Can the addendum be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states; confirm lender and title company acceptance and follow any required consumer disclosure procedures for finance-related records.

Does the lender need an original notarized copy?

Lender requirements vary. Some lenders accept electronically signed, tamper-evident PDFs; others require notarization or RON for certain acknowledgements. Verify with the lender and follow state notary rules.

What if appraisal requires repairs after contract signing?

Use the addendum to document agreed remedies, credits, or escrow holdbacks. Set deadlines and inspection procedures, and ensure the lender acknowledges the arrangement to avoid funding delays.

Who pays for re-inspection fees?

The addendum should specify responsibility for re-inspection costs. Absent agreement, local custom or contract language typically governs; state law does not impose a universal rule.

Are witness signatures required?

Witness requirements depend on state law and document type. Most states do not require witnesses for addenda; some states have unique rules. Check state-specific notary and witness guidance before execution.

How should executed copies be stored?

Store the tamper-evident signed PDF with the transaction file. Retain for at least three years post-closing and longer if state or industry rules require it, per IRC §6501(a) and other standards.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate FHA VA Addendum

Real Estate FHA VA Addendum

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

REAL ESTATE FHA / VA ADDENDUM

Property Identification

Property Address:

Parcel / APN Legal Description

Parties

Buyer Name Buyer Contact Seller Name Seller Contact

Financing Type and Deadlines

Financing to be obtained by Buyer (check applicable): FHA VA Other

Lender Approval Deadline: Appraisal Ordered By:

Closing Date (anticipated):

Appraisal and Minimum Property Requirements

Buyer acknowledges that the lender and the FHA/VA appraisal process require the property to meet applicable minimum property requirements. If the appraisal identifies items or repairs that the lender or FHA/VA requires to be completed or corrected for loan approval, Seller shall be responsible as set forth below.

Appraiser-identified repairs or deficiencies (describe)

Estimated cost to cure appraiser-required repairs:

Seller Obligations and Repair Options

Seller agrees to cure appraiser-identified deficiencies at Seller's expense in one of the following manners (select applicable option):

Seller will complete required repairs prior to closing and provide receipts or contractor sign-off.
Seller agrees to an escrow holdback in the amount agreed at closing to complete repairs post-closing (subject to lender and FHA/VA approval).
Seller will provide a cure credit at closing in the amount of:

If Seller elects an escrow holdback, parties must specify the escrow agent, holdback amount, work completion deadline, and holdback release conditions prior to closing. Escrow instructions shall be consistent with lender requirements and FHA/VA policy.

Buyer Remedies and Termination

If lender or FHA/VA declines to approve Buyer’s loan due to appraisal issues not cured by Seller or if the appraisal is below the Purchase Price and Buyer and Seller cannot agree on an adjustment within three (3) business days after notice, Buyer may terminate the Purchase Agreement by delivering written notice to Seller and shall be entitled to the return of deposits as provided in the Purchase Agreement.

Buyer must provide Seller with copies of appraisal and lender-required repair lists contemporaneously with any notice of termination or request for remedy.

Representations, Warranties and Disclosures

Seller represents and warrants that to the best of Seller’s knowledge the property is not subject to any condition that would preclude FHA/VA acceptance other than as disclosed below, and Seller will cooperate and execute reasonable documents to facilitate the FHA/VA appraisal and loan approval.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Lead-based paint is applicable for properties built before 1978. Yes No

Termite / Wood-Destroying Organism: Yes No

Flood Hazard Area: Yes No

Costs, Prorations and Closing

Costs of repairs required by FHA/VA appraisal shall be borne by Seller except as otherwise agreed in writing. Any credits, escrow holdbacks, or adjustments shall be reflected on the settlement statement. Normal prorations and closing costs shall be handled in accordance with the Purchase Agreement unless otherwise stated herein.

Default and Remedies

If either party fails to perform its obligations under this Addendum, the non-defaulting party may pursue remedies under the Purchase Agreement and applicable law, including termination if permitted. Remedies are cumulative and not exclusive.

Governing Law and Integration

This Addendum shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the property is located. This Addendum modifies and supplements the Purchase Agreement and together with the Purchase Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to FHA/VA-related conditions; in the event of conflict, the terms of this Addendum control to the extent they address FHA/VA matters.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Addendum shall be delivered in accordance with the Purchase Agreement.

Additional Terms / Special Provisions

Additional provisions agreed by Buyer and Seller

Acknowledgment

By signing below, Buyer and Seller acknowledge that they have read and understand this FHA/VA Addendum, that the terms are incorporated into and made part of the Purchase Agreement, and that they will cooperate to satisfy FHA/VA and lender requirements as provided herein.

Buyer Print Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Print Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate FHA VA Addendum Is

The Real Estate FHA VA Addendum is a contract attachment used when a buyer obtains Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) financing and the standard purchase agreement must address lender-specific conditions. It documents financing contingencies, required repairs identified during FHA/VA appraisal, and allocation of repair responsibility or credits. Agents, lenders, and escrow officers use the addendum to make the sale compliant with program rules, to record agreed repair timelines, and to preserve buyer and seller obligations tied to FHA or VA loan underwriting and appraisal outcomes.

Why this Addendum Matters for FHA and VA Transactions

The addendum clarifies repair and financing contingencies required by FHA or VA underwriters, reducing appraisal failures and closing delays.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs the Addendum

Real estate agents, loan officers, title/escrow officers, and sellers commonly prepare or review this addendum when FHA or VA financing is involved.

Buyers using FHA or VA loans who need documented contingencies for required repairs or concessions.
Listing agents and seller representatives who must agree to repair scopes or credits tied to an FHA/VA appraisal.
Loan officers and closing agents who verify that contract terms satisfy lender underwriting and appraisal requirements.

Lenders and appraisers rely on the recorded terms during underwriting and final approval, so timely distribution and accuracy are essential.

Core Components of a Professional FHA VA Addendum

A complete addendum organizes financing contingencies, appraisal/repair language, timing for repairs, cost allocation, inspection rights, and signatures so all parties and the lender can act consistently.

Financing Contingency

Specifies that the buyer’s obligation to close depends on FHA or VA loan approval and any loan-related conditions.

Appraisal Repairs

Lists repairs identified by the FHA/VA appraisal, references required standards, and sets whether seller or buyer will complete them.

Repair Timeline

Sets target dates for completing repairs and final inspection or re-inspection by the lender or appraiser.

Credit or Escrow

Defines whether seller will provide a repair credit or escrow holdback when repairs cannot be completed pre-closing.

Inspection Rights

Grants buyer and lender the right to inspect completed repairs and requires documentation of materials and workmanship.

Signature Blocks

Includes dated signature lines for buyer, seller, and agent to confirm acceptance of the addendum terms.

Essential Information to Include

Buyer Name: Full legal name(s) of all buyers

Seller Name: Full legal name(s) of seller(s)

Property Address: Street address, city, state, ZIP

Loan Type: Specify FHA or VA

Repair List: Itemized repairs required by appraisal

Effective Date: Date when addendum becomes binding

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the FHA VA Addendum

Use the sequence below to prepare a compliant addendum that aligns with appraisal findings and lender requirements.

01

Review Appraisal: Compare appraisal repair items to the addendum list
02

Agree Remedies: Seller and buyer choose repairs, credits, or escrow options
03

Set Deadlines: Define completion and inspection dates
04

Sign and Distribute: Obtain dated signatures and share with lender and escrow

Configuring an Online FHA/VA Addendum Workflow

When automating the addendum, map each field to a signer role and set conditional logic for credits or escrow options.

Field	Configuration
Signer Roles	Assign buyer, seller, and agent signer positions
Conditional Logic	Show credit fields only when remedy method = 'credit'
Attachments	Require appraisal PDF and repair invoices where applicable
Notifications	Send copies to lender and escrow automatically upon signing

Digital Signing and Distribution Considerations

Use a platform that supports secure e-signing, audit trails, and required compliance controls for loan-related documents.

File Formats: Accepts PDF and DOCX for upload
Integrations: Works with common CRMs and title/escrow tools
Security: Provides audit trail and encryption at rest

Where to Send the Completed Addendum

After signatures, distribute the executed addendum to the lender, escrow/title, and all transaction parties; confirm receipt and that the lender has incorporated terms into underwriting.

Lender Submission: Upload executed addendum to lender file or portal
Escrow/Title: Provide copy for closing instructions and escrow holdbacks
Buyer/Seller Copies: Deliver signed PDFs to each party and keep originals in agent file
Appraiser Notification: Notify appraiser if re-inspection will be required

Typical Timelines and Deadlines to Track

Key dates drive repair completion, re-inspection, and closing; align addendum deadlines with lender and escrow timelines to avoid loan denial or closing delays.

Repair Completion Deadline:

Set a firm date tied to the lender’s re-inspection window

Re-Inspection Date:

Schedule within lender-specified timeframe after repairs finish

Closing Date Impact:

Extensions may be needed if repairs or re-inspection delay underwriting

Contingency Expiration:

Note when buyer’s financing contingency lapses per contract

Document Delivery:

Ensure executed addendum is delivered to lender within 24–48 hours

Common Preparation Mistakes

Leaving repair descriptions vague, which creates lender or escrow disputes
Missing exact dates for completion and re-inspection, causing underwriting setbacks
Failing to attach or reference the appraisal report lines tied to required repairs
Not distributing the signed addendum to lender and escrow promptly

Risks of an Incorrect or Incomplete Addendum

Loan Denial: Buyer may lose financing if lender requirements are not clearly met

Closing Delays: Incomplete timing or repair details can postpone or cancel closings

Liability Exposure: Ambiguous allocation of repair costs can lead to disputes and claims

Title or Escrow Issues: Unclear escrow holdbacks or credits can complicate closing instructions

Reinspection Failures: Improper workmanship or documentation may require additional repairs

Recordkeeping Gaps: Missing executed copies can hinder post-closing problem resolution

Practical Examples of Addendum Use

Two real-world scenarios show how the addendum resolves appraisal repair issues and protects financing contingencies.

Appraisal Repair Credit

A buyer received an FHA appraisal requiring HVAC replacement and roof repairs

Seller agreed to a $6,500 credit at closing
The credit was documented in the addendum, recorded in escrow instructions, and allowed the loan to proceed without on-site repair before closing.

Escrow Holdback for Reinspection

A VA appraisal listed cosmetic and structural items needing correction

Parties agreed to an escrow holdback for structural fixes and a reinspection timeline
The addendum specified the holdback amount, release triggers, and required contractor invoices, enabling closing to proceed while repairs completed shortly after.

Authorized Signers and Their Roles

Veteran Buyer

A veteran buyer using a VA loan signs to accept the terms and any agreed credits or escrow arrangements. Their signature shows acknowledgment of financing contingencies and repair resolution methods required by underwriting.

Loan Officer

A loan officer reviews and acknowledges addendum terms to confirm the remedies align with lender policy. Their role is verification rather than execution authority for the contract itself.

Practical Tips for Accurate Completion

Follow these best practices to minimize lender pushback and avoid last-minute closing issues.

Be Specific

Describe repairs with clear, measurable terms and reference appraisal line numbers to eliminate ambiguity.

Align Dates

Coordinate repair and re-inspection deadlines with lender and escrow timelines to avoid contingency lapses.

Attach Documentation

Include appraisal pages and contractor estimates when available to support agreed remedies.

Distribute Promptly

Send executed copies to lender, title/escrow, buyer, and seller within 24–48 hours of signing.

Supporting Documents and Output Formats

Maintain a complete packet that pairs the addendum with appraisal, inspection, contractor estimates, and escrow instructions in widely accepted formats.

Appraisal Report

Include the full FHA/VA appraisal PDF showing required repair line items to link obligations to the addendum.

Inspection/Estimate

Attach contractor estimates or inspection reports supporting repair cost and scope where escrow or credits are used.

Escrow Instructions

Provide explicit escrow holdback or credit terms for closing agents to implement disbursement conditions.

Signed PDF Output

Save the final addendum as a tamper-evident PDF for lender, title, and party records.

Typical eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot (comparison)

When choosing an e-signature provider for executing FHA/VA addenda, compare starting price, trial options, bulk send capability, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope caps. signNow is listed first per comparison convention.

	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 (Business Premium)	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA required)	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common execution, distribution, and lender acceptance questions for the Real Estate FHA VA Addendum.

Need help? Contact support

Can the addendum be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states; confirm lender and title company acceptance and follow any required consumer disclosure procedures for finance-related records.
Does the lender need an original notarized copy?
Lender requirements vary. Some lenders accept electronically signed, tamper-evident PDFs; others require notarization or RON for certain acknowledgements. Verify with the lender and follow state notary rules.
What if appraisal requires repairs after contract signing?
Use the addendum to document agreed remedies, credits, or escrow holdbacks. Set deadlines and inspection procedures, and ensure the lender acknowledges the arrangement to avoid funding delays.
Who pays for re-inspection fees?
The addendum should specify responsibility for re-inspection costs. Absent agreement, local custom or contract language typically governs; state law does not impose a universal rule.
Are witness signatures required?
Witness requirements depend on state law and document type. Most states do not require witnesses for addenda; some states have unique rules. Check state-specific notary and witness guidance before execution.
How should executed copies be stored?
Store the tamper-evident signed PDF with the transaction file. Retain for at least three years post-closing and longer if state or industry rules require it, per IRC §6501(a) and other standards.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now