Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Certain narrow exceptions may still require wet signatures.

Are deed recording rules the same as the contract?

No. The contract governs the obligation to convey, while the deed and its recording follow state recording statutes and notarization/witness rules. Confirm county recording requirements before closing.

What if names differ between contract and deed?

Differing names can block recording or create title defects. Corrective instruments or affidavits may be required; consult title counsel promptly to avoid delays and extra fees.

Is notarization required for the purchase agreement itself?

Typically no; the purchase agreement need not be notarized. However, deeds and some related closing documents often require notary and witness formalities per state law.

How should earnest money be handled?

Follow escrow instructions in the agreement and confirm the title company's escrow hold account. Document deposit timing precisely to preserve remedies and avoid disputes over receipt.

What happens if financing contingency fails?

If the buyer timely notifies per the contingency terms, the buyer may terminate and recover earnest money as specified. Missing the notice deadline can waive the contingency and lead to breach claims.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement

ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement

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ALTA REVISED PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between the parties identified below. The parties agree as follows.

PARTIES

Seller Name:

Seller Contact Address

Buyer Name:

Buyer Contact Address

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

Property Street Address

Parcel / APN No.:

Legal Description

PURCHASE PRICE & PAYMENT

Purchase Price: $ Earnest Money Deposit: $

Escrow / Title Company

Earnest Money Delivery: Held By:

CONTINGENCIES

Financing Contingency: The obligation of Buyer to close is contingent upon Buyer obtaining financing on terms acceptable to Buyer within days after Contract Date.

Appraisal Contingency: Applicable

Inspection Period: Buyer has days to complete inspections and deliver objections. Inspection Period Ends:

Inspections and Repairs

CLOSING & POSSESSION

Closing Date: Closing Location:

Possession: At Closing After Closing on

TITLE, SURVEY & RECORDS

Title Commitment shall be delivered by Seller within days. Buyer may object to title matters within days after receipt.

Title Insurance: Purchaser shall obtain an owner's policy of title insurance at Purchaser's expense in the amount of the Purchase Price unless otherwise agreed.

INCLUDED & EXCLUDED ITEMS

Personal Property Included in Sale Personal Property Excluded from Sale

DISCLOSURES

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Yes No

Known Mold or Water Intrusion: Yes No

Prior Structural or Material Damage: Yes No

DEFAULT & REMEDIES

If Buyer defaults, Seller may retain the Earnest Money as liquidated damages or pursue specific performance or other remedies at law or in equity. If Seller defaults, Buyer may seek specific performance, recovery of earnest money, and damages.

Buyer and Seller expressly acknowledge that the parties' remedies shall be cumulative and the election of any remedy shall not preclude pursuit of others.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES & COVENANTS

Seller represents that Seller is the owner of the Property, has authority to convey good and marketable title, and that there are no undisclosed leases, mortgages or liens except as disclosed in writing. Seller shall disclose known material defects in writing prior to Closing.

Buyer represents that Buyer has authority to enter into this Agreement and will timely perform Buyer's obligations, subject only to the contingencies expressly set forth herein.

PRORATIONS & CLOSING COSTS

Taxes, assessments, rents, utilities and other customary items shall be prorated as of Closing. Closing costs shall be allocated as follows: Buyer to pay ; Seller to pay .

RISK OF LOSS

Risk of loss or damage to the Property shall remain with Seller until Closing. If material damage occurs before Closing, Buyer may terminate this Agreement and receive a refund of the Earnest Money, or proceed to Closing without reduction unless otherwise agreed in writing.

GOVERNING LAW & ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Property is located. This Agreement, including all exhibits and addenda, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements.

NOTICES

Seller Notice Address Buyer Notice Address

Notices shall be effective upon personal delivery or three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the party's notice address above unless otherwise provided by law.

MISCELLANEOUS

Time is of the essence with respect to all dates and deadlines set forth in this Agreement. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing signed by both parties. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force.

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement Is

The ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement is a standardized real estate contract form used in residential and commercial property transactions to record the buyer's offer, seller's obligations, contingencies, closing requirements, and title-related responsibilities. Drafted by the American Land Title Association as an industry benchmark, it clarifies timelines for inspections, financing, title approval, closing costs, and prorations while allocating risk between parties. The form is commonly supplemented by state-specific addenda, exhibits for personal property or easements, and a title commitment from a closing agent or title company to enable a coordinated, enforceable closing workflow.

Why This Agreement Matters for Clear, Enforceable Closings

Use the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement to set clear expectations on contingencies, closing mechanics, and title obligations so parties can reduce disputes and streamline settlement.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement

Real estate attorneys, listing and buyer agents, title officers, lenders, and experienced buyers commonly complete or review the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement before execution.

Listing agents and sellers who must disclose known property conditions and accept or counter offers within stated timeframes.
Buyer agents and purchasers who use contingencies for inspection, financing, and title approval to protect the buyer's interests.
Title companies and lenders that review the form to confirm closing mechanics, earnest money handling, and required deliverables.

Final review by a title officer and, when appropriate, legal counsel helps confirm that state-specific requirements and lender conditions are satisfied before closing.

Primary Signers and Their Roles

Buyer — Authorized Signer

The buyer or an authorized representative signs to accept contract terms and triggers inspection, financing obligations, and earnest money deadlines. Ensure the buyer's legal name matches the intended vesting on the deed to avoid title issues and transfer delays.

Seller — Authorized Signer

The seller signs to convey acceptance of contract terms and to obligate delivery of marketable title. Sellers should confirm authorized signatory authority for entities and provide any required corporate or trust documentation at closing.

Core Elements Found in a Professional ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement

A complete ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement organizes essential transaction details so title, escrow, lender, and counsel can coordinate obligations without ambiguity.

Purchase Price

States the precise purchase price, allocation of earnest money, acceptable payment methods, and whether adjustments or credits apply at closing to avoid disputes about funds due.

Contingencies

Lists buyer protections such as inspection, appraisal, and financing contingencies, including deadlines and cure rights so both parties know when protections expire.

Title and Closing

Specifies title standards, required title exceptions, closing agent, and who pays recording costs to ensure a marketable title transfer and clear recordation responsibilities.

Prorations

Details how taxes, HOA dues, rents, and utilities are prorated at closing and which date governs proration calculations to prevent later accounting disputes.

Representations

Contains seller representations about property condition, authority to sell, and absence of undisclosed liens or encumbrances to support buyer reliance and indemnity remedies.

Remedies

Defines remedies for breach, such as deposit forfeiture, specific performance, or termination procedures, and any limitations on damages or indemnities.

Stepwise Process to Complete and Exchange the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps from offer to closing to keep the transaction on schedule and compliant with lender and title requirements.

01

Prepare Offer: Draft the agreement with full buyer and seller details and proposed deadlines.
02

Deliver and Negotiate: Send to the other party; address counters and finalize terms in writing.
03

Open Escrow: Provide earnest money instructions and notify the title company to begin title work.
04

Close Transaction: Coordinate funding, signing, and recording to transfer title and disburse proceeds.

How to Configure an Online Completion Workflow

Set up fields, authentication, and notifications so signers complete the agreement securely and actions are tracked for title and lender review.

Field	Configuration
Signature Authentication	Email plus optional SMS code for signer identity verification
Field Types	Signature, initial, date, checkbox, and conditional text fields
Conditional Logic	Show lender contingencies or inspection exhibits only when applicable
Notifications	Automatic emails for pending signatures and completed package delivery

Technical Considerations for Digital Completion and Delivery

Choose a platform that supports PDF, DOCX imports, secure audit trails, and integrates with title and CRM systems.

Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced methods

Ensure the selected system captures timestamps, signer attribution, and a tamper-evident final document to satisfy lender and title company requirements.

Where to Send the Signed Agreement and Supporting Items

After execution, route the agreement and exhibits to parties who must act before closing, including the title company, lender, and escrow officer.

Title Company: Receives signed agreement and issues a title commitment
Escrow Officer: Holds earnest money and coordinates closing funds
Lender: Processes loan conditions and appraisal orders
Recording Office: Records deed and mortgage post-closing

Typical Deadlines and Critical Dates in the Agreement

Key dates are enforceable; track them precisely to preserve rights under contingencies and avoid forfeiture or breach claims.

Earnest Money Due:

Date buyer must deposit funds into escrow per contract

Inspection Period End:

Last day buyer may terminate for inspection objections

Financing Contingency Deadline:

Date by which buyer must obtain loan commitment

Closing Date:

Agreed date for transfer of title and funding

Recording Deadline:

Target date to record deed and mortgage after closing

Key Transaction Milestones from Offer to Recordation

A sequential milestone view helps all parties coordinate tasks and avoid last-minute roadblocks.

01

Offer Execution

Parties sign and effective date is established

02

Due Diligence

Inspections completed and objections resolved

03

Loan Approval

Lender issues clear-to-close or funds commitment

04

Final Closing and Recording

Documents signed, funds disbursed, deed recorded

Common Preparation and Execution Errors to Avoid

Using inconsistent party names between contract and deed, which can delay recording and require corrective affidavits.
Missing or ambiguous contingency deadlines that allow the other party to claim forfeiture or refuse cure opportunities.
Failing to deliver the required title commitment or exception removal documents before the closing date, causing last-minute continuations.
Not specifying who pays prorations or closing costs, which often triggers disputes at settlement and delays disbursement.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Agreement

Deposit Loss: Earnest money forfeiture

Specific Performance: Court-ordered completion possible

Rescission: Contract termination risk

Title Defect: Delayed or blocked transfer

Funding Denial: Lender may refuse loan

Recording Delay: Increased costs and liability

Real-world Examples of ALTA Agreement Use

Practical examples show how parties and service providers use the ALTA form to close transactions efficiently.

Martin Properties Example

The brokerage executed the ALTA form digitally for remote closings to maintain schedule.

The buyer met financing deadlines and cleared contingencies.
The title company issued a timely commitment and recording occurred on schedule, preventing a contract continuation and minimizing carrying costs for seller.

Optica Ventures Example

An investor used the ALTA agreement with specific inspection exhibits to acquire a rental portfolio.

Title exceptions were resolved before closing.
Coordinated escrow instructions and clear signature paths allowed the parties to close under the original timeline with funds disbursed the same day.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreement Execution

Adopt these practices to minimize disputes, accelerate lender review, and ensure clean recording.

Verify Legal Names and Vesting

Confirm buyer and seller names match government IDs and intended deed vesting exactly. Mismatched names are a frequent cause of recording delays and often require corrective affidavits.

Track and Calendar Deadlines

Enter each contingency and funding deadline into a shared calendar. Missing a contingency deadline can shift termination rights or lead to deposit disputes.

Attach Required Exhibits

Include inspection reports, financing addenda, HOA documents, and the title commitment as exhibits so the title company and lender receive a complete package for closing.

Confirm Closing Party Requirements

Ask the title company and lender for a pre-closing checklist to confirm required documents, certificates of authority, and notarization or witness requirements.

How the ALTA Agreement Differs From Similar Forms

Compare the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement to common alternatives to choose the right base form for your transaction.

Criteria	ALTA Revised	Standard State Form
Title Focus	comprehensive	varies widely
Lender Compatibility	high	mixed
Standardization	national	state-specific
Customization Ease	high	varies

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Common vendor plans and core capabilities to consider when selecting an eSignature platform for closing ALTA agreements; signNow is listed first per comparative convention.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day free trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About the ALTA Revised Purchase Agreement

Common questions and clear, concise answers to help parties and closing agents resolve routine issues efficiently.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Certain narrow exceptions may still require wet signatures.
Are deed recording rules the same as the contract?
No. The contract governs the obligation to convey, while the deed and its recording follow state recording statutes and notarization/witness rules. Confirm county recording requirements before closing.
What if names differ between contract and deed?
Differing names can block recording or create title defects. Corrective instruments or affidavits may be required; consult title counsel promptly to avoid delays and extra fees.
Is notarization required for the purchase agreement itself?
Typically no; the purchase agreement need not be notarized. However, deeds and some related closing documents often require notary and witness formalities per state law.
How should earnest money be handled?
Follow escrow instructions in the agreement and confirm the title company's escrow hold account. Document deposit timing precisely to preserve remedies and avoid disputes over receipt.
What happens if financing contingency fails?
If the buyer timely notifies per the contingency terms, the buyer may terminate and recover earnest money as specified. Missing the notice deadline can waive the contingency and lead to breach claims.

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