Real estate contracts are pre-printed forms that have been prepared according to the guidelines of the National Association of Realtors. The contract's fill-in-the-blank format allows realtors to modify the form to fit the purchase. Provisions may need to be added or deleted. All provisions should be discussed up front, put in writing, and initialed by both the seller and the buyer. If the standard form has no room to add words, you can insist that additional provisions be included on a separate page as a rider or addendum (uh-DEN-dum). The standard contract is not written in plain-language. Therefore, be sure to read it carefully and understand each clause. It's advisable to have an attorney review the contract before signing it. For more information on contracts or to see a sample of one, contact a real estate professional.
