California Purchase and Sale Agreement Cost

Clients Rate Lawyers on our Platform 4.9/5 Stars
based on 5,739 reviews

Jump to Section

Need help with a Purchase And Sale Agreement?

Create a free project posting

What does a California purchase and sale agreement cost? If you are preparing to purchase real estate in California, this is a question you may ask. Let’s explore this question and review some general information about purchase and sale agreements and what they are important.

Based on ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data, the average cost of a project involving a purchase and sale agreement in California is $623.00.

How Much Does a California Purchase and Sale Agreement Cost?

A California purchase and sale agreement, sometimes called a real estate purchase agreement, is a legally binding contract between a seller and a buyer that establishes terms and conditions relating to purchasing and selling real estate.

The sale of the property is not finalized by a purchase and sale agreement. Instead, this contract is used to lay out each party’s obligations for the sale to move forward. This includes fulfilling important requirements like:

  • Title searches
  • Home inspections
  • Obtaining financing
  • Money transfers
  • Closing costs

It is important that a purchase and sale agreement is drafted correctly because this contract facilitates a smooth real estate transaction and transfer of property from the seller to the buyer. For this reason, many people hire a real estate attorney to draft the purchase and sale agreement.

What’s Included in a California Purchase and Sale Agreement

A California purchase and sale agreement should cover basic information about the property in addition to necessary tasks and requirements needed to complete the sale.

Some examples of provisions you will find in a purchase and sale agreement include:

  1. Party information. The names and addresses of the seller and the buyer
  2. Property Description. The description of the property usually includes the address, county it is located in, and parcel number.
  3. Title search. A title search ensures there are no liens on the property and the owner has the legal right to sell the property.
  4. Home inspection. The buyer will have the opportunity to have the home inspected to assess the property’s condition, look out for significant defects, and note any necessary repairs.
  5. Financing. The buyer must secure financing (usually a mortgage through a lender) to pay for the property.
  6. Property included or excluded in the sale. The buyer and seller can negotiate which fixtures or personal property will be sold with the property.
  7. Closing date. At closing, the property will be transferred from the seller to the buyer.

Most contracts will contain additional clauses relating to taxes, brokers, and attorneys’ fees. The buyer and seller can add additional terms or negotiate terms to fit the needs of their transaction.

Required Disclosures in a California Purchase and Sale Agreement

In addition to these provisions, the seller needs to include disclosures about the property. Disclosures inform the buyer about conditions that could affect the value of the property. California law requires several unique disclosures that must be added to a purchase sale agreement including:

  • Death on premises disclosure
  • Megan’s law
  • Homeowner’s guide to earthquake safety
  • Natural hazard disclosure statement
  • Water heater and smoke detector compliance
  • Water-conserving fixtures and detector compliance

If you are unsure what unique requirements you may need to include in your California purchase and sale agreement, it is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced California real estate lawyer.

Meet some lawyers on our platform

Benjamin E.

64 projects on CC
View Profile

Bryan B.

148 projects on CC
View Profile

Ryenne S.

278 projects on CC
View Profile

Scott S.

32 projects on CC
View Profile

California Purchase and Sale Agreement Projects

California Purchase and Sale Agreement Drafting

In California, purchase and sales agreements are a required document to facilitate the sale of real estate. Without a well drafted purchase and sale agreement, both parties are at risk of issues and disputes throughout the home buying process.

It is common for parties who are selling or purchasing real estate to hire an attorney to draft a valid purchase and sale agreement. An experienced attorney will be familiar with California real estate laws and can create a document customized to your transaction that protects both parties.

California Purchase and Sale Agreement Review

Typically, the seller’s attorney will draft the purchase and sale agreement. If you are the party buying the property and have been asked to sign a purchase and sale agreement, you should fully understand the contents of the contract and what obligations you must fulfill. Before signing any contracts, it is recommended that you have it reviewed by your own attorney.

A real estate lawyer can review the terms of the purchase and sale agreement and make sure that it is fair and protects your rights as the buyer. Your lawyer will be able to explain the contract to you, so you are fully aware of all your obligations in the deal.

California Purchase and Sale Agreement Drafting Cost

If you hire a real estate lawyer to draft a purchase and sale agreement, you will incur legal fees. A lawyer will charge for the time it takes to draft the contract in may include additional fees for consultations and attending closing.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows purchase and sale agreement drafting costs in California are $500.00.

California Purchase and Sale Agreement Review Cost

If you hire a lawyer to review a purchase and sale agreement, you will also incur costs. A lawyer will charge for their time reviewing the agreement, client meetings, and attending closing.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average purchase and sale agreement review costs in California are $708.40.

How Do Lawyers in California Charge for Purchase and Sale Agreements?

Hourly Rates for Purchase and Sale Agreements in California

The majority of California real estate lawyers bill clients using an hourly rate fee agreement. Under this rate structure, the attorney will keep track of their time working on a case and after closing, bill their client for the total number of hours.

Real estate transactions can be unpredictable, and delays are common. Negotiations and contract revisions may require more legal work than the lawyer anticipated so an hourly rate billing structure is the only way a lawyer can ensure that they are compensated for all of their work.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average hourly rate for a real estate lawyer in California ranges from $250 - $400 per hour.

Flat Fee Rates for Purchase and Sale Agreements in California

When a lawyer is hired for a shorter more specific task, like reviewing a purchase and sale agreement, they may choose to bill their client using a flat fee rate. The lawyer will estimate the length the project will take to complete then quote a fair price for all legal services. If the client agrees, they will pay the fee upfront and the lawyer will complete the project.

It is important that a client asks the attorney what is covered in the flat rate. Sometimes extra meetings, communications, or revisions are not included and could cost more.

ContractsCounsel’s marketplace data shows the average flat fee rate for a purchase and sale agreement in California is $623.00.

Get Help with a California Purchase and Sale Agreement

Do you need help with a California purchase and sale agreement project? If so, post a project in ContractsCounsel's marketplace to receive flat fee bids from real estate lawyers who are licensed to practice law in California and can handle your project. All lawyers on the ContractsCounsel's platform are vetted by our team to make sure you are provided with top-tier service.

Need help with a
Purchase And Sale Agreement?

Create a free project posting

Meet some of our Lawyers

Talin H. on ContractsCounsel
View Talin
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
July 29, 2021

Talin H.

Owner
Free Consultation
Chicago
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
DePaul College of Law

Talin has over a decade of focused experience in business and international law. She is fiercely dedicated to her clients, thorough, detail-oriented, and gets the job done.

Craig M. on ContractsCounsel
View Craig
5.0 (3)
Member Since:
August 2, 2021

Craig M.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Maine
7 Yrs Experience
Licensed in ME
New York Law School

I have been practicing law for more than 4 years at a small firm in York County, Maine. I recently decided to hang my shingle, Dirigo Law LLC. My practice focuses mostly on Real Estate / Corporate transactions, Wills, Trusts, and Probate matters.

Melissa G. on ContractsCounsel
View Melissa
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
August 5, 2021

Melissa G.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in DC, IL, OH
University of Michigan

My name is Melissa “Mel” Green and I provide legal counsel to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses that is clear, concise, and focused on the practical impact of decisions. As trusted legal counsel, I proactively identify risks, and develop effective, practical solutions that protect my clients businesses, create positive outcomes, and help mitigate legal exposure. My areas of expertise include business formation, contract law/commercial transactions, healthcare law, and intellectual property. I also provide services as an outside general counsel or “fractional general counsel”. Prior to starting my own law firm, I spent the majority of my career in-house at large and small corporations, both for profit and not-for-profit, working with senior and executive management, in addition to other stakeholders at a variety of management levels. to proactively identify and address risks, mitigate legal exposure, streamline processes, lead persuasive negotiations that are integral to ensuring positive outcomes for the organization, and deliver hands-on, spectacular client service. There came a time when I realized that individuals and smaller entities were not receiving the same level of legal support and guidance as mid-size to large companies and as a result, individuals and small businesses were not growing and sustaining on the same level. I wanted to use my expertise to provide those that were underserved by the legal market with competent counsel at an affordable price. With the increasing number of new businesses, I knew that I could make a difference to those that needed legal guidance but were putting it off in fear of “Big Law” prices. I love to “partner” with my clients, get a deep understanding of their business, develop lasting professional relationships and watch them prosper. I want to find a way to help my clients maximize the reach, value and impact of their business. Services that I have provided over the course of my career: (i) reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements (leases, MSAs and SOWs, consulting services agreements, confidentiality agreements, SaaS agreements, coaching agreements, independent contractor agreements, coaching agreements, photographer agreements, waivers and releases, licensing agreements, etc.), (ii) business formation (operating agreements, written consents, bylaws, etc.), (iii) preparing policies and procedures for businesses in highly regulated industries, (iv) conducting federal trademark searches and filing trademark applications/preparing trademark opinion letters after conducting appropriate legal research, and (v) general business counsel.

T. Phillip B. on ContractsCounsel
View T. Phillip
4.8 (5)
Member Since:
August 10, 2021

T. Phillip B.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Illinois
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
Drake University Law School

Attorney creating plans and strategies to help individuals create, build, protect and pass on wealth.

Stanley K. on ContractsCounsel
View Stanley
Member Since:
July 29, 2021

Stanley K.

Corporate Attorney
Free Consultation
Waltham, MA
29 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, MA, TX
University of Texas School of Law

Stan provides legal services to small to medium-sized clients in the New England region, and throughout the U.S. and abroad. His clients are involved in a variety of business sectors, including software development, e-commerce, investment management and advising, health care, manufacturing, biotechnology, telecommunications, retailing, and consulting and other services. Stan focuses on the unique needs of each of his clients, and seeks to establish long term relationships with them by providing timely, highly professional services and practical business judgment. Each client's objectives, business and management styles are carefully considered to help him provide more focused and relevant services. Stan also acts as an outsourced general counsel for some of his clients for the general management of their legal function, including the establishment of budgets, creation of internal compliance procedures, and the oversight of litigation or other outside legal services.

Sam W. on ContractsCounsel
View Sam
Member Since:
July 30, 2021

Sam W.

Entertainment attorney
Free Consultation
Los Angeles
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America

Entertainment attorney and film producer. Counsel clients on all matter of entertainment-related contracts, including talent representation, crew deals, financing agreements, and production legal. Former litigation attorney and owner of a documentary and scripted film and television production company. Well versed in small business foundation and general business contracts.

Robert D. on ContractsCounsel
View Robert
Member Since:
August 3, 2021

Robert D.

Solo Practitioner
Free Consultation
Cincinnati, OH
29 Yrs Experience
Licensed in DC, NY
University North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law

Robert is a skilled corporate lawyer, licensed to practice law in NY and DC. He has over 25 years of experience, with a focus on Venture Capital, Private Equity, M&A, General Business Law and Company Formation. Robert brings business side experience to every legal transactions. This allows him to shape a client's legal needs around its business goals to drive success in an effective and efficient manner.

Tim M. on ContractsCounsel
View Tim
Member Since:
August 3, 2021

Tim M.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Cambridge, MA
25 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MA, NY
Boston College Law School

Tim has 20 years of experience representing a wide variety of emerging and established companies in the technology, software, bitcoin and professional services industries. He works directly with his clients’ executives and boards of directors on corporate, intellectual property, and securities law issues. Recently, Tim has advised clients on Series A and Series B financings, corporate structuring, complex video licensing agreements, and structuring new hedge funds. Tim previously served as Forrester Research, Inc.’s General Counsel and Secretary where he was chief legal officer, led the company’s legal group, and managed the company’s legal and regulatory affairs. Tim played an integral role in the company’s initial public offering in 1997 and coordinated its secondary offering in 2000. He directed the legal process in the company’s acquisitions of Giga Information Group, Inc., Fletcher Research and Forit GmbH and oversaw over $125million in transactions. He also managed the company’s intellectual property assets. Tim is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York. Tim holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College

Spencer W. on ContractsCounsel
View Spencer
Member Since:
August 4, 2021

Spencer W.

Partner
Free Consultation
New York
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Columbia Law School

I’m a New York based attorney with substantial experience in media and art law, corporate structuring and commercial contracts. For the past several years, I have been advising startups and new business on their legal needs, with a special focus on tech and entertainment.

Robert Jay H. on ContractsCounsel
View Robert Jay
Member Since:
August 4, 2021

Robert Jay H.

Owner
Free Consultation
New York, NY
42 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
New York University School of Law

My Legal career hasfocused on representing businesses (corporations and limited liability companies) as general outside counsel. In this capacity, I have drafted a broad range of legal documents as well as analyzed proposed agreements drafted by the other party's attorney to the agreement for the pupose of determining the risks to which my client would be exposed. I maintained the client's minute book if no one in-house was available for that task. Additionally, if rquested, I served as a general advisor to the client's executive offers and to its Board of Directors.

Simon C. on ContractsCounsel
View Simon
Member Since:
August 5, 2021

Simon C.

Corporate Attorney
Free Consultation
Utah
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in UT
Brigham Young University Law School

Corporate counsel with years of in-house experience working with and reporting to board / executive-level and upper management, along with extensive regional / national law firm background in commercial transactions and contracts, complex commercial litigation, and employment matters. Skilled at executing corporate priorities, driving profitability by implementing goal-oriented processes to achieve revenue and productivity targets, and managing company litigation and outside counsel. Recognized for creating policies and practices to address ethical dilemmas and resolving misconduct.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city