Vacation-Mode Closings: How to Keep Deals on Track When Clients Are Away

Summer is one of the busiest times for real estate in Pennsylvania - and also one of the busiest times for vacations. Whether a buyer is heading to the beach, a seller is traveling overseas, or someone simply lives out of state, it is increasingly common for a party to be unavailable locally during key moments of a transaction.

As a realtor, you don’t have to let these situations derail a deal. With the right preparation - and the right title agency - your clients can close confidently, even when they’re not physically present.

Here are the top tools and tips for keeping your closing on track when a party is away from home.

1. Know the Travel Plans Early

The first step is simple but critical: ask about upcoming travel, time zone differences, and communication availability as early as possible.

Whether a client will be on vacation or just located in another state or county, knowing their schedule allows your title team, lender, and anyone involved to plan accordingly. Will the client have access to email and a reliable internet connection? Are they out of the country, or simply away from their home address? Will they be able to receive mail or sign documents in front of a notary? A quick conversation now can prevent delays later.

2. Utilize Remote Online Notarization (RON)

If a client will have strong internet access while away, remote online notarization may be an option.

Buyers can sign most documents remotely via a RON platform, as long as the lender permits it and the notary meets Pennsylvania’s Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) requirements. Our team can coordinate RON closings when available, just give us a heads up early in the process so we can confirm eligibility because certain lender documents or county-specific filings may still require ink signatures.

3. Use a Power of Attorney

When a party will be completely unavailable - whether on a cruise, military duty, or in a time zone that makes communication tricky - a power of attorney (POA) is often the best solution.

A POA legally authorizes someone else to sign closing documents on the client’s behalf. The POA must comply with Pennsylvania law, be approved by the title company and lender, and be recorded with the deed if used by a seller. As an attorney-owned title agency, Clover Lane Settlement Services has the legal resources to prepare and review powers of attorney in-house. Our affiliated law firm, Fiffik Law Group, handles the drafting and compliance to ensure everything is executed properly, saving your clients time and avoiding costly delays.

4. Plan a Pre-Signing or Mobile Signing

If clients will be away during the scheduled closing date, there may still be time to sign in advance or arrange for a mobile notary.

Sellers typically have more flexibility and can sign ahead of time. We often prepare seller documents early when we know travel is involved. Depending on the lender’s requirements, buyers may also be able to pre-sign non-lender documents in advance. Some lender forms, however, must be signed on the day of closing.

When needed, we can arrange for a mobile notary to meet your client at home, work, or even while traveling.

5. Rely on a Tech-Savvy Title Team

When a client is out of town, communication and document access become even more important. That’s why working with a tech-forward title agency can make all the difference.

At Clover Lane Settlement Services, we use a secure online platform that allows clients to:

• View real-time updates on the status of their closing

• Receive notifications for key milestones and next steps

• Upload and download documents securely from anywhere

• Communicate directly with our team through a centralized portal

Whether your client is traveling or simply lives out of the area, they’ll have everything they need at their fingertips to stay informed and responsive throughout the transaction.

With a little planning, your clients can go on vacation or live across the country and still close on time. At Clover Lane Settlement Services, we’re experienced in coordinating across time zones, arranging mobile notaries, and walking clients through flexible options for every situation. Whether your buyer is in Bucks County or on a beach in Belize, we’ll help you get the deal done.