Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states. Ensure the four-part validity test—intent, consent, attribution, and record retention—is satisfied for consumer-facing transactions.

Is notarization required to make it valid?

Generally no. Notarization is not required for most hunting agreements but may be necessary for certain attachments or state-specific filings. If a notarized acknowledgement is needed, use RON or in-person notarization consistent with state rules.

What if party names differ from IDs?

Mismatched legal names can impede enforcement and notarization. Correct discrepancies before signing and ensure the name used for e-signature matches the identity proofing evidence to avoid attribution disputes.

How long must I keep the executed agreement?

Retain the agreement for the term plus at least 3 years as a baseline; IRS rules reference 3 years (IRC §6501(a)). If PHI is present retain for 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)); state rules may require longer.

How can a party cancel or revoke the agreement?

Cancellation follows the contract's termination clause and notice period. Check refund or retainer provisions; document any termination in writing and retain copies. Some agreements permit immediate termination for material breach.

What supporting documents should accompany the agreement?

Include ID used for identity verification, property search criteria, proof of retainer payment if any, and correspondence that clarifies scope. Retain signed versions with audit trails and related offers or disclosures.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Hunting Agreement

Real Estate Hunting Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE HUNTING AGREEMENT

This Real Estate Hunting Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the undersigned Client and Broker for the purpose of locating, identifying and procuring potential real property to purchase or lease in accordance with the terms set forth below.

Parties and Contact Information

Client Name Client Address

Client Phone

Client Email

Broker / Agent Name

Broker License Number

Brokerage Firm

Broker Address

Appointment and Scope of Services

Client hereby appoints Broker as Client's exclusive agent to locate, identify and negotiate acquisition or lease of real property meeting the criteria described below within the Term set forth in this Agreement. Broker shall use reasonable professional efforts to locate properties, arrange viewings, advise on market conditions, assist in drafting offers and coordinate with other professionals as requested by Client.

Property Type (check all that apply)

Single-family Condominium Multi-family Land Commercial

Preferred Cities/Areas:

Maximum Purchase Price:

Minimum Bedrooms:

Minimum Bathrooms:

Minimum Square Feet:

Specific Property Identification (if known) Legal Description or Notes

Term of Agreement

This Agreement commences on and continues through unless earlier terminated according to the terms herein.

Compensation and Expenses

Client agrees to pay Broker compensation as set forth below. Compensation is earned and payable as described and survives termination of this Agreement to the extent specifically stated.

Primary Compensation (select applicable)

Percentage commission of purchase price: Flat finder fee payable at closing or upon execution of binding purchase contract: Retainer fee (credited against compensation): due on

If Broker is to be paid by Seller, Buyer remains responsible for Broker's fee if Seller's payment is not made. Expenses incurred by Broker on Client's behalf (e.g., travel, advertising, third-party report fees) shall be reimbursed by Client upon presentation of receipts or reasonable documentation.

Exclusive Broker and Commission Protection

Unless otherwise indicated below, this Agreement is exclusive: Client authorizes only Broker to locate properties and negotiate on Client's behalf during the Term. If Client enters into a contract to purchase or lease any property introduced to Client by Broker within the Term or within days after termination (protection period), Client shall pay Broker the agreed compensation regardless of whether the transaction closes.

Agreement Type

Exclusive Non-exclusive

Client Representations and Acknowledgments

Client represents that Client is the decision-maker for the contemplated purchase or lease, that information provided to Broker is true and complete, and that Client authorizes Broker to act under this Agreement. Client acknowledges Broker does not guarantee availability, financing, or acceptance of any offer.

Disclosures and Property Condition

Broker will disclose known material facts about properties brokered by Broker as required by law. Client understands that Broker does not perform inspections and Client is responsible for obtaining independent inspections and investigations.

Seller Disclosures Known to Broker

Lead-based paint present: Yes No
Mold or water intrusion known: Yes No
Prior structural damage or repair history known: Yes No

Default, Remedies and Indemnity

Failure by Client to pay compensation due under this Agreement is a material breach entitling Broker to pursue legal remedies including recovery of the agreed fee, costs and attorneys' fees. Client shall indemnify, defend and hold Broker harmless from claims arising from Client's material misrepresentations or failure to disclose information material to the transaction.

Conflicts, Dual Agency and Confidentiality

Broker may represent other buyers or sellers. If Broker represents both parties to a transaction, Broker will comply with applicable disclosure and consent obligations. Broker will maintain Client's confidential information except as required by law or as necessary to perform services under this Agreement.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other. Termination does not affect Broker's right to compensation for transactions subject to the Commission Protection clause above.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the principal property is located. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Miscellaneous Provisions

If any provision of this Agreement is held unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force. Headings are for convenience and do not affect interpretation. Time is of the essence where applicable.

Additional Terms or Instructions

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Broker Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Real Estate Hunting Agreement Covers

A Real Estate Hunting Agreement is a written contract between a prospective buyer (or renter) and a broker, agent, or finder that defines the scope, timeframe, and compensation for identifying suitable properties. It typically documents search parameters, reporting cadence, exclusivity or non-exclusivity, fee or retainer arrangements, confidentiality provisions, and termination rights. The agreement clarifies responsibilities for property viewings and offer preparation, records consent to any advance payments, and establishes a baseline for resolving disputes about services performed or fees owed.

Why this agreement matters for buyers and agents

A clear Real Estate Hunting Agreement reduces ambiguity about duties, fees, and duration. It helps avoid commission disputes, documents consent to the search process, and creates an evidence trail that supports enforcement or dispute resolution if disagreements arise.

Common users and roles for this agreement

Agents, brokers, buyers, and relocation professionals use this form to align expectations, allocate responsibilities, and document fee arrangements before property searches begin.

Homebuyers actively searching — Individuals or households engaging an agent to identify and view properties within specified parameters and timeline.
Buyer agents and brokers — Licensed agents using the form to define commission, reporting cadence, and exclusivity during the search assignment.
Real estate investors and scouts — Investors or finders using short-form agreements for repeat acquisitions or bulk property sourcing assignments.

Using the agreement consistently clarifies obligations and preserves proof of consent, which simplifies collections and dispute handling if offers or commissions become contested.

Step-by-step: completing and executing the agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, sign, and retain a Real Estate Hunting Agreement to minimize disputes and ensure compliance.

01

Prepare: Assemble party names, search parameters, compensation, and term details.
02

Review: Confirm scope, exclusivity, fee triggers, and any retainer terms with all parties.
03

Sign: Collect dated signatures from buyer and agent using wet or electronic signing per ESIGN/UETA.
04

Retain: Store the executed agreement with supporting documents and an audit trail for future reference.

How digital execution and routing typically work

A common online workflow covers upload, field placement, signer routing, authentication, execution, and secure storage of the completed agreement.

Upload document: Store as PDF or DOCX for distribution.
Place fields: Add name, date, initials, and signature fields.
Send to signers: Deliver via email or secure signing link.
Archive: Save signed PDF with timestamped audit trail.

Typical online workflow settings to use

Configure authentication, signing order, reminders, and storage to match your compliance and business requirements.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Email + optional SMS code for signer verification
Signing Order	Buyer first, then agent; parallel signing if agreed
Reminders	Automated reminders: 3 attempts at 48-hour intervals
Storage	Cloud PDF with audit trail and retention tags

Platform features and integrations to consider

Assess platforms for format support, signer authentication, audit trails, and integration with existing systems before execution.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML accepted
Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, multifactor

Six essential sections every professional hunting agreement should include

Including these core elements helps manage expectations, reduce disputes, and provide a defensible record if enforcement is necessary.

Scope of Search

Define neighborhoods, property types, price range, and must-have items; precise scope limits later disagreement over whether the agent performed as required.

Compensation

Specify retainer, commission percentage, payment timing, and whether fees credit toward purchase to prevent collection disputes.

Exclusivity

State whether the agent has exclusive rights during the term and list any carve-outs for prior leads or seller-originated contacts.

Term and Termination

Set clear start and end dates, renewal conditions, and notice requirements for early termination and any refund rules for retainers.

Confidentiality

Protect buyer preferences, financial details, and proprietary lead lists while allowing necessary disclosures to cooperating brokers or legal authorities.

Dispute Resolution

Name governing law, specify mediation or arbitration requirements, and identify venue to reduce litigation risk and clarify enforcement steps.

Security and compliance highlights for signed agreements

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data at rest: AES-256 encrypted storage

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Legal compliance: ESIGN and UETA adherence

HIPAA: Compliant with BAA required

Audit trail: Detailed timestamps and IP logging

Key legal and commercial risks if the agreement is incorrect

Unenforceable terms: Vague scope may void claims

Commission disputes: Loss of fee recovery rights

Statute exposure: Limitations tied to effective date

Data breach: Regulatory penalties and liability

Incorrect notarization: May invalidate signatures

Tax withholding: Potential backup withholding

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Incomplete search criteria: Vague or missing neighborhoods, price caps, or property types lead agents to submit unsuitable listings and create performance disputes.
Ambiguous fee language: Phrases like 'reasonable commission' without a specific percentage invite disagreement and complicate fee recovery if a purchase occurs.
Missing dates and signatures: Undated or unsigned pages can obscure when obligations began and complicate enforcement or termination calculations.
Failing to document e-sign consent: Not recording consent to electronic records or the method of signature may raise admissibility or enforceability questions under ESIGN for consumer transactions.

eSignature pricing and feature snapshot for executing hunting agreements

Pricing and feature differences can affect cost and compliance; the table compares common vendor starting prices and key capabilities relevant to agreement execution.

	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	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-world examples of hunting agreements in use

These concise examples show how brokers and firms formalize searches, capture consent, and accelerate execution in practical scenarios.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties formalized remote searches with a hunting agreement to clarify responsibilities and retainers.

They automated mobile signing for clients.
Tim Martin, Founder, noted: "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security," reducing delays and improving document turnaround across mobile and desktop workflows.

Optica Ventures

A small investor firm used a short-form hunting agreement for repeat acquisitions to document finder fees and search parameters.

The agreement standardized offers.
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, observed the interface is simple and easy-to-use for both team and customers, helping the firm close more prospects without in-person signatures.

Frequently asked questions and quick answers

Answers to common legal, execution, and storage questions about Real Estate Hunting Agreements, including electronic signing and notary concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states. Ensure the four-part validity test—intent, consent, attribution, and record retention—is satisfied for consumer-facing transactions.
Is notarization required to make it valid?
Generally no. Notarization is not required for most hunting agreements but may be necessary for certain attachments or state-specific filings. If a notarized acknowledgement is needed, use RON or in-person notarization consistent with state rules.
What if party names differ from IDs?
Mismatched legal names can impede enforcement and notarization. Correct discrepancies before signing and ensure the name used for e-signature matches the identity proofing evidence to avoid attribution disputes.
How long must I keep the executed agreement?
Retain the agreement for the term plus at least 3 years as a baseline; IRS rules reference 3 years (IRC §6501(a)). If PHI is present retain for 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)); state rules may require longer.
How can a party cancel or revoke the agreement?
Cancellation follows the contract's termination clause and notice period. Check refund or retainer provisions; document any termination in writing and retain copies. Some agreements permit immediate termination for material breach.
What supporting documents should accompany the agreement?
Include ID used for identity verification, property search criteria, proof of retainer payment if any, and correspondence that clarifies scope. Retain signed versions with audit trails and related offers or disclosures.

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