Who signs the contract last?

In real estate transactions, the seller signs the contract last to signify their acceptance of the terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties. This provides a clear closing point to the negotiation process, ensuring that all terms have been duly considered and agreed upon before finalizing the contract.

Signing last is significant because it allows the seller to review the entire agreement that reflects the discussions and negotiations with the buyer, ensuring that they are comfortable proceeding under those terms. This also creates a binding contract once the seller signs, as their acceptance is crucial for the transaction to move forward legally.

The buyer typically signs first to demonstrate their intent to purchase under the agreed-upon terms. Real estate agents facilitate this process, but they do not sign the contract themselves as parties to the transaction. Attorneys may review the contract if involved, but they do not typically sign the contract themselves, unless they are representing one of the parties and have been explicitly authorized to do so.