In the context of real estate, what does ‘specific performance’ entail?

Specific performance is a legal remedy typically used in real estate transactions where one party is compelled to fulfill their obligations under a contract. This means that instead of simply asking for monetary damages or the payment of damages for a breach, the court orders the party to perform their part of the contract, such as completing the sale of a property as agreed.

This remedy is particularly prevalent in real estate because each piece of property is unique, and monetary compensation may not adequately address the non-breaching party's loss if the contract isn't honored. For instance, if a seller backs out of a deal without justification, the buyer may seek specific performance to compel the seller to go through with the sale rather than simply suing for damages.

The other options focus on alternative outcomes such as monetary compensation or ending the contract, which do not capture the essence of specific performance as a remedy in the context of enforcing contractual obligations in real estate.