For what reason may individuals involved in real estate transactions require a notary for a POA?

Individuals involved in real estate transactions may require a notary for a Power of Attorney (POA) primarily to ensure that someone can act on their behalf when they are unavailable. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants another person the authority to act on one's behalf in legal or financial matters. This is especially pertinent in real estate transactions where the principal (the person granting the authority) may not be present to sign documents due to various reasons, such as being out of state or having scheduling conflicts.

The involvement of a notary adds an essential layer of verification and legal validity to the POA. Notaries are responsible for verifying the identities of the individuals signing the document, ensuring that there is no fraud or coercion, and confirming that the signers understand the contents and implications of the document. This formal acknowledgment helps to protect all parties involved in the transaction and ensures that the POA can be trusted and honored by third parties, such as banks and real estate agents.

In contrast, finalizing a sale without a real estate agent, avoiding closing costs, and decreasing property taxes are not valid reasons for requiring a notary for a POA, as these do not pertain directly to the legal authority granted by the POA itself nor the