Which statement best defines a contract?

• A. An agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law and by which each party promises to do or not to do something.
• B. A non-binding declaration of intent with no legal effect.
• C. A plan to budget for a future year.
• D. An informal promise with no obligations.

Answer: (A)

A contract is an agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law and by which each party promises to do or not to do something. This means the promises create real obligations that the law can compel, and it allows remedies if one side doesn’t perform. In practice, contracts usually involve an offer and acceptance, something of value exchanged (consideration), and the parties must have the capacity and a lawful purpose. For a community association, contracts are what bind vendors to provide services or residents and the association to agreed terms, making performance enforceable and disputes resolvable in court. This differs from a non-binding declaration of intent, which has no legal effect; a budgeting plan, which outlines ideas rather than binding duties; and an informal promise, which lacks enforceable obligations.