The verdict is in! Local real estate company owner, Richard Davis, sued A&E for $7.5 million over a contract to split profits from the TV pilot show, Flip this House. During the 1st season, Davis was created as the creator but never received payment from the wildly popular show. This week the jury awarded Davis $4 million in damages for breach of an oral contract.
You can imagine that Davis and his legal team are happy with the verdict. His attorney admitted, "...It's very tough to prove you had an oral contract with a major network." A&E sure is disappointed and I imagine an appeal will be filed.
What's the moral of this story? GET IT IN WRITING!!!!
Michele Reneau, ABR, GRI, CRS
www.CharlestonRelocationExperts.com
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Its my understanding you have to prove an oral contract exist. Boy did he get lucky!
I think Richard got lucky on this one. But good for him! That show just hasn't been the same since his crew left.
I tell my clients that all the time. If it ain't in writing, you ain't going to get it. ~ Evelyn
I love that show, but it seems like we hear a lot about the networks not honoring their commitments.
Richard should have known to get it in writing. He's too smart for this mess.
I vote Michele cutest Realtor in SC!!
Are you kidding me?? He didn't get it in writing???
I wonder how much of that 7.5 mil will be eaten up in attorney costs.
That is lucky. But if he started i he deserves it.
"Flip This House" is another one of my favorite real estate shows- along with the one you starred in :)
It's a good thing that oral contracts don't fly in real estate or we would have a serious amount of legal messes to deal with. Written contract are the only way to go. He said, she said is just bound to get you into a heap of trouble.
Thanks for sharing, Nicole Weidauer
The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle
Chris- Me neither! That's what makes this so interesting.
Lisa-You're right. It's difficult to prove if not in writing. Save the court time next time and get it in black and white.
Tracy-I agree. I think he was lucky.
Evelyn-Definitely wise advice!
Michele,
I wondered why he wasn't on the show anymore. Thanks for the unsolved mystery! I loved that show.
Hi Michele - Hope the story has a happy ending. How often do we have great ideas and do nothing and see later someone else is making millions with our ideas. Getting in writing is key...getting behind the idea with action is a whole other story! Thanks for sharing and warm greetings from Paradise.
Michele,
ABSOLUTELY.......everything in writing......no exceptions!
Interesting that someone so well versed in real estate (and the statute of frauds) didn't have a multi-million dollar agreement in writing.
Marcie-It was a fun show to watch especially since it's in my town.
Greg-Great ideas should be implemented...perhaps another lesson.
Dan-It is a good reminder.
Joel-I agree...bet it won't happen again.
Michele, Good for him to go after it - and get it! Even without a written deal, (which surprises me, first that he'd get into a deal without getting it in writing, and secondly, that he could win with it having been in writing!)
Debi)
i didnt realize his show was prior to the montelongo show, both shows the people all seem like actors more then real industry people. I always figured the entire show was staged and far more of a production then a reality show.
Getting things in writing is so important. People always seem to forget something you told them or some type of arrangement that you had with them. Convenient, huh? If I am ever talking to someone on the phone or in person and it has to do with a deal, I always follow-up in writing.
Debi-I'm just as surprised as you on all accounts.
Robert-There are always parts of TV that are staged, even in reality shows. I participated in a House Hunters episode.
Jennifer-Yes, very convenient. It's a great practice to follow up with anything in writing.
This was the one of the first blog post that I left a comment on when I joined AR back in november 2008. It has been a while now and I couldn't live without my lethbridge listings blog. Just thought I would check back to the start of my days here at AR.
What ever happened to Richard after this point? I will have to go read an update someplace online.