An option can create what type of obligation for the seller?

An option creates a mandatory obligation for the seller to sell the property if the buyer, who holds the option, decides to exercise that option. This is a distinct characteristic of an option agreement; it provides the buyer with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the property at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.

When the buyer exercises the option, the seller is contractually obligated to complete the sale at the agreed-upon terms. This creates a binding agreement for the seller to fulfill their side of the contract once the option is activated by the buyer's decision. In contrast, other options that suggest firm contracts or discretionary authority do not capture this specific nature of an option agreement effectively.