What are the requirements for the acceptance of a written offer to create a valid contract?

The acceptance of a written offer to create a valid contract must indeed be in writing and within the time specified in the offer. This requirement ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions and agree to them formally. A written acceptance serves to document the mutual consent necessary to form a legally binding agreement. Additionally, specifying a time frame for acceptance helps ensure that the offer does not linger indefinitely, providing a clear deadline that can help prevent disputes over the validity of the offer.

In real estate transactions, the importance of having a written acceptance cannot be understated, as verbal agreements can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in enforcement. Furthermore, written contracts are more clearly associated with the statute of frauds, which typically requires contracts for the sale of real property to be in writing to be enforceable.

The other options do not meet the established requirements for contract formation, as verbal acceptance is not sufficient, informal agreements lack the necessary legal footing, and documentation by just one party fails to capture the mutual assent needed for a binding agreement.