Why Real Estate Closings Still Break Down Over a Single Document

The most sophisticated title teams can process dozens of transactions a day. They use eClosing tools, remote signings, and integrated platforms to move faster than ever. But ask any escrow officer where deals still stall, and you’ll often hear the same thing:

Power of Attorney forms.

POAs are intended to help transactions move forward. They come into play when a seller is overseas, a spouse is unavailable, or a trusted agent needs to act on someone’s behalf. In practice, however, they often bring everything to a halt.

The POA Paradox

You’re moving at digital speed. Then someone needs a POA, and suddenly you're back to printing, scanning, overnighting, scheduling notaries, manually checking signatures, and hoping the form meets the requirements.

A single POA can delay a cash deal.
It can hold up seller-side funding.
It can force your team to chase paperwork, verify identity by hand, and push a closing back by days or even weeks.

In a market where clients expect to sign documents on their phones, that kind of friction causes more than delay. It creates doubt.

It’s Not Just a Fraud Problem. It’s a Workflow Problem.

Yes, POAs can open the door to fraud. Issues like forged signatures, impersonators, or outdated authority are real concerns. But the bigger problem often starts well before any fraud occurs. It’s the broken workflow.

• Who verifies the signer’s identity?
• Who confirms the form is legally valid for your state and the lender?
• Who notarizes the form, and when?
• Who notices the missing signature or incorrect date before the deal gets held up?
  

These are not rare exceptions. They are everyday slowdowns that affect margins, client satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Digital POAs Are Not Just Faster. They Are Smarter.

Proof helps title teams handle POAs more efficiently without requiring major process changes. Here’s what improves when you digitize the POA workflow with Proof:

• Signers are verified upfront using facial biometrics, ID analysis, and real-time fraud signals
• Documents are completed and notarized remotely, in minutes
• Staff can monitor progress, route forms, and access documents instantly
• Every step includes a secure audit trail that meets compliance standards
  

Your closers know how to spot red flags. They understand what an enforceable POA looks like. The problem is the outdated, manual steps that slow them down and leave too much room for error. Proof simplifies those steps so your team can focus on the closing experience, not the administrative burden.

What Used to Take Days Now Takes Minutes

With Proof:

• POAs are created and completed within a single digital workflow
• Notaries are available 24/7
• Documents are securely archived and fully audit-ready
• Your team works within the systems they already know
  

The result is a smoother closing, faster funding, and a better experience for everyone involved.

Title professionals across the country trust Proof to verify signers, notarize documents, and bring clarity to high-stakes transactions. Whether you are managing a seller-side closing or facilitating a POA for a cash buyer, Proof gives you the confidence to move forward without added complexity.

Join the Conversation

Want to see how it works in action? 

Check out our on-demand webinar with industry experts and a full demo of digital POAs in action. You’ll learn how to complete closings faster, reduce internal workload, and eliminate paperwork for good.