Residential Sales Contract for the United States

Residential Sales Contract Template for United States

A Residential Sales Contract is a legally binding agreement between a buyer and seller for the transfer of residential real property in the United States. This document outlines all terms and conditions of the sale, including purchase price, closing requirements, contingencies, and obligations of both parties. It must comply with federal regulations such as the Truth in Lending Act and RESPA, as well as applicable state and local real estate laws.

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Download a Standard Template

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Access for free
OR

Alternatively: Run an advanced review of an existing
Residential Sales Contract

Let Genie AI's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.
Upload your Doc

What is a Residential Sales Contract?

The Residential Sales Contract serves as the primary legal instrument for documenting the sale of residential real estate in the United States. This contract type is essential for protecting both buyer and seller interests, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and providing a clear framework for the transaction. It includes crucial elements such as property description, purchase price, closing requirements, contingencies, and disclosures required by law. The document is typically used when selling single-family homes, condominiums, or other residential properties, and must adhere to specific state requirements while incorporating standard federal provisions.

What sections should be included in a Residential Sales Contract?

1. Parties: Identifies the buyer and seller with full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Brief context of the transaction and property being sold

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the contract

4. Property Description: Detailed legal description of the property including address and parcel number

5. Purchase Price: Amount and payment terms including deposit details

6. Closing: Closing date, location, and requirements

7. Title and Deed: Requirements for clear title and type of deed to be conveyed

8. Representations and Warranties: Standard seller and buyer declarations about the property and transaction

What sections are optional to include in a Residential Sales Contract?

1. Financing Contingency: Terms and conditions related to buyer's mortgage financing requirements

2. Inspection Contingency: Terms for property inspection process and potential remediation requirements

3. Sale Contingency: Conditions related to buyer's need to sell existing property before closing

4. Tenant Rights: Provisions dealing with existing tenant arrangements and transfer of lease obligations

What schedules should be included in a Residential Sales Contract?

1. Property Disclosure Statement: Seller's mandatory disclosure of property condition and known defects

2. Fixtures and Fittings List: Detailed inventory of items included and excluded from the sale

3. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Mandatory disclosure for properties built before 1978

4. HOA Documents: Homeowners association rules, regulations, and financial documents

5. Survey: Property boundary survey and related documentation

6. Title Report: Preliminary title report showing existing encumbrances and restrictions

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
Clauses
Industries

Truth in Lending Act (TILA): Federal law requiring lenders to provide standardized disclosures about loan terms and costs

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): Federal law governing real estate settlement processes and prohibiting kickbacks in real estate transactions

Fair Housing Act: Federal law prohibiting discrimination in housing transactions based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Federal law requiring developers to provide detailed information about their projects to potential buyers

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act: Federal law requiring disclosure of known lead-based paint hazards in properties built before 1978

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA): Federal law requiring foreign persons to pay US tax on the sale of US real property interests

State Property Laws: State-specific regulations governing real property rights, transfers, and obligations

State Real Estate Licensing Laws: State-specific requirements for real estate professionals involved in the transaction

State Disclosure Requirements: State-mandated disclosures about property condition, defects, and other material facts

State Recording Statutes: State laws governing the recording of real estate documents and determining priority of interests

State Contract Laws: State-specific requirements for valid contracts, including real estate contracts

State Environmental Regulations: State-specific environmental protection requirements affecting real estate transactions

Statute of Frauds: Legal principle requiring real estate contracts to be in writing to be enforceable

Local Zoning Laws: Municipal regulations governing property use, development, and restrictions

HOA Rules: Homeowners Association regulations affecting property use and transfer

Property Tax Laws: Federal, state, and local tax regulations affecting real estate transactions

Title Insurance Requirements: Legal requirements and industry standards for title insurance coverage

Mortgage Lending Regulations: Federal and state laws governing mortgage lending practices and requirements

Building Codes and Permits: Local regulations governing property construction, modification, and maintenance

Essential Contract Elements: Legal requirements for valid contracts including capacity, consideration, offer, acceptance, legal purpose, and meeting of minds

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Shared Property Ownership Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for shared property ownership between multiple parties.

find out more

Simple Real Estate Rental Agreement

A basic legal agreement for residential property rental in the United States, defining terms between landlord and tenant.

find out more

Unimproved Property Listing Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement between a property owner and real estate broker for the marketing and sale of undeveloped land.

find out more

Exclusive Listing Contract

A U.S. legal agreement granting a real estate broker exclusive rights to sell or lease a property for a specified period.

find out more

Rental Listing Agreement

A U.S.-compliant legal agreement between property owners and real estate agents for listing rental properties.

find out more

Simple House Contract

A basic residential property purchase agreement compliant with U.S. real estate laws.

find out more

Joint Ownership Agreement Residential Property

A U.S. legal agreement establishing rights and responsibilities between multiple parties who jointly own residential property.

find out more

Rental Property Contract

A legally binding US agreement between landlord and tenant establishing terms for property rental, conforming to federal and state housing laws.

find out more

Exclusive Seller Listing Agreement

A U.S. real estate contract granting exclusive rights to a broker to market and sell a property for a specified period.

find out more

Standard Listing Agreement

A U.S.-compliant contract between property owner and real estate broker authorizing the marketing and sale of property.

find out more

Limited Listing Agreement

A U.S. real estate contract establishing a non-exclusive relationship between property owner and broker for the listing and sale of property.

find out more

Commercial Land Contract

A U.S. legal agreement governing the sale and purchase of commercial real estate, outlining terms, conditions, and responsibilities of involved parties.

find out more

Real Estate Middleman Contract

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing terms for real estate professionals acting as intermediaries in property transactions.

find out more

Rent To Own Property Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement combining property rental terms with a future purchase option, governed by federal and state real estate laws.

find out more

Simple Property Lease Agreement

A U.S. legal document establishing terms for temporary property rental between landlord and tenant.

find out more

Standard Lease Agreement For House Rental

A legally binding U.S. residential rental agreement that establishes terms and conditions between landlord and tenant, compliant with federal and state housing laws.

find out more

Option To Purchase Property Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement granting the exclusive right to purchase specific property at a set price within an agreed timeframe.

find out more

Non Exclusive Listing Agreement

A U.S. real estate contract allowing multiple brokers to list and sell a property while defining commission terms and service obligations.

find out more

Lease Option Agreement Property

A U.S.-governed agreement combining property lease terms with a future purchase option, establishing rights and obligations for both landlord and tenant.

find out more

Land Deed Of Agreement

A U.S. legal document that transfers property ownership from one party to another, containing essential details of the transfer and complying with federal and state property laws.

find out more

Business Listing Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement between a business owner and broker for the listing and sale of a business.

find out more

Real Estate Easement Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement establishing rights to use another's property for specific purposes, subject to state property laws.

find out more

Sellers Agreement

A U.S.-governed contract establishing terms and conditions for the sale of goods or services between a seller and buyer.

find out more

Buyer Exclusive Agreement

A U.S. real estate contract establishing exclusive representation rights between a buyer and their chosen real estate agent/broker.

find out more

Land Co Ownership Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement establishing rights and responsibilities between multiple owners of a single property.

find out more

Simple Commercial Lease

A standardized U.S. agreement for basic commercial property leasing arrangements between landlord and tenant.

find out more

Real Estate Partnership Buyout Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement governing the purchase of a departing partner's interest in a real estate partnership by remaining partners.

find out more

Property Sale Contract Between Seller And Buyer

A U.S.-governed legal agreement documenting the terms and conditions of a property sale between buyer and seller.

find out more

Private Home Sale Contract

A legally binding U.S. agreement for the transfer of residential property between private parties.

find out more

Commercial Office Space Lease Agreement

A legally binding agreement under U.S. law that governs the rental of commercial office space between a landlord and tenant.

find out more

No Home Sale Contract

A U.S. real estate contract removing the contingency of the buyer needing to sell their existing home before purchasing a new property.

find out more

Real Estate Reservation Agreement

A U.S. legal document securing a potential buyer's right to purchase a specific property within a defined timeframe.

find out more

Property Tenancy Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement between landlord and tenant establishing terms for property rental and occupancy.

find out more

Joint Sale Agreement Property

A U.S. legal agreement between multiple property owners to jointly sell their property interests, outlining terms, conditions, and profit distribution.

find out more

Simple Land Contract Purchase Agreement

A legally binding agreement used in the U.S. for the purchase and sale of real property, outlining essential terms and conditions of the land transaction.

find out more

Rent To Own Property Contract

A U.S. legal agreement combining property rental and future purchase options, with rent payments potentially contributing to the purchase price.

find out more

Real Estate Purchase Agreement With Seller Financing

A U.S. legal agreement combining property sale terms with seller-provided financing arrangements, subject to federal and state real estate laws.

find out more

Personal Property Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal document establishing ownership rights and transfer conditions for personal property, subject to state laws and the UCC.

find out more

Lease Listing Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement between property owners and real estate agents for marketing and listing rental properties.

find out more

Earnest Money Contract

A U.S. real estate contract that establishes terms for property purchase and earnest money deposit handling, governed by state and federal laws.

find out more
See more related templates

Genie’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

2 Docs LeftAccess Now