A real estate purchase contract becomes binding when it is signed by the

The buyer's signature on a real estate purchase contract signifies their intent to purchase and agree to the terms proposed. However, without the seller's signature, the contract remains non-binding. Only the seller's acceptance finalizes the agreement, making the buyer's signature necessary but insufficient on its own.

While the broker facilitates the real estate transaction and may sign the contract as a witness or representative, their signature does not bind the contract. The broker acts on behalf of the buyer or seller, but the binding effect of the contract relies solely on the signatures of both the buyer and the seller.

The escrow officer plays a crucial role in managing the transaction and ensuring that funds and documents are handled appropriately, but their signature does not make the contract binding. The escrow officer's responsibilities come into play after the contract has been signed by both parties, emphasizing their role in execution rather than in the binding process.