Borrower Options (for Purchase Transactions)

Prior to Settlement

• As always, we will communicate with all parties and provide information and updates during the process, including providing a point of contact for the file.
• Our staff will be available to answer questions via email or phone.
• Closing documents will be provided to clients as early as possible, to allow for ample time to review and ask questions.

Please note that we rely on the lender to provide documents so our ability to provide them to the client is dependent on the lender.

At Settlement

Sellers are pre-signing documents remotely by remote online notarization (RON). Purchasers have the following options for closing:

Option 1

Power of Attorney: NOTE: This is our preferred method as it guarantees the safety of all parties by maintaining social distancing and a contactless process. Prior to closing, the client will sign a Power of Attorney (“POA”) document appointing and authorizing an attorney to sign documents at closing on behalf of the client in the following manner:

• Step 1 - The Power of Attorney will be emailed to the client in advance of closing. The client will print out the document (DO NOT SIGN IT) and, on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10 am and 4 pm, bring it to our Downtown office located at 1803 14th Street, NW. The client will ring the doorbell and the Federal Title employee will unlock the door remotely.
• Step 2 - The client will then enter the doorway and wait to sign the POA in the presence of the Federal Title employee who will act as notary. PLEASE NOTE: Our downtown office has a tall flight of stairs that will separate the client from the Federal Title employee, thereby allowing for social distancing to be accomplished. Please make sure to bring a blue-ink pen for the signing.
• Step 3 - After signing, the client will leave the POA at the bottom of the steps and exit the office. Prior to this drop off, we ask that the client email a copy of his or her driver’s license or government issued ID to the processor.

At the scheduled closing date and time, an attorney from Federal Title will review, via a recorded video, the Closing Disclosure with the client and explain the terms of the loan to confirm that each borrower understands them.

Upon completion, the client will be asked to acknowledge via DocuSign his or her understanding of the terms of the loan and confirmation that the POA can be used for closing. The attorney-in-fact POA will then sign the documents for the client at closing and immediately afterwards scan and email a complete set of the documents to the client via a secure email.

IMPORTANT: Please let your processor know immediately if you prefer this option so that the proper approval can be obtained in advance.

Option 2

Mobile Notary: We will schedule a mobile notary to come to the client’s home to notarize the closing packet. There is a $200.00 fee for this service payable to the mobile notary service provider.

Option 3

Remote Online Notarization: The client only needs access to a device equipped with video camera and audio (e.g., smart phones, equipped PCs, tablets,etc.). We are highly experienced in conducting RON settlements, having completed over one thousand during the past five years.

PLEASE NOTE: Most loans will not be eligible for RON, so you should check with your lender to see if this is an option.

Borrower Options (for Purchase Transactions)

Prior to Settlement

• As always, we will communicate with all parties and provide information and updates during the process, including providing a point of contact for the file.
• Our staff will be available to answer questions via email or phone.
• Closing documents will be provided to clients as early as possible, to allow for ample time to review and ask questions.

Please note that we rely on the lender to provide documents so our ability to provide them to the client is dependent on the lender.

At Settlement

Sellers are pre-signing documents remotely by remote online notarization (RON). Purchasers have the following options for closing:

Option 1

Power of Attorney: NOTE: This is our preferred method as it guarantees the safety of all parties by maintaining social distancing and a contactless process. Prior to closing, the client will sign a Power of Attorney (“POA”) document appointing and authorizing an attorney to sign documents at closing on behalf of the client in the following manner:

• Step 1 - The Power of Attorney will be emailed to the client in advance of closing. The client will print out the document (DO NOT SIGN IT) and schedule a date and time for the mobile notary to pick up the document. At the scheduled date and time, the client will step outside with the POA, sign it with a blue-ink pen in the presence of the notary, who will remain in his or her car at a distance but within sight, then place the document outside on the doorstep and return inside. The notary will then exit the vehicle and take the POA. Prior to this taking place, we ask that the client email a copy of his or her driver’s license or government issued id to the processor.
• Step 2 - The client will then enter the doorway and wait to sign the POA in the presence of the Federal Title employee who will act as notary. PLEASE NOTE: Our downtown office has a tall flight of stairs that will separate the client from the Federal Title employee, thereby allowing for social distancing to be accomplished. Please make sure to bring a blue-ink pen for the signing.
• Step 3 - After signing, the client will leave the POA at the bottom of the steps and exit the office. Prior to this drop off, we ask that the client email a copy of his or her driver’s license or government issued ID to the processor.

At the scheduled closing date and time, an attorney from Federal Title will review, via a recorded video, the Closing Disclosure with the client and explain the terms of the loan to confirm that each borrower understands them.

Upon completion, the client will be asked to acknowledge via DocuSign his or her understanding of the terms of the loan and confirmation that the POA can be used for closing. The attorney-in-fact POA will then sign the documents for the client at closing and immediately afterwards scan and email a complete set of the documents to the client via a secure email.

IMPORTANT: Please let your processor know immediately if you prefer this option so that the proper approval can be obtained in advance.

Option 2

Mobile Notary: We will schedule a mobile notary to come to the client’s home to notarize the closing packet. There is a $200.00 fee for this service payable to the mobile notary service provider.

Option 3

Remote Online Notarization: The client only needs access to a device equipped with video camera and audio (e.g., smart phones, equipped PCs, tablets,etc.). We are highly experienced in conducting RON settlements, having completed over one thousand during the past five years.

PLEASE NOTE: Most loans will not be eligible for RON, so you should check with your lender to see if this is an option.