E-SIGNED OFFER LETTER?

BROKER: Thanks for sharing the Offer Letter template. Question—do you usually ask clients to physically sign it, or is an e-signature enough?

JPRE: Great question. In practice, I often just have clients e-sign. The Offer Letter isn’t the final binding contract—it’s more like a term sheet. Since it can still be rejected or countered, speed matters. Especially in competitive deals, an e-signature secures the Buyer’s intent faster than chasing a wet signature.

BROKER: But what if someone ignores the Offer Letter later on? Do e-signatures even hold weight in Philippine courts?

JPRE: Yes. Under the E-Commerce Act (RA 8792), e-signatures are admissible in court as long as they can be authenticated—through email trails, chat logs, audit reports, etc. What matters is proving that the signer is indeed who they claim to be.

BROKER: I remember something about real estate contracts needing notarization though?

JPRE: Correct. The Deed of Absolute Sale must be notarized for transfer of ownership and registration with the Registry of Deeds. But the Offer Letter is a preliminary agreement—it frames the terms and intent, not the transfer of rights yet.

From experience, parties usually honor an e-signed document—unlike verbal offers, which are easier to walk away from. An e-signed offer shows good faith and commitment. And if added assurance is needed, the parties can always formalize the deal afterward with a wet-signed, notarized Contract to Sell for full security and enforceability.