Can a PSA be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally as enforceable as handwritten signatures, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

Are electronic PSAs valid for recording?

Many counties accept electronically signed deeds if the document meets recording office format and notarization rules; recording acceptance varies by county and state so confirm local requirements before relying solely on e-signature.

Do PSAs require notarization or witnesses?

Notarization is frequently required for deeds at recording, but not always for the purchase contract itself. Witness requirements vary by state; check the county recorder and state law for deed execution rules.

What if a contingency deadline is missed?

Missing a contingency deadline typically results in automatic waiver or contract default depending on PSA language; parties should document extensions or waivers in writing to preserve rights and avoid dispute.

Can a PSA be amended after signing?

Yes, PSAs can be modified by written amendment signed by all parties; oral modifications are risky. Use an amendment addendum that cites the original PSA and expressly describes the changes.

Who signs for an entity seller?

An authorized officer or manager should sign and attach a corporate resolution or certificate of authority; absent documentation, title companies may refuse to close or require additional proof of authority.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate PSA Agreement

Real Estate PSA Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (Agreement) is made effective as of (Effective Date) between the parties identified below under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Parties

Seller Name Seller Address for Notices Buyer Name Buyer Address for Notices

Property

Street Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Purchase Price and Payment

Purchase Price: $ payable as set forth below.

Earnest Money Deposit

Earnest money shall be delivered to Escrow Holder: at within of Effective Date.

Financing and Contingencies

This Agreement is: Cash purchase (no financing contingency) Subject to Buyer obtaining financing

If financing is selected — Loan Amount Sought

Financing contingency shall be satisfied or waived by Buyer no later than . If Buyer fails to timely satisfy or waive, Seller may terminate this Agreement and retain the earnest money as liquidated damages as provided herein.

Inspections and Due Diligence

Buyer shall have days from Effective Date to complete inspections and investigations and notify Seller in writing of any objections.

Inspection Objections / Repair Requests

If Buyer timely objects, the parties shall negotiate in good faith. If an agreement is not reached within ten (10) days after Buyer’s objection, either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice and Buyer shall receive return of earnest money, except as otherwise provided herein.

Title and Closing

Proposed Closing Date Closing Location / Title Company

Seller shall convey marketable title by general warranty deed or other mutually acceptable instrument, subject only to permitted exceptions agreed in writing. Buyer shall pay customary closing costs as required by the closing statement, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.

Possession and Prorations

Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on at time of closing unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Real property taxes, assessments, homeowner association dues (if any), rents and utilities shall be prorated as of the date of closing. Any delinquent taxes, assessments or other liens existing at closing shall be Seller’s responsibility to satisfy prior to or at closing.

Representations and Warranties

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that Seller is the lawful owner of the Property, has authority to sell the Property, and that to Seller’s knowledge there are no material undisclosed conditions affecting the Property other than those disclosed in writing to Buyer prior to execution of this Agreement.

Buyer acknowledges that, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, Seller has made no warranties, express or implied, regarding the physical condition of the Property; Buyer is relying on Buyer’s own inspections and investigations.

Property Condition Disclosures

Lead-based paint disclosure (if applicable): Yes No

Known mold or water intrusion: Yes No

Prior material damage or repairs (fire, flood, structural): Yes No

If any disclosure is Yes, describe below

Default; Remedies; Liquidated Damages

If Buyer fails to close in accordance with this Agreement (other than due to Seller’s default), Seller may terminate this Agreement and retain the earnest money as liquidated damages, which the parties agree is a reasonable estimate of Seller’s actual damages. Alternatively, Seller may elect to seek specific performance or pursue all other remedies available at law or in equity.

If Seller fails to convey title at closing in accordance with this Agreement, Buyer’s remedies shall include the right to terminate and receive return of earnest money, pursue specific performance, or seek damages as allowed by applicable law.

Notices

Seller Notice Address Buyer Notice Address

Miscellaneous

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of without regard to conflict of laws principles.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement, including all exhibits and addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between Seller and Buyer with respect to the Property and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings. No modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

Assignment: Buyer may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without Seller’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

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

Acknowledgment

Each party represents that the party has the authority to enter into this Agreement, has read and understands its terms, and that the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized. Execution may occur in counterparts and electronic signatures shall be binding.

Additional Terms or Addenda

Seller:

By:

Date:

Buyer:

By:

Date:

Escrow/Title Officer:

By:

Date:

What a Real Estate PSA Agreement Is and why it matters

A Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) is a legally binding contract that records core terms by which a buyer agrees to purchase real property from a seller. Typical elements include the parties, property legal description, purchase price, earnest money deposit, financing and inspection contingencies, closing date, prorations, and remedies for default. A PSA may attach disclosures, surveys, title commitments, and escrow instructions as exhibits. The PSA frames the transaction schedule, allocates risk during due diligence, and creates enforceable contractual rights under applicable state law.

Why a clear PSA reduces closing risk

A well-drafted Real Estate PSA Agreement documents price, contingency windows, closing mechanics, and remedies, which limits disputes, protects earnest money, and clarifies responsibilities for title, inspections, and financing under state contract and property statutes.

Who typically prepares, reviews, and relies on the PSA

Primary users include buyers, sellers, brokers, lenders, title officers, and escrow agents who manage or rely on the PSA during a real property transaction.

Buyers and buyer agents manage contingencies, inspections, and financing conditions
Sellers and listing agents set price, disclosures, and closing deliverables
Lenders, title, and escrow companies perform approvals, title searches, and recording

Real estate attorneys and closing agents also review PSAs to confirm statutory disclosures, title obligations, and to prepare closing documents consistent with local recording rules.

Typical signer and stakeholder profiles

Buyer — Individual

Individuals purchasing residential property should ensure their legal name matches government ID, confirm financing contingency timing, and document earnest money instructions to avoid underwriting or closing delays with the lender or title company.

Seller — Entity

Corporate or LLC sellers must provide authorized signatory details, corporate resolutions or operating agreement excerpts, and accurate taxpayer identification to title companies to verify authority and prevent postponement of closing or recording.

Core components every PSA should contain

A Professional Real Estate PSA Agreement organizes responsibilities, timelines, and conditions. The following six elements form the contractual backbone and reduce downstream risk when drafted precisely and consistently.

Parties

Identify buyer and seller with full legal names, entity types, and authorized signatories; include contact and mailing addresses to anchor delivery, notice provisions, and tax reporting obligations.

Property

Provide the complete legal description, parcel or tax ID, physical address, and any included personal property; an imprecise description can delay title insurance and recording at the county clerk.

Purchase Price

Specify the precise dollar amount, allocation of deposits, payment schedule, and escrow instructions; include treatment of prorations, credits, and any adjustments at closing to avoid settlement disputes.

Contingencies

Detail inspection, financing, appraisal, title, and survey contingencies with explicit deadlines and cure procedures; state how and when contingencies are deemed satisfied, extended, or waived.

Closing & Possession

Define closing date, possession transfer mechanics, place of closing, escrow agent duties, document delivery obligations, and remedies for missed closings including per diem or contract damages.

Signatures & Delivery

Include signature blocks for all parties, specify execution format (electronic or wet signature), delivery method for executed copies, and whether notarization or witnesses are required for recording or conveyance.

Step-by-step: how to complete the PSA

Follow a consistent sequence to prepare, review, and execute a PSA to reduce errors and preserve contingency timing.

01

Draft: Draft terms and attach required exhibits and disclosures
02

Review: Have buyer, seller, lender, and counsel review terms
03

Execute: Collect signatures and notarizations where required
04

Deliver: Send executed copies to escrow, title, and lenders

How to configure an online PSA workflow

Set up templates and conditional fields to automate repeated PSA tasks and reduce manual entry during high-volume transactions.

Field	Configuration
Signature	Required, signer order, authentication SMS
Initials	Required on each page, auto-populate
Date	Auto-fill upon signer completion
Contingency	Conditional field; visible until waiver or expiration

Digital signing essentials and platform capabilities

Digital execution requires compatible file formats, signer authentication options, secure transmission, and integration endpoints for title and escrow systems.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
File formats: PDF, DOCX, Excel supported
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA or SSO

Typical routing: from draft to recording

A common PSA flow: upload the final draft, place fields, send to signers, gather signatures, deliver executed copies to escrow/title, then record the deed after closing.

Upload: Upload final PSA to the e-sign platform
Prepare Fields: Place signature, initials, and date fields
Send to Signers: Send signer emails or secure signing links
Deliver: Provide executed copies to title and escrow

Common PSA deadlines to track precisely

PSA deadlines determine when contingencies expire and when obligations must be performed; accurate dates reduce disputes and default risk.

Offer expiration and acceptance deadline:

Date the offer expires or when acceptance is effective

Inspection contingency completion deadline:

Final day to deliver inspection objections or repairs

Financing contingency or loan approval deadline:

Date buyer must obtain lender commitment or notice of waiver

Closing date and possession transfer date:

Scheduled date for funds transfer, deed signing, and possession

Title cure and document delivery deadline:

Last date to resolve title defects and provide closing documents

Key milestones from offer to recording

Sequence and monitor milestone deadlines to ensure timely inspections, financing approvals, and closing preparations.

01

Offer Executed

Parties sign initial PSA and earnest money is deposited

02

Due Diligence Period

Buyer completes inspections and evaluates title and surveys

03

Contingency Removal

Buyer waives or satisfies financing and inspection contingencies

04

Closing and Recording

Funds exchanged, deed delivered, and deed recorded at county

Essential data fields to include in the PSA

Buyer name: Full legal name as on ID

Seller name: Full legal entity name

Property description: Lot, block, tract, county

Purchase price: Numeric amount with currency

Earnest money: Amount, payee, escrow instructions

Closing date: Enter as MM/DD/YYYY format required

Immediate risks if the PSA is incorrect or incomplete

Earnest Money Forfeiture: Buyer may lose deposit

Financing Failure: Contract may terminate

Title Defect: Cloud delays or cure costs

Late Closing Fees: Per diem or contract damages

Incorrect Legal Description: Deed rejection at recording

Wrong Signatory: Execution risk and voidability

Common mistakes that cause closing delays

Using an incomplete legal description or P.O. box-only address can delay title examination and recording at the county clerk's office.
Failing to set explicit contingency deadlines creates disputes about whether inspections or financing were timely satisfied or effectively waived.
Omitting escrow or closing instructions for earnest money leads to disagreement about who holds funds and when they are refundable.
Allowing unauthorized signers or failing to attach corporate resolutions for entity sellers causes voidable signatures and closing postponements.

Practical tips to avoid errors and speed closing

Adopt standardized templates, validate signatory authority, and confirm contingency mechanics to reduce friction across title, lender, and escrow workflows.

Confirm legal description and parcel identification

Verify the recorded legal description against title commitments and the county parcel number to prevent recording rejections and ensure the deed transfers the intended property.

State contingency deadlines precisely

Record exact expiration dates and times for inspections and financing contingencies using MM/DD/YYYY and timezone where relevant to avoid disputes about timely waivers.

Attach escrow and closing instructions explicitly

Include the escrow holder, deposit procedures, permitting for release of funds, and wire instructions to minimize last-minute settlement confusion and mitigate fraud risk.

Use verified eSignatures and audit trails

Choose eSignature workflows that capture signer identity, IP, timestamp, and certificate of completion so lenders, title officers, and courts can confirm execution provenance.

Real-world examples of PSAs in action

These examples show how practitioners use e-signature and document workflows to close deals while maintaining compliance and auditability.

Tim Martin, Founder — Martin Properties

We process and execute documents online with full compliance and security.

Result: faster remote closings and fewer re-signs.
By using a secure e-sign workflow, Martin Properties reduced in-person meeting needs and kept full audit trails for each executed PSA and related exhibit.

Brian Fitzgibbons, COO — Optica Ventures LLC

The interface is simple for our team and customers to use.

Point: easier customer execution on mobile.
Optica standardized PSA templates and routing, which decreased turnaround time and improved coordination with escrow and title partners for investment property closings.

eSignature vendor comparison for PSA workflows

Compare common vendor pricing and feature availability for executing PSAs; signNow is listed first for parity across capability rows.

	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	Yes, trial available	Yes, trial available	Yes, trial available	Yes, trial available
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium+)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about Real Estate PSA Agreements

Answers to common execution, notarization, e-signature, and amendment questions encountered when preparing or enforcing PSAs.

Need help? Contact support

Can a PSA be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures are generally as enforceable as handwritten signatures, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Are electronic PSAs valid for recording?
Many counties accept electronically signed deeds if the document meets recording office format and notarization rules; recording acceptance varies by county and state so confirm local requirements before relying solely on e-signature.
Do PSAs require notarization or witnesses?
Notarization is frequently required for deeds at recording, but not always for the purchase contract itself. Witness requirements vary by state; check the county recorder and state law for deed execution rules.
What if a contingency deadline is missed?
Missing a contingency deadline typically results in automatic waiver or contract default depending on PSA language; parties should document extensions or waivers in writing to preserve rights and avoid dispute.
Can a PSA be amended after signing?
Yes, PSAs can be modified by written amendment signed by all parties; oral modifications are risky. Use an amendment addendum that cites the original PSA and expressly describes the changes.
Who signs for an entity seller?
An authorized officer or manager should sign and attach a corporate resolution or certificate of authority; absent documentation, title companies may refuse to close or require additional proof of authority.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now