Contracts

What is a 'purchase and sale agreement' and what differentiates it from a letter of intent in Illinois commercial real estate?

AThey are identical; both are fully binding contracts
BA purchase and sale agreement is a fully binding contract; a letter of intent (LOI) is typically non-binding and outlines key terms before drafting the final contract✓ Correct
CLetters of intent are binding; purchase agreements are not
DPurchase agreements require attorneys; LOIs can be signed by anyone

Explanation

In Illinois commercial real estate, a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlines the key business terms of a proposed transaction—price, closing timeline, due diligence period, financing conditions—before the parties invest in drafting a full contract. LOIs are typically non-binding (with standard carve-outs for confidentiality and exclusivity), while a fully executed Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) is a legally binding contract.

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