Bob and Mary have been close friends for the past twenty years. Bob owns a cottage in Muskoka that he has recently decided to sell because he is no longer able to maintain it$.$ Bob has agreed to sell his cottage to Mary for $$185,000$ without using the services of a Realtor, and since they are such good friends they have decided that they don't need a written contract as they believe their verbal agreement is good enough for them both. Given this scenario, which one of the following statements is most correct?

Select one:

a$.$ Although verbal contracts are legal, ris sl estate transactions must be in writing

b$.$ Verbal contracts are not legal because legal intent cannot be proven without a written contract

c$.$ Since verbal contracts are legal under contract law this is a legally binding contract

d$.$ While verbal contracts for real estate transactions are legal they should always be in writing