my friend and I signed a written contract to purchase

Hello:

The written contract remains in force and in effect. Just because you verbally agreed to modify one term of the written contract does not mean that the written contract is invalid. You could only cancel the written contract by having some written terms or a written agreement to indicate that the contract is being canceled.

You would be able to sue for breach of contract if she does not go forward with the sale at the agreed-upon price. You would be able to sue for any loss or expense that you incur in order to find some comparable property.

It is also possible to sue for specific performance, which would require her to actually transfer title to you and carry out to the existing contract. But in order to get to that type of relief, you would need to prove that there is something unique about the property, and that you cannot be compensated through your loss and expenses by a simple payment of money. It is more difficult and more rare to have the court order specific performance.

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