. The plaintiff real estate agent produced a buyer ready, willing and able to purchase that property on October 31, 1979, and November 2, 1979, and attempted to schedule closings for those days. Closings were scheduled for each of those days at which time there were present Robert A. Downey; Attorney James Goldberg, a representative of the plaintiff; Ronald W. Cummins and Jeannette L. Cummins. Marion B. Downey did not attend.”

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