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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 situated in County, State of North Carolina, said property being described as follows:

See Legal Description Attached as Exhibit A incorporated by reference as though set forth in full

Legal Description:

Together with all rights of ownership associated with the property, including, but not limited to, all easements and rights benefiting the premises, 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, awnings, if any, and now on the premises.

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 Dollars ($ ) upon execution of this agreement, with the balance of $ being due and payable as follows:

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

(b) Balance payable, together with interest on the whole sum that shall be from time to time unpaid at the rate of per cent, per annum, payable in the amount of $ dollars per month beginning on the 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 unpaid at the rate of per cent, per annum, payable in the amount of dollars per month beginning on the and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter until the when all remaining principal and interest shall be paid. (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 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 premises, 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 premises or the appurtenances and shall keep the premises 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 premises, 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

Taxes and Assessments: During the term of this contract:

(a) Purchaser shall pay all taxes and assessments levied against the property.

(b) 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.

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.

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 $ .

Fire, Hazard and Windstorm insurance: Fire, hazard and windstorm insurance shall be maintained as follows:

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

(b) 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 premises and may be added to the balance then unpaid, or collected by Seller, in the discretion if 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 premises, in which event said insurance proceeds shall be used for such purpose.

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 fourteen (14) 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 14 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 fifteen (15) 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; or

(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 fifteen (15) 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.

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.

Seller:

Purchaser:

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 fifteen (15) days after due date, any installment due hereunder, Purchaser shall be required to pay an additional charge of four (4%) 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.

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 premises above described, which shall be a lien on the premises, 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. AMENDMENT – 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.

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.

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.

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 North Carolina.

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).

25. OTHER PROVISIONS

WITNESS THE SIGNATURES of the Parties this the day of ,

SELLER:

Signature

Printed Name

PURCHASER:

Signature

Printed Name

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF

I, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged the due execution of the foregoing instrument.

This the day of ,

Notary Public

My Commission expires:

(Official seal.)

Seller(s) Name and Address / Buyer(s) Name and Address

Seller(s) Name and Address

Buyer(s) Name and Address

EXHIBIT A

Enter text

What a Contract for Deed Is and how it works

A Contract for Deed is a seller-financing agreement (sometimes called a land contract or installment sale) in which the seller retains legal title until the buyer completes scheduled payments. The buyer gains possession and equitable title while payments are made and the seller holds legal title as security. The agreement sets purchase price, payment schedule, interest, insurance and tax responsibilities, default remedies, and the conditions for final deed conveyance. State recording, notice, and foreclosure rules affect procedure and enforceability.

Why parties choose a Contract for Deed

A Contract for Deed enables owner financing, lets buyers acquire property without traditional mortgage approval, and structures installment payments while preserving seller security; careful drafting reduces title and enforcement risks.

Why parties choose a Contract for Deed

Who typically prepares or signs a Contract for Deed

Sellers, buyers, and real estate professionals commonly use Contracts for Deed to structure owner-financed transactions and manage payment schedules.

  • Independent sellers offering owner financing when buyers cannot secure conventional mortgage approval
  • Buyers seeking gradual equity buildup without bank loan approval or with credit challenges
  • Real estate attorneys, title agents, and brokers handling documentation, recordation, and enforcement matters

Core elements to include for enforceability

Essential elements in a professional Contract for Deed define price, payment schedule, security, title transfer, default remedies, and recording obligations to protect both parties.

Purchase Price

State the total purchase price and down payment explicitly, include method for calculating outstanding balance and interest, and avoid vague terms that invite dispute.

Payment Terms

Describe installment amounts, due dates, interest rate, late fees, prepayment rights, and how payments are applied between principal, interest, and escrow.

Title & Possession

Specify when buyer obtains possession and equitable title, seller retains legal title as security, and conditions for delivering the final deed on full payment.

Taxes & Insurance

Allocate responsibility for property taxes, hazard and liability insurance, require certificates of insurance, and state consequences for lapse or nonpayment.

Default Remedies

Set cure periods, acceleration terms, and the specific remedy route (forfeiture, statutory foreclosure, or judicial foreclosure) with notice procedures to satisfy state law.

Recording & Notices

State recording obligations, notice addresses and methods, and whether a memorandum or full contract will be recorded to provide public notice.

Required information and core fields

Buyer Name: Full legal name as on ID
Seller Name: Full legal name or business entity
Property Description: Legal description from deed
Purchase Price: Numeric amount in dollars
Payment Schedule: Dates, amounts, and interest
Effective Date: Enter as MM/DD/YYYY

Step-by-step process to complete a Contract for Deed

Follow these steps to prepare, execute, and record a Contract for Deed while meeting state recording and notice requirements.

  • 01
    Draft Agreement: Include price, schedule, covenants, and remedies.
  • 02
    Review State Law: Check recording, notice, and foreclosure rules.
  • 03
    Sign and Notarize: All parties sign before a notary as required.
  • 04
    Record & Deliver: Record deed or memorandum; provide copies to parties.

Where to file, send, or submit the executed contract

Decide where to file and how to deliver a Contract for Deed, considering recorder offices, certified mail, and digital distribution.

  • Recorder's Office: Record memorandum or deed per county requirements.
  • Certified Mail: Send notice to buyer and seller with return receipt.
  • Registered Agent: For entity sellers, serve notice to registered agent.
  • Electronic Delivery: Share executed PDF with audit trail to parties.

Digital signing and submission considerations

Digital signing and eSubmission for Contracts for Deed must meet ESIGN and UETA requirements and retain reliable audit trails and authentication.

  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options
  • Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and action log
  • File Formats: Signed PDF/A and editable DOCX

Configuring an online Contract for Deed workflow

Set up an online Contract for Deed workflow to assign fields, signer order, authentication, and recording metadata.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Seller then Buyer
Authentication Email link; optional SMS code
Field Types Signature, initials, dates, conditional fields
Recording Metadata Include county recorder name, parcel ID

Key differences: Contract for Deed vs. Mortgage/Deed of Trust

High-level contrasts help determine whether a Contract for Deed or a traditional mortgage/deed of trust best fits the transaction structure.

Comparison Contract for Deed Mortgage/Deed of Trust
Title at Closing seller retains buyer conveys legal title
Foreclosure Process seller-driven forfeiture judicial/nonjudicial foreclosure
Recording often memorandum recorded deed of trust recorded
Lender Involvement seller-financed third-party lender

eSignature vendor comparison for Contract for Deed workflows

Compare starting price and key capabilities for common eSignature vendors when selecting a platform for Contracts for Deed. signNow appears 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 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

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Key deadlines and typical processing expectations for Contract for Deed execution, recording, and post-default actions.

Execution Date:

Date parties sign; effective when executed

Recording Window:

Record with county clerk; processing often 1–4 weeks

Payment Due Dates:

As specified in schedule; monthly or other periodic terms

Default Cure Period:

State law or contract sets cure, commonly 30 days

Foreclosure Timeline:

Varies by state; nonjudicial foreclosures faster than judicial

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Failing to record a memorandum or notice promptly can leave a buyer’s equitable interest unprotected and create priority disputes with subsequent purchasers or lienholders.
  • Using vague payment allocation language can produce disputes over principal reduction and accelerate default when parties disagree; specify application rules clearly.
  • Mismatched buyer or seller legal names between contract, title, and identification often causes rejection at recording or complications in enforcement and transfer.
  • Omitting clear notice procedures, addresses, or methods for default and acceleration leads to procedural defects and may invalidate remedies in many jurisdictions.

Risks and penalties of defective Contracts for Deed

Foreclosure Risk: Buyer risks losing possession
Title Uncertainty: Delayed legal title transfer
Recording Penalties: County fines or rejection
Tax Implications: Capital gains/1099 reporting
Backup Withholding: 24% withholding if TIN incorrect
Legal Costs: Attorney fees and court costs

Supporting documents to include with the Contract for Deed

Attach supporting documents to streamline recording, title transfer, and post-closing responsibilities and to protect buyer and seller interests.

Deed

Prepare the final deed to transfer legal title on full payment; include deed template or conveyance conditions so transfer occurs without ambiguity when obligations are satisfied.

Memorandum

Record a memorandum of the Contract for Deed where permitted to provide constructive notice of the buyer's equitable interest without recording financing details.

Title Report

Provide a current title report or commitment prior to closing to identify liens, easements, or defects and allocate cure responsibilities.

Insurance Certificate

Attach hazard and liability insurance certificates naming seller as loss payee or additional insured to protect the seller's security interest.

Practical examples of Contract for Deed workflows

Real-world examples show how Contracts for Deed are executed and managed using secure signing and recordation workflows.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

Martin Properties used online signing to execute seller-financed purchase agreements while agents worked remotely and on mobile devices.

  • Mobile signing on or off site.
  • The company processed Contracts for Deed with compliant audit trails and security controls, reducing in-person steps and accelerating closings while preserving enforceability and record accuracy.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

Optica Ventures standardized Contract for Deed templates to reduce drafting time and ensure consistent clauses across deals.

  • Template-driven workflows for consistency.
  • Standardization lowered review cycles, simplified internal approvals, and made it easier to generate recordable memoranda and reconcile payments with fewer manual errors.

Practical best practices for accurate completion

Adopt these practices to reduce disputes, speed recording, and maintain clear records for Contracts for Deed.

Use Precise Legal Names
Always use the exact legal name of parties and entities as shown on identification or formation documents; mismatches may cause recording rejections, impair enforcement, or create title exceptions.
Record a Memorandum Promptly
File a short form memorandum when state law permits to provide public notice of the buyer's equitable interest and lower the risk of intervening liens or purchasers claiming priority.
Specify Payment Allocation
Detail how payments apply to principal, interest, escrow, and arrears; include prepayment procedures and default cure language to prevent disputes over balance calculations.
Obtain Title Confirmation
Order a title report before execution and require seller cure or escrow protections for encumbrances; unresolved liens complicate transfer and buyer equity.

Key milestones from negotiation to final conveyance

Key milestones guide a Contract for Deed transaction from negotiation through final deed conveyance and post-closing recording and accounting actions.

01

Negotiation & Drafting

Agree price, terms, and draft contract for review.

02

Signing and Notarization

Parties sign; notarize depending on state or RON rules.

03

Recording Memorandum

Record notice or memorandum to protect equitable interest.

04

Final Conveyance

On final payment, execute and record deed conveying legal title.

Frequently asked questions about Contracts for Deed

Common questions and practical answers regarding preparation, execution, recording, and enforcement of Contracts for Deed in the United States.


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