Out-of-state: Notary or Power of Attorney for closing?

[Trace P.]

Hi! I am an out-of-country investor and was trying to find out how I can sign the closing documents for purchase of a property. I heard that the buyer, by right, has to be physically present to sign off. Do I get a notary to do this for me, or a Power of Attorney (is this just a regular Attorney? How do I execute one?), or...??? I've been researching online and believed that a notary would do the job, but upon contacting 3 notaries, all of them told me to speak to an Attorney. If someone could shed some light on how the closing can be signed off remotely it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Wayne Brooks]

You do not have to be physically present.

Two options:

1)Give someone, preferably an attorney, a Power Of Attorney specific to this deal.

2) Have the closing documents you need to sign fedexed to you, take them to an American Consulate, have them notarized, fedex them back..  Note you’ll have to do basically this same thing to accomplish no. 1.

I prefer no 2.  Of course, you’ll have to wire transfer money to the closing title company.....note, get Verbal confirmation from the closing title company or attorney for the wire instructions.....a common scam now is hackers hacking title company/real estate agent emails, sending you fake wire instructions, and your money is gone forever into some scammers bank account.