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A landowner orally agreed to sell a vacant lot to a developer for $300,000. The developer paid $30,000, took possession with the landowner's permission, installed fencing, and began grading the lot for a small warehouse. The only writing was a text message from the landowner stating, "I got your deposit for the north lot deal. Closing later this summer." The message did not state the price.
Separately, the developer orally hired a construction manager for a fixed 18-month project. The manager began work, but there was no signed writing. The landowner also orally told a bank, "If the developer does not pay the construction loan, I will pay it," because the landowner wanted the warehouse completed to increase the value of her adjacent property. The bank made the loan in reliance on that statement.
Analyze the statute of frauds issues for the land sale, the 18-month services agreement, and the landowner's promise to the bank.