What legal requirement may render an oral agreement between a seller and a buyer unenforceable?

An oral agreement between a seller and a buyer may be rendered unenforceable primarily because it does not comply with the Statute of Frauds. This legal doctrine requires certain types of contracts to be in writing in order to be enforceable. Real estate transactions, including those for the sale of land or properties, are specifically mentioned in the Statute of Frauds, meaning these agreements must be documented in a written format and signed by the parties involved to be legally binding.

When an agreement is oral and falls within the categories covered by the Statute of Frauds, it lacks the necessary legal standing, rendering it unenforceable in a court of law. This protects parties from fraudulent claims and misunderstandings that can arise from verbal agreements. Understanding this requirement is crucial for both sellers and buyers to ensure that their agreements are valid and uphold their intentions within real estate transactions.