Last updated February 13, 2024
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What is a Real Estate Purchase Agreement?
A Real Estate Purchase Agreement is a contract that outlines the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale, exchange, or transfer of real estate between two parties.
Real Estate Agreements should include:
- The buyer’s and seller’s personal information
- The property details
- The conditions that must be met before possession of the property transfers
- The deposit, price, and tax details
- The date of possession
The agreement must be in writing because verbal contracts aren’t legally binding when transferring real estate.
This document is typically presented as an offer from the buyer to the seller, who can then negotiate further terms before signing and accepting the deal.
LawDepot’s Real Estate Purchase Agreement is customised for England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. If you’re in Scotland, try our Offer to Purchase Real Estate contract.
A Real Estate Sales Agreement is also known as a:
- Real Estate Sales Contract
- Home Sale Contract
- Real Estate Purchase Contract
How do I write a Real Estate Purchase Agreement?
You can easily create a Real Estate Purchase Agreement by filling out LawDepot's questionnaire. Using our template will ensure you complete all the necessary steps:
Step 1: State your location
The countries in the United Kingdom have varying real estate rules and regulations. Provide your location, and LawDepot will ensure your Real Estate Purchase Agreement is customised to fit your location’s laws.
We have templates for:
- England
- Northern Ireland
- Wales
Step 2: Provide details about the buyer and seller
Your Real Estate Purchase Agreement needs to include personal details about the buyer and seller, such as:
- Names
- Addresses
- Phone numbers (optional)
Step 3: Outline property details
Provide details about the property, such as its address, legal land description, and the title number.
You can obtain the legal land description of your property from the HM Land Registry in England and Wales or the Land Registry in Northern Ireland. The legal land description of your property may also be found on your land title, in tax assessment information, and your mortgage agreement.
Step 4: Specify the type of property for sale
Specify whether the property is freehold or leasehold. Commonhold is also an option if you’re in England or Wales.
Freehold property means the same person owns the land and the house or flat.
Leasehold means that the house or flat is owned for a specific period of time, and the land on which it is situated is leased from the freeholder.
Commonhold means that a property part of a multi-occupancy building (typically a flat) is owned indefinitely by the freeholder with shared ownership of and responsibility for common areas and services.
The seller must attach a copy of the signed Tenancy Agreement and any other notices to your Contract for Sale of Real Estate if the property is subject to a tenancy.
Step 5: State any included fixtures and fittings
State if the property comes with any fixtures or fittings.
Fixtures are personal property items attached to the land or a building in such a way that they can’t be removed without damaging the item. Sellers can exclude fixtures if they have sentimental value or are hard to replace.
Fittings are items of personal property that are moveable. As a general rule, sellers can take all the fittings with them but may choose to include some as part of the sale of the property.
Examples of fittings include:
- Couches
- Tables
- Chairs
- Refrigerators
- Dish-washers
- Stoves
Step 6: Disclose any incumbrances
The seller needs to disclose all known incumbrances (e.g., easements and covenants) that aren’t discoverable by a property inspection.
Easements are rights in another person’s property. For example, a city may have easements in citizen’s property so it can maintain essential services like water, electricity or sewerage.
Covenants are limits on ways the buyer can use the property. They can include restrictions on how many houses can be built or building height limits.
Step 7: Include details about the earnest money deposit
The earnest money deposit is the cash the buyer pays the seller as evidence of good faith to complete the purchase.
The deposit ensures that the buyer is serious about obtaining the necessary financing and fulfilling the other conditions required to purchase the property. The money is credited to the purchase price upon closing. However, the buyer may forfeit the deposit if they default or choose not to proceed with the transaction.
Your Real Estate Purchase Agreement needs to specify:
- The deposit amount
- The deadline for the buyer to give the seller the deposit
- The date when the buyer and the seller exchange signed copies of the agreement
- The name and address of who will hold the money in escrow
Step 8: Provide details about the price and financing
The Real Estate Purchase Agreement must include the price the buyer is purchasing the property for and how they’re obtaining financing if they aren’t paying in cash.
If the buyer is receiving financing, state the type of financing they’re receiving:
- Third-party financing: Financing from a bank or private lender other than the seller
- Seller financing: The seller lends the buyer the money to purchase the property using a Promissory Note.
- Assumption: The buyer takes over the unpaid balance of an existing mortgage or Promissory Note(s).
Step 9: Include an exclusivity agreement (if applicable)
An exclusivity agreement is when the seller agrees to give the buyer the exclusive right to buy the property within a specific time period.
State how many days the exclusivity agreement will last if you include one.
Step 10: Specify if the agreement requires spousal consent
The seller requires spousal consent if they jointly own the property with a spouse. A house is jointly owned if both spouses’ names are on the title deeds.
If the sale does require spousal consent, attach the proof of consent to your Real Estate Purchase Agreement.
Step 11: State the closing date
The closing date is when ownership of title transfers and the buyer gets possession of the property. The date is usually two to four weeks after the exchange of contracts.
Step 12: Include how the parties will handle disputes
Your Real Estate Purchase Agreement can include terms for resolving any disputes between the buyer and seller.
You might find it best to avoid litigation by going to a mediator and then, if necessary, an arbitrator. If so, include if the buyer, seller, or both parties will pay the cost.
Your contract can also specify which party will pay the associated legal costs and lawyer fees.
Step 13: Specify whether the sale is subject to any conditions
The seller often needs to satisfy some conditions to make the Real Estate Purchase Agreement binding and close the sale. If the conditions aren’t met by the required date, either party may cancel the sale.
Some common conditions include:
- Satisfactory property survey
- Satisfactory pest inspection
- Buyer must sell their property (i.e., the buyer can cancel the contract if they can’t sell their current residence)
- Works, repairs, treatments, and improvements to the property
- Proof of firm mortgage offer
- Satisfactory Gas Safe certificate
- Satisfactory electrical check
- Satisfactory local authority search (in England and Wales)
Step 14: Include any additional disclosure documents
If there are any additional disclosures the seller needs to add to the Real Estate Purchase Agreement, they can attach them to the document.
If you’re in England or Wales, you may want to include the following transaction (TA) forms:
- Property Information Form (TA6): The seller gives potential buyers detailed information about the property, including boundaries, alterations, planning consents, insurance, disputes, parking and energy efficiency.
- Fittings and Contents Form (TA10): Details what fixtures and fittings are included in the property's sale and which are excluded.
For parties in Northern Ireland, you may want to include a vendor’s replies to pre-contract enquiries. Before exchanging contracts, the buyer can ask about recent works, mains water and gas connections, problems with the property, and pending litigation concerning the property.
Step 15: Outline the option to terminate
The option to terminate gives the buyer the right to cancel the contract for any reason within a certain number of days after signing. This right is granted in exchange for a termination fee the buyer pays to the seller.
If your contract includes the option to terminate the deal, specify:
- The termination fee
- Whether the termination fee will be credited to the purchase price at closing
- The number of business days the buyer has after signing the contract to terminate the agreement
Step 16: Sign the contract
Finish your Real Estate Purchase Agreement by having the buyer, seller, and any witnesses sign the agreement.
Does a Real Estate Purchase Agreement need to be notarised?
You don’t need to have your Real Estate Purchase Agreement notarised for it to be binding and enforceable. However, having a notary present to verify everyone’s identity may be a good idea because a notary seal can prove the agreement's authenticity in court.
What two items are most purchase agreements contingent on?
The sale of real estate can come with many contingencies, but property inspections and mortgage financing are the two most common.
Do you need a lawyer to make an offer on a house?
Having a lawyer look over your Real Estate Purchase Agreement before making an offer is highly recommended.
Purchasing property is one of the most important financial decisions a person can make. A lawyer will ensure your contract is written correctly, answer any questions you might have, and look out for your best interests.
Lawyers are expensive, but the price could be minimal compared to the costly issues that can stem from a bad real estate contract.
How do I cancel a Real Estate Purchase Agreement?
Your Real Estate Purchase Agreement will include terms that specify that the deal will fall through if certain conditions aren’t met.
Some terms that can lead to the contract’s termination include:
- An expense is more expensive than initially agreed upon.
- The property is damaged or destroyed, and the seller can’t restore it before the closing date.
- The buyer or seller fails to comply with a notice to complete.
- The seller misleads the buyer about a third party’s interest (e.g., liens, assessments, or security interests) in the property that won’t be settled by the closing date.