Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reproducible records are present.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required when the mandate or related instrument must be recorded, or state law requires a notarized acknowledgement; check county recorder rules for recordable documents.

What if party names differ?

Correct names before signing. Mismatched legal entity names can void enforcement; use official corporate or tax names to avoid disputes.

How can signatures be authenticated?

Use email links, SMS codes, KBA, or stronger identity-proofing for high-risk transactions; stronger authentication improves evidentiary weight.

How do I revoke or amend a mandate?

Revocation or amendment requires the procedure set in the mandate itself or mutual written agreement; include notice periods and signature requirements for changes.

Who should review before signing?

Legal counsel or compliance should review terms affecting liabilities, data handling, and state-specific recording rules prior to execution.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Non-Exclusive Research Mandate

Real Estate Non-Exclusive Research Mandate

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

REAL ESTATE NON-EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH MANDATE

Parties and Effective Date

This Non-Exclusive Research Mandate (the "Mandate") is entered into between Client Name: and Researcher Name: .

Client Contact Information Researcher Contact Information

Effective Date:

Background and Scope

Client engages Researcher on a non-exclusive basis to perform research, analysis and sourcing of real property opportunities consistent with the criteria set forth below. Researcher shall use reasonable professional efforts to identify properties, provide due diligence information, and prepare reports and recommendations (collectively, "Services").

Scope of Services (describe tasks, deliverables, frequency)

Property Identification and Criteria

Target Property Address (if specific):

Parcel / APN Number:

Legal Description Property Types (select all that apply)

Residential Commercial Land Mixed-Use

Target Criteria / Investment Parameters Geographic Area

Term and Termination

Term Commencement: Term Expiration:

Either party may terminate this Mandate for convenience upon written notice of days. Termination for material breach may be immediate if the breaching party fails to cure within days after written notice.

Compensation, Expenses and Invoicing

Retainer / Fee Structure Hourly Rate Success Fee (if applicable) Reimbursable Expenses

Invoices are due and payable within days of receipt. Overdue amounts bear interest at per month.

Deliverables, Reporting and Access

Frequency of Reports:

Report Format and Required Data

Client will provide reasonable access to records and personnel as needed to perform the Services. Researcher is not authorized to bind Client to transaction terms absent express written authority.

Ownership, Use of Work Product and Confidentiality

All work product, reports and written analyses prepared by Researcher for Client under this Mandate shall be delivered to Client. Researcher grants Client a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to use such work product for Client's internal evaluation and transaction purposes. Researcher may retain and reuse generalized methodologies, templates and non-confidential know-how.

Confidential Information means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other in connection with this Mandate. Recipient shall hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, not disclose it to third parties except as required for performance, and use it only to perform obligations under this Mandate. Confidential obligations survive termination for two years.

Non-Exclusive Relationship and Conflicts

The parties acknowledge and agree that this Mandate is non-exclusive. Client may engage others to perform similar services and Researcher may provide services to other clients, provided that Researcher complies with its confidentiality obligations and discloses any material conflicts of interest in writing promptly upon identification.

Prior or existing relationships that could create a potential conflict: Yes No

If Yes, describe relationships

Representations, Warranties, Indemnity and Limitation of Liability

Each party represents that it has the authority to enter this Mandate. Researcher warrants that Services will be performed using commercially reasonable efforts and in compliance with applicable laws. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, RESEARCHER MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

Indemnity: Each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other from third-party claims arising from its negligent acts or willful misconduct in connection with this Mandate. Limitation of Liability: IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS MANDATE EXCEED THE TOTAL FEES PAID BY CLIENT TO RESEARCHER IN THE PRIOR TWELVE MONTHS, EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY.

Governing Law, Notices and Entire Agreement

This Mandate shall be governed by the laws of the state specified in the Governing Law field below, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Notices shall be sent to the addresses provided above, or to the following notice contacts:

Client Notice Contact Researcher Notice Contact

Entire Agreement: This Mandate, including any exhibits or written amendments signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior proposals, negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Assignment: Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Mandate without the prior written consent of the other, except that Client may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a sale of substantially all of its assets.

Severability: If any provision of this Mandate is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Researcher Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Non-Exclusive Research Mandate Is

A Real Estate Non-Exclusive Research Mandate is a written agreement that authorizes a researcher, broker, or consultant to investigate specified property information without granting exclusive rights. It defines the scope of research tasks, deliverables, payment terms, confidentiality obligations, and the time period for work. The document preserves the principal's right to engage other researchers or brokers simultaneously, while documenting responsibilities and use of collected data. It is a contractual instrument, not a conveyance, and is commonly used by investors, asset managers, brokers, and title professionals to formalize due diligence engagements.

Why this Mandate Matters for Property Research

It clarifies scope, prevents overlapping assignments, and records payment and data-use rules. The mandate reduces disputes about who may act for the principal, sets deadlines and deliverables, and preserves options to hire additional researchers or agents. Properly drafted mandates help enforce confidentiality and document chain-of-custody for research outputs.

Typical Users and Situations Where the Mandate Is Employed

This agreement is used when a principal needs property research but wants to avoid exclusivity limits.

Real estate brokers and research firms who prepare market, title, or zoning reports for clients.
Investors, private equity funds, and asset managers sourcing acquisition or portfolio-level intelligence.
Title companies, commercial lenders, and outside counsel needing documented research engagement terms.

It suits one-off projects and ongoing research programs where multiple providers may be retained.

Core Components to Include in a Professional Mandate

A clear mandate protects both parties. Include identities, scope, deliverables, non-exclusive language, fees, term, data rights, confidentiality, and signature blocks to avoid ambiguity.

Parties

Full legal names and contact information for principal and researcher; identify business entity type and authorized representative.

Scope

Precise list of research tasks, geographic boundaries, property identifiers, and permitted data sources or databases to be used.

Non-Exclusive Clause

Plain language confirming the principal may engage other researchers concurrently and that researcher has no exclusive claim to opportunities.

Term & Termination

Start and end dates, renewal mechanics, and termination for convenience or cause with notice requirements spelled out.

Compensation

Fees, billing schedule, reimbursable expenses, and payment terms; include consequences for late payment or disputed invoices.

Confidentiality & Use

Permitted uses of research, data ownership or license, and restrictions on redistribution or resale of deliverables.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Mandate

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, agree, and execute a compliant non-exclusive research mandate.

01

Prepare: Gather party details, property identifiers, and scope definitions.
02

Draft: Insert scope, fees, term, confidentiality, and non-exclusive language.
03

Review: Have counsel or compliance review for regulatory or title issues.
04

Sign: Execute signatures and distribute executed copies to all parties.

Typical Execution Flow for an Online Mandate

A standard online workflow reduces turnaround time and preserves an audit trail for compliance and future reference.

Upload Document: Sender uploads final mandate document to the signing platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and required data-entry fields for each party.
Invite Signers: Email or link invitations sent to authorized signers with authentication options.
Complete & Archive: Signed copies and an audit trail are generated and retained.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for eSubmission

Recommended configuration reduces signer friction while maintaining appropriate authentication and record retention.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required for each signer; include date field adjacent to signature.
Authentication	Email link or SMS code; use stronger ID proofing for sensitive transactions.
Audit Trail	Capture IP, timestamp, and action history for evidentiary support.
Retention	Store signed PDF and machine-readable log for minimum retention period.

Key Security and Compliance Considerations

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

Audit Trail: Full signed document history and timestamps

HIPAA: BAA available for protected health information

21 CFR Part 11: Support for FDA-regulated electronic records

SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II report available

Access Controls: Role-based authentication and SSO options

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing the Mandate

Cost and capability differ across vendors; signNow is listed first for reference. Review plan details and compliance options before selecting a provider.

	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 plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
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

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Ambiguous scope allowing scope creep and disputes over what constitutes completed research and deliverables.
Missing or incorrect effective date that creates uncertainty about obligations and billing cycles.
Party name mismatches between mandate and tax or corporate records leading to enforceability issues.
Insufficient authentication or absent audit trail when signatures are collected electronically.

Risks and Consequences of a Flawed Mandate

Contract Ambiguity: Disputes over deliverables

Data Exposure: Unauthorized disclosure risk

Missed Deadlines: Loss of priority or opportunity

Invalid Signature: Enforceability challenges

Tax Penalties: Backup withholding or reporting issues

Reputational Harm: Client or partner trust erosion

Frequently Asked Questions about the Mandate

Answers to frequent execution and legal questions about using and signing a Real Estate Non-Exclusive Research Mandate.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and reproducible records are present.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required when the mandate or related instrument must be recorded, or state law requires a notarized acknowledgement; check county recorder rules for recordable documents.
What if party names differ?
Correct names before signing. Mismatched legal entity names can void enforcement; use official corporate or tax names to avoid disputes.
How can signatures be authenticated?
Use email links, SMS codes, KBA, or stronger identity-proofing for high-risk transactions; stronger authentication improves evidentiary weight.
How do I revoke or amend a mandate?
Revocation or amendment requires the procedure set in the mandate itself or mutual written agreement; include notice periods and signature requirements for changes.
Who should review before signing?
Legal counsel or compliance should review terms affecting liabilities, data handling, and state-specific recording rules prior to execution.

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