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Contract for Deed

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Contract for Deed

THIS DAY this Agreement is entered into by and between hereinafter referred to as Seller, whether one or more, and hereinafter referred to as Purchaser, whether one or more, on the terms and conditions and for the purposes hereinafter set forth:

1. Sale of Property

For and in consideration of Ten Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable considerations the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Seller does hereby agree to convey, sell, assign, transfer and set over unto Purchaser, the following Property (the Property) situated in , , said Property being described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Together with all rights of ownership associated with the Property, including, but not limited to, all easements and rights benefiting the Property, whether or not such easements and rights are of record, and all tenements, hereditaments, improvements and appurtenances, including all lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, shades, venetian blinds, curtain rods, storm windows, storm doors, screens, and awnings, if any, now on the Property.

Subject to all recorded easements, rights-of-way, conditions, encumbrances and limitations and to all applicable building and use restrictions, zoning laws and ordinances, if any, affecting the Property.

2. Purchase Price and Terms

The purchase price of the Property shall be $ . The Purchaser does hereby agree to pay to the order of the Seller the sum of $ upon execution of this Agreement, with the balance of $ being due and payable as follows:

A. Balance payable in monthly installments of $ each, with the first installment being due and payable on the day of , , and a like payment on the first day of each month thereafter until the day of , , when the final payment shall be due. No interest shall be charged on the unpaid balance.

B. Balance payable, together with interest on the whole sum that shall be from time to time remain unpaid at the rate of per cent, per annum, payable in the amount of $ dollars per month beginning on the day of , , and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid.

C. Balance payable, together with interest on the whole sum that shall be from time to time remain unpaid at the rate of per cent, per annum, payable in the amount of $ dollars per month beginning on the day of , , and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter until the day of , , when all remaining principal and interest shall be paid with a Balloon Payment.

If interest is charged, interest shall be computed monthly and deducted from payment and the balance of payment shall be applied on principal.

3. Time is of the Essence

Time is of the essence in the performance of each and every term and provision in this Agreement by Purchaser.

4. Security

This Contract shall stand as security of the payment of the obligations of Purchaser.

5. Maintenance of Improvements

All improvements on the Property, including, but not limited to, buildings, trees or other improvements now on the Property, or hereafter made or placed thereon, shall be a part of the security for the performance of this contract and shall not be removed therefrom. Purchaser shall not commit, or suffer any other person to commit, any waste or damage to said Property or the appurtenances and shall keep the Property and all improvements in as good condition as they are now.

6. Condition of Improvements

Purchaser agrees that the Seller has not made, nor makes any representations or warranties as to the condition of the Property, the condition of the buildings, appurtenances and fixtures locate thereon, and/or the location of the boundaries. Purchaser accepts the Property in its as is condition without warranty of any kind.

7. Possession of Property

Purchaser shall take possession of the Property and all improvements thereon upon execution of this contract and shall continue in the peaceful enjoyment of the Property so long as all payments due under the terms of this contract are timely made. Purchaser agrees to keep the Property in a good state of repair and in the event of termination of this contract, Purchaser agrees to return the Property to Seller in substantially the same condition as it now exists, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Seller reserves the right to inspect the Property at any time with or without notice to Purchaser.

8. Taxes, Insurance and Assessments

A. Taxes and Assessments: During the term of this contract:

1. Purchaser shall pay all taxes and assessments levied against the Property.

2. Seller shall pay all taxes and assessments levied against the Property. In the event that Seller pays the taxes and insurance, Purchaser shall reimburse Seller for same upon 30 days notice to Purchaser.

B. Content Insurance: Purchaser shall be solely responsible for obtaining insurance of the contents, insuring contents owned by Purchaser. Seller shall be solely responsible for obtaining insurance on all contents owned by Seller.

C. Liability and Hazard Insurance: Liability insurance shall be maintained by Purchaser during the term of this contract naming Seller as an additional insured, in the amount of not less than $ .

D. Fire, Hazard and Windstorm insurance shall be maintained as follows:

1. Purchaser shall obtain fire, hazard and windstorm insurance in the amount not less than $ , on a policy of insurance naming Seller as additional insured.

2. Seller shall obtain and pay for hazard, fire and windstorm insurance in an amount not less than $ . In the event Seller elects this option, Purchaser shall repay the amount so paid by Seller within thirty (30) days of demand for same by Seller.

Should the Purchaser fail to pay any tax or assessment, or installment thereof, when due, or keep said buildings insured, Seller may pay the same and have the buildings insured, and the amounts thus expended shall be a lien on said Property and may be added to the balance then unpaid, or collected by Seller, in the discretion of Seller with interest until paid at the rate of the per cent per annum.

In case of any damage as a result of which said insurance proceeds are available, the Purchaser may, within sixty (60) days of said loss or damage, give to the Seller written notice of Purchaser’s election to repair or rebuild the damaged parts of the Property, in which event said insurance proceeds shall be used for such purpose. The balance of said proceeds, if any, which remain after completion of said repairing or rebuilding, or all of said insurance proceeds if the Purchaser elects not to repair or rebuild, shall be applied first toward the satisfaction of any existing defaults under the terms of this contract, and then as a prepayment upon the principal balance owing. No such prepayment shall defer the time for payment of any remaining payments required by said contract. Any surplus of said proceeds in excess of the balance owing hereon shall be paid to the Purchaser.

9. Default

If the Purchaser shall fail to perform any of the covenants or conditions contained in this Contract on or before the date on which the performance is required, the Seller shall give Purchaser notice of default or performance, stating the Purchaser is allowed days from the date of the Notice to cure the default or performance. In the event the default or failure of performance is not cured within the day time period, then Seller shall have any of the following remedies, in the discretion of Seller:

A. Give the Purchaser a written notice specifying the failure to cure the default and informing the Purchaser that if the default continues for a period of an additional days after service of the notice of failure to cure, that without further notice, this Contract shall stand cancelled and Seller may regain possession of the Property as provided herein;

B. Give the Purchaser a written notice specifying the failure to cure the default and informing the Purchaser that if the default continues for a period of an additional days after service of the notice of failure to cure, that without further notice, the entire principal balance and unpaid interest shall be immediately due and payable and Seller may take appropriate action against Purchaser for collection of same according to the laws of the State of .

In the event of default in any of the terms and conditions or installments due and payable under the terms of this Contract and Seller elects 9-A, Seller shall be entitled to immediate possession of the Property.

In the event of default and termination of the Contract by Seller, Purchaser shall forfeit any and all payments made under the terms of this Contract including taxes and assessments as liquidated damages, Seller shall be entitled to recover such other damages as they may be due which are caused by the acts or negligence of Purchaser.

The parties expressly agree that in the event of default not cured by the Purchaser and termination of this Agreement, and Purchaser fails to vacate the Property, Seller shall have the right to obtain possession by appropriate court action.

10. Deed and Evidence of Title

Upon total payment of the purchase price and any and all late charges, and other amounts due Seller, Seller agrees to deliver to Purchaser a Warranty Deed to the subject Property, at Seller’s expense, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances other than taxes and assessments for the current year.

11. Notices

All notices required hereunder shall be deemed to have been made when deposited in the U. S. Mail, postage prepaid, certified, return receipt requested, to the Purchaser or Seller at the addresses listed below. All notices required hereunder may be sent to:

A. Seller at

B. Purchaser at

Said Notices, when mailed, postage prepaid, to said address, shall be binding and conclusively presumed to be served upon said parties respectively.

12. Assignment or Sale

Purchaser shall not sell, assign, transfer or convey any interest in the subject Property or this Agreement, without first securing the written consent of the Seller.

13. Prepayment

Purchaser to have the right to prepay, without penalty, the whole or any part of the balance remaining unpaid on this contract at any time before the due date.

14. Attorney Fees

In the event of default, Purchaser shall pay to Seller, Seller's reasonable and actual attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by Seller in enforcement of any rights of Seller. All attorney fees shall be payable prior to Purchaser's being deemed to have corrected any such default.

15. Late Payment Charges

If Purchaser shall fail to pay, within days after due date, any installment due hereunder, Purchaser shall be required to pay an additional charge of percent of the late installment. Such charge shall be paid to Seller at the time of payment of the past due installment.

16. Conveyance or Mortgage by Seller

If the Seller's interest is now or hereafter encumbered by mortgage, the Seller covenants that Seller will meet the payments of principal and interest thereon as they mature and produce evidence thereof to the Purchaser upon demand. In the event the Seller shall default upon any such mortgage or land contract, the Purchaser shall have the right to do the acts or make the payments necessary to cure such default and shall be reimbursed for so doing by receiving, automatically, credit to this Contract to apply on the payments due or to become due hereon.

The Seller reserves the right to convey, his or her interest in the above described land and such conveyance hereof shall not be a cause for rescission but such conveyance shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

The Seller may, during the lifetime of this contract, place a mortgage on the Property above described, which shall be a lien on the Property, superior to the rights of the Purchaser herein, or may continue and renew any existing mortgage thereon, provided that the aggregate amount due on all outstanding mortgages shall not at any time be greater than the unpaid balance of the Contract.

17. Entire Agreement

This Agreement embodies and constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, representations, oral or written, are merged into this Agreement.

18. Amendments or Waivers

This Agreement shall not be modified, or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties. No delay or failure on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or under any other documents furnished in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or privilege or be construed as a waiver of any default or any acquiescence therein. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege shall preclude the further exercise of such right, power or privilege, or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be valid against any party hereto unless made in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought and then only to the extent expressly specified therein.

19. Severability

If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall be held illegal or unenforceable by a court, no other provisions shall be affected by this holding. The parties intend that in the event one or more provisions of this agreement are declared invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable and this Agreement shall be interpreted by a Court in favor of survival of all remaining provisions.

20. Headings

Section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.

21. Pronouns

All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular, or plural, as the identity of the person or entity may require. As used in this agreement: (1) words of the masculine gender shall mean and include corresponding neuter words or words of the feminine gender, (2) words in the singular shall mean and include the plural and vice versa, and (3) the word "may" gives sole discretion without any obligation to take any action.

22. Joint and Several Liability

All Purchasers, if more than one, covenants and agrees that their obligations and liability shall be joint and several.

23. Purchaser’s Right to Reinstate after Acceleration

If Purchaser defaults and the loan is accelerated, then Purchaser shall have the right of reinstatement as allowed under the laws of the State of , provided that Purchaser: (a) pays Lender all sums which then would be due under this agreement as if no acceleration had occurred; (b) cures any default of any other covenants or agreements; and (c) pays all expenses incurred in enforcing this agreement, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, and other fees incurred for the purpose of protecting Seller's interest in the Property and rights under this Agreement. Seller may require that Purchaser pay such reinstatement sums and expenses in one or more of the following forms, as selected by Seller: (a) cash, (b) money order, (c) certified check, bank check, treasurer’s check or cashier’s check, provided any such check is drawn upon an institution whose deposits are insured by a federal agency, instrumentality or entity or (d) Electronic Funds Transfer. Upon reinstatement by Purchaser, this Security Instrument and obligations secured hereby shall remain fully effective as if no acceleration had occurred.

24. Heirs and Assigns

This contract shall be binding upon and to the benefit of the heirs, administrators, executors, and assigns of the parties hereto. However, nothing herein shall authorize a transfer in violation of Paragraph 12.

(Printed Name of Seller)

(Printed Name of Purchaser)

(Signature of Seller)

(Signature of Purchaser)

(Printed Name of Seller)

(Printed Name of Purchaser)

(Signature of Seller)

(Signature of Purchaser)

(Acknowledgment form may vary by state)

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said County and State, on this , within my jurisdiction, the within-named , who acknowledged that they executed the above and foregoing instrument.

________________________________

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the said County and State, on this , within my jurisdiction, the within-named , who acknowledged that they executed the above and foregoing instrument.

________________________________

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

The mailing address of is ; their home phone number is , and their business or employment phone number is .

The mailing address of is ; their home phone number is , and their business or employment phone number is .

Prepared by and after recording send to:

Telephone:

Enter text

What a Contract for Deed Is and when parties use it

A Contract for Deed is a real estate purchase agreement in which the seller retains legal title while the buyer makes installment payments; legal title transfers only after final payment and performance. It blends a purchase contract with a financing arrangement and commonly includes payment schedule, interest rate, escrow or tax obligations, default remedies, and property maintenance terms. In many U.S. jurisdictions the buyer obtains equitable title at signing but the seller remains the record title holder until obligations are satisfied, so state law controls remedies, recording practices, and tax consequences.

Why parties choose a Contract for Deed

A Contract for Deed lets buyers obtain occupancy without immediate mortgage approval and allows sellers to finance sales directly. It can shorten closing time, avoid lender requirements temporarily, and provide structured seller security until the buyer completes payments.

Why parties choose a Contract for Deed

Typical users and stakeholder roles

Each role has distinct responsibilities: buyers should confirm payment protections and escrow; sellers should verify recording and foreclosure remedies; advisers ensure compliance with state statutes.

  • Private sellers and buyers who agree to seller financing and installment payments for a residential or commercial property
  • Real estate brokers and closing agents who draft terms, advise on recording and disclosures required by state law
  • Attorneys and title companies who handle title search, escrow arrangements, and remedies for default

Key signatories and their typical authority

Seller / Vendor

The seller is the legal title holder during the contract term; they sign to grant possession and define payment terms, default remedies, and events that accelerate the balance.

Buyer / Vendee

The buyer agrees to make scheduled payments, maintain insurance and taxes, and perform covenants; only after completion will the seller convey record title by deed.

Core sections to include in a professional Contract for Deed

A complete Contract for Deed should allocate risk, set clear timelines, and state remedies. Include the essential clauses below and tailor language to state recording and foreclosure rules.

Parties

Full legal names and capacities of buyer and seller, including entity type and authorized signers.

Property Description

Legal description of the real property, parcel ID, and street address sufficient for recording.

Purchase Terms

Purchase price, down payment, interest rate, amortization schedule, payment due dates, and prepayment terms.

Taxes & Insurance

Obligations for property taxes, insurance, escrow accounts, and consequences for nonpayment.

Default & Remedies

Events of default, cure periods, late fees, acceleration, and remedies (forfeiture vs judicial foreclosure).

Transfer & Recording

When legal title transfers, who pays recording fees, and whether the agreement will be recorded as a memorandum or the deed itself.

Step-by-step: how to complete a Contract for Deed

Follow these sequential steps to prepare and execute a Contract for Deed in a compliant, enforceable way.

  • 01
    Assemble documents: Obtain title report, tax info, and property legal description.
  • 02
    Draft terms: Define price, payments, default remedies, and transfer mechanics.
  • 03
    Review state rules: Confirm recording, witness, and foreclosure requirements for the property state.
  • 04
    Execute, notarize, record: Sign before required witnesses/notary, then record the instrument per jurisdiction.

How execution and transfer typically flow

Outline of the main process stages from agreement signing to title transfer.

  • Execution: Seller and buyer sign the Contract for Deed with required witnesses and notary.
  • Possession: Buyer often receives possession while seller retains record title pending payments.
  • Payments & Obligations: Buyer makes scheduled payments and maintains taxes and insurance per contract.
  • Final Conveyance: After final payment, seller executes and records the deed to transfer legal title.

Digital workflow settings for completing the Contract for Deed

Recommended field and signer configurations when preparing the agreement for electronic completion.

Field Configuration
Signature Required for seller and buyer; date stamp auto-populated
Initials Require initials on key clauses (payment, default, transfer)
Attachment Attach title report and legal description as exhibits
Authentication Use email + SMS OTP or stronger KBA for buyer verification

Digital signing and platform considerations

Ensure the platform you choose meets state notary rules, preserves signed audit trails, and allows export of executable signed records.

  • File formats: Use PDF or DOCX to preserve layout and legal text integrity
  • Integrations: Connect to CRM, title, or cloud storage systems for recordkeeping
  • Notarization: Support for remote online notarization (if permitted by state) is advisable

Key timing and deadline considerations

Track execution, recording, payment milestones, and statutory cure periods to protect both parties' rights.

Execution Date:

Date of signature; begins contractual obligations

Recording Window:

Record promptly to preserve priority against third parties

Payment Due Dates:

Specify day of month and grace periods

Default Cure Period:

State-dependent window for buyer to cure missed payments

Final Conveyance:

Upon satisfying payments, seller must deliver and record deed

Milestones: from contract signing to title transfer

Sequential milestones show the lifecycle of a Contract for Deed and when specific actions should be taken.

01

Sign Agreement

Parties sign; add required witnesses and notary.

02

Record Memorandum

Record the contract or memorandum to protect interests against third parties.

03

Ongoing Payments

Buyer makes installments and maintains taxes and insurance.

04

Conveyance of Deed

Seller executes deed and buyer records it after final payment.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the Contract for Deed

  • Incomplete legal property description that prevents accurate recording or title search
  • Vague payment terms or missing interest method that lead to disputes over balances
  • Failure to confirm state-specific foreclosure/remedy processes (forfeiture vs judicial)
  • Not verifying parties' name accuracy which can invalidate recording or title clearances

Practical risks and legal consequences of incorrect execution

Title defects: May cause buyer to lose equitable protections and expose seller to litigation
Recording delay: Third parties may obtain priority liens or claims against the property
Improper notice: Failing to provide statutory disclosures can trigger rescission or fines
Tax liability: Misallocated tax responsibility can create IRS or state tax disputes
Foreclosure risk: Incorrect remedy language can prevent seller from pursuing efficient recovery
Consumer law exposure: Seller financing to individuals may trigger consumer protection statutes

Security, compliance, and audit trail essentials for electronic execution

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamped events, IP, and signer actions retained
Legal Compliance: ESIGN and UETA legal frameworks supported
Regulatory Standards: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Healthcare: HIPAA compliance available with BAA
FDA/Records: 21 CFR Part 11 support for regulated workflows

Example eSignature vendor pricing and feature comparison

Basic pricing and feature availability for common eSignature vendors — signNow is listed first per 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 Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes 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 by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Real-world scenarios using Contracts for Deed

Two brief examples illustrate how parties use Contracts for Deed in practice.

Small Seller Financing

A private homeowner finances sale to a buyer unable to get mortgage immediately

  • buyer pays monthly with escrowed taxes
  • after final payment seller executes deed and records it to transfer title and clear the seller's retained interest.

Investor Resale Strategy

An investor sells property under seller financing to streamline closing

  • contract includes strict default remedies
  • investor records a memorandum to protect priority while preserving recourse in case of buyer default.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Small drafting and process decisions reduce downstream risk; follow these best practices when preparing a Contract for Deed.

Use precise descriptions
Provide the exact legal property description and correct party names to avoid title and recording issues.
Specify payment mechanics
State amortization method, interest calculation, due dates, grace periods, and late fees clearly.
Address escrow and taxes
Define who pays taxes, insurance, and how escrow or impound accounts are handled to avoid disputes.
Confirm recording strategy
Decide whether to record the full contract or a memorandum and allocate recording fees explicitly.

Frequently asked questions about Contracts for Deed

Answers to common questions about enforceability, recording, and electronic completion of Contracts for Deed.


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