Powell v. City of Newton

“Land is regarded as such a high species of property that exceptional safeguards have been devised for the preservation and security of its title ... .”2 In recognition of the need for safeguards against fraud and ambiguity in the sale or conveyance of land, the North Carolina General Statutes requires: “All contracts to sell or convey any lands . . . shall be void unless said contract, or some memorandum or note thereof, be put in writing and signed by the party to be charged therewith, or by some other person by him thereto lawfully authorized.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 22-2. Because there was no…