Cityscapes Development, LLC v. Larry Scheffler

STATE OF MINNESOTA
IN COURT OF APPEALS
A14-1719
Cityscapes Development, LLC,
Appellant,
vs.
Larry Scheffler, et al.,
Respondents.
Filed June 15, 2015
Affirmed
Smith, Judge
Clay County District Court
File No. 14-CV-13-2584
Jon R. Brakke, Caren L. Stanley, Vogel Law Firm, Fargo, North Dakota (for appellant)
Mark R. Hanson, Charlotte J. Skar, Nilles Law Firm, Fargo, North Dakota (for
respondents)
Considered and decided by Hudson, Presiding Judge; Kirk, Judge; and Smith,
Judge.
SYLLABUS
Real estate licensees must strictly comply with Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd. 1(d)(1)
(2014) by providing a protective list to the seller within 72 hours of the listing
agreement’s expiration to enforce an override clause in a listing agreement.
OPINION
SMITH, Judge
We affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment to respondents because,
as a matter of law, appellant is not entitled to a commission.
FACTS
Respondents Larry and Helen Scheffler, as Trustees of the Scheffler Family Trust,
Robert Groesbeck, and Mary Groesbeck retained appellant Cityscapes Development,
LLC, to sell certain real property in April 2010. After their first listing agreement
expired, the parties entered a second listing agreement in April 2011. Respondents
agreed to pay appellant a five percent commission if appellant “negotiate[d] an exchange
or sale of the property during the duration of this agreement.” The second listing
agreement contained the override clause that is at issue in this case. It states:
CUSTOMER PROTECTION: In the event the property is
sold/leased/exchanged within 180 days after the expiration of
this agreement to any person or entity involving any of the
people introduced to the property by [appellant] either
directly or indirectly through cooperating BROKERS, during
the term of this agreement, a full commission shall be due and
payable.
MINNESOTA ONLY: In order to obtain customer protection,
the agent must notify owner, within 72 hours of the expiration
of the listing, the names of all of the prospects that are
protected.
In May 2011, respondents sold part of the property and paid appellant the commission
due. At some point in summer 2011, appellant contacted Pheasants Forever, Inc. about
purchasing the rest of the property, but Pheasants Forever made no offer before the
second listing agreement expired on August 19, 2011.
On October 3, 2011, Larry Scheffler sent a letter to appellant titled “Notice of
Termination of Listing Agreement.” Scheffler stated:
This will confirm that my partner and I have decided not to
renew the listing agreement with [appellant] pertaining to the
above-referenced parcels, effective as of the expiration of the
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original listing term. Inasmuch as you have contacted
representatives of Pheasants Unlimited regarding purchase of
the subject parcels, this will confirm that we agree to pay the
agreed-upon commissions should your contact result in a sale.
I am unaware of any contacts/negotiations regarding other
potential buyers. Should I be mistaken in this regard, please
let me know immediately.
Should you have any questions regarding the above, or the
subject parcels in general, please feel free to contact me.
On October 14, 2011, Pheasants Forever contacted appellant to express interest in
purchasing the remaining property. Appellant forwarded documents to Larry Scheffler to
facilitate an appraisal and emailed respondents and Pheasants Forever regarding a survey
of the property. But Pheasants Forever still did not submit an offer to respondents.
Unhappy with the lack of offers on the property, respondents hired a new real estate agent
to advertise and sell the property by auction. In response to an inquiry from appellant,
respondents indicated that they would consider an offer from Pheasants Forever prior to
the auction date.
On January 13, 2012, Pheasants Forever submitted an initial bid to respondents
with the understanding that the ten highest bidders would be invited to make final bids on
January 21, 2012. On February 8, 2012, respondents and Pheasants Forever entered into
a purchase agreement. This purchase agreement was signed within 180 days of the
expiration of the second listing agreement. After addressing title issues and surveying the
property, respondents and Pheasants Forever closed on December 31, 2012.
In August 2013, appellant sued, seeking a commission of $42,800. Appellant then
moved for summary judgment, arguing that it was entitled to a commission based on the
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180-day override clause in the second listing agreement or its reliance on Scheffler’s
October 3, 2011 letter. Respondents also moved for summary judgment.
Following a hearing, the district court granted respondents’ motion for summary
judgment and denied appellant’s motion. The district court determined that appellant was
not entitled to a commission under the listing agreement and override clause because
appellant failed to provide a protective list to respondents. The district court also
determined that appellant was not entitled to a commission based on Scheffler’s letter
because the letter did not include essential terms and there was no consideration. Finally,
the district court rejected any equitable theories of relief.
ISSUES
I. Did the district court err by concluding that appellant is not entitled to a
commission under the second listing agreement and override clause?
II. Did the district court err by concluding that appellant is not entitled to a
commission under the October 3, 2011 letter?
ANALYSIS
A motion for summary judgment shall be granted “if the pleadings, depositions,
answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,
show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that either party is entitled
to a judgment as a matter of law.” Minn. R. Civ. P. 56.03. On appeal from an award of
summary judgment, this court reviews de novo whether there is a genuine issue of
material fact and whether the district court erred when it applied the law. STAR Ctrs.,
Inc. v. Faegre & Benson, L.L.P., 644 N.W.2d 72, 77 (Minn. 2002). We “view the
evidence in the light most favorable to the party against whom summary judgment was
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granted.” Id. at 76-77. Like the construction of a statute, the construction of a contract is
generally a question of law that appellate courts review de novo. Rosenberg v. Heritage
Renovations, LLC, 685 N.W.2d 320, 324 (Minn. 2004). But the interpretation of an
ambiguous contract provision is a question of fact, Denelsbeck v. Wells Fargo & Co., 666
N.W.2d 339, 346 (Minn. 2003), reviewed for clear error, see Minn. R. Civ. P. 52.01.
I.
Appellant first argues that it is entitled to a commission under the override clause
in the second listing agreement.
An override clause is “a provision in a listing agreement or similar instrument
allowing the broker to receive compensation when, after the listing agreement has
expired, the property is sold to persons with whom a broker or salesperson had negotiated
or shown the property prior to the expiration of the listing agreement.” Minn. Stat.
§ 82.55, subd. 13(1) (2014). If a listing agreement contains an override clause, it must
“includ[e] a statement to the effect that the override clause will not be effective unless the
licensee supplies the seller with a protective list within 72 hours after the expiration of
the listing agreement.” Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd. 1(b)(7) (2014). This statement is
required because “[l]icensees shall not seek to enforce an override clause unless a
protective list has been furnished to the seller within 72 hours after the expiration of the
listing agreement.” Id., subd. 1(d)(1).
A protective list is a “written list of names and addresses of prospective buyers
with whom a licensee has negotiated the sale or rental of the property or to whom a
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licensee has exhibited the property before the expiration of the listing agreement.” Minn.
Stat. § 82.55, subd. 16(1) (2014).
A broker or salesperson has the burden of demonstrating that
each person on the protective list has, during the period of the
listing agreement, either made an affirmative showing of
interest in the property by responding to an advertisement or
by contacting the broker or salesperson involved or has been
physically shown the property by the broker or salesperson.
Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd. 1(e) (2014).
The parties’ second listing agreement contained both an override clause and the
required protective-list language. See id., subd. 1(b)(7). But it is undisputed that
appellant failed to provide a protective list to respondents within 72 hours of the
expiration of the second listing agreement. See id., subd. 1(d)(1).
Appellant argues that section 82.66, subdivision 1(d)(1) does not require strict
compliance and that substantial compliance can instead fulfill the protective-list
requirement. In Burnet Realty, Inc. v. Monson, a real estate agent provided a protective
list with the name of another real estate agent, rather than the names of the prospective
purchasers.1 479 N.W.2d 432, 433 (Minn. App. 1992). The real estate agency argued
substantial compliance with the protective-list requirement. Id. at 434. We disagreed
because the statute did not “mention substituting the names of the realty sales people for
the names and addresses of prospective purchasers.” Id. As a result, we declined to
1
We note that caselaw uses the term “realtor,” which is defined as “a real-estate agent
affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.” The American Heritage Dictionary
1465 (5th ed. 2011). Because not all real estate agents are realtors, we use the term “real
estate agent” throughout this opinion.
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address the real estate agency’s substantial-compliance argument because “there was no
substantial compliance with the ‘protective list’ rule in this case.” Id.
As support for its substantial-compliance argument, appellant cites a case in which
the supreme court adopted a holding from this court that the statutory requirements for a
listing agreement could be satisfied by substantial compliance. See Rosenberg, 685
N.W.2d at 325 (citing a previous version of the statute); see also Minn. Stat. § 82.66,
subd. 1(b) (2014) (providing the current listing-agreement requirements). Appellant
argues that, because substantial compliance applies to the listing-agreement requirements
in section 82.66, subdivision 1(b), it must also apply to the protective-list requirement in
section 82.66, subdivision 1(d)(1). But no caselaw has applied substantial compliance to
the prospective-list requirement in subdivision 1(d)(1), and we decline to do so here.
Contrary to appellant’s assertion, our caselaw indicates that the protective-list
requirement in subdivision 1(d)(1) is strictly construed. In Realty House, Inc. v. Grimm,
a real estate agency argued that it was entitled to a commission even though it failed to
provide a protective list because there was a signed purchase agreement and there was no
need to file a protective list. 460 N.W.2d 917, 919 (Minn. App. 1990). We disagreed
and determined that the real estate agency had the burden to provide a protective list,
even when a purchase agreement had been signed. Id. at 920. We held that a real estate
agent “who fails to deliver a protective list after the expiration of a listing agreement may
not enforce an override clause to recover a commission on a subsequent sale of the
property.” Id. Grimm is clear that a real estate agent must provide a protective list to the
seller to enforce an override clause. See id.; see also Douglas v. Schuette, 607 N.W.2d
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142, 146 (Minn. App. 2000) (stating that “a purchase agreement cannot substitute for a
protective list” and that a real estate agent cannot enforce an override clause after he
“failed to provide a protective list within the statutory period”), review denied (Minn.
May 16, 2000).
We hold that, to enforce an override clause in a listing agreement, a licensee must
strictly comply with the protective-list requirement in section 82.66, subdivision 1(d)(1).
The statute is unambiguous and provides clear notice that an override clause is
unenforceable without a protective list. See Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd. 1(d)(1)
(“Licensees shall not seek to enforce an override clause unless a protective list has been
furnished to the seller within 72 hours after the expiration of the listing agreement.”
(emphasis added)). Because appellant failed to provide any protective list to respondents,
appellant did not strictly comply with section 82.66, subdivision 1(d)(1) and is therefore
not entitled to a commission under the override clause.
We also note that the parties signed a contract stating that appellant “must notify
[respondents], within 72 hours of the expiration of the listing, the names of all of the
prospects that are protected” under the override clause. This language is unambiguous
and does not allow appellant to substitute substantial compliance for the protective-list
requirement. See Sheehy v. Bodin, 349 N.W.2d 353, 354 (Minn. App. 1984) (“Contract
language is to be given its plain and ordinary meaning.”). In addition, even if we adopted
appellant’s substantial-compliance rule, the record does not support appellant’s assertion
that it substantially complied. The only written evidence regarding Pheasants Forever as
a potential buyer was provided by Scheffler, not appellant, in the October 3, 2011 letter,
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well after the 72-hour protective-list period ended. This letter was not a protective list
because it did not contain Pheasants Forever’s address and, in fact, misidentified
Pheasants Forever as “Pheasants Unlimited.” See Minn. Stat. § 82.55, subd. 16(1)
(requiring a protective list to contain the names and addresses of all prospective buyers to
be protected).
Because appellant failed to provide a protective list to respondents within 72 hours
of the expiration of the second listing agreement as required by Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd.
1(d)(1), the district court did not err by concluding that appellant is not entitled to a
commission under the second listing agreement and override clause.
II.
Alternatively, appellant argues that it is entitled to a commission based on
Scheffler’s October 3, 2011 letter, which it characterizes as a “separate contract” between
the parties. The district court concluded that appellant was not entitled to a commission
because either the alleged agreement lacked consideration or the letter failed to specify
the consideration, an essential term.
Consideration is a basic element of contract formation. S O Designs USA, Inc. v.
Rollerblade, Inc., 620 N.W.2d 48, 53 (Minn. App. 2000), review denied (Minn. Feb. 21,
2001). “Consideration may consist of either a benefit accruing to a party or a detriment
suffered by another party.” C & D Invs. v. Beaudoin, 364 N.W.2d 850, 853 (Minn. App.
1985), review denied (Minn. June 14, 1985). In Minnesota, the reviewing court “will not
examine the adequacy of consideration as long as something of value has passed between
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the parties.” Id. But “past consideration cannot support a promise to pay and is invalid.”
Sheehy, 349 N.W.2d at 354.
In Sheehy, a broker and a real estate developer signed a written agreement stating
that “[the broker] has introduced and is willing to help process the above project for a fee
of $15,000.00 payable in full upon finding of the permanent financing.” Id. at 353-54.
We concluded that the broker’s introduction of the buyer was past consideration and
could not support the developer’s promise to pay. Id. at 354. But we also concluded that
the broker’s willingness to help process the project was not past consideration. Id. This
language required the broker to be available and, because the broker was available, he
was entitled to the commission. Id.
The relevant language of Scheffler’s October 3, 2011 letter states: “Inasmuch as
you have contacted representatives of Pheasants Unlimited regarding purchase of the
subject parcels, this will confirm that we agree to pay the agreed-upon commissions
should your contact result in a sale.” In essence, respondents agreed to pay appellant for
its past action of contacting Pheasants Forever. This language is similar to the language
in Sheehy promising to pay a commission for a past introduction. Unlike the other
language in Sheehy, however, it does not require appellant to take any further actions.
We therefore agree with the district court that Scheffler’s promise was based solely on
past consideration, which “cannot support a promise to pay.” See id.
But appellant argues that it provided consideration by continuing to assist
respondents and Pheasants Forever after receiving Scheffler’s letter. Unlike the broker’s
promise in Sheehy to remain available to assist the sale, Scheffler’s letter contains no
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requirement that appellant act in the future and instead clearly states that respondents
“decided not to renew the listing agreement with [appellant].” Because appellant’s future
performance was not bargained for and exchanged in return for respondents’ promise to
pay, appellant’s actions after receiving Scheffler’s letter cannot constitute consideration.
See Deli v. Hasselmo, 542 N.W.2d 649, 656 (Minn. App. 1996) (“Consideration is
something of value given in return for a performance or promise of performance that is
bargained for . . . .”), review denied (Minn. Apr. 16, 1996).
The district court also concluded that the October 3, 2011 letter failed to qualify as
a “written agreement” under Minn. Stat. § 82.85, subd. 2 (2014) because it did not
include consideration, an essential term. Under Minn. Stat. § 82.85, subd. 2:
No person required by this chapter to be licensed shall be
entitled to or may bring or maintain any action in the courts
for any commission, fee or other compensation with respect
to the purchase, sale, lease or other disposition or conveyance
of real property, or with respect to the negotiation or attempt
to negotiate any sale, lease or other disposition or conveyance
of real property unless there is a written agreement with the
person required to be licensed.
As the district court found, this statute does not identify the terms needed to satisfy the
written-agreement requirement. See Poser v. Abel, 510 N.W.2d 224, 227 n.2 (Minn.
App. 1994) (reaching this conclusion regarding an earlier version of the statute), review
denied (Minn. Feb. 24, 1994). But “cases discussing the statute of frauds and similar
statutes are instructive as to the terms that must be included in a written agreement to
satisfy this type of statute.” Id. When analyzing a different statute that required a written
agreement, this court concluded that “[c]onsideration is an essential element of a
contract.” Estate of Peterson, 579 N.W.2d 488, 491 (Minn. App. 1998), review denied
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(Minn. Aug. 18, 1998). As in Peterson, appellant attempts to rely on extrinsic evidence
of its actions to supply consideration, but extrinsic evidence cannot supply a missing
essential element. See id. Based on its lack of consideration, an essential element of a
contract, the October 3, 2011 letter does not qualify as a “written agreement” under
Minn. Stat. § 82.85, subd. 2.
Finally, appellant argues that promissory estoppel and equitable estoppel preclude
respondents from “contesting the existence of the October 3, 2011 contract.” But
appellant did not plead a claim for equitable relief. And this court has concluded that the
statute’s written-agreement requirement “would be defeated if a broker could recover
compensation under” equitable theories like contract implied in fact, quasi-contract, and
unjust enrichment. Krogness v. Best Buy Co., 524 N.W.2d 282, 286-87 (Minn. App.
1994), review denied (Minn. Jan. 25, 1995). Promissory and equitable estoppel imply the
existence of a contract based on promises or conduct. Del Hayes & Sons, Inc. v.
Mitchell, 304 Minn. 275, 284-86, 230 N.W.2d 588, 593-95 (1975). Like the equitable
theories in Krogness, allowing appellant to assert promissory or equitable estoppel would
frustrate the written-agreement requirement in Minn. Stat. § 82.85, subd. 2. See 524
N.W.2d at 286-87 (explaining that, to recover a commission based on contract implied in
fact or quasi-contract, a broker would have to show that there was no written agreement
between the parties).
DECISION
Because appellant failed to strictly comply with Minn. Stat. § 82.66, subd. 1(d)(1)
by providing a protective list to respondents and because the October 3, 2011 letter lacks
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consideration, the district court did not err by concluding that appellant is not entitled to a
commission. We therefore affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment to
respondents.
Affirmed.
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