An Option to Purchase Real Estate — General is a legal agreement between two parties, the option or (seller) and the optioned (buyer), that gives the optioned the right to purchase the property specified in the agreement at a predetermined price within a specified period of time. The optioned pays a fee (option fee) to the option or for the right to purchase the property, but is not legally obligated to exercise the option. If the optioned decides to purchase the property, they must do so within the specified time frame, or the option will expire. Types of Option to Purchase Real Estate — General include a Call Option, which gives the optioned the right to purchase the property; a Put Option, which gives the optioned the right to sell the property; and a Lease Option, which gives the optioned the right to lease the property for a specified period of time and then purchase it at a predetermined price.