FSBO and Buyer Real Estate Deals &
Other Owner-Initiated Real Estate Contracts
First This … Savvy Insights When Real Estate is For Sale by Owner:
When selling real estate property as a cash deal and without an agent, known as For Sale by Owner (FSBO), it is essential to understand the key elements involved. Selling a property independently can save money on commission fees, but it requires careful planning and execution. Both parties must understand the legal requirements well before scheduling and sitting at the closing table where the notary seals the deal. While the services of a notary are critical in executing real estate transactions, closing notaries are not permitted, under any circumstance, to answer legal questions. Therefore, it is prudent to seek legal advice from an attorney, to support document needs, guide negotiations, and handle possible disagreements, between the parties. You can also utilize the ala carte services of a title or escrow agency. Title companies may not have the same level of legal expertise as attorneys but can still provide valuable guidance and support throughout the transaction, Any of these representatives can also ‘sit at the table’ during a RON session when closing on the deal, ensuring that all necessary documents are in order and the transaction is legally binding.
Consider your specific circumstances and the complexity of the transaction when deciding on the best alternative for you. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure a smooth and successful real estate transaction and exploring these alternatives can help you achieve that.
Please note: Artsa Notarial Services, LLC provides general information only. It is not a professional opinion, nor is it intended to be legal advice, which as a notary/paralegal, is against the law to imply otherwise. Be sure to bring any questions to your legal and title agency professionals.
With those common FSBO caveats shared, and seller and buyer are set to seal the deal before a notary, Artsa Notarial Services can accommodate mobile signings, remote-based closings, and various hybrid solutions.
You Didn’t Come This Far to Stop Now!
Most if not all attorneys, as well as title agency companies, offer their services ‘a la carte’, allowing their clients to select only the services they need. ARTSA’s goal in the closing process is to be assigned with your closing day and time tasks.
As a twice-commissioned notary for TN, once as a general notary, and again for remote online notary signings, and as a RON, Artsa’s notary will perform her duties with precision, patience, and know-how while following the ethical and basic principles of a dedicated career paralegal. Artsa’s service fees can be comparatively lower once you discover what notarizations can cost via other avenues. I hope you find ARTSA competitively priced and that its notary to be professional and serious about her work.
This is how Artsa’s notary works only for you, the buyer, seller, or both …
ARTSA’s notary first confirms that the closing documents are already well-prepared by the parties, with no blanks, proper inclusion of adequate space for notarial acts within documents, all signature lines properly positioned, with room for any required witness signatures.
Before beginning the actual closing process, true identity concerns will be addressed through verification steps that help confirm someone is exactly as claimed. Both a mobile and remote notary requires having approved and acceptable ID material in hand for inspection, or in exceptional cases, one credible witness, also with identifying ID, known to both the ARTSA Notary and the Signer, who attest on your behalf, with oath or affirmation administered, as to their long-standing personal knowledge of the signer being who they say they are.
During the closing, I will ask for oaths and affirmations, where warranted by law. We review the documents placed before you, using a briefly worded purpose.
During the presentation, and before turning attention to the next document, either handwritten or digital signatures are placed by the parties. Then the notary follows up by sealing and certifying the signatures, as per official duties to certify authenticity. The entire set of closing documents goes through this stage.
Once through to the end of the last page, the notary will complete her journal, whether using pen ink, or entries using an advanced digital journal, at times requiring your signature.
If this is a true buyer/seller FSBO transfer, with no mortgagor included in the transaction, the resulting signed, seal, and certified documents are left with the parties, or provided to an attorney or title agent, for proper filing with your county office for registration and recording purposes.