An Agreement of Sale to purchase real estate is a legal document and should be reviewed very carefully by all parties to the transaction. A buyer or seller that is unclear or does not understand all aspects of the Agreement, should most certainly speak with their REALTOR for clarification and explanations, and consult an attorney if they choose to do so for further review. Real estate agents are not attorneys, but they can point out to their customer/client the areas on the contract that require the initials and/or signatures of those involved in the transaction, and give them information regarding the many forms and addenda that must accompany a typical real estate purchase.
As a practicing residential real estate agent, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a properly executed Agreement. It may seem tedious to a buyer or seller to initial and/or sign on so any pages. But it is very important to have an enforceable agreement.
Navigating what feels like a quagmire of a 40 – 50 page document can seem like an overwhelming task (and most of those pages require an initial and/or signature). Ask for help, get clarification and understand what you are signing. Attention to detail is a must!