Definition
An electronic signature is a digital indication of intent to sign a document. In the United States, electronic signatures on most real estate documents are legally recognized under the federal ESIGN Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) adopted by most states.
A valid electronic signature generally requires the signer's intent to sign, consent to do business electronically, association of the signature with the record, and a retained copy of the signed record.
Why it matters
Electronic signing removes the friction of printing, scanning, and faxing, and it speeds up time-sensitive steps like offers and addenda. The compliance value is in the audit trail: who signed, when, and on which version.
Built-in signing that places signer fields correctly and preserves a tamper-evident record makes signed documents both faster to produce and easier to defend later.
Related terms
- Buyer Broker AgreementA contract between a buyer and a brokerage that establishes representation and how the broker is compensated.
- Closing DisclosureA standardized five-page form detailing the final terms and costs of a mortgage loan, delivered before closing.
- Earnest MoneyA good-faith deposit a buyer makes to show serious intent to purchase, held in escrow until closing.
REALM Sign is built in: it auto-places signer fields on any uploaded form and preserves a tamper-evident signing record.