can any action be taken on verbal agreements?

[woofie50]

I'll try to make this short but it is complicated. Rented same place in PA for 6 year owner died left to sons. 1 son married who handled the rentals stayed for another 3 years we were looking for land to purchase. he told us we could purchase his other trailer with almost 12 acres on land contract for $40000 appraised at $35000. so we moved to this trailer in aug of 03. we decided to wait until after the new year to transfer ownership so that we would just be responsible for all the taxes and stuff, closing wouldn't be complicated. end of december came along and he came to us and told us that he was getting a divorce and that we would have to put off transfer for awhile. we continued cleaning and repairing the trailer and property as well as clearing a portion of the property for the building of our house. after being strung along for years In the end of 2006 divorce was final the wife ended up with the property. we were told that she would let us know in the spring what she was going to do. she had an appraiser come in in feb 07 and 3 days later was told she is selling it for $69900 not to us on a land contract either she already had a buyer. now she wants us out. our original security deposit was paid to the deceased land lord. we put out a lot of money in improvements because we thought it was ours and apparently increased the value of the property Do we have any recourse at all? Thank You

[Law200]

You can try to sue for the improvements, costs etc.

Normally contracts as to land rights and sales etc. need to be in writing.