Property Description
Legal description, parcel number, and street address; must match title and county records.
Complete and properly executed paperwork protects buyer and seller rights, satisfies lender and title company requirements, and ensures the transaction can be recorded. Electronic execution is generally acceptable under federal ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) where adopted, but statutory exceptions and state notarization rules can apply.
Several parties commonly prepare, review, and sign the paperwork in a residential real estate closing.
Coordination among these roles reduces errors and accelerates recording, title transfer, and lender funding.
Legal description, parcel number, and street address; must match title and county records.
Signed contract with price, contingencies, escrow instructions, and effective date.
Deed form (grant deed, warranty deed, quitclaim) properly executed and ready for notarization and recording.
Loan agreement, promissory note, mortgage or deed of trust, and payoff instructions if applicable.
State-required disclosures on property condition, lead paint, homeowners association, or flood hazards.
HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure itemizing payments, prorations, and settlement figures.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Document Templates | Create reusable templates for purchase agreements, deeds, and disclosures. |
| Signer Order | Set sequential signing: seller → buyer → lender → closing agent. |
| Authentication | Use email + SMS code or stronger KBA where required. |
| Audit Trail | Enable full audit logs (IP, timestamp) and automatic PDF export. |
Choose tools that support required file formats, authentication strength, and integration with title or loan systems.
| 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 | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Variable | Variable | Variable |
Date the agreement takes effect; governs contingencies and possession.
Date funds and deed transfer; coordinate early with title and lender.
Submit deed promptly after closing; county processing varies by jurisdiction.
Provide transaction details to tax preparers for year-end reporting.
Retain final executed documents and audit trails per retention rules.
Offer accepted and signed by buyer and seller; earnest money instructions issued.
Buyer removes contingencies (inspection, financing) or contract may terminate.
Title search completed and any defects resolved or insured.
Signatures obtained, lender funds wired, and closing statement finalized.
Smaller real estate investor streamlined closings with standardized templates and eSign
Broker adopted mobile signing for on-site buyers