Common California Real Estate Documents

A comprehensive advisory listing the various inspections and investigations a buyer should consider conducting during the inspection period.

A disclosure and compliance form regarding the seller's obligation to ensure the property has operable smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as required by California law.

Documents required when the property is being sold for less than the amount owed, requiring lender approval and including specific addenda and timelines.

Documents required when selling a property through probate court, including the petition to sell, court confirmation hearing, and overbid procedures.

An agreement documenting the commission structure between brokerages, including any commission offered by the seller or negotiated by the buyer.

Documentation regarding the transfer of keys, access devices, and possession of the property, including any agreements for early possession or seller rent-back.

A form completed by buyers and sellers providing personal information that helps the title company identify and clear judgments, liens, or other matters affecting title.

A disclosure advising buyers of the existence of a state database of registered sex offenders and providing information on how to access it.

A federally mandated disclosure required for homes built before 1978, informing buyers of the potential presence of lead-based paint and associated health hazards.

A statement certifying that the water heater is braced, anchored, or strapped to resist falling or displacement during an earthquake, as required by California law.

A form documenting the receipt of additional earnest money deposit beyond the initial deposit specified in the purchase agreement.

An addendum used to extend specific deadlines in the purchase agreement, such as contingency periods or the close of escrow date.

An estimate of all costs the buyer will need to pay at closing, including down payment, loan costs, escrow and title fees, and prepaid items.

An estimated calculation showing the seller's projected net proceeds from the sale after deducting all costs, commissions, and payoffs.

City or county-specific disclosure forms required by local ordinances, which may include earthquake retrofit compliance, energy efficiency, water heater strapping, or rental restrictions.

A form used to cancel the purchase agreement when a party has the right to do so, typically during a contingency period or after a breach.

A document used to modify, add to, or clarify terms in the purchase agreement after it has been executed by all parties.

An insurance policy protecting against losses from defects in title, liens, or encumbrances not disclosed in the preliminary title report.

A form documenting the buyer's final walkthrough of the property verifying that it is in the condition agreed upon and all repairs have been completed.

A detailed accounting of all debits and credits for both buyer and seller, showing exactly how funds are distributed at the close of escrow.

The legal document that transfers ownership of real property from the seller (grantor) to the buyer (grantee), containing warranties that the title has not been previously conveyed.

A federally required disclosure form provided by the lender at least 3 business days before closing, detailing final loan terms, closing costs, and cash required to close.

A package of documents from the homeowners association including CC&Rs, bylaws, financial statements, meeting minutes, and any pending special assessments.

A comprehensive advisory document covering numerous topics buyers and sellers should investigate, from property conditions to neighborhood issues to legal considerations.

A standardized federal disclosure form provided by the lender within 3 days of loan application, detailing estimated loan terms, interest rate, monthly payment, and closing costs.

An independent valuation of the property conducted by a licensed appraiser to determine fair market value for the lender's collateral purposes.

An inspection report from a licensed pest control company identifying wood destroying pests and organisms (termites, dry rot, fungus) and any resulting damage.

A comprehensive report prepared by a licensed home inspector documenting the condition of the property's major systems, structure, and components.

A notice from the seller demanding that the buyer perform a contractual obligation (such as removing contingencies or depositing funds) within a specified time period.

A form used by buyers to remove contingencies (inspection, appraisal, loan) from the purchase agreement, signaling increased commitment to complete the transaction.

A formal request from the buyer asking the seller to make repairs, provide credits, or take other actions based on inspection findings or disclosed defects.

Written instructions to the escrow company detailing how to process the transaction, including handling of funds, documents, and conditions for closing.

A letter from a lender stating that a buyer has been preliminarily approved for a mortgage loan up to a specified amount, subject to property appraisal and final underwriting.

An advisory warning buyers about the risk of wire fraud in real estate transactions and providing guidance on how to verify wire transfer instructions.

Documentation verifying a buyer has sufficient liquid assets to complete the purchase, typically in the form of bank statements or a letter from a financial institution.

A legally required disclosure that confirms the agency relationships in the transaction, identifying who represents the buyer, seller, or both parties.

A response to an offer that proposes different terms, effectively rejecting the original offer and creating a new offer for the other party to consider.

The primary contract for purchasing residential real estate in California, containing all terms, conditions, contingencies, and timelines for the transaction.

A contract establishing the agency relationship between a buyer and their agent, including compensation terms, duties, and the scope of representation.

An advisory form that educates sellers about current market conditions, pricing strategies, and factors that may affect the sale of their property.

A disclosure form where the listing agent documents their visual inspection of the property, noting any observed conditions or potential issues.

A report issued by a title company showing the current ownership, liens, encumbrances, easements, and other matters affecting title to the property.

A legally mandated disclosure form where sellers must reveal known material facts about the property's condition, including defects, repairs, and neighborhood issues.

A detailed questionnaire completed by the seller disclosing known conditions, defects, repairs, and material facts about the property.

The contract between a seller and their listing agent that establishes the terms of representation, commission structure, and marketing authorization for selling a property.

A statutory disclosure identifying whether a property is located within various natural hazard zones including flood, fire, earthquake fault, and seismic hazard areas.