Who cannot sue for specific performance in a real estate contract?

In the context of a real estate contract, specific performance is a legal remedy that compels a party to fulfill their obligations under the contract. This remedy is typically available to the parties directly involved in the contract—namely the buyer and the seller.

Brokers, such as the buyer's broker or the selling broker, act as intermediaries and facilitate the transaction between the buyer and seller, but they do not hold a direct interest in the real estate contract itself. Therefore, they lack the legal standing to sue for specific performance because they are not parties to the agreement. Their role is to assist in executing the transaction but does not grant them the rights equivalent to those of the buyer or seller regarding contract enforcement.

In contrast, the buyer can sue for specific performance because they are a party to the contract, as can the seller. This fundamental distinction underscores why neither the buyer's broker nor the selling broker can initiate a lawsuit based on the contract terms.