What if the legal description differs?

If the legal description in the contract does not match the recorded deed, notify title and correct it before closing. Discrepancies can cause exceptions on the title commitment and delay recording.

Is a notarized signature always required?

Not all transfers require notarization, but deeds typically need a notary acknowledgement for recording in most states. Check county recorder rules and state law for exact requirements.

Can property sections be updated after signing?

Amendments are possible if all parties agree and execute an amendment or corrected deed; certain changes may require re-notarization and re-recording to be effective.

How do APN errors affect closing?

An incorrect APN can misdirect tax proration and the title search, potentially delaying closing until the correct parcel is identified and paperwork updated.

Are remote notarizations accepted?

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is accepted in many states but not uniformly; verify state RON laws and recording office acceptance before relying on RON for deeds.

What evidence should be attached?

Attach the recorded deed, current survey, title commitment, and recent tax statements to support the property description and reduce follow-up requests from title and escrow.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Property Section

Real Estate Property Section

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

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY SECTION

Parties

Buyer Name:

Buyer Contact

Seller Name:

Seller Contact

Property Identification

Property Address

Unit/Apartment: County:

Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Financial and Transaction Terms

Purchase Price: $ Earnest Money Deposit: $

Deposit Due On: Month Day Year

Financing Contingency Period: days after effective date.

Closing, Possession and Conveyance

Closing Date: Month Day Year

Possession to Buyer: Month Day Year

Fixtures, Personal Property, and Exclusions

The following items are included in the sale unless otherwise specified. Check included items.

Refrigerator Range/Oven Dishwasher

Window treatments Light fixtures Garage door opener / remote

Items Specifically Excluded

Title, Survey and Encumbrances

Vesting / Proposed Deed To Title Exceptions and Encumbrances Known to Seller

Survey Provided by Seller: Surveyor Name:

Homeowners Association and Assessments

Subject to HOA: Yes No

If subject to HOA, state name and fee information

Environmental and Condition Disclosures

Provide responses to known conditions. For each, check the applicable box.

Lead-based paint hazards known: Yes No

Mold or moisture intrusion known: Yes No

Underground storage tanks or contamination known: Yes No

Property located in flood zone according to Seller's knowledge: Yes No

Known Material Defects or Prior Damage

Inspections, Remedies and Default

Inspection Period: Buyer shall have days from effective date to complete all inspections and deliver written objections.

If Buyer timely objects to material adverse conditions and Seller fails to cure or reach agreement, Buyer may terminate and receive a refund of earnest money. If Buyer fails to timely perform, Seller may retain earnest money as liquidated damages or pursue specific performance as permitted by law.

Representations and Warranties

Seller represents that to Seller's actual knowledge: (a) Seller is the lawful owner with authority to convey; (b) there are no undisclosed material defaults under leases or contracts affecting the property; and (c) there are no unrecorded easements materially interfering with current use, except as disclosed herein. Seller's representations are limited to Seller's actual knowledge and do not create independent obligations for third-party tenants, contractors or prior owners.

Default; Remedies

Upon Buyer's default, Seller may elect to (i) retain earnest money as liquidated damages, (ii) pursue specific performance, or (iii) seek other remedies at law or equity. Upon Seller's default, Buyer may elect to (i) terminate and receive a refund of earnest money, (ii) seek specific performance, or (iii) pursue damages. The parties acknowledge remedies are cumulative.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Property Section shall be governed by the laws of the state where the Property is located. This document, together with any referenced purchase agreement and addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement regarding the matters set forth in this Property Section and supersedes prior oral or written statements pertaining to the same subject matter.

Additional Provisions

Additional Terms or Contingencies

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Property Section Covers

The Real Estate Property Section is the portion of a contract or disclosure that describes the property being transferred, leased, or encumbered. It typically includes the street address, legal description, assessor parcel number (APN), current owner(s), fixtures and exclusions, tax and zoning identifiers, and any known encumbrances or easements. This section creates the baseline facts that title searches, surveys, and lenders rely on; accuracy here helps prevent delays at closing, title objections, and later disputes about what was included in the transaction.

Why a Clear Property Section Matters

A clear, complete Real Estate Property Section reduces closing risk, helps title review, and supports lender underwriting. Accurate descriptions and documented encumbrances minimize post-closing disputes and speed recording with county offices.

Who Typically Prepares and Relies on This Section

Real estate professionals, title officers, lenders, buyers, and attorneys commonly prepare or review the Real Estate Property Section before closing.

Listing agents and brokers: Prepare listing details and verify address accuracy before offers.
Title officers and escrow agents: Use the section to order searches and prepare commitments.
Lenders and underwriters: Verify legal description, tax IDs, and recorded liens.

Multiple parties depend on this section for legal descriptions, recording, and post-closing ownership evidence; consistent language benefits every stakeholder.

Step-by-step: Completing the Property Section

Follow these steps to ensure the property details are accurate, complete, and ready for title and recording.

01

Verify Address: Confirm street, unit, city, state, and ZIP exactly as county records show.
02

Insert Legal Description: Copy the parcel’s recorded legal description from the deed or county recorder.
03

List APN: Provide the assessor parcel number to match tax and title records.
04

Note Encumbrances: Include mortgages, liens, easements, and recorded covenants with reference details.

Configuring an Online Property Section Workflow

Set these fields and options when building a digital property section workflow to ensure valid submissions and secure review.

Field	Recommended Setting
Address Parsing	Enable automatic address verification
Signature Authentication	Use email plus SMS or ID verification
Notarization Option	Allow RON session when permitted
Attachment Types	Require PDF deed; allow photos, surveys

Digital Signing and Submission Requirements

Real estate property sections typically require PDF compatibility, audit trails, and optional notarization; verify platform features before launching a workflow.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and title systems compatible
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options

Choose a platform that supports PDF/A export, audit logs, access controls, and integrations with common tools such as CRMs, document repositories, and closing systems to streamline review and recording.

Typical Online Submission Flow for Property Details

This is the common sequence when completing and circulating a Real Estate Property Section electronically.

Upload Document: Sender uploads contract or property form PDF for editing.
Place Fields: Add address, legal description, and signature fields.
Send to Signers: Distribute via email link or secure signing invitation.
Capture Audit Trail: System records timestamps, IP, and signer actions.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Property Section

A professional Real Estate Property Section contains precise identifiers, title-related disclosures, and signature blocks to support closing, recording, and lender review.

Property Description

Provide the full street address and unit designation, including municipal and postal distinctions, to avoid ambiguity for delivery, tax, and mapping systems.

Recorded Legal Description

Insert the exact metes-and-bounds or lot/block/subdivision text from the recorded deed to match the county recorder’s records for clear title linkage.

Title and Encumbrances

Summarize mortgages, liens, judgments, and recorded easements with recording references so title companies can locate and clear encumbrances prior to closing.

Fixtures and Exclusions

Spell out which installed items remain with the property and which are excluded; this reduces ambiguity about movable personal property at possession.

Tax and Parcel Information

List APN, taxing jurisdiction, and recent tax payment status to facilitate proration and ensure accurate tax records at transfer.

Signatures and Notarization

Include signature blocks for parties and, where required, spaces for notarization or witness attestations with date fields for recording.

Supporting Items Often Attached with the Property Section

Attach these documents to provide supporting evidence and speed title examination and recording steps.

Recorded Deed Copy

Attach a certified or scanned copy of the most recent recorded deed to verify legal description and current vesting information for title review.

Survey or Plot Plan

Provide the latest boundary survey or plot plan to document improvements, setbacks, and encroachments relevant to title and permitting.

Title Commitment

Include the title commitment or preliminary report when available so parties can identify exceptions and required curatives before closing.

Tax Statements

Attach recent property tax bills or receipts to confirm taxing jurisdiction, assessed value, and payment status for proration.

Common Risks and Consequences of Inaccurate Property Sections

Recording Rejection: Delayed or rejected recording

Title Defect: Post-closing title objections

Lien Exposure: Unidentified liens remain attached

Escrow Delays: Closings postponed; added costs

Tax Misallocation: Incorrect proration or tax liability

Contract Voidance: Material misdescription may void contract

Frequent Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Copying an informal property description instead of the recorded legal description, which causes title examiner exceptions and survey mismatches.
Omitting the APN or using an incorrect parcel number, leading to tax proration errors and misdirected title searches.
Failing to list fixtures and exclusions clearly, producing post-closing disputes about appliances and installed equipment.
Relying on unsigned drafts or unnotarized signature images when notarization or witnesses are required for recording.

Who Signs and Approves the Property Section

Listing Agent

The listing agent prepares and confirms property details for marketing and contract purposes; they coordinate with sellers to ensure the address, unit, and known exclusions are accurate prior to offer acceptance and title inquiry.

Title Officer

A title officer reviews the section to order searches and identify exceptions; they rely on exact legal descriptions and recording references to produce a title commitment and advise on curative actions before closing.

Real-world Examples of Property Sections in Use

These examples illustrate how accurate property sections support remote closings and title workflows for different organizations.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties streamlined online closings by digitizing property sections and supporting documents.

Reduced turnaround for leases and sales.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica Ventures standardized property descriptions across listings to reduce title exceptions.

Consistent legal descriptions.
"The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Practical Tips for Accurate, Efficient Property Sections

Adopt these best practices to reduce errors, speed title review, and support electronic workflows while preserving legal enforceability.

Use Recorded Sources

Always copy the legal description and owner names directly from the recorded deed or county recorder to ensure consistency with title records and avoid mismatches during examination.

Require Verified APNs

Confirm the assessor parcel number with the county tax assessor’s online lookup; mismatches can cause tax proration and recording confusion at closing.

Be Explicit on Fixtures

List included and excluded items by name and model when necessary; avoid catch-all phrases to prevent interpretations that favor one party after possession.

Plan Notarization Early

Determine whether a notary, witness, or RON session is required based on state and document type and schedule it before the closing date to prevent last-minute delays.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot for Real Estate Workflows

Compare typical starting prices and essential features relevant to signing and managing property sections. signNow is shown first for vendor comparison.

	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

How to Amend or Update a Property Section

Use this concise grid when parties need to change descriptive information after initial execution.

01

Identify Change:

Confirm which field requires amendment and why.

02

Draft Amendment:

Prepare a short amendment referencing the original agreement.

03

Get Authorizations:

Obtain signatures from all original parties.

04

Notarize If Required:

Notarize or witness per state rules as necessary.

05

Record If Necessary:

File amended documents with county recorder when required.

06

Distribute Copies:

Share updated documents with title, lender, and escrow.

Frequently Asked Questions about Property Sections

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and recording the Real Estate Property Section in U.S. transactions.

Need help? Contact support

What if the legal description differs?
If the legal description in the contract does not match the recorded deed, notify title and correct it before closing. Discrepancies can cause exceptions on the title commitment and delay recording.
Is a notarized signature always required?
Not all transfers require notarization, but deeds typically need a notary acknowledgement for recording in most states. Check county recorder rules and state law for exact requirements.
Can property sections be updated after signing?
Amendments are possible if all parties agree and execute an amendment or corrected deed; certain changes may require re-notarization and re-recording to be effective.
How do APN errors affect closing?
An incorrect APN can misdirect tax proration and the title search, potentially delaying closing until the correct parcel is identified and paperwork updated.
Are remote notarizations accepted?
Remote Online Notarization (RON) is accepted in many states but not uniformly; verify state RON laws and recording office acceptance before relying on RON for deeds.
What evidence should be attached?
Attach the recorded deed, current survey, title commitment, and recent tax statements to support the property description and reduce follow-up requests from title and escrow.

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