California Real Estate Purchase Agreement Template

California rules built into this template

• California disclosures: The seller must give the buyer a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (Cal. Civ. Code § 1102 et seq.) and a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (Cal. Civ. Code § 1103 et seq.) as soon as practicable before the contract is signed. If a required disclosure is delivered after the buyer signs, the buyer may terminate the contract by written notice within three (3) days after delivery in person, or five (5) days after delivery by mail or electronic record (Cal. Civ. Code § 1102.3).
• Lead-based paint: for a home built before 1978, the seller must give the federal lead disclosure and pamphlet, and the buyer gets a 10-day opportunity to inspect unless waived (42 U.S.C. § 4852d).

What the Real Estate Purchase Agreement includes

1. Property
2. Purchase Price
3. Earnest Money
4. Financing
5. Inspection Period
6. Title
7. Closing and Possession
8. Condition of Property
9. Risk of Loss
10. Seller Disclosures
11. Default
12. State Law and Disclosures
13. General Provisions
14. Governing Law

Frequently asked questions

What disclosures does a home seller have to make in California?

The seller must give the buyer a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (Cal. Civ. Code § 1102 et seq.) and a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement (Cal. Civ. Code § 1103 et seq.) as soon as practicable before the contract is signed. If a required disclosure is delivered after the buyer signs, the buyer may terminate the contract by written notice within three (3) days after delivery in person, or five (5) days after delivery by mail or electronic record (Cal. Civ. Code § 1102.3).

Do I need a lawyer or agent to sell a house by owner?

Not always, but a title company, escrow agent, or closing attorney usually handles the closing and holds the earnest money, and some states customarily use attorneys for closings. The Standard agreement assumes a closing agent holds the deposit.

What is the difference between the Standard and Professional Real Estate Purchase Agreement?

The Standard edition is a complete, state-aware Real Estate Purchase Agreement for common situations. The Professional edition adds longer clause coverage, schedules, and optional modules for more complex matters. You can preview either edition free before you pay.

Real Estate Purchase Agreement templates for other states

• Texas
• Florida
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Michigan
• All states and countries