Springfield Real Estate Co. v. Kellett , 281 Pa. 398 ( 1924 )

Argued October 13, 1924. The court below decreed specific performance of a contract for the sale of real estate, and defendants have appealed.

It appears from the facts agreed upon that the real estate had at one time been sold subject to certain building restrictions, which were afterwards released by the grantor in the original deed to the then owner of the tract involved, none of the land in this particular parcel having been separated therefrom in the meantime. Defendants say in their brief that the question is "solely whether the release was sufficient in law to relieve the land from the burden of the restrictions." They ask us to decide this question, although expressly admitting, in the same brief, that "the release __________ was apt in form and clearly manifested the intention of the grantors, to effect the absolute termination and discharge of the restrictions [originally] imposed"; they also admit that, save as we are about to set forth, there is no pretence the land thereafter remained in any way charged with the restrictions.

The fact reserved above is that, between the execution of the original deed and the date of the release, the grantor had conveyed other land in the vicinity, but not part of the same tract, subject to substantially similar restrictions. It is not stated nor argued that the owners of the first tract had anything to do with the conveyance of the second, or that the grantee in the second, or any one claiming under him, had or could have had any interest in the restrictions on the first, unless the mere facts of similarity and proximity give such an interest, — which, of course, they do not. Indeed, while the restrictive clause in the deed for the second tract provides for similar restrictions being placed in future conveyances of the balance of the land then owned by the grantor, it contains no reference to previous grants, like the one for plaintiff's land.

As to the point suggested at argument but not formally raised on the appeal, that parties other than those appearing should be brought on the record, if the question for adjudication depended on a gift, by will or otherwise, and the point to be decided was which of two or more donees was entitled to the fee, consideration of the case should be postponed until all parties possibly interested were given an opportunity to be heard: Hebron v. Magda, 280 Pa. 508, and cases cited therein. The question before us, however, is one of contract only, and the litigants have set forth all the facts which they wish the courts to pass upon in determining whether or not plaintiff had a good title to convey. We are clear that, so far as this record discloses, the title was good, free from restrictions, and defendants have shown no reason why they should not accept it.

The judgment of the court below is affirmed.