Final answer:
Haskins is personally liable for the contract because only his name is on the contract and there was no board resolution authorizing the purchase, which is necessary for the company to be liable.
Therefore, the correct answer would be a. Haskins is personally liable for the contract.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where Haskins, an officer of a real estate development firm, purchased property without a board resolution and with only his name on the contract, the question of liability arises. Given that there was no reference to the company on the contract and the firm typically requires board resolutions for property purchases, it appears that Haskins acted independently and did not bind the company to the contract.
Therefore, the correct answer would be a. Haskins is personally liable for the contract. Since the company's name is not on the contract and there was no board resolution authorizing the purchase, the company would not be held liable for the contract. More specifically, the answer focus on the concept of authority in contract law. If an agent, like Haskins, does not have the authority to act on behalf of the company, or if the agent's actions are not ratified by the company, then the agent may be personally liable.