Can this contract be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided the signing intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.

Are notarization or witnesses required?

Most states require notarized acknowledgments for deeds; witness counts vary by state. For example, Florida and South Carolina require two witnesses for deeds; check local rules before execution.

How do I correct an error after signing?

Minor clerical errors typically require an amendment or corrective addendum signed by all parties. Material changes should be handled with counsel to avoid disputes over enforceability.

What happens if contingencies are missed?

Failure to meet contingency deadlines can allow the non-breaching party to terminate the contract or pursue remedies; preserve evidence of timely notices and cures to avoid forfeiture.

Is a notarized electronic signature valid?

Remote online notarization (RON) is accepted where state law permits, provided identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention requirements are met; verify your state's RON rules.

How long should I keep the signed contract?

Retain the signed contract for at least three years after closing for IRS purposes and longer for title or state-specific requirements; consult the retention timeline section and legal counsel.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Purchase Contract Document

Real Estate Purchase Contract Document

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

REAL ESTATE PURCHASE CONTRACT

This Real Estate Purchase Contract ("Contract") is entered into on by and between the undersigned parties identified below. Seller and Buyer agree to the terms set forth in this Contract for the sale and purchase of the Property described herein.

Parties

Seller (Full legal name) Seller Mailing Address Seller Phone / Email Buyer (Full legal name) Buyer Mailing Address Buyer Phone / Email

Property Identification

Street Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Purchase Terms

Purchase Price: $ payable as follows: Earnest Money Deposit of $ delivered to Escrow Holder by .

Balance of Purchase Price to be paid at Closing by wire, certified funds, or as otherwise agreed in writing. Closing shall occur on or before unless extended pursuant to this Contract.

Contingencies

Financing Contingency

This Contract is contingent upon Buyer obtaining financing in the amount of $ on terms acceptable to Buyer within days after acceptance. If Buyer does not obtain financing within the contingency period, Buyer may terminate and the Earnest Money shall be returned to Buyer unless otherwise agreed.

Inspection / Due Diligence

Buyer shall have days from acceptance to complete inspections and investigations. Seller shall provide reasonable access. Buyer may deliver written notice of defects and request repairs or termination within the inspection period.

Fixtures, Personal Property, and Exclusions

Fixtures and Personal Property Included Items Explicitly Excluded

Seller Disclosures

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Seller certifies that to Seller's knowledge: Yes No

Known Mold or Water Intrusion: Seller discloses: Yes No

Material Structural or Fire Damage Repairs: Seller discloses: Yes No

If any disclosure is Yes, describe:

Closing; Prorations; Title

Closing Costs: Seller shall pay costs required to deliver marketable title. Buyer shall pay lender and financing costs. Specific allocation:

Seller Paid Items Buyer Paid Items

Title: At Closing, Seller shall convey marketable fee simple title by general warranty deed free of liens and encumbrances except those approved in writing by Buyer and listed in the title commitment. Buyer shall obtain an owner's title insurance policy at Buyer's expense unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Default; Remedies

If Buyer defaults beyond any cure periods, Seller may retain Earnest Money as liquidated damages or seek specific performance and actual damages in a court of competent jurisdiction. If Seller defaults, Buyer may elect to receive a return of Earnest Money and terminate this Contract or seek specific performance and damages. The parties agree that equitable remedies, including specific performance, are available.

Risk of Loss; Possession

Risk of loss to the Property shall remain with Seller until Closing. If substantial damage occurs prior to Closing, Buyer may terminate and the Earnest Money shall be handled as directed herein, or Buyer may proceed to Closing with agreed adjustments. Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on subject to rights of tenants and any agreed occupancy terms.

Representations; Warranties

Seller represents that Seller is the lawful owner of the Property, has authority to sell, and there are no undisclosed liens or legal actions affecting the Property. Buyer acknowledges reliance upon Buyer's own inspections and investigations, except as expressly provided in Seller's written disclosures.

Notices

All notices must be in writing and delivered by hand, nationally recognized courier, or first-class certified mail to the addresses set forth above or to such other address as a party designates by written notice. Notice is effective on receipt.

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of . This Contract, including all attachments and addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes prior negotiations and agreements. Amendments must be in writing signed by both parties.

Additional Terms

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Purchase Contract Document Is

A Real Estate Purchase Contract Document is a legally binding agreement that sets the terms and conditions for the sale and transfer of real property between buyer and seller. It records the parties, the legal description of the property, purchase price, deposit and financing conditions, contingencies (inspections, financing, title), closing date, and allocation of closing costs. The contract creates enforceable rights and obligations that guide escrow, title review, and closing tasks and serves as the primary record relied on by lenders, title companies, and courts in dispute resolution.

Why a Clear Purchase Contract Matters

A precise Real Estate Purchase Contract Document reduces ambiguity about price, closing conditions, and contingencies, minimizing disputes and enabling predictable closing workflows under state real property rules and lender requirements.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Contract

The document is used by various parties involved in a property transaction, each with distinct responsibilities.

Buyers and buyer agents who negotiate terms and deliver earnest money and financing documentation
Sellers and listing agents who disclose property condition and coordinate deed delivery
Title companies and lenders who review title exceptions, prepare closing statements, and fund the loan

Coordination among these parties ensures the contract's conditions are satisfied ahead of closing and that title and funds transfer cleanly.

Step-by-step: Completing the Purchase Contract

Follow this sequence to prepare a contract that supports timely escrow, title review, lender underwriting, and closing.

01

Draft the Agreement: Record parties, property, price, deposit, and key dates.
02

Add Contingencies: Include inspection, financing, and title conditions with deadlines.
03

Review with Title and Lender: Submit to title company and lender for exceptions and loan terms.
04

Execute and Deliver: Sign, notarize if required, and deliver to escrow or title agent.

Essential Elements Every Professional Purchase Contract Contains

These standard components ensure enforceability and provide the operational details needed for escrow, title, and closing.

Parties

Full legal names and contact details for buyer(s), seller(s), and agents to support delivery, notifications, and tax reporting.

Property Description

Street address plus the full legal description or parcel number required for recording and title examination.

Price and Payment Terms

Purchase price, earnest money amount, financing assumptions, seller concessions, and payment method for closing.

Contingencies and Deadlines

Inspection, financing, appraisal, and title cure periods with explicit dates and remedy steps for unmet conditions.

Closing Allocation

Who pays title, escrow, transfer taxes, prorations for property taxes, and HOA fees to avoid last-minute disputes.

Special Provisions

Personal property included, seller disclosures, repair obligations, and any addenda that modify standard terms.

Key Data Items to Protect and Verify

Buyer SSN/ITIN: Used for mortgage underwriting and 1099-S tax reporting

Seller SSN/EIN: Required for closing statements and tax forms

Financial Documents: Pre-approval letters, bank statements, and proof of funds

Title Documents: Deed history and existing liens

Inspection Reports: Home inspection, pest, and other condition reports

Notices and Disclosures: Lead paint, natural hazard, and seller disclosure forms

How the Contract Moves from Offer to Closing

A typical transaction follows these operational steps from initial offer through recording of the deed.

Submit Offer: Buyer signs and delivers offer to seller or listing agent.
Negotiation: Parties exchange counteroffers and agree on final terms.
Escrow and Title: Escrow opens; title search and lender conditions begin.
Closing and Recording: Funds transfer, deed signed and notarized, and recording completes ownership transfer.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure your digital workflow to match the contract's approval order and required authentications.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential for lender-dependent closings
Authentication	Email + SMS code or government ID check for higher assurance
Conditional Fields	Enable conditionals for financing contingencies and inspection items
Audit Trail	Enable timestamps, IP capture, and document history retention

Platform and File Requirements for eSubmission

Ensure the platform you use supports the formats, integrations, and compliance your transaction needs.

File Formats: PDF, Word DOCX, and scanned images are commonly accepted
Integrations: CRM and document storage integrations (Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box) streamline closing
Security: TLS and AES encryption plus audit trail and BAA as required

Choose a platform that preserves the signed PDF, maintains an exportable audit trail, and integrates with title and escrow partners for efficient closing.

Common Deadlines to Track in the Contract

Contracts must specify clear dates for inspections, financing, contingencies, and closing to avoid forfeiture of rights or deposits.

Inspection Period Deadline:

Date by which buyer must complete inspections and request repairs

Financing Contingency Cutoff:

Last date to obtain loan commitment or terminate for financing reasons

Title Objection Deadline:

When buyer must object to title issues or accept them

Closing Date:

Scheduled date for funds transfer and deed signing

Recording Timeframe:

Local county recording may take days; record promptly after closing

Key Transaction Milestones from Offer to Recorded Deed

Track these sequential milestones to manage dependencies and notifications through escrow and title.

01

Offer Accepted

Agreement executed by buyer and seller and earnest money delivered.

02

Contingency Clearance

Inspections and financing cleared or properly extended.

03

Pre-Closing Review

Final title, payoff, and closing statement reconciled.

04

Closing and Recording

Signatures notarized, funds transferred, and deed recorded.

Common Errors That Delay Closing

Incorrect or incomplete legal description that requires amendment and re-recording
Mismatched party names between contract, ID, and title documentation
Missing or late earnest money delivery leading to escrow holds
Unclear contingency deadlines that trigger disputes over termination rights

Risks and Consequences of a Faulty Purchase Contract

Deposit Forfeiture: Buyer may lose earnest money if contingencies are not timely met

Contract Rescission: Material defects or fraud can lead to rescission or litigation

Recording Delays: Late or incorrect documents can harm title insurance and transfer timing

Tax Reporting Errors: Incorrect seller names or amounts can complicate 1099-S or escrow reporting

Mortgage Funding Risk: Unresolved title or appraisal issues can cause lender funding denial

Regulatory Noncompliance: Failure to follow state disclosure rules can produce civil penalties

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Compare starting price and essential capabilities relevant to Real Estate Purchase Contract Document workflows; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison standards.

	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	Verify	Verify	Verify	Verify
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Verify	Verify	Verify

Frequently Asked Questions About the Purchase Contract

Answers to common legal and operational questions when preparing, signing, or modifying a Real Estate Purchase Contract Document.

Need help? Contact support

Can this contract be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided the signing intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are satisfied.
Are notarization or witnesses required?
Most states require notarized acknowledgments for deeds; witness counts vary by state. For example, Florida and South Carolina require two witnesses for deeds; check local rules before execution.
How do I correct an error after signing?
Minor clerical errors typically require an amendment or corrective addendum signed by all parties. Material changes should be handled with counsel to avoid disputes over enforceability.
What happens if contingencies are missed?
Failure to meet contingency deadlines can allow the non-breaching party to terminate the contract or pursue remedies; preserve evidence of timely notices and cures to avoid forfeiture.
Is a notarized electronic signature valid?
Remote online notarization (RON) is accepted where state law permits, provided identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention requirements are met; verify your state's RON rules.
How long should I keep the signed contract?
Retain the signed contract for at least three years after closing for IRS purposes and longer for title or state-specific requirements; consult the retention timeline section and legal counsel.

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