Era Real Estate Home & Ranch Properties v. Big Horn Game Ranch, Inc.

ERA Real Estate appeals a summary judgment dismissing its claim for a commission in the Yellowstone County District Court.

The plaintiff real estate broker (ERA) brought this action to recover a real estate commission it believed had been earned on a large ranch sale. The defendant, Bighorn Game Ranch, Inc. (Bighorn), was the owner and seller of the 16,000-acre ranch located near Hardin, Montana. Bighorn gave Michael Murphy, an agent for ERA, a nonexclusive listing to sell the ranch in March 1982. There was no formal listing agreement executed, but the understanding between Bighorn and Murphy…