The power of electronic signatures in real estate transactions

Real estate esign key takeaways

Here are some key takeaways around why now is a perfect time to start using esign for your real estate needs.

• Rapid growth opportunity: The electronic signature software market is rapidly expanding worldwide, presenting real estate agents with a lucrative growth opportunity.
• Enhanced efficiency: Electronic signatures facilitate streamlined processes, allowing real estate agents to expedite transactions and improve overall operational efficiency.
• Compliance assurance: Many esignature solutions now offer compliance features, ensuring adherence to regulations such as the ESIGN Act, UETA, and eIDAS, which provides legal validity across geographical areas.
• Improved security: With features like SSL encryption and audit trails, esignature platforms enhance security, safeguarding sensitive transaction data and documents.
• Advanced authentication methods: Innovative developments in esignature deployment, such as biometric authentication and two-step verification, provide additional layers of security for real estate agents’ peace of mind.
• Seamless integration: Esignature solutions increasingly integrate with popular applications, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity for real estate agents.
• Mobile accessibility: The adoption of mobile-based esigning methods enables real estate agents to conduct transactions conveniently from mobile devices, facilitating flexibility and accessibility on the go.

In a time where people from both parties need to get documents signed fast and in some cases, from across the globe, finding a fast, secure way to send and sign real estate docs is crucial.

It’s why many people, including real estate agents, companies, enterprises, and even Airbnb hosts, turn to online platforms.

In fact, the number of global esignatures increased from 198 million to 4,754 million in just five years. ¹

COVID-19 and remote work significantly increased the adoption and usage of esigning. In fact, the number of esignature adopters among businesses increased by 50% since the pandemic.²

Here’s why that’s important.

The number of people adopting a new way to sign is growing at lightning speed.

But that doesn’t mean that every tool you find online to send, sign, and pay online is designed specifically for real estate.

It all boils down to finding a platform that understands the unique legal and regulatory requirements of a real estate purchase and sale.

In this article we’ll break down exactly what you need in your esignature software to make the process fast, efficient, and most of all – secure and compliant for all of your real estate needs.

But first, let’s take a closer look at some of the ins and outs of why esignatures are becoming a cornerstone of real estate transactions for businesses big and small.

Is electronic signature for real estate agents user-friendly?

Absolutely!

If you’re feeling hesitant about transitioning from traditional wet signatures to electronic ones, fear not.

Today’s esignature platforms offer seamless experiences, and a wide range of customization.

With just a few clicks, you can effortlessly upload and dispatch documents for signatures.

Plus, you can even brand your documents using your company logos, colors, and language.

It gets better.

Innovative tools like PandaDoc provide extensive template galleries, complete with legally compliant real estate language already embedded.

This eliminates the need for you to ensure compliance or worry about the legal validity of digital signatures.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the most popular real estate documents available in PandaDoc:

• Short term rental agreement template
• Lease termination letter template
• Rent increase letter template
• Real estate LLC operating template
• Notice of intent to vacate template
• Commercial lease template
• Sublet agreement template
• Real estate pitch deck template
• And so much more!

The best part? Once you sign up for, you can access this entire gallery and modify the template to meet your needs.

Our drag and drop tool makes it fun and easy to personalize the document (or send it as is!).

There is a huge opportunity for anyone to take advantage of these tools.

From Airbnb hosts turned real estate gurus to midsize businesses and even enterprises, PandaDoc templates smoothes out and streamlines the entire contract signing process for real estate.

The future of real estate deal-making

But what if all your key stakeholders can’t come together physically to get a deal done?

That’s where PandaDoc’s all-new virtual data room (VDR) experience comes in, revolutionizing the way stakeholders connect and collaborate.

We created a specialized VDR software so you can easily create digital sales rooms to bring together multiple parties while ensuring process security and document traceability.

Whether you’re a real estate agent, broker, or investor, PandaDoc’s VDR platform streamlines the entire process, from creating and sharing sales rooms to customizing document visibility and accessing comprehensive analytics.

Forget about endless email threads and missed signatures — PandaDoc’s guided signing experience ensures that every document is signed promptly and securely.

Notarization of the transaction process

Notary services are a game-changer for professionals in the industry.

With the secure and legally binding online notary service, you can make notarization easy and effortless for both you and your customers.

Our nationwide Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform allows you to sign and notarize documents in minutes, without the hassle of traditional, in-person notarizations.

Through real-time audiovisual technology, PandaDoc brings notaries and signers together, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction process.

Our platform provides everything you need to get started, including a robust journal with session recordings, an audit trail, and tamper-proof documents sealed with X509 certificates.

And with the legality of online notarization expanding across the United States, you can trust PandaDoc to keep you compliant with state laws and regulations.

Whether you’re conducting business domestically or internationally, PandaDoc Notary makes remote notarizations accessible, cost-saving, and efficient for all.

What is an acceptable electronic signature?

When it comes to contracts, using electronic methods is just as good as using paper.

If a rule says that something must be written down, typing it on a computer is perfectly fine.

And if a document needs a signature, using an electronic signature is also perfectly acceptable.

So, rest assured, electronic signatures hold the same weight and validity as wet signatures.

How switching to an esignature platform keeps your business competitive

If you’re in real estate, you know that time is of the essence.

Whether you’re buying land, finding someone to sublet your room, or leasing a commercial space – the speed in which you can send docs out for signature can make or break a deal.

“The global electronic signature market was valued at around 3.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and is projected to grow to 43.14 billion by 2030.”

Statista

From a practical standpoint, having an electronic signature solution can significantly streamline your real estate agreements.

Whether you’re a residential landlord, an Airbnb host, or a company subletting a space instead of waiting for paper documents to be signed and returned, you can now obtain digital signatures in real-time, create an audit trail, allowing for faster transactions and smoother deals.

In a competitive environment where speed and efficiency are key, embracing electronic signatures can help agents win more deals and establish themselves as leaders in the industry.

More: Check out real world business use cases where real estate companies used PandaDoc to cut costs and time by up to 80%.

Cost savings of eSigning real estate contracts

What to look for in an esignature software solution

On the whole, switching to esignature is a smart business move.

Whether you’re a big or small business, having your contracts signed and stored in a safe, secure place is crucial.

It also helps you prepare for whatever may arise with your real estate deal.

You may need to terminate a lease, or in unfortunate circumstances, use the document to support you in a legal battle.

The stakes are high with real estate and that’s why it’s beyond critical that you use a solution you trust and that has your back.

Here’s a checklist to help you verify that you’re leveraging the appropriate esign template for your real estate needs.

Legal compliance

Verify that the esign template adheres to all relevant legal regulations and standards in your jurisdiction.

Ensure it complies with laws such as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act) or the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).

Customization capability

Assess whether the esign template allows for customization to reflect your brand identity and specific transaction requirements.

Customization options should include adding logos, branding colors, and personalized messages.

Ease of use

Test the user interface of the esign template to ensure it is intuitive and user-friendly for all parties involved in the transaction, including clients, agents, and legal representatives.

Security features

Evaluate the security features of the esign template, such as encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and audit trails.

Ensure that sensitive information is protected throughout the signing process.

Mobile compatibility

Confirm that the esign template is compatible with mobile devices, allowing parties to sign documents conveniently from smartphones or tablets.

Mobile compatibility ensures flexibility and accessibility, especially for on-the-go professionals.

Integration capabilities

Determine whether the esign template integrates seamlessly with your existing real estate software and tools, such as CRM systems or document management platforms.

Integration capabilities enhance workflow efficiency and eliminate the need for manual data entry.

Tracking and notifications

Check if the esign template provides tracking and notification features, allowing you to monitor the status of documents in real-time and receive alerts when action is required.

Tracking capabilities facilitate timely follow-ups and ensure no steps are overlooked.

Customer support

Assess the availability and responsiveness of customer support provided by the esignature solution provider. Ensure there is reliable assistance available to address any technical issues or inquiries promptly.

By following this checklist, you can ensure that you’re using the right esign template for your real estate transactions.

How do I create my own template for electronic signature?

To create your own template , start by logging into your PandaDoc account and navigating to the Templates section.

From there, you can either customize an existing template or create a new one from scratch, adding signature fields, text boxes, and other necessary elements.

How to send a real estate contract for electronic signature

Here’s a breakdown of how easy it is to send a document for electronic signature using PandaDoc:

To sign a real estate document with PandaDoc, follow the steps below:

1. Log into the PandaDoc desktop app.

2. If you are uploading your own document: Select New Documents > Upload and choose which document you want to sign.

3. If you are choosing a template select New Documents > Template Gallery and choose which template you want to customize.

Real Estate License Agreement

Used 4886 times

The PandaDoc Real Estate License Agreement Template assists you easily develop a customized consensus that sketches the terms and conditions for both groups.

Use this template – free

4. Begin editing and customizing your document directly in PandaDoc using your keyboard and drop and drag features.

5. Designate which stakeholders need to sign the contract. Input dates and signatures.

You can easily assign recipients, approvals, and more.

Select Recipients and add at least one recipient to view and/or sign your document.

What is the best electronic signature software for real estate?

Criteria	PandaDoc	Docusign	HelloSign	Adobe Sign
Ease of use	★★★★★	★★	★★★	★★★
Real estate templates	★★★★★	★★★	★★	★
Price	★★★★★	★★	★★	★★

PandaDoc stands out with a 5-star rating across all categories, offering unparalleled ease of use, an extensive array of templates, and competitive pricing – that makes it more affordable than competitors.

To sum it all up, if you’re in the real estate game, navigating through a sea of contracts and deadlines, you need a trusted ally like PandaDoc.

Taking into consideration how seamlessly you can integrate PandaDoc into your workflow, it’s the best overall electronic signature software for real estate.

PandaDoc doesn’t just solve the pain points of document management; it transforms the way you do business.

With our intuitive interface, customizable templates, and robust security features, built-in payment software, and virtual deal rooms, you’ll be able to work faster and make better business decisions moving forward.

Take PandaDoc’s real estate contracts out for a test drive with a free live demo today.

Disclaimer

PandDoc is not a law firm, or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. This page is not intended to and does not provide legal advice. Should you have legal questions on the validity of e-signatures or digital signatures and the enforceability thereof, please consult with an attorney or law firm. Use of PandaDocs services are governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Originally published April 28, 2019, updated June 12, 2024