Is an electronic signature legally valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes where adopted. Certain exceptions apply (wills, some court filings, and specific real property notices); confirm the transaction's exception status before relying solely on e-signatures.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

Notarization is routinely required for deeds and many real estate conveyances; witness requirements vary by state. Some states require one or two witnesses for deeds or powers of attorney. Check the applicable state recording and notary statutes before closing to ensure compliance.

How do I collect signatures remotely?

Use an eSignature workflow: upload the agreement, place signer fields, assign signer order, and send secure signing links. Require appropriate authentication (email link, SMS one-time code, or stronger identity verification) and obtain consent to electronic records per ESIGN consumer disclosure rules.

What information must be accurate?

Critical fields include the parties' legal names, full property legal description, agreed purchase price, deposit amount, inspection and financing contingency deadlines, and signature dates. Errors in legal names or the property description can invalidate recordings or trigger title disputes; verify before closing.

Can this document be notarized online?

Possibly. Remote online notarization (RON) is authorized in most states but requirements differ. RON typically requires approved identity proofing, live audio-video session recording, and retention of notary journal entries. Verify the state's RON statute or notary commission rules before relying on remote notarization.

How long must I retain signed agreements?

Retain executed purchase and sale agreements for the active term plus recommended post-closing retention. Financial and tax records should be kept at least three years per IRC §6501(a); healthcare-related records follow HIPAA six-year rules. State law may require longer retention for real estate records.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures

Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures

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

PARTIES

This Purchase and Sale Agreement is entered into between Buyer: and Seller: .

PROPERTY

Street Address Parcel / APN Legal Description

PURCHASE PRICE & TERMS

Purchase Price: $ . Buyer shall deliver earnest money in the amount of $ to Escrow Holder: within days of mutual execution.

Financing Contingency

This Agreement is contingent not contingent upon Buyer obtaining financing on or before .

INSPECTION & DUE DILIGENCE

Buyer shall have an inspection period of days from mutual execution to complete inspections and investigations. Seller shall provide reasonable access. Buyer shall provide written notice of defects, if any, identifying requested repairs or credits. If parties cannot agree on repairs within days, either party may terminate per the terms below.

Seller Disclosures

Lead-based paint disclosure applicable for properties built before 1978: Yes No

Known mold, environmental hazards, structural damage, or prior material repairs: Yes No

If yes, describe

TITLE, CLOSING & COSTS

Title shall be conveyed by general warranty deed (or equivalent) free of liens and encumbrances except those permitted in this Agreement and recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions. Seller shall deliver marketable title and an owner's policy of title insurance at Seller's expense in the amount of the Purchase Price unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Closing Date

Closing costs shall be allocated as follows: Seller payment of title premium for owner's policy: Yes No. Each party shall pay their own recording fees, escrow fees, and any lender-required costs unless otherwise agreed in writing.

POSSESSION & RISK OF LOSS

Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on (Possession Date). Risk of loss remains with Seller until closing and delivery of deed, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

PRORATIONS & ADJUSTMENTS

Real property taxes, assessments, homeowners association dues, rents and utilities shall be prorated as of the Closing Date. Buyer and Seller shall promptly deliver any information necessary to compute prorations. Any adjustments to be finalized at closing; disputed items shall be subject to escrow instructions.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES & DEFAULT

Seller represents that Seller is the legal owner with authority to sell, there are no undisclosed leases or actions pending that materially affect the Property, and Seller has not received written notice of any unremedied code violations not disclosed herein. Buyer represents that Buyer has authority to perform and will deliver funds required for closing.

If Buyer fails to timely close (and such failure is not excused), Seller may retain the earnest money as liquidated damages or pursue specific performance and other remedies. If Seller fails to deliver marketable title or otherwise defaults, Buyer may elect to terminate and receive return of earnest money, or seek specific performance and damages. Remedies available are cumulative and governed by applicable law.

NOTICES

Seller Notice Address Buyer Notice Address

MISCELLANEOUS

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Property is located. This Agreement, including all attachments and addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes prior discussions and agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Additional Terms or Contingencies

ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

Escrow Holder: Escrow Address:

Escrow Holder is authorized to hold and disburse earnest money according to the terms of this Agreement and mutual written escrow instructions. If escrow instructions conflict with this Agreement, this Agreement controls unless the parties expressly agree in writing to modify specific escrow instructions.

CERTIFICATIONS

Each party certifies that the information provided in this Agreement is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge, that they have authority to enter into this Agreement, and that signatures below are legally binding. Execution in counterparts is permitted; electronic signatures shall be deemed original signatures.

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures Is

Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures is a legally binding contract that documents the transfer of property between buyer and seller and is structured to collect signatures, dates, and acknowledgements electronically. The form sets purchase price, deposit amounts, contingencies (inspection, financing, title), closing date, prorations, and any seller disclosures. When completed and signed in compliance with federal and applicable state electronic signature laws (ESIGN and UETA or state equivalent), the agreement establishes enforceable obligations and supports remote execution, notarization, and secure storage.

Step-by-step completion for a clean signature workflow

Step by step guide to complete the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures, from preparing details to collecting final signatures.

01

Prepare Document: Gather property, parties, price, deposit, and contingency details.
02

Enter Terms: Specify purchase price, closing date, prorations, and contingency deadlines.
03

Send for Signature: Add signer roles, assign fields, and choose authentication level.
04

Finalize & Store: Confirm signatures, attach exhibits, notarize if required, then archive.

Common questions about signing, notarization, and storage

Common questions about completing, signing, notarizing, and storing the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures.

Need help? Contact support

Pricing and plan characteristics for common eSignature providers

Comparison of typical vendor pricing and plan characteristics relevant for executing Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures workflows.

	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	Available (Premium+)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA required)	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Who prepares, signs, and manages these agreements

Common roles that complete, review, and approve the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures in residential and commercial property transactions.

Real estate agents, brokers, and closing coordinators who prepare and transmit the agreement.
Buyers and sellers responsible for reviewing terms, completing fields, and signing documents.
Title companies, lenders, and attorneys who verify legal descriptions and clear title issues prior to recording.

Each participant has distinct responsibilities; coordinate timelines and document versions to prevent delays at closing.

Core components every professional agreement should include

Core elements of a professional Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures that ensure clarity, enforceability, and smooth electronic execution across the transaction lifecycle.

Parties

Clearly identify buyer(s) and seller(s) with full legal names, entity types, and authorized signers; include contact information and taxpayer identification where required for closing and tax reporting.

Property

Provide full legal description, parcel or lot numbers, and physical address; attach survey or plat if available. Accurate descriptions are required for recording and title insurance.

Price & Deposit

State the purchase price in words and numerals, earnest money amount, deposit schedule, escrow instructions, and conditions for refund or forfeiture of deposits and documentation of receipt.

Contingencies

List inspection, financing, appraisal, title, and insurance contingencies with specific cure or removal dates. Specify remedies and obligations if contingencies are not timely satisfied by contract terms.

Closing Terms

Define closing date, location, responsibilities for prorations, deed type, possession date, and required closing documents. Clarify who pays closing costs and escrow and recording fees.

Signatures

Provide signature blocks for each party including printed name, title for entities, signature, and date. Include space for notary acknowledgement or witness signatures where state law requires them.

Security and compliance essentials to protect the record

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

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS

Legal Compliance: ESIGN, UETA, 21 CFR Part 11 support

Privacy: GDPR, CCPA compliance options

HIPAA: BAA available for HIPAA workflows

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA support

Key risks and potential consequences of errors

Recording Rejection: Missing notary or defective description

Title Defects: Unknown liens or survey errors

Tax Reporting Fines: Backup withholding or 1099 errors

Contingency Failure: Loss of deposit or rescission risk

Closing Delays: Increased carrying and financing costs

Legal Disputes: Potential litigation and attorney fees

Common mistakes that delay closings

Incomplete legal descriptions or mismatched party names that lead to recording rejections, title issues, or lender refusals during closing.
Failing to remove inspection or financing contingencies by their deadlines, resulting in contract termination or renegotiation under unfavorable terms.
Using informal signature methods without clear consent or audit trails can create disputes over intent and enforceability under ESIGN/UETA.
Neglecting state-specific notarization or witness requirements may invalidate deeds or delay recording until corrective action is completed.

Typical electronic workflow settings for reliable execution

Configure an electronic signing workflow for the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures to enforce signer order and authentication.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential signing ensures lender, title, and buyer execute in order.
Authentication	Email link plus optional SMS one-time code or KBA.
Fields & Templates	Use templates with conditional fields for contingencies and add formula fields as needed.
Notifications	Automatic reminders for unsigned parties and confirmation emails after completion.

Delivery channels, formats, and integrations to consider

Delivery and integration options for distributing and signing the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures across common platforms.

Supported Formats: PDF, Word DOCX, HTML
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO options

How an eSigning session typically proceeds

Typical end-to-end eSigning flow for Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures from upload to final audit trail.

Upload Document: Attach fully executed draft and supporting exhibits.
Place Fields: Add signature, initial, date, and checkbox fields.
Send to Signers: Assign signing order and dispatch secure links.
Complete Audit: Signed PDFs and audit trails saved automatically.

Notarization and witness steps for recording conveyances

Notarization and witness steps typically required when executing and recording a real estate conveyance in many jurisdictions.

01

Prepare Notary Acknowledgement

Include notarization block with county and state.

02

Schedule Notary

In-person or RON session depending on state.

03

Verify Identification

Notary confirms government ID and identity proofing.

04

Witness Signatures

Add witness lines if state law requires them.

05

Record Audio-Video

RON requires recorded A/V session retained per statute.

06

Notary Journal Entry

Notary records session details and signer's identity proofs.

07

Attach Acknowledgement

Include signed notary acknowledgement with deed exhibits.

08

Record at County

Submit recorded deed to county recorder for indexing.

Real-world examples of eSigned purchase and sale workflows

Real examples of organizations using eSignature-enabled purchase and sale agreements to speed closings and maintain compliance.

Martin Properties

Martin Properties moved closings online to eliminate in-person signing bottlenecks and speed contract cycles across agents and buyers.

Mobile signing enabled faster turnaround.
Founder Tim Martin reports that processing and executing documents online maintained compliance and security while reducing time to completion; the firm completed more signings remotely, improving closing reliability and reducing need for in-person appointments.

Optica Ventures

Optica Ventures standardized its agreement templates to ensure consistent terms and reduce negotiation cycles for investment property acquisitions.

Template reuse saved administrative time.
COO Brian Fitzgibbons noted the interface simplicity improved internal workflow and client experience; standardized templates with secure e-signing reduced administrative overhead and helped close transactions without requiring customers to visit in person.

Practical practices to reduce errors and speed closings

Practical tips to reduce errors, speed review cycles, and ensure enforceability for e-signed real estate purchase agreements.

Verify signer identity and signing authority

Confirm signers' government ID and, for entities, a corporate resolution or power of attorney showing authority. Use stronger authentication where funds or title transfers are involved to reduce fraud risk and satisfy lender or title company requirements.

Set explicit contingency deadlines and remedies

Specify exact cure or removal dates for inspection, financing, and title objections. Define consequences for missed deadlines, including automatic waiver, extension, or termination, to avoid ambiguity and last-minute disputes at closing.

Include required disclosures and exhibits inline

Attach all state-mandated property disclosures, survey or plat, fixture lists, and any seller-provided reports. Embedding exhibits reduces version control issues and ensures signers review the same documents used for recording and title clearance.

Keep complete audit trails and secure storage

Maintain timestamped audit logs with IP addresses, authentication method, and document history. Store signed documents and notarizations in a secure repository with retention tags aligned to IRS, HIPAA, and state recordkeeping requirements.

Key dates to track from offer through recording

Key dates and deadlines to track during negotiation, contingency periods, and closing for a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Signatures.

Offer acceptance deadline (seller response required):

Date by which seller must accept or counter the offer.

Inspection period end date (inspection contingency):

Deadline to complete inspections and provide repair requests.

Financing contingency deadline (loan approval):

Date buyer must secure loan commitment or waive financing contingency.

Title objection cure date (clear issues):

Final date for seller to cure title defects or for buyer to terminate.

Closing date and possession transfer:

Scheduled date for closing, deed recording, and buyer possession transfer.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now