Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in interstate transactions under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in intrastate transactions under UETA where adopted. Verify the transaction is not within a statutory exception such as wills or certain court orders.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for acknowledgements or jurats in most states for deeds and certain affidavits. Recording offices typically expect a county-recognized notary acknowledgement; confirm county recorder requirements before closing.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing and audio-video recording; requirements vary. Confirm the executing state's RON rules and retention requirements before relying on remote notarization.

What if a signer name does not match ID?

Mismatch may require corrective affidavit or re-execution. For entities, include authorization documents. Accurate names reduce recording delays and avoid title exceptions.

How should executed files be stored?

Store executed PDFs with embedded audit trails and retain originals per retention rules. Ensure encryption in transit and at rest and preserve audit logs for reproduction on demand.

How do I cancel or revoke an executed HL3M?

Revocation depends on transaction stage and applicable law; pre-closing, parties may rescind by mutual agreement or contract terms. Post-closing, consult counsel for corrective deeds or quiet title actions when necessary.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate HL3M Template

Real Estate HL3M Template

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

REAL ESTATE HL3M TEMPLATE

Parties

This Lease Agreement ("Lease") is entered into by and between Landlord and Tenant effective as of the date of last signature below.

Landlord Full Legal Name Landlord Contact (Address, Phone, Email) Tenant Full Legal Name Tenant Contact (Address, Phone, Email)

Property Identification

Property Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description of Property

Lease Term

Term: Tenant shall lease the Property for a fixed term beginning on and ending on (the "Term"). The Lease Term is for a period of months.

Possession: Landlord shall deliver possession to Tenant on the commencement date, subject to payment in full of amounts due and compliance with move‑in conditions described herein.

Financial Terms

Monthly Rent Amount Rent Due Date Each Month Payment Method

Late Charge: If rent is not received by Landlord within days after the due date, Tenant shall pay a late fee of $ and interest at a rate of per annum on overdue sums.

Security Deposit & Fees

Security Deposit Amount

Conditions for Return: Landlord will return the security deposit, less lawful deductions for unpaid rent, repair of damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid utilities, and cleaning, within days after Tenant vacates and provides forwarding address.

Utilities & Services

Utilities: Tenant shall be responsible for payment of the following utilities unless otherwise indicated:

Utilities Tenant Pays (list) Utilities Landlord Pays (list)

Maintenance, Repairs & Alterations

Landlord Responsibilities: Landlord shall maintain the structural components, major systems, and appliances supplied by Landlord in good repair and in compliance with applicable habitability standards.

Tenant Responsibilities: Tenant shall keep the Property clean, promptly notify Landlord of needed repairs, and be responsible for damage caused by Tenant's negligence. Tenant shall not make structural alterations without Landlord's prior written consent.

Specific Maintenance or Repair Agreements

Use, Occupancy & Pets

Use: The Property shall be used solely for residential purposes by the Tenant and the following permitted occupants:

Pet Policy Pets allowed No pets allowed Smoking Policy Smoking permitted Smoking prohibited

Disclosures

The following disclosures are made by Landlord to Tenant to the best of Landlord's knowledge at the time of signing:

Lead-Based Paint Known lead-based paint hazards No known lead-based paint hazards Mold or Water Intrusion Known mold/water intrusion No known mold/water intrusion Prior Damage or Insurance Claims Known prior material damage or claims No known prior material damage or claims

Default, Remedies & Termination

Default: If Tenant fails to perform any obligation under this Lease, Landlord may give Tenant written notice specifying the default. Tenant shall have days to cure the default where cure is reasonably possible. For noncurable defaults or repeated breaches, Landlord may pursue eviction and any remedies permitted by law.

Remedies: The exercise of any remedy shall not exclude the exercise of any other remedy. Landlord may recover reasonable costs of collection, including court costs and attorney fees, to the extent permitted by law.

Insurance & Indemnity

Tenant shall maintain renters' insurance covering Tenant's personal property and liability with minimum limits of $ and shall deliver proof of insurance to Landlord upon request. Tenant indemnifies Landlord for Tenant's negligence to the extent allowed by law.

Assignment & Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet the Property, in whole or in part, without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Access & Inspections

Landlord may enter the Property in accordance with applicable law for inspections, repairs, and to show the Property to prospective tenants or purchasers, with reasonable notice except in emergencies.

Governing Law & Entire Agreement

Governing Law: This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Property is located. The parties submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located therein.

Entire Agreement: This Lease, including any attached addenda or move‑in inspection report signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Acknowledgments

By signing below, Landlord and Tenant acknowledge they have read, understand, and agree to the terms and conditions of this Lease and that false statements may constitute a material breach.

Landlord Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Tenant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Overview of the Real Estate HL3M Template

The Real Estate HL3M Template is a standardized document framework used to record the principal terms of a residential or commercial real estate transaction, including parties, property identification, price and payment terms, contingencies, closing mechanics, and signature blocks. It is designed for customization to local requirements and to accept electronic completion and signing where allowed by law. The template groups exhibits such as disclosures, legal description, survey references, and prorations so they can be attached and preserved with the executed record for title and tax purposes.

Why the HL3M Template Matters for Transactions

Using a consistent HL3M Template reduces ambiguity at closing, makes title and tax reporting more reliable, and supports enforceability when executed electronically under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws. Consistent fields speed review, reduce rework, and help meet recording office requirements.

Typical Users and When They Engage

Real estate brokers, title officers, lenders, closing attorneys, and property managers commonly prepare or request the HL3M Template when documenting a sale or lease.

Listing brokers and agents preparing transaction exhibits and disclosure packages for prospective buyers and tenants.
Title companies and escrow officers verifying legal descriptions, encumbrances, and recording requirements before closing.
Lenders and counsel reviewing financing conditions, payoff instructions, and escrowed payment schedules.

Responsibility typically passes from the listing or contract preparer to title and escrow for final review, recording, and distribution.

Core Sections You Should Expect in HL3M

A professional HL3M Template separates transaction data into clear sections so reviewers, title examiners, and signers can locate obligations, exhibits, and signature points quickly.

Parties

Full legal names and entity types for buyer, seller, and any guarantors; include EIN/SSN or registration numbers when required for tax or escrow reporting and identity verification.

Property

Street address, parcel ID, and full legal description as recorded with the county; an incomplete legal description can delay recording and impair title clarity.

Price & Terms

Purchase price, earnest money details, financing contingencies, and payment schedule; clearly state earnest deposit handling and conditions for forfeiture or release.

Contingencies

Inspection, appraisal, loan approval, and title objections with explicit cure timelines; specify deadlines and whose costs are affected by failed contingencies.

Closing Mechanics

Closing date, escrow holder, prorations, recording responsibilities, and delivery instructions for deeds, bills of sale, and payoff statements.

Signatures

Signature blocks with printed name, title, date, and notary or witness lines where required; indicate whether eSignature, in-person, or RON is acceptable.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Finalizing an HL3M

Follow these steps in order to prepare, validate, and execute the HL3M Template with minimal rework and proper evidence for recording.

01

Prepare Draft: Populate parties, property, price, and exhibits accurately.
02

Internal Review: Have title and counsel confirm legal description and liens.
03

Deliver for Signature: Send via secure eDelivery or deliver to closing agent.
04

Record and Distribute: Record deed, retain copies, and distribute executed package.

Configuring an Electronic HL3M Workflow

Set up a signing workflow that assigns roles, authentication, and reminders to fit the transaction and local recording rules.

Field	Configuration
Template Name	Include property ID and transaction type in the filename.
Signer Roles	Assign buyer, seller, escrow, and witness roles explicitly.
Authentication	Choose email, SMS, or stronger ID verification per risk.
Reminders	Enable automatic reminders and a completion deadline.

Where the Completed Template Goes After Signing

Understand routing so each party and recording office receives the executed documents in the correct sequence.

Escrow Holder: Receives final executed package for closing disbursement.
Title Company: Confirms lien clearance and prepares recording documents.
County Recorder: Accepts and records deed and related instruments.
Parties: Each signer receives a final executed copy and audit trail.

Digital Signing and Submission Requirements

Choose an eSigning platform that supports PDF/DOCX import, audit trails, and the level of signer authentication required for your transaction.

File Formats: PDF, Word DOCX supported
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA or advanced options
Integrations: CRM, storage, and closing platforms

Typical Timelines and Processing Expectations

Use these common timing benchmarks to set expectations for title, underwriting, and recording tasks during a real estate transaction.

Title Search:

3–10 business days

Lender Underwriting:

7–21 business days

Escrow / Closing Window:

30–60 days typical

Deed Recording:

1–10 business days after closing

Signed Document Return:

Electronic signing often completes within 24 hours

Key Milestones from Offer to Recorded Deed

A concise sequence of the transaction's primary milestones helps coordinate parties and reduce last-minute issues at closing.

01

Offer Accepted

Earnest money deposited and contract becomes binding.

02

Contingency Period

Inspections and financing conditions are performed and cleared.

03

Closing Appointment

Final documents executed and funds transferred to escrow.

04

Recording

Deed and applicable instruments submitted to recorder.

Essential Fields Checklist

Buyer Name: Full legal name

Seller Name: Full legal name

Property Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Legal Description: Recorded parcel description

Sale Price: Numeric amount and words

Closing Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Common Penalties and Risks

Recording Rejection: Delay or rejection

Clouded Title: Future disputes

Invalid Signature: Enforceability risk

Tax Reporting Errors: Penalties and interest

Missing Notarization: Voidable instrument

Fraud Exposure: Financial loss

Frequent Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using informal or abbreviated names for corporate parties causes title exceptions and requires corrective affidavits or amendments.
Relying on street address instead of recorded legal description can lead to recording clerk rejection or mismatched parcel records.
Failing to attach required exhibits such as signed disclosures, survey, or HOA documents results in incomplete closings and potential statutory penalties.
Omitting notarization or witness lines in jurisdictions that require them forces re-execution and delays recording and disbursement of funds.

Real-world Examples of HL3M Use

The HL3M Template is used by small brokerages and national firms alike to streamline signature capture, title review, and recording coordination.

Optica Ventures — Closing Efficiency

Optica used the template to standardize seller disclosures and exhibits.

Reduced back-and-forth on legal descriptions.
The consistent packet simplified title review and shortened escrow turnaround while keeping an auditable record for every transaction.

Martin Properties — Mobile Signing

A regional brokerage adopted the template for remote signings.

Enabled mobile sign-offs on closing day.
Agents reported fewer missing fields at signing, more complete records, and improved coordination with escrow and title partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about electronic completion, notarization, enforceability, and post-closing handling of the HL3M Template.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in interstate transactions under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and in intrastate transactions under UETA where adopted. Verify the transaction is not within a statutory exception such as wills or certain court orders.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for acknowledgements or jurats in most states for deeds and certain affidavits. Recording offices typically expect a county-recognized notary acknowledgement; confirm county recorder requirements before closing.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing and audio-video recording; requirements vary. Confirm the executing state's RON rules and retention requirements before relying on remote notarization.
What if a signer name does not match ID?
Mismatch may require corrective affidavit or re-execution. For entities, include authorization documents. Accurate names reduce recording delays and avoid title exceptions.
How should executed files be stored?
Store executed PDFs with embedded audit trails and retain originals per retention rules. Ensure encryption in transit and at rest and preserve audit logs for reproduction on demand.
How do I cancel or revoke an executed HL3M?
Revocation depends on transaction stage and applicable law; pre-closing, parties may rescind by mutual agreement or contract terms. Post-closing, consult counsel for corrective deeds or quiet title actions when necessary.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now