Real Estate Power of Attorney Template

A Real Estate Power of Attorney is a limited power of attorney that grants an agent power to purchase, sell, or otherwise manage real estate on your behalf. When handling real estate transactions from a distance, assigning a power of attorney can streamline the process.

Vacation rental owners who live far from the property often use a real estate power of attorney for property management. Property owners also incorporate a real estate power of attorney into their estate plans so someone can manage the property should they become incapacitated.

Whether selling your family home, purchasing a property or managing a rental property, you can transfer responsibility to a trusted agent with a real estate power of attorney form template.

Forms – By State

Table of Contents

• Forms - By State
• How to Write
• Legal Considerations
• Sample
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Write

Details are critical for a successful real estate power of attorney agreement. Follow these steps to avoid missing essential legal information.

Step 1 – Begin With a Real Estate Power of Attorney Template

Download a fillable real estate power of attorney in Word or PDF format. Selecting the correct state in the template generator will auto-populate the appropriate legal terms and standard verbiage.

Step 2 – Enter the Parties’ Names and Addresses

Include the name and address of the principal who is buying or selling the property. Add the name and address of the person you wish to appoint as the agent or attorney-in-fact.

Step 3 – Add the Property Information

Indicate whether the power of attorney applies to a single property or multiple. Add the addresses of each property included in the agreement. You can also grant power of attorney over any property you own, solely or party.

Step 4 – Identify the Successor Agent

If your chosen agent cannot or will not act on your behalf, indicate who you want to represent instead.

Step 5 – Grant Powers and Authority

Indicate which powers and authority you grant the agent. This may include:

• Buying and selling
• Managing and maintaining
• Leasing
• Financing
• Accepting payment
• Executing contracts
• Handling legal proceedings
• Addressing tax matters
• Managing insurance

Step 6 – State Limitations on the Agent’s Authority

Indicate any specific limitations you wish to impose on the agent’s authority. For example, you prohibit the agent from selling your property for a price below a certain threshold.

Step 7 – Enter Effective and Termination Dates

Indicate the date the power of attorney becomes effective and the termination date. You can terminate the agreement upon the principal’s death if there is no specific termination date.

Step 8 – Choose Durable or Regular Power of Attorney 

A durable power of attorney carries on regardless of your physical or mental state. A regular power of attorney terminates if you become disabled or incapacitated. Choose which option best suits your needs.

Step 9 – Enter Signature and Acknowledgement

Some states require notarization and witnesses. So, check your local laws before you sign the real estate power of attorney. Before the appropriate notary or witnesses, print your name, address, and telephone number. Then, sign and date the agreement and have the notary or witnesses complete their acknowledgments.

A real estate power of attorney may entrust the attorney-in-fact power to sign real estate purchase agreements, mortgage deeds, property disclosure statements, warranty deeds, and other critical documents on your behalf.

Legal Considerations

Granting power of attorney for real estate transactions is not a decision to undertake lightly. Protect yourself by understanding the following legal requirements and considerations.

Signing Requirements 

Different jurisdictions have different signing requirements for real estate power of attorney agreements. You may need a notary acknowledgment or multiple witnesses. Before you sign, review the table below to ensure you meet the signing requirements for the state where the real property is located.

Time Period

A real estate power of attorney is often for a single property-related transaction. For instance, if you assign power of attorney to sell a property, the agent will only have the power to facilitate the sale of that property. Once the sale is complete, the power of attorney expires.

For medical power of attorney for real estate, the powers allocated due to the principal’s illness or incapacity may last until the principal dies or revokes the power of attorney.

Special Considerations

Certain circumstances automatically revoke or end a real estate power of attorney. Errors or omissions in the power of attorney form can null and void the agreement. Additionally, the agent loses the authority granted under a real estate power of attorney upon the principal’s death.

Sample

Download a free real estate power of attorney form in Word and PDF below.

Frequently Asked Questions