Is an electronic signature legally binding?

Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures, except where specific statutory exceptions apply such as wills or certain court filings.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for many deeds and instruments in all states to record interests; requirements vary. Use a notary or RON where state law permits and follow identity-proofing and session-recording rules for RON.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?

Possibly. Over 45 states permit permanent RON, but rules differ. Confirm the property's state notary commission rules and ensure the RON platform meets identity-proofing and audio‑video retention requirements.

What causes recorded deed rejections?

Common causes include incorrect legal description, missing notary acknowledgment, improper signatures, and recording fee errors. Verify county recorder formatting and fee schedules before submission.

Who should sign for a corporation or trust?

A person with documented authority must sign; include title and capacity. For entities, attach a resolution or power of attorney if required to show authority to sign on the entity's behalf.

Which eSignature features support enforceability?

Documented intent, signer authentication, a tamper-evident audit trail, and reliable record retention meet the ESIGN four‑part validity test: intent, consent, attribution, and reproducibility.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Unit Agreement

Real Estate Unit Agreement

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

REAL ESTATE UNIT AGREEMENT

Parties

This Real Estate Unit Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into by and between:

Buyer / Purchaser Seller / Owner

Property Identification

Unit located at: ; Parcel / APN:

Legal Description

Transaction Terms

Purchase Price: $ . Earnest Money Deposit: $ to be held by .

Financing contingency period: days after acceptance. Inspection period: days. Closing shall occur on or before: Month Day Year .

Possession to Buyer: Month Day Year , subject to timely payment and closing.

Escrow / Title

Homeowners Association / Assessments

Unit is subject to association governance and assessments. Association name: ; Regular assessment amount: $ per .

Disclosures

Lead-Based Paint (if applicable, unit built before 1978): Yes No

Known mold, water intrusion, structural repair, or material damage: Yes No

If Yes, describe

Representations and Warranties

Seller represents and warrants that Seller is the lawful owner of the Unit, that there are no undisclosed liens or encumbrances other than those disclosed herein, and that Seller has full authority to enter into this Agreement and convey the Unit at closing.

Buyer represents that Buyer has the authority and financial ability to complete the purchase and will act in good faith to satisfy any contingencies set forth in this Agreement.

Default; Remedies

If Buyer fails to perform, Seller may retain the earnest money as liquidated damages or pursue specific performance or other remedies available at law or equity. If Seller fails to perform, Buyer may elect to terminate and receive return of earnest money or seek specific performance. The non-defaulting party shall give written notice and a cure period of days unless otherwise required by law.

Prorations; Closing Costs

Real property taxes, assessments, HOA dues, rents, and other customary items shall be prorated as of the closing date. Closing costs shall be allocated as follows unless otherwise agreed in writing: Buyer pays buyer's closing costs; Seller pays seller's closing costs.

Insurance; Risk of Loss

Risk of loss or damage to the Unit shall remain with Seller until closing. Seller shall maintain insurance until closing. If material damage occurs prior to closing, Buyer may terminate or proceed with adjusted consideration or require Seller to repair damage prior to closing.

Notices

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses provided in this Agreement by hand delivery, certified mail, or overnight courier. Buyer address for notices:

Seller address for notices:

Governing Law; Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of . This Agreement, including all addenda and exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings.

Additional Provisions

Additional Terms

The undersigned acknowledge that they have read and understand the terms of this Agreement and that they are authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Parties identified.

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Real Estate Unit Agreement Covers

A Real Estate Unit Agreement is a written contract that allocates rights and obligations for a specific unit within a larger property such as a condominium, cooperative, or multi-tenant building. It identifies the unit by legal description or unit number, names the contracting parties, states the term and conditions for occupancy, allocates responsibility for fees and maintenance, and records any use restrictions or liens. These agreements often support leasing, sale, or condominium governance and can be executed electronically where permitted under ESIGN and applicable state law.

Why a Clear Unit Agreement Matters

A precise unit agreement reduces disputes by documenting payment responsibilities, repair obligations, and permitted uses in one enforceable record.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Parties range from property owners and managers to buyers, tenants, lenders, and association boards depending on the transaction type.

Property managers and landlords who handle leasing, renewals, and tenant obligations for individual units.
Buyers, sellers, and title companies when transferring ownership or creating condominium or cooperative memberships.
Lenders, trustees, and homeowners association boards involved in financing, liens, or governance matters.

Accurate role identification reduces signing errors and ensures the correct entity accepts the obligations and receives notices.

Step-by-step: Complete and Sign a Unit Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, execute, and distribute a legally effective unit agreement.

01

Draft: Populate unit data, parties, term, and payment sections.
02

Review: Confirm legal descriptions, attachments, and any lender requirements.
03

Authenticate: Choose signer authentication and notarization if required.
04

Execute: Obtain signatures and distribute final signed copies to parties.

Core Sections of a Professional Unit Agreement

A complete agreement groups critical clauses so parties and third parties can quickly locate obligations, rights, and dispute resolution provisions.

Unit Description

A precise legal description, unit number, and attachments such as plats or floor plans that uniquely identify the space and support recording or title searches.

Parties and Capacity

Full legal names, entity types, and signing authority statements clarifying who signs on behalf of individuals, corporations, or trusts to avoid later challenges.

Term and Possession

Start and end dates, occupancy rules, renewal mechanics, and early termination rights that determine when physical possession and liabilities transfer.

Financial Terms

Rent or purchase price, deposits, common expense allocations, late fees, and payment mechanics including account details and accepted payment methods.

Maintenance and Repairs

Allocation of maintenance duties, who pays for repairs, insurance requirements, and how capital improvements are handled and billed.

Dispute Resolution

Choice of law, forum selection, arbitration or mediation clauses, and attorney fee provisions to clarify how disagreements will be resolved.

Security and Compliance Essentials

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data-at-Rest: AES-256 encryption

Audit Trail: Timestamped signing log

Privacy Standards: GDPR and CCPA compliance

Regulatory Certs: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001

Healthcare: HIPAA available with BAA

Key Risks If the Agreement Is Incorrect

Invalid Signature: May render the contract unenforceable.

Wrong Legal Entity: Creates rebuttable presumption of lack of authority.

Missing Notarization: Prevents recording of deeds or interests.

Incorrect Unit ID: Clouds title and complicates transfers.

Late Filing: Triggers penalties or lien priorities.

Tax Errors: May cause backup withholding or penalties.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Using informal or inconsistent unit descriptions that do not match the deed, which causes recording rejections and title issues.
Failing to verify signatory authority for corporate or trust parties, resulting in later claims the signature was unauthorized.
Omitting required notarization or witness language where state law or lender requirements mandate it, blocking recordation.
Leaving payment terms or prorations ambiguous, which leads to disputes over assessments, dues, or closing adjustments.

How Electronic Execution Typically Works

Electronic signing follows an ordered workflow that records consent, identity, and timestamps to support enforceability under ESIGN and UETA.

Upload: Sender uploads the agreement file to the signing platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, initial, and conditional fields as required.
Authenticate: Choose signer authentication: email, SMS, or stronger methods.
Complete: Signers execute and receive signed copies with audit trails.

Configure a Typical Signing Workflow

Set up a repeatable workflow to reduce errors and accelerate execution for recurring unit agreements.

Field	Configuration
Signers Order	Sequential or parallel signer order based on transaction needs
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, KBA, or higher assurance
Conditional Fields	Show/hide fields based on selections or party type
Template Reuse	Reusable templates for recurring unit transactions

Technical Requirements for Digital Completion

Most platforms accept PDF and DOCX and integrate with common CRMs and cloud storage for routing and archiving.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, and SSO options

Typical Timelines and Notice Periods

Key dates affect possession, payments, and termination; record these clearly to avoid disputes and statutory defaults.

Effective Date:

Date the agreement becomes binding; use MM/DD/YYYY format.

Lease Start:

Date tenant may take possession and assume obligations.

Rent Due Dates:

Specify monthly due dates and any grace periods for late payments.

Termination Notice:

State required notice periods, typically 30–60 days unless otherwise specified.

Recording Window:

Record deeds promptly to protect priority; local county deadlines vary.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Unit Agreement Workflows

Compare core plan criteria to determine which provider aligns with volume, compliance, and integration needs; signNow appears first by design in this comparison.

	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 trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about enforceability, notarization, and electronic execution to help avoid delays and compliance problems.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature legally binding?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures, except where specific statutory exceptions apply such as wills or certain court filings.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for many deeds and instruments in all states to record interests; requirements vary. Use a notary or RON where state law permits and follow identity-proofing and session-recording rules for RON.
Can I use remote online notarization (RON)?
Possibly. Over 45 states permit permanent RON, but rules differ. Confirm the property's state notary commission rules and ensure the RON platform meets identity-proofing and audio‑video retention requirements.
What causes recorded deed rejections?
Common causes include incorrect legal description, missing notary acknowledgment, improper signatures, and recording fee errors. Verify county recorder formatting and fee schedules before submission.
Who should sign for a corporation or trust?
A person with documented authority must sign; include title and capacity. For entities, attach a resolution or power of attorney if required to show authority to sign on the entity's behalf.
Which eSignature features support enforceability?
Documented intent, signer authentication, a tamper-evident audit trail, and reliable record retention meet the ESIGN four‑part validity test: intent, consent, attribution, and reproducibility.

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