Real Estate Closings During COVID-19 – Keeping You Safe

Before COVID-19, real estate closings primarily involved all parties to a transaction sitting around a conference table as participants signed and passed around dozens of documents. Now with physical-distancing protocols in place, attorneys, lenders, and title company representatives have had to adjust to the new normal.  Remote closings and E-closings are a hot topic in real estate and title circles nationwide. In Louisiana, while remote notarization is available temporarily under the state emergency guidelines, most lenders are still not accepting documents executed via remote notarization. However, more and more lenders are moving towards a hybrid approach that saves time and paper at the closing table. 

Unlike a face-to-face closing where real-time issues can be addressed; hybrid closings take a bit more preparation and coordination on the front-end. The majority of documents can be delivered and signed electronically, however at the minimum, the Closing Disclosure, Deed, Mortgage, and Note still must be “wet-signed” in person in front of a notary and two witnesses. 

With COVID-19, title companies have had to adapt quickly to protect both clients and employees. Many, like Homestead Title, have adjusted their procedures to allow the notary and witnesses to meet the parties outside, and often parties remain in their cars to sign documents. In some cases, notaries have even brought documents to a party’s home for an outdoor signature and then brought the document back to complete the transaction. After the transaction is complete, copies of documents are being sent electronically to each party instead of hard copies being given at the table. 

At Homestead Title, the health and safety of our clients and employees are of the utmost importance to us. We are following the CDC guidelines and monitoring the changes during the pandemic. We will continue to take precautionary steps to protect our clients and to ensure that whether you are buying or selling a home, we are here to help you do so, safely. 

In order to make face-to-face closings more convenient, Homestead Title has three offices: New Orleans at 1201 S. Carrollton Ave. 2nd floor, Mandeville, at 1070-B W. Causeway Approach, and Harvey, at 1901 Manhattan Blvd. Building D. We also have multiple locations throughout Metairie and New Orleans area where we can bring the closing to you!