Can the resolution be executed electronically?

Yes. Electronic execution is generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in adopting states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present; ensure consumer-facing disclosures where required.

Who can sign for a corporation?

An officer or agent named in the resolution signs on behalf of the entity; provide board minutes or a corporate certificate when requested by title companies or lenders to confirm authority.

Is notarization always required?

Notarization is typically required for deeds and some closing documents; the resolution itself may need notarization in certain jurisdictions—confirm with the county recorder or title company.

How do we amend a previously adopted resolution?

Adopt an amended resolution or supplemental resolution by the same governing body, record the vote in minutes, and produce the amended document to title and escrow prior to closing.

What supporting documents should accompany the resolution?

Provide certified board minutes or written consents, officer certificates, proof of entity formation, and any financing or escrow instructions requested by the closing parties.

How long should we retain executed resolutions?

Retain the original resolution for the active ownership period and then follow retention rules—at minimum three years for IRS records (IRC §6501(a)), seven years recommended for real estate matters.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
Resolution to Purchase Real Property

Resolution to Purchase Real Property

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

What a Resolution to Purchase Real Property Is and Why It Matters

A Resolution to Purchase Real Property is a formal written action adopted by an entity's governing body authorizing the acquisition of a specific parcel of real estate. For corporations, LLCs, associations, and public bodies it records board approval, identifies the property, sets purchase terms, and designates the officer or agent authorized to sign purchase contracts, escrow instructions, closing documents, and deeds. The resolution becomes part of the corporate record used by lenders, title companies, and closing agents to verify authority and to complete a lawful transfer of title.

Why Adopt a Resolution to Purchase Real Property

A clear resolution provides legal authority to bind the organization, reduces closing delays, documents financial approvals, and satisfies title company and lender due diligence requirements.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Resolution

Organizations that buy property prepare resolutions to confirm internal approval and assign signing authority before a contract or closing.

Boards of Directors and Trustees — Formal corporate bodies adopting written minutes and resolutions before purchase.
LLC Members or Managers — Member votes or manager authorizations that document entity consent to buy real property.
Public Entities and Authorities — City, county, or agency resolutions required for legal purchase of public land or facilities.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Resolution

A professional resolution is concise, unambiguous, and contains clauses that title companies, lenders, and closing agents expect to see to verify authority and complete the transaction.

Authorization

A clear clause stating that the governing body approves the purchase and authorizes specific officers or agents to act on behalf of the entity, including execution of contracts and closing documents.

Property Description

The legal description or parcel identifier of the real property, including address, lot number, or county recorder parcel ID to avoid ambiguity and ensure correct deed and title search results.

Purchase Terms

Material terms such as purchase price, earnest money deposit, financing contingencies, escrow holder, and any deadlines or contingencies relevant to closing.

Funding Source

Statement identifying how the acquisition will be funded (entity funds, loan, approved lender), and any condition precedent tied to financing approval.

Conditions and Contingencies

List of required approvals, inspections, title clearance, appraisal, or other contingencies that must be satisfied before closing may occur.

Execution Block

Signature block naming authorized signers, spaces for dates, notary acknowledgement if required, and any witness lines appropriate for the jurisdiction.

Step-by-Step: Approving and Executing the Resolution

Follow these sequential steps to adopt, document, and use the resolution for a purchase closing.

01

Prepare Draft: Draft resolution with property details, price, and authorized signers.
02

Obtain Approval: Convene the board or membership and record vote in minutes or written consent.
03

Sign and Notarize: Authorized officer signs; obtain notary and witnesses if state law requires.
04

Provide to Parties: Supply resolution to lender, title company, and escrow to verify authority before closing.

Digital Execution and Platform Compatibility

Electronic completion and eSigning streamline approvals, but choose settings that meet legal and title requirements before execution.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted by most title and escrow providers.
Integrations: Ensure connector availability with systems like Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, or Box.
Authentication: Use email, SMS, or stronger signer authentication when title or lender requires elevated assurance.

Common Timeframes to Track for a Purchase Resolution

Track decision, due diligence, financing, and closing windows explicitly in the resolution or related minutes to avoid missed deadlines.

Board Approval Date:

Date the resolution was adopted and authority granted; ties to contract acceptance timelines.

Offer Expiration:

Specify the deadline for the seller's acceptance of the offer to avoid ambiguity.

Due Diligence Period:

Commonly 30–60 days for inspections, surveys, and title review, but the resolution should reference the agreed period.

Financing Contingency:

State the date by which financing must be approved or the contingency waived.

Closing and Recording:

Identify the target closing date and recording deadline for deed and mortgage documents.

Authentication and Closing Flow for the Resolution

Below are typical sequential actions from resolution to recorded deed that parties must complete for a valid transfer.

01

Board Vote Recorded

Minutes or written consent documenting the vote are prepared and retained.

02

Resolution Signed

Authorized officer signs resolution and dates the document for record.

03

Notary Acknowledgement

Notary completes acknowledgement; capture any required audio-video for RON when used.

04

Contract Execution

Buy-sell contract signed by authorized agent in accordance with the resolution.

05

Earnest Money Deposit

Buyer deposits earnest money per contract and escrow instructions.

06

Title and Survey Ordered

Title search and survey requested to identify liens or boundary issues.

07

Closing Documents Signed

Deed, mortgage, and closing statements signed by authorized parties.

08

Recording at County

Recorded deed filed with county recorder to transfer legal title.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing a Resolution

Ambiguous property description that relies only on street address can result in wrong-parcel deeds and title exceptions during closing.
Authorizing a person without proper corporate authority causes title companies or lenders to reject documents and delay the transaction.
Missing or inconsistent dates between the resolution, contract, and closing instructions creates uncertainty about when authority was effective.
Failing to follow state notary or witness rules for deeds can require corrective affidavits or re-execution, increasing cost and time.

Legal and Transactional Risks of an Incorrect Resolution

Title Defects: May create unresolved exceptions

Contract Voidance: Seller or buyer may challenge authority

Closing Delays: Escrow or lender approvals can be withheld

Tax Consequences: Incorrect documentation affects basis reporting

Fraud Liability: Unauthorized signatures expose officers to liability

Regulatory Fines: Public entities risk administrative penalties

Comparing eSignature Options for Executing Resolutions

Basic pricing and feature availability vary across eSignature vendors; signNow is shown first per platform comparison rules, with common criteria listed below.

	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 (Premium)	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-world Examples of Using a Resolution to Purchase Real Property

These short case arcs show how organizations used a formal resolution to close property acquisitions efficiently.

Martin Properties

The development firm documented board approval in a single-page resolution to speed closing.

The resolution named two authorized signers.
As a result, escrow and title accepted the authority immediately and the closing proceeded without re-documentation or delay.

Optica Ventures LLC

A venture firm used a written consent resolution to approve a property purchase between meetings.

Consent included purchase price and authorized signer.
Title company accepted the signed resolution and the lender issued funds after standard underwriting and title clearance.

Practical Tips to Ensure a Clean Closing Record

Use these practices to reduce friction with lenders and title companies, and to ensure the resolution supports a clean transfer of title.

Use Precise Legal Descriptions

Include assessor parcel numbers or full metes and bounds descriptions rather than relying solely on street addresses to prevent title exceptions and recording errors.

Confirm Signatory Authority

Match the authorized signer name and title to corporate records and, when required, include a corporate certificate attesting to their authority to sign.

Retain Supporting Minutes

Keep the board minutes or written consents that evidence the vote alongside the executed resolution to establish an audit trail for title insurers and auditors.

Prefer Audit Trails for eSignatures

When using electronic signatures, ensure the solution captures timestamps, signer authentication, and an audit trail acceptable to escrow and lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resolutions to Purchase Real Property

Answers to common questions help clarify execution, notarization, amendment, and recordkeeping issues tied to purchase resolutions.

Need help? Contact support

Can the resolution be executed electronically?
Yes. Electronic execution is generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in adopting states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are present; ensure consumer-facing disclosures where required.
Who can sign for a corporation?
An officer or agent named in the resolution signs on behalf of the entity; provide board minutes or a corporate certificate when requested by title companies or lenders to confirm authority.
Is notarization always required?
Notarization is typically required for deeds and some closing documents; the resolution itself may need notarization in certain jurisdictions—confirm with the county recorder or title company.
How do we amend a previously adopted resolution?
Adopt an amended resolution or supplemental resolution by the same governing body, record the vote in minutes, and produce the amended document to title and escrow prior to closing.
What supporting documents should accompany the resolution?
Provide certified board minutes or written consents, officer certificates, proof of entity formation, and any financing or escrow instructions requested by the closing parties.
How long should we retain executed resolutions?
Retain the original resolution for the active ownership period and then follow retention rules—at minimum three years for IRS records (IRC §6501(a)), seven years recommended for real estate matters.

Explore Templates

Agreement to Purchase Boat Booth Rental Agreement Letter of Withdrawal Corporate Resolution Tenancy in Common Agreement Complaint Against Police Officer

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now