Best examples of sales contract template examples for real estate in 2024

Real-world examples of sales contract template examples for real estate

Most people hear “real estate contract” and picture one standard form. In reality, professionals use different examples of sales contract template examples for real estate depending on:

• Property type (single-family home, condo, multi-family, office, retail, raw land)
• How the deal is financed (cash, conventional loan, seller financing, hard money)
• Who is involved (individual buyers, investors, LLCs, trusts)
• Market conditions (seller’s market vs. buyer’s market)

Below are concrete, real-world style examples — not theoretical models — to show how these templates actually look and why they’re drafted the way they are.

Example of a standard residential purchase and sale agreement

The most common example of sales contract template examples for real estate is the residential purchase and sale agreement used for a typical single-family home.

A practical template usually includes:

• Parties and property – Legal names of buyer and seller, plus the full street address and legal description pulled from the deed or county records.
• Purchase price and earnest money – Total price, how much earnest money is deposited, where it’s held (usually an escrow or title company), and what happens if the deal falls through.
• Financing terms – Whether the buyer is paying cash or using a loan, plus deadlines for loan approval and appraisal.
• Contingencies – Inspection, financing, appraisal, and sometimes sale-of-buyer’s-current-home contingencies.
• Closing and possession – Target closing date, who selects the title company, and when the buyer gets possession (at closing, or after a short rent-back period).

In practice, many states rely on standard forms created by local Realtor® associations. For example, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) publishes model clauses and guidance that state associations adapt into their own purchase contracts.

Tip: In a hot seller’s market, one of the best examples of how templates shift is the contingency section. Sellers may push for shorter inspection periods or limited repair requests, and templates get edited to reflect that bargaining power.

Example of an “as-is” residential contract for distressed properties

Another very common example of sales contract template examples for real estate is the “as-is” contract used for foreclosures, fixer-uppers, or estate sales.

The structure looks similar to a standard residential agreement but with sharper, more protective language for the seller:

• Property condition clause – States that the property is sold “as-is, where-is,” with no warranties, and that the seller will not make repairs.
• Inspection rights but limited remedies – Buyer can inspect, but their only remedy is usually to cancel within a set period, not demand repairs.
• Extensive disclosures and disclaimers – Especially for bank-owned properties and estates, the template may say the seller has limited knowledge of the property’s condition.

One of the best examples of this kind of template is what large institutional sellers use for REO (real estate owned) properties. Their attorneys draft contracts that heavily favor the seller, and buyers often have to accept the template with minimal changes.

If you’re drafting or reviewing an as-is contract, it’s smart to compare your clauses to your state’s disclosure rules. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers consumer-facing guidance on disclosures and closing documents that can help you understand what should be in writing: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/

Examples of sales contract template examples for real estate when the buyer is an investor

Investor deals tend to use more aggressive and flexible templates. A real example of this is the assignment-friendly purchase agreement used by wholesalers.

Key features in these templates often include:

• Assignment clause – Explicitly allowing the buyer to assign their contract rights to another buyer, with or without the seller’s consent.
• Extended inspection or “due diligence” period – Gives the investor time to find an end-buyer, line up financing, or analyze the deal.
• Flexible closing date – Often tied to the investor’s ability to close or assign, giving more room to maneuver.

Some of the best examples here are contracts that:

• Spell out whether the investor may market the property before closing
• Limit the seller’s ability to cancel as long as the investor performs within the deadlines

Because wholesaling and assignments are regulated differently by state, investors should always cross-check their template language with state law. Many state real estate commissions and attorney general sites publish consumer and licensing guidance; for example, the Texas Real Estate Commission and other state agencies post contract-related FAQs and forms.

Example of a commercial real estate sales contract template

Commercial deals are a different animal. An example of sales contract template examples for real estate in the commercial world will usually be longer, more technical, and heavily customized.

Common sections include:

• Detailed property description – Including legal description, parcel numbers, and sometimes a schedule listing leases, service contracts, and equipment.
• Rent roll and income representations – For income-producing properties, the contract often attaches a rent roll and sets out what the seller is representing about occupancy and income.
• Environmental provisions – References to Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, allocation of responsibility for contamination, and rights to cancel if environmental issues are discovered.
• Zoning and use – Clauses allowing the buyer to verify zoning, land use approvals, and building code compliance.

Real examples of commercial templates often include a separate due diligence exhibit listing all documents the seller must provide (leases, service contracts, financial statements) and setting a specific due diligence period with clear termination rights.

For context on environmental clauses and due diligence standards, buyers and attorneys sometimes look to guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on property contamination and cleanup responsibilities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Examples include land and development sales contracts

Raw land and development deals need different protections. Some of the best examples of sales contract template examples for real estate in this category include:

• Access and utilities clauses – Confirming legal access to a public road and availability of water, sewer, power, and other utilities.
• Subdivision or entitlement contingencies – Letting the buyer back out if they cannot obtain approvals, zoning changes, or subdivision plats.
• Survey and boundary provisions – Requiring a new survey, with the right to object to encroachments or easements.

A real example of this kind of template might be a contract for a builder buying a parcel to create a 30-home subdivision. The contract will often:

• Give the builder a long feasibility period (sometimes 90–180 days)
• Condition closing on preliminary plat approval
• Allow the buyer to terminate if density, setbacks, or environmental constraints make the project unprofitable

Templates for land deals tend to be more open-ended because every parcel is different. That’s why attorneys often start with a prior land contract and customize heavily, rather than using a generic residential form.

Example of seller financing language in a real estate sales contract

When the seller acts as the lender, the sales contract template has to coordinate with a promissory note and mortgage or deed of trust.

An example of sales contract template examples for real estate with seller financing might include:

• Down payment and loan amount – Clear breakdown of how much is paid at closing and how much is financed.
• Interest rate and amortization – Rate, payment schedule, and whether there’s a balloon payment.
• Default and remedies – What happens if the buyer misses payments, including late fees, acceleration, and foreclosure rights.

Real examples include small-town commercial buildings sold to local businesses, or family-to-family deals where the buyer can’t qualify for bank financing. The contract template in those deals must match the terms in the note and mortgage exactly, or you invite disputes later.

Because seller financing raises consumer protection and lending law issues, it’s smart to cross-check with federal and state rules. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains updated information on mortgage and lending regulations: https://www.consumerfinance.gov

Modern trends shaping 2024–2025 real estate contract templates

If you compare older forms to current examples of sales contract template examples for real estate, you’ll see some clear 2024–2025 trends:

• Remote and hybrid closings – More templates now reference electronic signatures, remote online notarization (where permitted), and digital delivery of documents.
• Stronger force majeure and delay clauses – After COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, parties pay more attention to what happens if government orders, disasters, or lender delays push back closing.
• Data and privacy language – Contracts increasingly address sharing of buyer/seller data with lenders, title companies, and third-party vendors.
• Inspection language around environmental and health risks – In some regions, templates now call out mold, radon, and similar issues more explicitly.

For background on health-related property concerns (like mold or radon), buyers and sellers often consult neutral, science-based resources such as CDC guidance on environmental health and indoor air quality: https://www.cdc.gov/air

These trends show up across almost all modern examples of sales contract template examples for real estate, whether you’re dealing with a starter home or a large commercial complex.

Key clauses to watch in any example of a real estate sales contract template

Even though the focus here is on examples, certain clauses show up again and again. When you review any example of a real estate sales contract template, pay particular attention to:

• Contingency deadlines – Inspection, financing, appraisal, title review, and due diligence all have drop-dead dates. Miss them, and you may lose rights.
• Default and remedies – Does the seller keep the earnest money as liquidated damages? Can either side sue for specific performance?
• Allocation of costs – Who pays for title insurance, transfer taxes, survey, HOA transfer fees, and recording fees?
• Dispute resolution – Court litigation, mediation, arbitration, or a mix? Where will disputes be heard, and under what law?

The best examples of sales contract template examples for real estate make these points painfully clear. If your template is vague on any of them, that’s a red flag.

How to safely use these examples of sales contract template examples for real estate

Templates are tools, not one-size-fits-all solutions. To use these examples of sales contract template examples for real estate wisely:

• Treat any generic template as a starting point, not a finished product.
• Compare your draft against at least one state-specific form (often available through Realtor® associations, bar associations, or state agencies).
• Have a licensed real estate attorney review your final version, especially for high-value or complex deals.

Law schools and legal aid organizations sometimes publish sample contracts and plain-language explanations. For instance, many U.S. law school clinics linked through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) network provide educational resources on housing and contracts: https://www.lsc.gov

FAQ: Real examples of real estate sales contract templates

Q1. Where can I see real examples of sales contract template examples for real estate?
You can usually find real examples through your state Realtor® association, bar association, or licensed real estate agents. Many associations publish sample or limited-view forms online. Law libraries at universities also maintain contract form books that include an example of a standard residential purchase agreement, commercial contracts, and land sale templates.

Q2. What is one example of a contingency I should never skip?
Most buyers insist on an inspection contingency that lets them cancel or renegotiate if serious defects are found. This example of a contingency appears in almost all modern residential templates, because it’s the main way buyers protect themselves from hidden problems.

Q3. Can I use the same template for residential and commercial deals?
You can’t safely do that. A residential form usually lacks the detailed income, environmental, and zoning provisions you see in commercial examples of sales contract template examples for real estate. Trying to force a residential template onto a multi-tenant office building is an invitation for disputes.

Q4. Are free online templates safe to use?
They’re fine for education and brainstorming, but risky as your only document. Many free templates are outdated or not tailored to your state’s law. The smarter move is to compare those free examples of contracts against current state-approved forms and then have an attorney update language where needed.

Q5. How do I know if my contract template is up to date for 2024–2025?
Check the revision date on the form, and verify whether your state association or bar has released a newer version. Updated examples of sales contract template examples for real estate often incorporate electronic signature provisions, modern contingency language, and current disclosure requirements.

Legal disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and examples of sales contract template examples for real estate. It is not legal advice. Real estate law varies by jurisdiction, and you should consult a licensed attorney in your area before using or signing any contract.