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A right of first refusal ("ROFR") is a preemptive right to purchase specific real property at some future time upon certain defined terms and conditions. These conditions may vary, and therefore the language of a ROFR clause will vary as well. For example, a ROFR may be triggered by an offer received by the owner from a third party; in such a case, the owner is obligated to first offer the subject property for sale to the holder of the ROFR ("Holder") at the same price and upon the same terms. Another scenario may occur if the owner makes the decision to sell the property but does not yet have a buyer; the ROFR may obligate him to offer the property first to the Holder.

There is a similar but lesser right that also falls within this general category. It is called a right of first negotiation ("ROFN"), which means exactly what the title suggests and no more. There is no mention of price and no obligation to conclude a deal.

Certain characteristics are shared by ROFR´s and options. Both are exercisable in the future. The validity of both can be limited to certain time periods or terms, i.e., either may expire before it is exercised. They can occur in both residential and commercial situations. Also both ROFR´s and options grantor the Holder the power but not the obligation to act. There is generally no breach or liability for damages if the Holder chooses to do nothing.

However, a ROFR differs from an option in that it is conditional, not fixed, and generally does not specify a dollar price. An option to purchase, on the other hand, is a unilateral contract which gives the Holder the right to compel sale of the property at certain price within a certain option term. A recent case further describes the relationship between a ROFR and an option as follows: When an owner gives notice of intent to sell, the ROFR matures or "ripens" into an enforceable option. The terms of the option consist of the provisions granting the option along with the terms and conditions of the third-party offer presented to the Holder. Once the owner has given the Holder notice of his intent to sell on the terms contained in the third-party offer, the terms of the option cannot be changed for as long as the option is binding on the owner. City of Brownsville v. Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc., 192 W.W.3d 876 (Tex.App.- Dallas 2006, pet. Denied).

ROFR´s have received a fresh look by many Texas investors following changes to 5.061 et seq. of the Texas Property Code, which applies significant requirements when options to purchase are combined with residential leases (See the companion articles Executory Contracts in Texas and Lease-Options in Texas). These requirements have made most residential lease-purchases unworkable for investors, at least if the property still has a loan on it. So, some have come to the conclusion that this problem can be remedied by deleting the word "option" in the lease-purchase document, substituting ROFR language in its place, and then going on to specify a dollar price (desirous because it locks in the investor´s future profit regardless of what market value may be at the time). The problem is, under The City of Brownsville case, once the price is specified it is likely that the ROFR becomes an option and therefore an executor device; also, courts are more likely to interpret a contract clause by what is says, rather than what it is called (the "quacks like a duck" rule). The result could be a finding that the executory contract statute has been violated, or worse, that fraud has been committed by the investor.

All of this presents an interesting challenge when attempting to draft a ROFR. Here is one example:

In the event OWNER offers the Property for sale, then HOLDER shall have the right (but not the obligation) to purchase the Property under the following terms and conditions: (1) Once OWNER has established an asking or listing price for the Property, OWNER shall first notify HOLDER in writing of OWNER´s intent to sell and shall then offer the Property for sale to HOLDER at this price. HOLDER shall have 10 days from receipt of such notice to consider this offer, and if HOLDER accepts, HOLDER shall have 45 days to close. Consideration may be cash or third-party financing or, if agreed between OWNER and HOLDER, by assumption, wraparound, or owner finance. (2) If HOLDER shall decline or fail to purchase the Property at the listing or asking price, OWNER shall be free to offer the Property for sale to others. However, if a bona fide offer is received from a third-party prospective buyer, then OWNER shall again notify HOLDER in writing and offer the Property to HOLDER at the price and upon the same or better terms as named by the prospective buyer. HOLDER shall have 10 days from receipt of such notice to consider this offer, and if HOLDER accepts, HOLDER shall have 45 days to close. HOLDER may shorten or eliminate any applicable time periods in this paragraph by waiving or declining in writing to exercise HOLDER's right of first refusal. [IF A TIME PERIOD IS DESIRED]. The right of first refusal described in this section shall expire on [DATE].

The advantage of the foregoing method is that the ROFR sales price is ultimately set by a third-party buyer. However, what if the ROFR as drafted merely gives the Holder a general right? Some method has to be found to establish price. In the following instance, value is determined by reference to prevailing fair market value:

In the event OWNER intends to offer the Property for sale, OWNER must first offer the Property for sale to HOLDER at a price equivalent to prevailing fair market value. Terms of sale shall be cash or third-party finance, and closing shall be within 45 days.

If the parties cannot agree on what constitutes fair market value, then two appraisers shall be promptly selected, one by OWNER and another by HOLDER. The two appraisers selected shall proceed to promptly determine the fair market value of the Property, taking into consideration its condition, the comparables, and any outstanding indebtedness, liabilities, liens, and obligations relating to the Property. The appraisers shall deliver their respective reports within thirty (30) days. If the two appraisers arrive at different valuations, then these two valuations shall be averaged in order to produce a final valuation. The final valuation shall be binding on both parties. Each party waives the right to contest the final valuation in court. The costs of the appraisals shall be split equally between OWNER and HOLDER.

The ROFR is a useful tool which stops short of being an executory device, but only so long as one does not try to stretch the language in order to make it an option by a different name. This most commonly occurs when a price is specified.