Can this contract be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

When is notarization required?

Many states require notarized signatures for deeds and recording; the contract itself may not require notarization but associated documents often do—verify local recording office rules.

What happens if names don’t match title?

Name mismatches can block recording or closing. Correct via amendment or corrective deed and confirm signer authority before funding to avoid delays.

Are witness signatures required?

Witness requirements vary by state and document type; some jurisdictions require witnesses for deeds or powers of attorney—check the state notary/witness rules.

How long should records be kept?

Retain executed contracts for at least three years for tax purposes and typically seven years for real estate matters; HIPAA and other rules may extend retention.

Can a party revoke after signing?

Revocation or rescission depends on contract terms and applicable law; termination rights are usually governed by contingencies and notice provisions in the agreement.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract

Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract

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

PRE-PURCHASE REAL ESTATE CONTRACT

PARTIES AND PROPERTY

Buyer Name:

Buyer Contact Address Buyer Phone Buyer Email

Seller Name:

Seller Contact Address Seller Phone Seller Email Property Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

OFFER AND EXECUTORY TERMS

Purchase Price: $ payable as set forth below.

Earnest Money / Deposit

Deposit To Be Delivered To Escrow Agent:

Deposit Due By:

Financing

This offer is conditioned upon Buyer's ability to obtain loan approval for financing in an amount equal to not less than of the purchase price within days of contract acceptance.

Financing Contingency Election Yes No Inspection

Buyer shall have the right to conduct inspections for a period of days following acceptance. Seller shall provide reasonable access. Buyer may terminate the contract if defects are not cured or agreement on adjustments is not reached within the inspection period.

Inspection Contingency Election Yes No

CLOSING; POSSESSION; TITLE

Closing Date: . Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Seller shall convey marketable title by general warranty deed (or other specified deed) subject only to permitted exceptions. Buyer shall have days to review title and object to title exceptions.

PRORATIONS, COSTS AND ESCROW

Real property taxes, rents, and other proratable items shall be prorated to the date of closing. Buyer shall pay standard lender and escrow fees; Seller shall pay required documentary transfer taxes and unpaid assessments unless otherwise agreed in writing.

RISK OF LOSS; DEFAULT; REMEDIES

Risk of loss or damage to the property shall remain with Seller until closing. If material damage occurs prior to closing, Buyer may elect to terminate the contract and receive return of deposits or proceed to closing with equitable adjustment. In the event of default, the non-defaulting party shall be entitled to pursue all remedies available at law or in equity, including specific performance, damages, and recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND DISCLOSURES

Seller represents that Seller is the lawful owner with authority to sell, that there are no known material violations of law affecting the property other than disclosed below, and that Seller will timely deliver any required statutory disclosure forms.

Disclosures (check applicable box)

Lead-based paint disclosure provided: Yes No

Known mold or water intrusion: Yes No

Prior material damage or repairs disclosed: Yes No

If yes, describe known issues

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Special Conditions / Contingencies

NOTICES

All notices required or permitted under this Contract shall be in writing and delivered via personal delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier, or certified mail to the addresses set forth above, or to such other addresses as a party may designate in writing.

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the property is located. This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the transaction and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral.

CERTIFICATIONS

By signing below, Buyer and Seller certify that they have read and understand the terms of this Contract, that they have the authority to enter into this Contract, and that the information provided in this document is true and correct to the best of their knowledge. Execution of this Contract creates binding obligations upon the parties when accepted in writing by the other party or upon delivery of countersignatures.

Buyer

Printed Name:

Signature:

Date:

Seller

Printed Name:

Signature:

Date:

What a Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract Is and when it's used

A Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract is a legally binding agreement that records the essential terms between a buyer and seller before closing on real property. It typically identifies the parties and property, sets the purchase price and earnest money deposit, and establishes contingencies such as financing, inspection, and title review. The contract creates timelines for performance, allocates risk through representations and warranties, and specifies remedies for default. In most U.S. transactions it becomes the roadmap for closing and may be subject to state-specific formalities such as notarization or witness requirements.

Why a clear Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract matters

A well-drafted contract clarifies obligations, protects deposits, and sets measurable deadlines for inspection, financing, and closing. It reduces ambiguity about condition disclosures, eases title review and lender requirements, and creates enforceable remedies if a party defaults.

Who commonly prepares and signs these contracts

Typical participants include buyers, sellers, listing and buyer brokers, lenders, and closing attorneys or title companies; each party has discrete responsibilities and signature roles.

Residential buyers and sellers — Use to set price, contingencies, deposit amount, and closing date; often broker-prepared or attorney-reviewed.
Real estate agents and brokers — Draft standard forms, add local disclosures, and coordinate signature and delivery logistics with title companies.
Lenders and title companies — Review contract terms, confirm mortgage contingencies, and require clean title before funding and recording.

Understanding who completes each section helps ensure valid execution and prevents delays during inspection, appraisal, or closing stages.

Step-by-step: completing a Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contract

Follow a consistent sequence to reduce errors: identify parties, describe property, confirm price and deposit, add contingencies, set timelines, then obtain signatures.

01

1. Identify: Enter full legal names for buyer and seller exactly as shown on ID.
02

2. Describe: Provide full street address and legal description or parcel number.
03

3. Terms: State purchase price, earnest money amount, and financing terms.
04

4. Sign: All parties sign and date in the designated signature blocks.

How to configure an online signing workflow for this contract

Configure roles, authentication, and routing before sending to avoid mis-sent documents and incomplete signings.

Field	Configuration
Signer Roles	Assign buyer, seller, agent, title as distinct roles for ordered signing.
Authentication	Use email+SMS code or ID check for higher-assurance signings.
Reminders	Enable automated reminders and expiration notices to reduce delays.
Templates	Save a template with conditional fields for contingencies and financing items.

Digital delivery and format requirements

Ensure the platform supports common file types, audit trails, and integrations with title or loan origination systems before sending documents for signature.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX are commonly accepted; ensure final PDF/A output for archival.
Integrations: Integrate with title software, MLS systems, and CRMs for automated data flow.
Audit Trail: Capture timestamps, IP addresses, and signer authentication records.

Where to send or file the contract after execution

After signing, route copies to all parties, the title company, lender, and retain an archived version for records and tax reporting.

Buyer and Seller: Provide fully executed copies to each party for their records.
Title Company: Send the signed contract to title for escrow instructions and title search.
Lender: Provide contract to lender for loan processing and appraisal scheduling.
Repository: Retain a tamper-evident copy in secure document storage for compliance.

Common deadlines and timing expectations

Key dates govern inspections, financing, earnest money deposit deadlines, and closing; missing them can result in termination or forfeiture of deposit.

Inspection Period:

Typically 7–17 days for buyer inspections and repairs.

Financing Contingency:

Deadline for loan approval or waiver, often 21–30 days.

Earnest Money Deposit:

Due within specified days after contract acceptance per agreement.

Appraisal Deadline:

Set to align with lender requirements and financing contingency.

Closing Date:

Final date for transfer and funding agreed by parties.

Common mistakes that delay pre-purchase contracts

Using informal names or initials for parties which mismatch title or ID and cause notarization or recording issues.
Leaving contingency deadlines vague or blank, which creates disputes about when rights to terminate or cure expire.
Failing to list earnest money terms or deposit timeline, risking disagreement over refund or forfeiture upon termination.
Neglecting to attach required state or local disclosure forms, which can void the contract or trigger penalties.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete contracts

Deposit Forfeiture: Buyer can lose earnest money if in breach.

Title Issues: Unresolved liens may delay or void closing.

Regulatory Fines: Failure to provide disclosures can trigger penalties.

Tax Reporting: Incorrect payee info can trigger backup withholding.

Funding Delay: Missing lender conditions halts mortgage funding.

Civil Liability: Breach may result in damages or specific performance.

Security and compliance features relevant to electronic pre-purchase contracts

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps and IP logging

ESIGN / UETA: Compliant e-signature legal framework

HIPAA (BAA): Available where PHI is involved

21 CFR Part 11: Support for FDA-regulated record needs

SOC 2 / ISO: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Pricing and feature comparison for eSignature solutions

Basic pricing and feature availability vary by provider; signNow is listed first as the referenced vendor. Confirm plan details with each vendor for enterprise features or additional add-ons.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-world examples of online execution in real estate

Practitioners report improved turnaround and compliance when contracts, disclosures, and signatures move to secure digital workflows.

Tim Martin — Martin Properties

Martin Properties moved closings online to streamline remote deals and compliance.

The team used mobile and offline signing.
Tim Martin reports the ability to process and execute documents online with built-in security, which reduced in-person dependencies for buyers and agents across markets.

Dan Rotelli — BIS

BIS selected a secure eSignature platform for enterprise controls and audit logs.

Integration with back-office was key.
Dan Rotelli notes comfort with SOC 2 certification and strict ESIGN/UETA compliance helped internal teams and enterprise customers trust the workflow.

Who can legally sign a pre-purchase contract

Individual Buyer

The buyer named in the contract must sign personally or through an authorized agent. If signing by power of attorney, attach a valid durable POA and confirm state witness/notary rules.

Seller or Authorized Representative

The seller signs as shown on title; corporate sellers require an officer with signing authority and sometimes a corporate resolution authorizing the sale.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt consistent practices to minimize errors, streamline lender review, and accelerate closing.

Use templates with conditional fields

Create standardized templates that reveal financing or inspection sections only when applicable; this reduces manual edits and missing data during high-volume transactions.

Verify names and IDs early

Confirm legal names and preferred mailing addresses before sending for signature to avoid re-execution or notarization corrections.

Include deposit instructions

Specify escrow agent, deposit recipient, and timeline for earnest money to prevent disputes over receipt or refund triggers.

Preserve the audit trail

Store signed copies with full audit logs (timestamps, IP, authentication method) to support enforceability and lender underwriting.

Frequently asked questions about Pre-Purchase Real Estate Contracts

Answers to common execution, enforceability, and electronic signing questions for U.S. transactions.

Need help? Contact support

Can this contract be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Many states require notarized signatures for deeds and recording; the contract itself may not require notarization but associated documents often do—verify local recording office rules.
What happens if names don’t match title?
Name mismatches can block recording or closing. Correct via amendment or corrective deed and confirm signer authority before funding to avoid delays.
Are witness signatures required?
Witness requirements vary by state and document type; some jurisdictions require witnesses for deeds or powers of attorney—check the state notary/witness rules.
How long should records be kept?
Retain executed contracts for at least three years for tax purposes and typically seven years for real estate matters; HIPAA and other rules may extend retention.
Can a party revoke after signing?
Revocation or rescission depends on contract terms and applicable law; termination rights are usually governed by contingencies and notice provisions in the agreement.

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