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Real Estate Section 13

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REAL ESTATE SECTION 13

Parties and Property Identification

Seller Name:     Buyer Name:

Section 13 — Disclosures and Known Conditions

The Seller, to the best of Seller's knowledge as of the Effective Date, makes the following disclosures regarding the Property. Buyer acknowledges receipt of these disclosures and the opportunity to inspect. For each item, mark the applicable box.

1. Lead-Based Paint (if applicable for properties built before 1978):    Yes    No

2. Mold or Moisture Intrusion:    Yes    No

3. Hazardous Materials or Contamination (chemical, petroleum, asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks):    Yes    No

4. Flood Zone / Repetitive Loss Area:    Yes    No

5. Structural Damage or Material Defects (foundation, roof, framing):    Yes    No

6. Pest or Termite Damage (treated or under current contract):    Yes    No

7. Prior Material Repairs or Insurance Claims (within last 5 years):    Yes    No

8. Homeowners' Association (HOA) Covenants, Fees, or Pending Assessments:    Yes    No

Section 13 — Inspection, Remedies, and Contingencies

Buyer shall have an inspection period of days from the Effective Date to conduct all inspections and investigations. If Buyer discovers material defects not disclosed by Seller, Buyer may deliver written notice to Seller specifying the defect and requested cure. Seller shall have the right to cure within days. If Seller elects not to cure or fails to timely cure, Buyer may elect, in writing, to terminate this Agreement and receive return of earnest money or to accept the Property with an agreed credit at closing.

Financing contingency:    Mortgage Contingency Applicable    Not Applicable

If financing contingency applies, loan type: Proposed loan amount:

Allocation of Costs; Closing; Possession

Purchase Price: $. Earnest Money Deposit: $ to be held in escrow under separate escrow instructions.

Closing Date: . Possession to Buyer: unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Prorations: Real estate taxes, association fees, and rents, if any, shall be prorated through the date of closing in accordance with customary local practice. Closing costs shall be allocated as provided in the Agreement or by local custom where not specified herein.

Representations, Remedies, Indemnity

Seller represents that Seller has good and marketable title to the Property and that, to Seller's knowledge, there are no undisclosed material violations of law or undisclosed liens other than those disclosed herein or in the title report. Buyer acknowledges that Buyer has relied upon Buyer’s own inspections and investigations, and not solely on Seller’s representations.

Default: If Buyer defaults under this Agreement, Seller may retain the earnest money as liquidated damages or seek specific performance and any other remedies available at law or equity. If Seller defaults, Buyer may elect to receive return of earnest money or to seek specific performance or other remedies. The parties agree that any claim for monetary damages shall be reduced by any amounts recoverable through title insurance or other available insurance coverage.

Indemnity: Seller shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against any loss or liability arising from Seller's breach of any representation made herein or from conditions of the Property existing before Closing of which Seller had actual knowledge and failed to disclose. Buyer shall indemnify and hold Seller harmless from Buyer’s acts or omissions after possession is delivered.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Governing Law: This Section 13 and any disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Property is located.

Entire Agreement: All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties concerning the Property are superseded by this Agreement and the primary purchase contract to which this Section 13 is attached. This Section 13 shall be deemed incorporated into and a part of the primary purchase agreement.

Acknowledgment

By signing below, Seller and Buyer acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to the terms and disclosures contained in this Real Estate Section 13. Each party warrants that the information provided herein is true and complete to the best of their knowledge.

Seller:

By:

Date:

Buyer:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Real Estate Section 13 Typically Covers

Real Estate Section 13 refers to a discrete clause or form element commonly labeled "Section 13" within purchase agreements, lease contracts, or disclosure packages used in U.S. property transactions. Depending on the template, Section 13 often consolidates a specific topic such as seller disclosures, contingencies, allocation of closing costs, or a statutory notice. Because the label is not uniform across jurisdictions, practitioners should confirm the intended purpose in the controlling contract and ensure any state-specific disclosure or recording rules are satisfied before execution.

Why Accurate Completion of Section 13 Matters

Completing Section 13 precisely reduces closing delays, lowers the risk of recording rejections, and helps preserve contractual rights. Clear, accurate entries support title work, tax reporting, and enforceability under ESIGN and applicable state laws.

Why Accurate Completion of Section 13 Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews Section 13

Assign clear responsibility for data entry, signature collection, and final verification before closing to avoid last-minute issues.

  • Listing and buyer agents — prepare draft entries and verify disclosures prior to offer execution.
  • Title and escrow companies — review Section 13 for recording readiness and for title exceptions.
  • Buyers, sellers, and attorneys — confirm accuracy, signatories, and any statutory disclosures or waivers.

Core Elements to Expect in a Professional Section 13

A well-constructed Section 13 groups essential transaction details into distinct, labeled fields so reviewers can confirm compliance quickly and accurately.

Disclosure Summary

A concise description of material facts or statutory disclosures tailored to the property and jurisdiction; includes references to attached exhibits when applicable and clarifies the factual basis for seller statements.

Contingencies

Any condition precedent such as inspection, financing, or title clearance with explicit deadlines and remedies stated to avoid ambiguity about buyer or seller obligations.

Allocation of Costs

A clear breakdown of which party pays closing costs, prorations, and adjustments (taxes, utilities, HOA fees) and the method used to compute prorations at closing.

Legal Descriptors

Property identifiers such as street address, parcel number, and legal description to match the deed and title commitment—mismatches create recording or title insurance issues.

Signature and Date

Designated signature blocks for each party and space for notarization or witness details if required by state law or lender policy to ensure execution formality.

Recording Instructions

Specific instructions for county recorder or registry including grantor/grantee names, deed form, and any special exhibit references needed to complete public recording.

Step-by-Step: Completing Section 13 Before Closing

Follow this simple sequence to prepare, verify, and finalize Section 13 without common delays.

  • 01
    Draft Entry: Populate fields with exact legal data from title and seller documents.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Have agent and attorney confirm legal names and legal description.
  • 03
    Sign and Notarize: Collect required signatures, notarization, and witness attestations as applicable.
  • 04
    Record and Archive: Submit to county recorder and retain copies in secure records.

Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure these settings when you automate Section 13 in an eSignature platform to match legal and operational needs.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email verification with optional SMS code
Signing Order Sequential order for buyer, seller, then escrow
Conditional Fields Show witness block only if state requires
Audit Trail Enable IP, timestamp, and certificate capture

Delivery Options and Technical Requirements

Ensure the chosen platform supports required formats, audit trail capture, and any integrations with title or escrow partners before launching the workflow.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported; use flattened PDF for recording
  • Integrations: Connectors for title or CRM systems often used
  • Authentication: Enable multi-factor for higher-assurance signatures

Where to Send Section 13 After Completion

Routing depends on transaction stage; follow this common sequence to avoid processing gaps.

  • Escrow/Title: Send signed copy to escrow and title for closing preparation
  • County Recorder: Record deed or instrument per county instructions
  • Lender: Provide to mortgage lender if lender review required
  • Parties: Distribute final executed copy to buyer and seller

Common Timeframes to Watch When Using Section 13

Real estate timelines vary by contract and jurisdiction; confirm contract dates and statutory notice periods early.

Inspection Contingency:

Typically 7–14 days to complete inspections

Loan Approval Deadline:

Often 21–45 days depending on loan terms

Closing Date:

Specified in contract; governs recording and possession

Recording Window:

Record promptly after closing to preserve priority

Tax Reporting:

Provide documents to tax preparer for year-end reporting

Key Milestones from Draft to Recorded Instrument

Track these sequential milestones to ensure timely completion and public recording.

01

Draft and Review

Populate Section 13 and circulate for legal and agent review

02

Signatures Collected

Obtain signatures, notarization, and witness attestations if required

03

Closing Execution

Complete closing package and funding actions

04

Recording

Deliver deed to county recorder for public filing

Key Risks and Potential Penalties for Errors

1099 Reporting: Penalties $60–$330 per form
Invalid Signature: Contract may be unenforceable
Missing Notary: Recording rejected by county
Incorrect Names: Title problems and delays
Late Recording: Loss of priority against subsequent claims
Intentional Disregard: Higher penalties, potential unlimited fines

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Entering abbreviated or mismatched party names that conflict with recorded deeds and title commitments, causing corrective instruments and delays.
  • Failing to include the complete legal description or parcel ID, which can trigger county recorder rejection or require a corrective deed.
  • Omitting notarization or witness attestations where state law or the instrument requires them, resulting in an unrecordable document.
  • Using inconsistent dates across documents (purchase agreement, deed, HUD statement) that create disputes about the effective transaction date.

Essential Data Elements for Section 13

Property Address: Full street address
Legal Description: Recorded deed language
Buyer Name: Exact legal name
Seller Name: Exact legal name
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Notary Block: Acknowledgement details

Real-World Examples Using Section 13

These brief case arcs show how organizations use a Section 13 element to streamline closings and compliance.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin, Founder, used an online Section 13 to consolidate disclosure items and expedite closings

  • Streamlined execution reduced in-person steps
  • The company processed leases and sales online with secure eSign and maintained compliance across mobile and offline signing scenarios, improving turnaround without sacrificing record integrity.

Optica Ventures

Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, standardized Section 13 across property templates to reduce reviewer confusion

  • Consistent fields improved title checks
  • Standardization made internal reviews faster, reduced corrections during escrow, and simplified integration with the company’s title and accounting workflows.

Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot for eSigning Section 13

Compare common vendor starting prices and basic feature presence when choosing an eSignature solution for Section 13 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 vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Section 13

Answers to common legal, procedural, and technical questions that arise when preparing or executing Section 13.


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