Can a building purchase contract be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and by UETA in most states; confirm any specific statutory exceptions that may apply to your transaction.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Notarization is typically required for deeds and some transfer documents; witness requirements vary by state. Check local recorder and notary rules or use Remote Online Notarization where authorized.

How should financing contingencies be handled?

Define the contingency deadline, the required lender deliverables, and the remedy if financing fails. Require written notices and specify whether the contingency is for good faith or absolute approval.

What if the signer name differs from ID documents?

Mismatched names can delay title and recording. Provide evidence of name variation, such as formation documents or certificates of amendment, and update the contract to reflect the legal name.

How long must I retain the signed contract?

Retain the signed agreement for the active term plus post-termination retention. IRS guidance generally requires relevant records for 3 years (IRC §6501(a)); many practitioners retain real estate records 7 to 10 years.

Is the electronic record admissible in court?

Electronic records and associated audit trails are admissible when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria for intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Preserve metadata and audit logs to support evidentiary weight.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Building Purchase Contract

Building Purchase Contract

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUILDING PURCHASE CONTRACT

1. PARTIES AND DATE

This Building Purchase Contract ("Contract") is made by and between Seller: and Buyer: .

Effective Date: . The parties agree as follows.

2. IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES

Seller - Name and Contact Seller - Address for Notices

Buyer - Name and Contact Buyer - Address for Notices

3. PROPERTY

Property Address:

Parcel / APN Number Legal Description Included Fixtures and Personal Property

4. PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT TERMS

Purchase Price: $. Buyer shall pay as follows:

Earnest Money Deposit

Balance at Closing

5. FINANCING AND CONTINGENCIES

Financing Contingency: Buyer shall use diligent efforts to obtain financing in the amount of $ on terms acceptable to Buyer within days after Effective Date.

Inspection Contingency

Buyer has the right to inspect the Property for defects, environmental conditions, and compliance for a period of days. Buyer may terminate or request repairs consistent with this Contract.

Other Contingencies

6. CLOSING AND POSSESSION

Closing Date: at or before 5:00 p.m. unless the parties otherwise agree in writing.

Closing Location / Escrow Agent

Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on: subject to leasebacks and permitted exceptions set forth herein.

Prorations and Adjustments

7. TITLE, SURVEY AND CLOSING DOCUMENTS

Seller shall convey fee simple title by Special Warranty Deed (or other mutually agreed instrument) free of monetary liens except for those items agreed herein. Buyer shall obtain a title commitment and, at Buyer’s election, a title insurance policy insuring Buyer’s title subject only to permitted exceptions.

Title Company / Commitment to be Delivered by Title Commitment Date

8. PROPERTY CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Seller represents to Seller's knowledge that there are no material violations of law affecting the Property except as disclosed. Buyer accepts the right to perform environmental assessments. Sale is: AS-IS

Environmental and Hazard Disclosures

Lead-based paint present? Yes No Mold known? Yes No Prior structural damage or material repairs? Yes No

9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Seller warrants that Seller has the authority to sell the Property, that no undisclosed leases or agreements encumber the Property except as provided, and that Seller will deliver possession and conveyance in accordance with this Contract. Buyer warrants the authority to enter this Contract and perform payment obligations.

10. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

If Buyer fails to close in accordance with this Contract, Seller may retain earnest money as liquidated damages or seek specific performance, at Seller’s election. If Seller fails to convey, Buyer may seek specific performance or recover deposit and damages. Remedies are cumulative and governed by applicable law.

11. TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND UTILITIES

Real property taxes, assessments, rents, and utilities shall be prorated as of the Closing Date. Seller shall pay all transfer taxes and assessments attributable to periods prior to Closing unless otherwise agreed in writing.

12. NOTICES

Seller Notice Address Buyer Notice Address

13. BROKERS

Each party represents that it has dealt with the brokers disclosed in writing, and each party shall indemnify the other for any broker claims arising from that party's representations or agreements.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

Governing Law: This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Property is located. Entire Agreement: This Contract contains the entire agreement between the parties and may only be amended by a written instrument signed by both parties.

15. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

SIGNATURES

Buyer - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Building Purchase Contract Is

A Building Purchase Contract is a legally binding agreement that sets the terms for the sale and transfer of a building or structures on real property. It defines the parties, describes the property, states the purchase price and payment terms, allocates risk through contingencies and warranties, and establishes closing obligations and dates. The contract governs title transfer, inspection and financing conditions, prorations, allocation of closing costs, and remedies for default. Properly drafted, it clarifies expectations and reduces dispute risk during due diligence and closing.

Why a Clear Building Purchase Contract Matters

A precise contract protects buyer and seller interests by recording price, contingencies, inspection rights, and closing mechanics while reducing ambiguity that causes disputes. Electronic execution is generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted.

Who Prepares, Reviews, and Signs This Agreement

Typical participants include the buyer, seller, brokers, lenders, title agents, and attorneys involved in negotiating and closing the transaction.

Buyers and investors who secure financing, complete due diligence, and must rely on written inspection and financing contingencies.
Sellers and property owners who must disclose conditions, meet title requirements, and accept or negotiate contingencies and closing terms.
Brokers, lenders, title companies, and attorneys who prepare addenda, verify legal descriptions, obtain title commitments, and coordinate closing logistics.

Each role has specific responsibilities: buyers handle financing and inspections, sellers deliver clear title, and title or escrow agents manage recording and funds disbursement.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Contract

A professional Building Purchase Contract organizes obligations and risk across standard sections so parties can identify rights and deadlines quickly. Include clear definitions, contingency mechanics, and post-closing duties to reduce litigation risk and facilitate lender and title requirements.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for buyer and seller, including authorized signatories and any related affiliates or agents who may act under the agreement.

Property Description

Complete street address plus legal description or parcel ID, improvements included or excluded, and a reference to the recorded deed and any easements or encumbrances.

Purchase Price

Total price, deposit/earnest money amount, payment schedule, allocation of prorations, and any adjustments at closing for taxes or utilities.

Contingencies

Inspection, environmental, zoning, and financing contingencies with deadlines, notice mechanics, cure rights, and termination consequences for unmet conditions.

Title and Closing

Title commitment, required endorsements, closing agent, escrow instructions, documents to be delivered at closing, and recording obligations.

Representations and Warranties

Seller warranties about authority, no undisclosed violations, compliance with law, and buyer warranties about funding and authority to close.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Building Purchase Contract

Follow a clear sequence to minimize errors: prepare, negotiate, execute, and close with proper document handling at each step.

01

Prepare the Draft: Assemble property data, seller disclosures, title preliminary reports, and lender requirements.
02

Negotiate Terms: Agree on price, contingencies, closing date, and allocation of costs with written addenda as needed.
03

Execute the Agreement: Obtain required signatures, notarizations, and initial deposits per contract instructions.
04

Close and Record: Coordinate funding, deed transfer, title insurance, and recording with the county recorder.

How to Customize and Complete the Contract Online

Set up an online workflow that places required fields, automates routing, and enforces authentication to reduce execution errors and speed closing.

Field	Configuration
Template	Create a reusable contract template with locked clauses and required fields
Conditional Fields	Show financing contingencies only when buyer selects financed purchase
Authentication	Require email or SMS verification; add ID check for notarization
Integrations	Connect to title, escrow, or CRM systems for automated handoff

Where to File, Send, and Store the Signed Contract

After execution, route the final contract and closing documents to lenders, title companies, county recorders, and all parties; maintain a secure retained copy.

To Lender: Provide executed agreement, title commitment, and lender-required disclosures for loan underwriting.
To Title Company: Send the signed contract and any addenda to obtain title insurance and escrow instructions.
To County Recorder: Record the deed and any mortgage or lien documents after closing to perfect title.
To Parties: Deliver executed copies to buyer, seller, brokers, and counsel for their records.

Digital Signing and eSubmission Essentials

Use a platform that supports PDF and DOCX formats, produces an audit trail, and offers configurable signer authentication for high-value real estate transactions.

Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and title integrations available
Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, and action log

Deadlines to Track in the Contract

Identify each deadline in the contract and map them to calendar reminders so contingencies and funding steps are met without jeopardizing the deal.

Offer Expiration:

Date and time the buyer's offer expires; failure to accept voids the offer.

Inspection Period End:

Commonly 7–15 days depending on agreement; buyer must deliver notice to object or terminate.

Financing Contingency Deadline:

Date by which buyer must secure loan commitment or waive the contingency.

Title Objection Deadline:

Date when buyer must object to title exceptions or accept title as is.

Closing Date:

Scheduled date when funds are exchanged and deed is recorded.

Major Milestones From Offer to Recorded Deed

Track sequential milestones from contract execution through post-closing obligations to coordinate lenders, title companies, and recording timelines.

01

Offer Accepted

Contract executed by both parties and earnest money deposited

02

Due Diligence

Inspections, surveys, environmental reports, and zoning reviews completed

03

Loan Approval

Lender issues commitment and satisfies conditions precedent to funding

04

Closing and Recording

Funds disbursed, deed delivered, and recording completed at county office

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using an incomplete legal description that mismatches the title commitment, which delays recording and may require corrective deeds.
Failing to define contingency deadlines clearly, creating disputes about whether buyer timely terminated or waived protections.
Accepting unsigned addenda or emails as amendments without formal execution, which can render changes unenforceable.
Missing required authorizations for entity signers, such as corporate resolutions, resulting in a challenge to the signatory's authority.

Penalties and Risks of an Incorrect Contract

Contract Void Risk: Ambiguous terms may render provisions unenforceable

Loss of Deposit: Buyer may forfeit earnest money for wrongful termination

Title Defects: Undisclosed liens can result in remediation costs or rescission

Financing Failure: Missed milestones may allow seller to terminate

Recording Rejection: Incorrect grantee name or description may reject recording

Tax Withholding: Improper TIN or reporting may trigger backup withholding

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Building Purchase Contracts

Compare vendor starting prices and feature availability for contract execution, auditability, and compliance when selecting a signing platform for building purchase workflows.

	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	7-day trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Building Purchase Contracts

Answers to common execution, notarization, and enforceability questions when preparing and signing building purchase agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can a building purchase contract be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and by UETA in most states; confirm any specific statutory exceptions that may apply to your transaction.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Notarization is typically required for deeds and some transfer documents; witness requirements vary by state. Check local recorder and notary rules or use Remote Online Notarization where authorized.
How should financing contingencies be handled?
Define the contingency deadline, the required lender deliverables, and the remedy if financing fails. Require written notices and specify whether the contingency is for good faith or absolute approval.
What if the signer name differs from ID documents?
Mismatched names can delay title and recording. Provide evidence of name variation, such as formation documents or certificates of amendment, and update the contract to reflect the legal name.
How long must I retain the signed contract?
Retain the signed agreement for the active term plus post-termination retention. IRS guidance generally requires relevant records for 3 years (IRC §6501(a)); many practitioners retain real estate records 7 to 10 years.
Is the electronic record admissible in court?
Electronic records and associated audit trails are admissible when they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria for intent, consent, attribution, and retention. Preserve metadata and audit logs to support evidentiary weight.

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