Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

North Carolina Fixed Rate Note

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

North Carolina Fixed Rate Note, Installment Payments – Secured – Commercial Property

PROMISSORY NOTE
(Fixed Rate, Installment Payments)

1. BORROWER'S PROMISE TO PAY

In return for a loan that I have received, I promise to pay U.S. $ (this amount is called "principal”), plus interest, to the order of the Lender. The Lender is . I will make all payments under this Note in the form of cash, check, certified funds or money order at the option and direction of Lender. I understand that the Lender may transfer this Note. The Lender or anyone who takes this Note by transfer and who is entitled to receive payments under this Note is called the "Note Holder."

2. INTEREST

Interest will be charged on unpaid principal until the full amount of principal has been paid. I will pay interest at a yearly rate of %. The interest rate required by this Section 2 is the rate I will pay both before and after any default described in Section 6(B) of this Note.

3. PAYMENTS

(A) Time and Place of Payments

I will pay principal and interest by making a payment every month. I will make my monthly payment on the day of each month beginning on . I will make these payments every month until I have paid all of the principal and interest and any other charges described below that I may owe under this Note. Each monthly payment will be applied as of its scheduled due date and will be applied to interest before principal. If, on , I still owe amounts under this Note, I will pay those amounts in full on that date, which is called the "maturity date." I will make my monthly payments at or at a different place if required by the Note Holder.

(B) Amount of Monthly Payments

My monthly payment will be in the amount of U.S. $

4. BORROWER'S RIGHT TO PREPAY

{initial desired provision}

I have the right to make payments of principal at any time before they are due. A payment of principal only is known as a “prepayment." When I make a prepayment, I will tell the Note Holder in writing that I am doing so. I may not designate a payment as a prepayment if I have not made all the monthly payments due under the Note. I may make a full prepayment or partial prepayments without paying a prepayment charge. The Note Holder will use my prepayments to reduce the amount of principal that I owe under this Note. However, the Note Holder may apply my prepayment to the accrued and unpaid interest on the prepayment amount, before applying my prepayment to reduce the principal amount of the Note. If I make a partial prepayment, there will be no changes in the due date or in the amount of my monthly payment unless the Note Holder agrees in writing to those changes.

I shall not have the right to prepay this Note unless I pay a prepayment penalty for early prepayment in the amount determined by the Note Holder, not to exceed the maximum amount allowed by the laws of the state where the property is located.

5. LOAN CHARGES

If a law, which applies to this loan and which sets maximum loan charges, is finally interpreted so that the interest or other loan charges collected or to be collected in connection with this loan exceed the permitted limits, then: (i) any such loan charge shall be reduced by the amount necessary to reduce the charge to the permitted limit; and (ii) any sums already collected from me which exceeded permitted limits will be refunded to me. The Note Holder may choose to make this refund by reducing the principal I owe under this Note or by making a direct payment to me. If a refund reduces principal, the reduction will be treated as a partial prepayment.

6. BORROWER'S FAILURE TO PAY AS REQUIRED

(A) Late Charge for Overdue Payments and Receipt of Payments

If the Note Holder has not received the full amount of any monthly payment by the end of calendar days after the date it is due, I will pay a late charge to the Note Holder. The amount of the charge will be % of my overdue payment of principal and interest or dollars for each late payment]. I will pay this late charge promptly but only once on each late payment. In no event will the late charge exceed the maximum amount allowed by the applicable state law.

Payments to the note holder shall not be considered made until received by the Note Holder at the address specified. Mailing is insufficient to constitute delivery to the Note Holder.

The number of days required for payment of a late charge shall not be considered as a grace period for the payment date required under this Note and the Borrower shall be default if the payment is not paid on the due date.

(B) Default

If I do not pay the full amount of each monthly payment on the date it is due, I will be in default.

(C) Notice of Default

If I am in default, the Note Holder may send me a written notice telling me that if I do not pay the overdue amount by a certain date, the Note Holder may require me to pay immediately the full amount of principal which has not been paid and all the interest that I owe on that amount. That date must be at least 30 days after the date on which the notice is mailed to me or delivered by other means.

(D) No Waiver By Note Holder

Even if, at a time when I am in default, the Note Holder does not require me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will still have the right to do so if I am in default at a later time.

(E) Payment of Note Holder's Costs and Expenses

If the Note Holder has required me to pay immediately in full as described above, the Note Holder will have the right to be paid back by me for all of its costs and expenses in enforcing this Note to the extent not prohibited by applicable law. Those expenses include, for example, reasonable attorneys' fees.

7. GIVING OF NOTICES

Unless applicable law requires a different method, any notice that must be given to me under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to me at the Borrower's Address above or at a different address if I give the Note Holder a notice of my different address. Any notice that must be given to the Note Holder under this Note will be given by delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail to the Note Holder at the address stated in Section 3(A) above or at a different address if I am given a notice of that different address.

8. OBLIGATIONS OF PERSONS UNDER THIS NOTE

If more than one person signs this Note, each person is fully and personally obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note, including the promise to pay the full amount owed. Any person who is a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note is also obligated to do these things. Any person who takes over these obligations, including the obligations of a guarantor, surety or endorser of this Note, is also obligated to keep all of the promises made in this Note. The Note Holder may enforce its rights under this Note against each person individually or against all of us together. This means that any one of us may be required to pay all of the amounts owed under this Note.

9. WAIVERS

I and any other person who has obligations under this Note waive the rights of presentment and notice of dishonor. "Presentment" means the right to require the Note Holder to demand payment of amounts due. "Notice of dishonor" means the right to require the Note Holder to give notice to other persons that amounts due have not been paid.

10. SECURED NOTE

In addition to the protections given to the Note Holder under this Note, a Mortgage, Deed of Trust or Security Deed (the "Security Instrument”), dated the same date as this Note, protects the Note Holder from possible losses which might result if I do not keep the promises which I make in this Note. That Security Instrument describes how and under what conditions I may be required to make immediate payment in full of all amounts I owe under this Note. Some of those conditions are described as follows:

If all or any part of the Property or any Interest in the Property is sold or transferred (or if Borrower is not a natural person and a beneficial interest in Borrower is sold or transferred) without Lender's prior written consent, Lender may require immediate payment in full of all sums secured by this Security Instrument. However, this option shall not be exercised by Lender if such exercise is prohibited by federal law.

If Lender exercises this option, Lender shall give Borrower notice of acceleration. The notice shall provide a period of not less than 30 days from the date the notice is given within which Borrower must pay all sums secured by this Security Instrument. If Borrower fails to pay these sums prior to the expiration of this period, Lender may invoke any remedies permitted by this Security Instrument without further notice or demand on Borrower.

WITNESS THE HAND(S) AND SEAL(S) OF THE UNDERSIGNED

(Seal)

(Seal)

Enter text

What the North Carolina Fixed Rate Note Is and When It Applies

A North Carolina Fixed Rate Note is a written promissory instrument that documents a borrower's unconditional promise to repay a specified principal amount plus interest at a fixed rate over a defined schedule. It typically accompanies a mortgage or deed of trust in real property financing but stands alone as the lender's enforceable evidence of the debt and repayment terms. The Note specifies borrower and lender names, principal, interest rate, payment schedule, late charges, prepayment terms, and default remedies. Proper execution, notarization if required, and accurate recording support enforceability and priority against subsequent claims.

Why a Properly Prepared Fixed Rate Note Matters

A complete and accurate North Carolina Fixed Rate Note creates clear repayment obligations, supports foreclosure remedies if necessary, and ensures the lender can establish priority through recording.

Why a Properly Prepared Fixed Rate Note Matters

Who Typically Prepares, Signs, and Manages This Note

Typical participants include lenders, borrowers, closing agents, and title or recording offices; each has distinct responsibilities before and after signing.

  • Mortgage Lenders and Servicers — Prepare the note language, confirm loan terms, and retain original executed versions for enforcement and servicing.
  • Borrowers and Co-Signers — Review party names and payment terms; their signatures and dates must match identification and closing documents.
  • Title/Closing Agents — Verify notarization and prepare recording copies; coordinate submission to the county register of deeds for lien priority.

Accurate role execution reduces rejection at recording, supports audit trails for compliance, and minimizes downstream disputes.

Key Elements Every Professional North Carolina Fixed Rate Note Should Include

A thorough Fixed Rate Note uses clear, unambiguous language and standardized fields so lenders and courts can interpret payment obligations, default events, and remedies without reliance on external explanation.

Borrower Identity

Full legal names and business entity designations exactly as on government ID or formation documents to avoid enforcement or tax issues.

Lender Identity

Full legal name and, if applicable, servicing contact information to ensure payments are routed and credited correctly.

Principal Amount

Specify the exact dollar amount in numerals and words to prevent ambiguity and reduce risk of transcription errors.

Fixed Interest Rate

State the fixed annual percentage rate, calculation method, compounding frequency, and first payment date for clarity.

Payment Terms

Include payment schedule, period, due dates, grace periods, late fees, and application order of payments for clear accounting.

Default & Remedies

Define default triggers, acceleration rights, and remedies including foreclosure coordination with the security instrument and state law.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Execute the Fixed Rate Note

Follow these steps in order to prepare, sign, and make the Note recording-ready.

  • 01
    Draft the Note: Populate all required fields and cross-check with the loan estimate and security instrument.
  • 02
    Verify Identities: Confirm borrower and lender legal names and IDs before closing.
  • 03
    Execute and Notarize: Sign in presence of notary or use RON where permitted and recorded.
  • 04
    Prepare Recording Copy: Produce a signed, notarized, flattened PDF suitable for county register of deeds submission.

Checklist for Digital Workflow Configuration and Field Setup

Set up the e-signature workflow to capture required data, authentication, and notarization steps.

Field Configuration
Signature Type Electronic signature (ESIGN/UETA compliant) or PKI-based digital signature where required
Authentication Email verification plus SMS code or two-factor for higher assurance
Notarization Enable Remote Online Notarization workflow or schedule in-person acknowledgment
Delivery Route executed copies to lender, borrower, and title for recording

How Electronic Signing and Submission Works for a Fixed Rate Note

A clear electronic workflow reduces friction and preserves audit trails required for enforceability and regulatory review.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads the Note as a PDF to the signing platform.
  • Assign Fields: Place signature, date, and initial fields and any conditional fields.
  • Authenticate Signers: Use email, SMS, or stronger methods before allowing signature.
  • Capture Audit Trail: System records timestamps, IP, and events for evidentiary support.

Digital Signing Details and Platform Requirements

Ensure the signing platform supports required authentication, notarization workflows, and produces a tamper-evident PDF with an audit trail.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX input and PDF/A output for recording
  • Integrations: Works with title, LOS, and cloud storage integrations
  • Notarization: Supports both in-person acknowledgements and RON where permitted

Security and Compliance Features to Look For

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3, AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamped events and signer attribution
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001
HIPAA Support: BAA available where required
ESIGN/UETA: Compliance for U.S. e-signature legality
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or SSO options

Common Risks and Consequences of Incorrect Notes

Unenforceable Note: May impede lender remedies
Recording Rejection: County may refuse document
Priority Loss: Improper recording affects lien status
Tax Issues: Mismatch can trigger backup withholding
Notary Defects: Missing acknowledgement undermines validity
Data Breach Risk: Poor security can expose borrower data

Practical Examples of Using Electronic Fixed Rate Notes in Closings

These examples show how electronic workflows reduce administrative delays in multi-party real estate closings.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties moved to electronic notes to streamline residential closings across several counties.

  • Reduced in-person meetings and courier delays during closings.
  • The change shortened turnaround times, improved tracking of executed originals, and lowered paper handling costs while preserving notarization and recording requirements.

Optica Ventures

A small commercial lender standardized a template for fixed rate notes to ensure consistency across deals.

  • Template use reduced drafting errors.
  • Standardized forms improved audit readiness, sped up investor reporting, and made it easier to assign notes when loans were sold in the secondary market.

eSignature Platform Comparison for Executing a North Carolina Fixed Rate Note

Compare core pricing and feature considerations across common e-signature vendors. signNow is listed first per vendor comparison requirements.

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 vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium+) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About the North Carolina Fixed Rate Note

Answers to common questions about electronic execution, notarization, recording, and risks when completing a Fixed Rate Note in North Carolina.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users