Can an agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA, provided the transaction is not within statutory exceptions and the 4-part validity test is met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is typically required for conveyances or deeds to be recorded, but not all purchase and sale agreements need notarization. Check recording office and lender requirements before execution.

What makes an e-signature valid?

Validity requires (1) intent to sign, (2) consent to do business electronically, (3) attribution to the signer, and (4) reliable record retention, as reflected in ESIGN and the UETA framework.

Are witness signatures always necessary?

Witness requirements vary by state and document type. Many contracts do not need witnesses, but certain affidavit or statutory conveyance forms may require one or more witnesses.

How should the executed agreement be stored?

Store a tamper-evident PDF and associated audit trail. Retain per applicable retention rules, including IRS, HIPAA, or state requirements for the relevant industry.

What if a signature is later disputed?

Preserve the platform audit trail, authentication records, and any ID verification evidence. These items support attribution and are central to resolving disputes over signature validity.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Executed Purchase and Sale Agreement

Executed Purchase and Sale Agreement

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

EXECUTED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into and effective as of Month Day Year by and between the parties set forth below.

Parties

Seller - Full Legal Name Seller - Address for Notices Seller - Contact Phone Buyer - Full Legal Name Buyer - Address for Notices Buyer - Contact Phone

Property Identification

Property Street Address:

Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Financial Terms

Purchase Price: $

Earnest Money Deposit

Deposit payable to Escrow Agent:

Deposit to be delivered no later than Month Day Year .

Financing and Contingencies

Financing: Buyer intends to acquire financing by selecting one: Cash Conventional FHA VA Other

Financing contingency period: calendar days after Effective Date.

Inspections and Due Diligence

Inspection period: Buyer shall have calendar days from Effective Date to conduct inspections and deliver written notice of objections.

Repairs or Credits (if any)

Closing and Possession

Closing date: Month Day Year .

Possession to be delivered to Buyer: (or upon funding and recording as specified).

Escrow / Title / Closing Agent

Prorations, Costs and Taxes

Standard prorations for real estate taxes, homeowner association assessments, rents, and other recurring items will be computed as of the Closing Date. Buyer shall pay recording and mortgage-related costs; Seller shall pay transfer taxes unless otherwise stated below.

Allocation of Closing Costs (if different from standard)

Disclosures

The Seller represents and discloses the following. Select Yes or No.

Lead-based paint or hazardous materials present (for properties built before applicable cutoff year): Yes No

Known material defects, structural damage, or prior significant repairs: Yes No

If Yes, describe details

Default, Remedies and Liquidated Damages

If Buyer defaults, Seller may retain earnest money as liquidated damages unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing. If Seller defaults, Buyer may elect specific performance or termination and recovery of deposit and reasonable costs. Parties agree such remedies are cumulative and do not preclude equitable relief.

Liquidated Damages Amount (if agreed)

Title, Conveyance and Risk of Loss

Seller shall convey marketable title by general warranty deed (or other instrument as agreed) subject only to permitted exceptions. Risk of loss shall remain with Seller until Closing; in the event of damage or loss prior to Closing, Buyer may terminate or accept conveyance with agreed credits for repairs.

Representations; Survival

Each party represents it has full authority to enter into this Agreement and that execution and performance will not violate any other agreement. All representations and warranties shall survive Closing as specifically provided and for any period required by applicable law.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes prior negotiations and agreements with respect to the Property.

Notices

All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing to the addresses set forth above or as later designated in writing and shall be effective upon personal delivery, delivery by certified mail, or delivery to designated escrow.

Additional Provisions / Special Conditions

Acknowledgment

Each party acknowledges receipt of a fully executed copy of this Agreement and certifies that the party has read, understands, and agrees to the terms set forth herein and that the signatory below is authorized to bind the party.

Buyer:

By:

Date:

Seller:

By:

Date:

What an Executed Purchase and Sale Agreement Is

An Executed Purchase and Sale Agreement is a fully signed contract that sets the definitive terms for transferring property or goods between a seller and a buyer. It records the parties, price, payment terms, contingencies, closing date, and any conditions precedent. Execution means all required signatures, dates, and any attestations, acknowledgements, or notarizations that the chosen jurisdiction or the parties’ lender may require have been completed. The executed agreement becomes the operative record for performance, title transfer steps, escrow instructions, and post-closing obligations.

Why a Properly Executed Agreement Matters

A properly executed Purchase and Sale Agreement creates clear, enforceable obligations, reduces closing delays, and documents contingencies and remedies. It provides evidence for title transfer, escrow handling, and dispute resolution while protecting both parties’ expectations.

Who typically prepares and signs these agreements

Understanding each party’s role helps ensure the agreement contains the information needed for closing, lender review, and any required filings.

Real estate brokers and agents facilitating the sale and coordinating disclosures and settlement.
Buyers and sellers or their attorneys who negotiate terms, contingencies, and closing mechanics.
Lenders, title companies, and escrow agents who require executed agreements to proceed with financing or recordation.

Common signers and their responsibilities

Buyer / Purchaser

The buyer confirms the purchase price, financing contingencies, inspection results, and closing date. The buyer must sign all required signature blocks and provide any required deposit or escrow instructions to make the agreement binding.

Seller / Grantor

The seller warrants ownership, discloses known defects per state law, agrees to convey title subject to identified exceptions, and signs to commit to the closing timeline and any seller-paid closing adjustments.

Essential data fields on the executed agreement

Parties: Full legal names of buyer and seller

Property Description: Street address and legal description

Purchase Price: Numeric amount and payment terms

Effective Date: Date the agreement becomes binding

Closing Date: Scheduled transfer and possession date

Signatures: Typed, drawn, or e-signatures with dates

Key risks of an incorrect or incomplete executed agreement

Breach Exposure: Unclear terms can increase litigation risk

Title Issues: Missing disclosures may delay recording

Financing Failure: Incomplete conditions can void lender approval

Tax Consequences: Incorrect closing date affects tax reporting

Penalty Costs: Liquidated damages or forfeiture of deposit

Invalid Signatures: Improper execution may render document unenforceable

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing an executed agreement

Using informal or inconsistent party names that do not match government-issued ID or title records.
Leaving conditional items ambiguous, such as vague inspection or financing deadlines.
Failing to include or date all signature blocks and initial pages where required.
Overlooking lender or title company requirements for specific clauses or acknowledgements.

Primary elements to include in a professional executed agreement

An executed Purchase and Sale Agreement should include explicit operational, legal, and administrative clauses so each closing participant can act without ambiguity.

Property Details

Full legal description and parcel identifiers, together with any included fixtures or excluded items, to avoid disputes at closing and to ensure correct title paperwork.

Price & Payments

Purchase price, deposit amount, escrow instructions, and payment schedule, including adjustments for prorations, to provide a clear settlement ledger for closing and tax reporting.

Contingencies

Inspection, financing, appraisal, and title review contingencies with defined deadlines and cure periods so parties know how and when obligations must be satisfied or waived.

Representations

Seller and buyer representations about authority, capacity, condition, and encumbrances that allocate risk and support indemnity or remedies if breached.

Default & Remedies

Clear remedies such as forfeiture of deposit, specific performance, or liquidated damages, including notice and cure provisions to reduce litigation.

Closing Instructions

Details on documents to be delivered at closing, prorations, escrow agent, notary needs, and recording responsibilities to streamline the final transfer.

Step-by-step: completing and executing the agreement

Follow these sequential steps to move from draft to executed contract and set the transaction up for closing.

01

Prepare Draft: Assemble terms and required disclosures for review
02

Negotiate Terms: Resolve price, contingencies, and timelines with counsel
03

Sign & Date: All parties sign signature blocks and date appropriately
04

Deliver Executed Copy: Provide final signed copy to escrow, lender, and title

How execution and routing commonly work

Execution workflows vary by transaction, but a typical routing path ensures all stakeholders have visibility and the executed document is preserved.

Draft Circulation: Draft shared with parties for redlines and approvals
Signature Order: Signers complete blocks in agreed sequence
Confirmation: Each signer receives an executed copy and audit record
Escrow/Title Delivery: Executed agreement supplied to escrow and title for closing steps

Setting up a digital execution workflow

Configure your eSignature workflow to capture required fields, signer authentication, and document retention before sending.

Field	Configuration
Signature Blocks	Place signer, date, and initial fields for each party
Authentication	Use email link or SMS code; consider stronger ID for high-risk deals
Required Attachments	Attach exhibits, disclosures, and title commitments as PDFs
Audit Trail	Enable capture of IP, timestamp, and action log

Digital signing and technical prerequisites

Ensure the platform chosen meets legal and industry compliance requirements for your transaction type and retention obligations.

Supported Formats: PDF and DOCX support with ISO-compliant signed PDFs
Integrations: Connectors to CRM, cloud storage, and title systems ease routing
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced signer authentication where needed

Key dates and deadlines to track

Track these critical deadlines in the executed agreement to avoid missed contingencies or default.

Effective Date:

Date the agreement becomes binding

Inspection Deadline:

Date by which inspections must be completed or waived

Financing Contingency:

Final date for loan approval

Closing Date:

Scheduled date for transfer and recording

Deposit Delivery:

Deadline for earnest money to escrow

Milestone timeline from agreement to closing

A sequential milestone view clarifies who must act and when during the transaction lifecycle.

01

Agreement Execution

Parties sign and the agreement becomes binding

02

Contingency Period

Inspections and financing must be satisfied or waived

03

Closing Preparation

Title, escrow, and lender prepare closing package

04

Settlement and Recording

Funds transfer, deed delivered, and recording completed

Real-world examples of executed agreements in practice

These short case arcs illustrate typical benefits and operational considerations from real customers.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

Martin Properties processed and executed closing documents online to reduce time to close.

The team used mobile and offline signing.
The result was consistent compliance across devices and faster turnaround for buyers and sellers during remote transactions, improving operational predictability.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

Optica used online execution to streamline investor and buyer signings across multiple jurisdictions.

The interface was simple for external parties.
This allowed quicker closing cycles, fewer missed fields, and a clearer audit trail for due diligence and post-closing recordkeeping.

How Purchase and Sale execution options compare

Compare common execution methods and their typical properties to choose the right approach for your transaction.

Criteria	In-person ink	Remote eSign	RON
Formality	high	medium	high
Witness/Notary Need	often	sometimes	required
Audit Trail	limited
Cross-jurisdiction	local only	interstate allowed	interstate allowed

Vendor pricing and feature snapshot for executing agreements

Basic plan pricing and common capabilities for representative eSignature vendors are shown to help compare cost and compliance options.

	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 trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about executed Purchase and Sale Agreements

Answers to common practical and legal questions about signing, enforceability, and documentation for executed agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can an agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in most states under UETA, provided the transaction is not within statutory exceptions and the 4-part validity test is met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is typically required for conveyances or deeds to be recorded, but not all purchase and sale agreements need notarization. Check recording office and lender requirements before execution.
What makes an e-signature valid?
Validity requires (1) intent to sign, (2) consent to do business electronically, (3) attribution to the signer, and (4) reliable record retention, as reflected in ESIGN and the UETA framework.
Are witness signatures always necessary?
Witness requirements vary by state and document type. Many contracts do not need witnesses, but certain affidavit or statutory conveyance forms may require one or more witnesses.
How should the executed agreement be stored?
Store a tamper-evident PDF and associated audit trail. Retain per applicable retention rules, including IRS, HIPAA, or state requirements for the relevant industry.
What if a signature is later disputed?
Preserve the platform audit trail, authentication records, and any ID verification evidence. These items support attribution and are central to resolving disputes over signature validity.

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