How Real Estate Investors Can Use Remote Online Notarization From Anywhere
Real estate investors rarely stay in one place.
You may own rental property in several states, travel frequently, work from another part of the country, manage properties through an LLC, or have business partners who live somewhere else.
Then a real estate transaction requires notarized signatures.
Traditionally, that can mean finding a local notary every time you buy, sell, refinance, transfer, or manage a property.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) may provide a much more convenient option for eligible transactions.
With RON, an investor may be able to complete approved notarized documents online through a live audio-video session instead of arranging an in-person appointment wherever they happen to be.
The real estate industry already uses RON as part of digital closing workflows. Stewart, for example, markets RON as allowing buyers and sellers to close from home, the office, out of state, or even from another part of the world.
For investors completing multiple transactions over time, that flexibility can be especially valuable.
What Is Remote Online Notarization?
Remote Online Notarization allows the signer and Online Notary to meet through secure live audio and video instead of being physically located in the same room.
For a typical Knox Notary Co. RON session:
The signer receives an email invitation with a link to join the online signing.
Each signer completes the required identity-verification process.
The signer and Online Notary connect through live audio and video.
The signer electronically signs the applicable documents.
The notary completes the electronic notarization.
Executed digital copies of the notarized documents are typically available within a few minutes after the session ends.
Tennessee authorizes approved Online Notaries to perform remote online notarizations after completing the state's registration and approval requirements.
Why RON Can Be Especially Useful for Real Estate Investors
A homeowner may only encounter a notarized real estate transaction a few times in their life.
An investor may encounter them regularly.
You may be:
purchasing another rental property
selling an investment property
moving properties into or out of an LLC
working with business partners in different states
managing properties in several markets
traveling when documents are ready
buying property without ever visiting the state
selling property after leaving the area
handling several transactions during the same year
Instead of starting over and finding a new local notary each time, RON may provide a consistent remote signing option for eligible transactions.
Buying Investment Property Remotely
It is increasingly common for investors to purchase property outside the market where they live.
You might live in Tennessee and purchase a rental property in Florida.
You might live in California and acquire investment property in Texas.
Or you may be traveling internationally while a U.S. transaction is ready to close.
Depending on how the transaction is structured, Remote Online Notarization may allow eligible documents to be completed without traveling to the property's location.
For financed purchases, however, RON eligibility can depend on more than whether remote notarization is legally available.
Mortgage and eClosing requirements can involve the lender, investor, title underwriter, warehouse lender, settlement provider, document type, and recording requirements. MISMO maintains RON and eMortgage standards specifically because digital closing eligibility involves multiple parties and systems.
That means your title company or lender should confirm that RON is approved for the particular transaction before the signing.
Selling an Investment Property From Another State
This may be one of the most useful RON scenarios for investors.
You own property in one state but live somewhere else.
When the property sells, the title company sends a seller package containing documents that require notarization.
Instead of locating a local mobile notary, printing the package, signing it, scanning documents back, and potentially shipping originals, an approved RON transaction may allow you to complete eligible documents electronically.
That can be especially helpful when you own properties in several markets.
Investors Who Own Multiple Properties
The convenience of RON becomes more meaningful as transaction volume increases.
Imagine an investor who owns properties in:
Tennessee
Florida
Texas
North Carolina
Arizona
During the year, that investor may sell one property, acquire two more, execute affidavits for another transaction, and complete documents associated with an existing property.
The investor's location may have little connection to the location of each property.
RON can potentially create a more consistent signing experience across those transactions when the documents and receiving parties allow it.
Rather than asking:
“Where can I find a notary near me this time?”
the investor may be able to ask:
“Can this transaction be completed through RON?”
What About LLCs and Other Business Entities?
Many investment properties are owned through LLCs, corporations, partnerships, trusts, or other entities.
That can create additional signing questions.
The individual appearing before the Online Notary may be signing in a capacity such as:
LLC member
LLC manager
corporate officer
partner
trustee
authorized representative
Remote Online Notarization may be available for eligible entity-related documents, but the notary does not determine whether someone has authority to sign on behalf of the entity.
The title company, attorney, lender, or other party responsible for the transaction should determine the required signing capacity and document execution requirements.
For the RON appointment, it is helpful to identify the entity and signing capacity in advance.
Business Partners in Different States
Real estate investors often own property with other people.
A transaction may involve:
two LLC members in different states
several investors who jointly own property
spouses traveling separately
business partners in different offices
one investor in the United States and another overseas
Remote Online Notarization can be particularly useful when the people who need to sign are geographically separated.
Depending on the documents and platform, signers may be able to participate in the same online signing or complete separate RON sessions.
There is no need to assume everyone must travel to the same physical location simply because they are signing the same transaction.
Real Estate Investors Who Travel Frequently
This is another strong use case.
An investor may be at:
a conference in another state
an airport between flights
a vacation property
an extended-stay hotel
a second home
an international destination
when a transaction suddenly requires action.
If the documents are eligible for RON, being away from home may not prevent the signing from moving forward.
The signer generally needs:
the required identification
a compatible device with a camera and microphone
reliable internet access
a reasonably quiet location
the ability to successfully complete identity verification
What If the Investor Is Outside the United States?
International RON may also be possible for eligible U.S. signers.
For Knox Notary Co.'s typical international workflow, signers generally need:
a U.S. Social Security number
sufficient recent U.S. credit history
acceptable government-issued identification
reliable internet access
a compatible device
The U.S. Social Security number and recent U.S. credit history are important because the identity-verification process typically includes Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA).
If you have lived outside the United States for an extended period or have limited recent U.S. credit activity, contact Knox Notary Co. before scheduling.
How Is Identity Verified?
Each signer must complete the required identity-verification process.
For most Knox Notary Co. RON sessions, this may include:
government-issued identification
credential analysis to verify the identification
Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) using information associated with the signer's U.S. identity and public or credit records
KBA generally presents multiple-choice questions based on information associated with the signer.
For example:
Which of the following streets did you live on in 2020?
The signer selects the correct answer from several choices.
MISMO's RON standards specifically address identity verification along with title-insurer requirements, platform information, audio-video recordings, notarial records, and audit trails.
What Real Estate Documents May Be Eligible for RON?
Depending on the transaction, Remote Online Notarization may be appropriate for certain:
deeds
seller packages
affidavits
title documents
ownership certifications
powers of attorney
investment-property documents
business or entity documents
transaction-related agreements
other documents requiring notarized signatures
However, not every real estate document or closing is automatically eligible for RON.
Digital closing requirements can depend on:
the property state
recording requirements
the title company
the title underwriter
the lender
the investor
the document type
electronic-signature requirements
the RON platform
ALTA maintains dedicated digital-closing and RON resources specifically to help title professionals evaluate these issues.
Cash Investor vs. Financed Investor
The structure of the purchase can matter.
A cash investor transaction may have fewer mortgage-related digital-closing requirements because there is no mortgage lender or secondary-market investor involved.
A financed investment property may involve additional requirements from:
lenders
mortgage investors
warehouse lenders
title underwriters
custodians
other parties in the mortgage process
That does not mean financed investment purchases cannot use RON.
It simply means the closing team should confirm that the transaction is eligible before scheduling.
RON for Repeat Transactions
This is where Remote Online Notarization becomes especially interesting for active investors.
An investor completing one transaction might simply need one convenient signing.
An investor completing several purchases or sales each year may benefit from having a reliable RON resource they can contact when eligible transactions arise.
Instead of repeatedly coordinating a new local notary, the investor or closing team can already know who to contact when:
a seller package arrives
another investment property is purchased
partners are in different states
documents require follow-up signatures
the investor is traveling
an international signing situation arises
a multi-document package needs to be completed
For active investors, convenience and consistency can become more valuable than solving a single notarization.
Can Knox Notary Co. Work Directly With My Title Company?
Yes.
For investment-property transactions, working directly with the title company, settlement provider, attorney, or other closing professional can make the RON process easier.
They can provide:
the document package
signing instructions
signer capacity
transaction requirements
document-return instructions
confirmation that RON is approved
This is especially useful for multi-document or multi-signer transactions.
What Information Should an Investor Provide Before Scheduling?
When contacting Knox Notary Co., it helps to provide:
whether you are buying or selling
the state where the property is located
whether the property is held personally or through an entity
your signing capacity if signing for an LLC or other entity
the title or settlement company handling the transaction
the approximate number of documents requiring notarization
the number and location of signers
whether any signer is outside the United States
whether witnesses are required
whether the transaction has already been approved for RON
For repeat investors or businesses, letting us know that you expect recurring RON needs is also helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a real estate investor use Remote Online Notarization from another state?
Potentially, yes.
An investor does not necessarily need to be physically located in the same state as the property. The transaction and applicable documents must still be approved for RON by the parties handling the closing.
Can I buy an investment property without traveling to the property state?
Potentially.
Depending on the closing structure, some buyers may be able to complete eligible documents remotely. Financed transactions can have additional lender, title, and digital-closing requirements.
Can I sell an investment property remotely?
Potentially, yes.
Seller packages can be good candidates for RON when the title company and other transaction parties approve electronic execution and Remote Online Notarization.
Can I use RON if my property is owned by an LLC?
Potentially.
The documents must identify the appropriate signer and signing capacity. The title company, attorney, lender, or other transaction party should determine who is authorized to execute the documents on behalf of the entity.
Can business partners sign from different states?
Potentially, yes.
RON can accommodate many situations involving signers in different locations. Depending on the transaction and platform, the signers may participate together or complete separate sessions.
Can I use RON while traveling internationally?
Potentially.
International signers generally need a U.S. Social Security number and sufficient recent U.S. credit history to complete the KBA-based identity verification typically used by Knox Notary Co.
Can Knox Notary Co. handle multiple investment-property transactions?
Yes, when the individual transactions and documents are eligible for Remote Online Notarization.
Real estate investors, title companies, attorneys, and businesses with recurring or multi-document RON needs are welcome to contact Knox Notary Co. directly.
Invest in Real Estate Without Letting Your Location Slow You Down
If you own property in several states, travel frequently, invest with partners, operate through an LLC, or simply do not want every transaction tied to your physical location, Remote Online Notarization may provide a more flexible signing option.
Knox Notary Co. provides Remote Online Notarization for eligible real estate transactions, multi-document packages, multiple signers, out-of-state signers, and eligible international signers.
Contact Knox Notary Co.
Phone: 865-287-5144
Email: knoxnotaryco@gmail.com
Website: knoxnotaryco.com
Real estate investors, title companies, attorneys, settlement professionals, and businesses with recurring RON needs are welcome to contact us directly.
Buying or selling investment property? Contact Knox Notary Co. to see whether Remote Online Notarization may be an option for your transaction.