Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided the parties consent and the transaction is not an exception (for example, certain wills or court orders). Ensure any required consumer disclosures are delivered for consumer-facing transactions.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is generally required for deeds and certain affidavits in all states; witness requirements vary by jurisdiction. Check local recording office rules and state notary law before signing or using RON.

What if a name on the agreement doesn't match the title?

A name mismatch can delay closing and recording. Use the precise legal name shown on title documents and provide supporting evidence such as formation documents or ID to the title company.

Is remote online notarization acceptable?

Many states permit RON with identity-proofing and audio‑visual recording requirements, but rules vary. Confirm the property's state permits RON for the specific instrument before relying on it.

How should I store executed agreements?

Retain original or certified copies for the full term plus recommended retention timelines; keep a tamper-evident PDF and an audit trail that records signer identity, timestamps, and method of authentication.

What if a signer refuses electronic signing?

Offer a paper signing alternative and maintain proof of the offer. Some consumer or government transactions require explicit consent to proceed electronically under 15 U.S.C. §7001(c).

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Sample Agreement

Real Estate Sample Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE SAMPLE AGREEMENT

Parties

This Real Estate Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into by and between Seller Name: and Buyer Name: .

Seller Contact Information

Buyer Contact Information

Property Identification

Property Address:

Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

Purchase Price and Payment

Purchase Price: $ payable as follows: Earnest Money Deposit: $ to be held in escrow by Escrow Holder: .

Balance due at closing by wire transfer, certified funds, or other lawful means in the amount of $ . Buyer shall deliver funds sufficient to close no later than Closing Date: .

Financing Contingency

This Agreement is contingent upon Buyer obtaining financing as described below within days after Effective Date. Loan amount requested: $ . If Buyer fails to obtain financing within the contingency period, Buyer may terminate this Agreement and receive return of earnest money as provided in escrow instructions.

Inspection and Due Diligence

Buyer shall have calendar days from Effective Date to complete inspections and investigations at Buyer's expense. Seller shall provide reasonable access. If Buyer objects to any matter in writing within the inspection period, Seller shall have days to cure or respond. Failure to cure permits Buyer to elect termination and refund of earnest money or to proceed to closing.

Possession and Prorations

Possession shall be delivered to Buyer on Possession Date: , subject to rights of tenants if any. Property taxes, homeowner association fees, utilities, and other customary prorations shall be adjusted as of the Closing Date.

Representations and Warranties

Seller represents that Seller is the lawful owner of the Property; that Seller has the full right, power, and authority to sell the Property; that there are no undisclosed judgments, liens, or encumbrances except as disclosed in writing to Buyer prior to execution of this Agreement. Seller shall convey marketable title by general warranty deed, subject only to permitted exceptions.

Disclosures

Seller discloses the following conditions known to Seller at the time of this Agreement:

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if property built prior to 1978) Yes — Seller has provided required lead-based paint disclosure and any available records. No — Property not subject to lead-based paint disclosure or none known.

Mold / Water Intrusion Yes — Seller discloses past or current material mold or water intrusion as described in attachments. No — No material mold or water intrusion known to Seller.

Prior Material Damage or Repairs Yes — Seller discloses prior material damage and repairs as documented in attachments. No — No prior material damage known to Seller.

Default and Remedies

If Buyer defaults in performance, Seller may retain earnest money as liquidated damages or pursue other remedies at law or in equity. If Seller defaults, Buyer may elect to terminate and receive return of earnest money, seek specific performance, or pursue damages. The parties agree that any election of remedy shall not preclude pursuit of other remedies consistent with applicable law.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below by certified mail, overnight courier, or personal delivery and shall be effective upon receipt.

Notice Address for Seller Notice Address for Buyer

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Property is located. This Agreement, together with any attached addenda, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. Any amendment must be in writing and executed by both parties.

Miscellaneous

Time is of the essence as to all dates and deadlines contained in this Agreement. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force. The parties authorize electronic signatures and agree that electronically signed counterparts shall be binding.

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Sample Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Real Estate Sample Agreement is a standardized contract used to document the terms of a real property transaction or relationship, such as a purchase, lease, listing, or property-management engagement. It sets out parties, property description, price or rent, term, conditions, contingencies, disclosures, and signature blocks so that obligations and rights are clear. The template is designed to be adapted to state-specific law and transaction type and can be executed on paper or electronically when the parties meet the legal requirements for electronic signatures under U.S. law.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Real Estate Deals

A well-drafted Real Estate Sample Agreement reduces ambiguity, allocates risk, and documents the transfer or use of property rights. It supports enforceability by recording material terms, timelines, disclosures, and signatory authority while aligning with ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where applicable.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Real estate brokers, property managers, landlords, buyers, sellers, attorneys, and institutional investors commonly use this agreement as a baseline contract for transactions or property management arrangements.

Residential brokers and agents — Prepare lease or purchase terms, disclosures, and contingency language for consumers.
Commercial landlords and tenants — Use customized rent, term, and maintenance clauses to reflect business needs.
Legal and compliance teams — Review jurisdictional requirements, add required disclosures, and confirm signing authority.

Selecting the correct template and adapting it for state rules and transaction specifics reduces post-signature disputes and supports enforceability in court or arbitration.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Real Estate Sample Agreement

Follow these steps in order to prepare a clean, enforceable agreement ready for signature and closing.

01

Step 1 — Identify Parties: Enter full legal names and contact details for all parties.
02

Step 2 — Describe Property: Include precise street and legal description or parcel ID.
03

Step 3 — Set Terms: State price, payment schedule, deposit, and contingencies.
04

Step 4 — Review & Sign: Confirm disclosures, notarization needs, then sign or send for eSignature.

Typical Document Flow From Draft to Record

Understand the common routing so you can anticipate approvals, notarization, and filing steps prior to signature.

Draft: Prepare or adapt the template to the transaction specifics.
Review: Internal or attorney review for state-specific clauses and disclosures.
Sign: Execute in-person with notary or electronically where allowed.
Record: File deed or required instruments with county recorder if transferring title.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set workflow fields and authentication to match transaction risk and state notarization rules before sending the agreement to signers.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required; place for each signer with date field
Authentication	Email plus SMS code or knowledge-based auth for higher assurance
Order	Define signing order when sequential approvals are required
Attachments	Attach ID, disclosures, or exhibits as required for closing

Delivery and Platform Considerations for Electronic Execution

Choose delivery and authentication settings that meet the transaction's legal and operational needs, including any RON or notarial requirements.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms are commonly accepted for e-signing and recording.
Integrations: Connectors to MLS, title, or transaction management systems streamline routing and storage.
Authentication Levels: Options include email link, SMS code, KBA, or multi-factor depending on risk.

For high-value transfers, consider platforms that support audit trails, tamper-evident PDFs, and RON-capable notarization to match state rules and lender requirements.

Core Clauses You Should Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete Real Estate Sample Agreement contains clauses that allocate risk, clarify performance, and comply with state and federal requirements.

Parties

Identify buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, and any guarantors with legal names and capacities.

Property Description

Provide precise legal description, address, and parcel identifiers to ensure accurate recordation.

Price and Payment

Specify purchase price, deposits, payment schedule, and conditions for release of funds.

Contingencies

Detail inspection, financing, appraisal, title review, and cure periods with explicit deadlines.

Representations

Include seller/owner warranties and required state disclosures about condition or hazards.

Dispute Resolution

Set governing law, venue, and whether arbitration or litigation will apply.

Essential Data Elements to Record in the Agreement

Names: Full legal names

Addresses: Street address and mailing address

Dates: Effective and signature dates

Consideration: Price or rent amounts

Legal IDs: Parcel ID or legal description

Signatures: Signed/dated signature blocks

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving the property description vague or incomplete, which can impede recording or title insurance.
Failing to specify clear contingency deadlines, causing automatic defaults or disputes.
Mismatching signer names with title or closing documents, leading to delays in funding or recording.
Assuming electronic signatures are valid everywhere without checking state exceptions or notarization needs.

Legal and Financial Risks of an Incorrect Agreement

Recording Rejection: Missing or incorrect legal descriptions can cause a county recorder to reject a deed.

Title Issues: Incorrect parties or signatures may trigger title exceptions or insurance claims.

Contract Voidance: Material omissions could render parts of the contract unenforceable.

Financial Loss: Inaccurate payment terms may lead to defaults or forfeited deposits.

Regulatory Penalties: Failure to deliver required disclosures can result in state sanctions or consumer remedies.

Notary Noncompliance: Improper notarization or RON errors may require re-execution, delaying closing.

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track in the Agreement

Document precise deadlines for inspections, financing, closing, and contingency removals to avoid automatic defaults or late penalties.

Inspection Period:

Specify number of days for inspections and cure notices.

Financing Contingency:

Deadline for loan commitment and removal of financing contingency.

Closing Date:

Date when transfer and funds exchange are scheduled.

Deposit Forfeiture:

Date upon which deposit becomes nonrefundable if buyer defaults.

Recordation:

Target date to record deed or lease with county recorder.

Notarization and Witness Sequence for Signature Authentication

Follow jurisdictional steps for notarization, witness attestation, or RON to ensure the document is accepted for recording and enforceable.

01

Prepare Documents

Ensure signature blocks and notary acknowledgment are present before meeting a notary.

02

ID Verification

Signer must present government ID or pass credential analysis for RON sessions.

03

Witnesses

Confirm state witness count; some states require one or two witnesses for deeds.

04

Notary Act

Notary completes acknowledgment or jurat and signs; for RON, record audio‑visual session.

05

Record Audio/Video

For RON, retain the session recording as required by state law.

06

Notary Journal

Notary logs act entries per state notary rules.

07

Return to Sender

Provide notarized document to closing agent or recorder promptly.

08

File/Record

Submit deed or instrument to county recorder per recording requirements.

Real-World Examples of Using a Real Estate Sample Agreement

These case-style summaries show typical scenarios and outcomes when the template is adapted correctly.

Property Management Agreement Example

A property manager used a standard lease template to onboard multiple rental units, added state-specific habitability clauses

The manager included automatic rent escalation and maintenance responsibilities
Proper customization reduced tenant disputes and simplified bookkeeping for a portfolio of 30 units over three years.

Commercial Purchase Example

A small investor adapted the sample agreement with financing contingencies and environmental inspection deadlines

The buyer required a 30-day remediation contingency
Clear contingencies and strict deadlines prevented unexpected liabilities and allowed clean title transfer at closing.

eSignature Vendor Overview for Executing Real Estate Agreements

Compare common vendor characteristics relevant to real estate workflows, including starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trails, HIPAA support, and envelope limits.

	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 (Business Premium+)	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

Frequently Asked Questions About the Real Estate Sample Agreement

Answers to common questions about execution, notarization, eSigning, and enforceability for U.S. real property transactions.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes, electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided the parties consent and the transaction is not an exception (for example, certain wills or court orders). Ensure any required consumer disclosures are delivered for consumer-facing transactions.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is generally required for deeds and certain affidavits in all states; witness requirements vary by jurisdiction. Check local recording office rules and state notary law before signing or using RON.
What if a name on the agreement doesn't match the title?
A name mismatch can delay closing and recording. Use the precise legal name shown on title documents and provide supporting evidence such as formation documents or ID to the title company.
Is remote online notarization acceptable?
Many states permit RON with identity-proofing and audio‑visual recording requirements, but rules vary. Confirm the property's state permits RON for the specific instrument before relying on it.
How should I store executed agreements?
Retain original or certified copies for the full term plus recommended retention timelines; keep a tamper-evident PDF and an audit trail that records signer identity, timestamps, and method of authentication.
What if a signer refuses electronic signing?
Offer a paper signing alternative and maintain proof of the offer. Some consumer or government transactions require explicit consent to proceed electronically under 15 U.S.C. §7001(c).

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