California Residential Purchase Agreement

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

When Its Used

Prepared by buyer's agent when making an offer on a property. Becomes binding upon acceptance by all parties.

Key Sections

Purchase price and financing terms; Close of escrow date; Contingency periods (inspection, appraisal, loan); Earnest money deposit; Included fixtures and personal property; Allocation of costs

Common Mistakes

Incorrect contingency timeframes; Missing buyer signatures or initials; Wrong close of escrow date calculation; Deposit amount not matching proof of funds; Forgetting to attach required addenda

Pro Tip

Double-check all dates are realistic and account for weekends/holidays. Ensure financing terms match the pre-approval letter. Verify the property address and APN are correct.