Dec 7, 2021

Here’s why you don’t have to be physically present at the closing table.

When the pandemic began in spring 2020, this question came up a lot: Your real estate closing is fast approaching, but who needs to be there physically? The short answer is nobody. As a buyer or seller, you don’t have to be there for your home to close.

For sellers, it’s pretty straightforward. There aren’t a lot of documents you need to sign, so typically a real estate attorney will email you the things you do need to sign, then take them to a notary. 

For buyers, it’s a little more complicated because a mortgage company is likely involved. There are a lot more documents to sign, but the process is about the same. The closing attorney will email you the documents, you using them in front of a notary, and that’s that. They may send a physical package, but the process is the same.

As a buyer or seller, make sure you get a scanned copy for your personal records, then overnight the original documents back to the closing attorney. You don’t have to necessarily send them overnight, but you need to make sure that they’re back in time for the actual closing.

“You may need a mobile, virtual, or international notary to assist you.”

There are a few complications that may arise. For example, if you’re in an area where it’s hard to find a notary, you might need the closing attorney to arrange for a mobile notary to come out and meet you. If you happen to be in another country, there are international notaries as well. Even if you can’t find an international notary, we can arrange for an online closing and a virtual notary.

So you don’t need to be present for the closing, but you aren’t prohibited from being there either. It may give you a good opportunity to learn a little more about the house you’re buying or the family that’s buying the house from you. It can be nice to be all together in a room.

If you have questions about closing, notaries, or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.