Can this mandate be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are met.

Is notarization required?

Not generally required for a search mandate, but some states or recording situations may require notarization for related deeds or powers; confirm local rules before omitting a notary block.

Who may sign on behalf of an entity?

An authorized officer, manager, or person with delegated authority should sign; obtain and retain documentation of signing authority (resolution, corporate minutes, or power of attorney).

What happens when multiple agents find the same property?

Resolve competing claims according to the mandate's compensation and presentation clauses; where unclear, disputes may look to who first introduced the principal to the opportunity with supporting evidence.

How should I handle confidentiality?

Include explicit confidentiality terms and permitted disclosures; limit sharing to necessary third parties and define duration to protect sensitive opportunity information.

How long should I keep the executed mandate?

Keep the executed document for the active term plus at least 3 years; for tax or title-related matters retain per IRS rules or longer as industry practice dictates.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate

Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate

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

NON-EXCLUSIVE REAL ESTATE SEARCH MANDATE

Parties and Contact Information

Client Name Client Mailing Address

Client Phone

Client Email

Agent / Broker Agent Business Address

Agent Phone

Agent Email

Agent License / Broker ID

Term and Scope

Effective Date: Term Expiration Date:

This Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate (the "Mandate") appoints Agent to locate, identify and present property opportunities meeting the Client's stated criteria. The Client retains the right to engage other agents and to acquire property independently. Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to locate suitable properties and shall report findings in accordance with this Mandate.

Property Criteria and Identification

Property Type (select all that apply):

Residential Multi-family Commercial Land

Minimum Price

Maximum Price

Geographic Search Area Specific Property of Interest (if any) Legal Description / Additional Notes

Authority, Services and Limitations

Agent is authorized to: identify potential properties, obtain and review public records, contact sellers and listing agents, arrange viewings, and advise Client on market conditions. Agent is not authorized to bind Client to purchase or to expend funds on Client's behalf except as expressly agreed in writing. Agent will not be responsible for matters outside the Agent's control, including but not limited to title, survey, environmental conditions or structural defects; Client is advised to obtain independent inspections and professional advice.

Compensation and Protection

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Client agrees to pay Agent compensation as follows. If Client enters into a binding contract to acquire a property that was introduced to Client by Agent during the Term of this Mandate or within the Protection Period defined below, Client shall pay Agent:

Commission Rate (%)

Flat Finder Fee (if applicable)

Payment shall be due upon closing or at the time of execution of the purchase and sale agreement as specified below:

Protection Period (days) following termination or expiration during which Agent is entitled to compensation for introductions made during the Term:

If a sale results from a dual-source negotiation or a third party, compensation shall be apportioned as agreed in writing. In the absence of written agreement, Client remains obligated to pay the full compensation specified herein if the property was introduced by Agent.

Expenses and Disbursements

Client shall reimburse Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performance of this Mandate, including but not limited to travel, reports, record retrieval and courier charges, provided such expenses are pre-approved by Client. Where advance funds are required, Agent shall obtain Client's prior written authorization.

Client Authorizations and Acknowledgements

Client authorizes Agent to submit offers on Client's behalf subject to Client's prior approval of each offer.

Client consents to Agent disclosing Client's identity and financial qualifications to sellers and listing agents as necessary to advance negotiations.

Client acknowledges that Agent does not provide legal, tax or structural inspection services, and Client shall obtain independent inspections and consultations prior to any acquisition.

Termination and Remedies

Either party may terminate this Mandate upon written notice to the other. Termination does not relieve Client of obligations to compensate Agent for transactions resulting from Agent's introductions during the Term or within the Protection Period. Remedies for breach shall include specific performance, equitable relief and recovery of reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred in enforcing this Mandate.

Representations; Indemnity; Agency Disclosure

Each party represents that it has full authority to enter this Mandate. Client agrees to indemnify and hold Agent harmless from liabilities, claims or damages arising from Client-provided information, Client's breach of this Mandate, or Client's failure to disclose material facts. Agent shall disclose known conflicts of interest and shall act in accordance with applicable brokerage duties; Client acknowledges potential for dual agency or designated agency where permitted.

Reporting and Records

Agent shall update Client with material information upon discovery, and shall provide written reports of properties identified at intervals of:

Governing Law and Entire Agreement

This Mandate shall be governed by the laws of the state of without regard to conflict of law principles. This Mandate constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning its subject matter and supersedes prior oral or written communications.

Notices

All notices under this Mandate shall be given in writing to the addresses provided above or to such other address as a party may designate by written notice delivered in accordance with this section.

Client Acknowledgement of Non-Exclusivity

Client acknowledges and agrees that this Mandate is non-exclusive: Client is free to interview, retain and use other agents, and to independently locate, negotiate and purchase property without obligation to Agent except as expressly set forth herein for properties introduced by Agent.

Miscellaneous Provisions

If any provision of this Mandate is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. This Mandate may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed an original.

Acknowledgement and Signature

By signing below, each party warrants it has read, understands and agrees to the terms of this Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate and is authorized to bind the entity or person it represents.

Client:

By:

Date:

Agent / Broker:

By:

Date:

What the Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate Is

A Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate is a limited engagement agreement in which a property owner or principal authorizes one or more agents or brokers to search for, identify, and present real estate opportunities without granting exclusive representation to any single agent. The mandate documents the scope of the search, geographic limits, property types, fee arrangements or commission understandings, and the effective term. Because it is non-exclusive, the principal remains free to work with other agents and to pursue properties directly; the mandate simply formalizes the relationship and expectations between the principal and the searching party.

Why use a Non-Exclusive Real Estate Search Mandate

A clear non-exclusive mandate protects both parties by defining scope, duties, and compensation while preserving the principal's flexibility to engage other brokers. It reduces misunderstandings, documents agent efforts, and creates a written basis for any later commission or fee claim.

Who typically completes this mandate

Typical users include property owners, institutional asset managers, buyer representatives, leasing agents, and third-party search consultants seeking to document search services without exclusive commitment.

Owners and landlords documenting a search for replacement tenants or buyers.
Buyers or tenants engaging brokers to locate suitable properties without exclusivity.
Property managers, investment firms, or consultants retained to source opportunities.

The form suits both individual owners and organizations; adjust language for institutional procurement rules or trustee/LLC authority where needed.

Essential elements to include in a professional mandate

A complete mandate captures identity and contact details, scope of search, time frame, fee or commission arrangements, confidentiality terms, and dispute resolution. These items turn an informal understanding into an enforceable record that clarifies expectations.

Parties

Full legal names and business entities for principal and agent including addresses and contact details.

Scope

Define property types, geographic boundaries, price ranges, and required attributes (zoning, size, condition).

Term

Start and end dates, renewal conditions, and any early-termination triggers.

Compensation

Commission, finder’s fee, split structure, payment timing, and conditions triggering payment.

Exclusivity Clause

Explicitly state non-exclusive nature and whether agent has first right to present or matching rights.

Confidentiality

Limits on disclosure, permitted recipients, and duration of confidentiality obligations.

Step-by-step: filling out the mandate

Follow these steps in order to create a clear, enforceable document and reduce processing delays.

01

Gather party details: Collect full legal names, addresses, and license numbers.
02

Define search limits: Set geography, price range, and property criteria.
03

Agree compensation: Document exact fee formulas and payment timing.
04

Execute and retain: Sign by authorized parties and store per retention rules.

How the non-exclusive search process typically flows

This outlines a common sequence from mandate execution through search completion and any compensation event.

Mandate execution: Principal and agent sign the mandate and set the effective date.
Search begins: Agent compiles listings and qualified prospects per scope.
Presentation: Agent presents options and documents interest or offers.
Compensation event: Commission or fee becomes payable if conditions in the mandate occur.

Configuring a digital workflow for online completion

Set up the digital form fields, signer order, and authentication to match the mandate's requirements.

Field	Configuration
Signature Fields	Required for each party; include date and printed name fields.
Authentication	Email link or SMS code; use stronger ID methods for high-value deals.
Routing	Define signer order and parallel vs sequential signing.
Storage	Save final PDF and audit trail to secure repository.

Technical considerations for e-signature and delivery

Confirm that your e-signature platform supports required authentication, audit trails, and the file formats you use before sending the mandate.

File formats: PDF and DOCX accepted; preserve original formatting for legal clarity.
Integrations: Connectors to CRM and cloud storage help maintain chain-of-record.
Security: Ensure TLS encryption in transit and AES-256 at rest.

Key risks and consequences of errors

Payment disputes: Commission uncertainty

Enforceability: Ambiguous scope

Statutory non-compliance: Invalid electronic consent

Notarization issues: Rejected recordings

Retention lapses: Lost audit evidence

Authority errors: Unauthorized signatory

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Leaving scope vague (e.g., no geographic or price limits) leads to disputes about covered properties and expected agent effort.
Failing to document compensation triggers causes post-closing disagreements over whether a commission is owed and when payment is due.
Using initials or informal acceptance without full signatures risks questions about intent and attribution under ESIGN and UETA standards.
Not confirming signer authority for entities (LLC, trust, corporation) can render the signature ineffective or lead to repudiation.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt consistent templates, require printed names and titles, and use electronic workflows that capture consent and an audit trail.

Use precise scope language

Define geography, price bands, and property characteristics to minimize later interpretation disputes and ensure agent actions match expectations.

Document compensation clearly

State exact percentages or flat fees and the specific triggering events to avoid ambiguity at closing or lease execution.

Verify signer authority

Confirm corporate resolutions, LLC manager signatures, or trustee powers before execution to prevent later challenges.

Preserve evidence

Store the signed PDF plus the audit trail (IP, timestamps, authentication) for the full retention period to support enforcement if needed.

eSignature vendor pricing snapshot for executing this mandate

Compare basic pricing and core capabilities for common eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first per comparison conventions; verify current vendor plans before purchase.

	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 free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium tier)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about the mandate

Answers to common questions about execution, enforceability, electronic signing, and what to include in the mandate.

Need help? Contact support

Can this mandate be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are met.
Is notarization required?
Not generally required for a search mandate, but some states or recording situations may require notarization for related deeds or powers; confirm local rules before omitting a notary block.
Who may sign on behalf of an entity?
An authorized officer, manager, or person with delegated authority should sign; obtain and retain documentation of signing authority (resolution, corporate minutes, or power of attorney).
What happens when multiple agents find the same property?
Resolve competing claims according to the mandate's compensation and presentation clauses; where unclear, disputes may look to who first introduced the principal to the opportunity with supporting evidence.
How should I handle confidentiality?
Include explicit confidentiality terms and permitted disclosures; limit sharing to necessary third parties and define duration to protect sensitive opportunity information.
How long should I keep the executed mandate?
Keep the executed document for the active term plus at least 3 years; for tax or title-related matters retain per IRS rules or longer as industry practice dictates.

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