How does a specific power of attorney work for a mortgage closing

Didier Malagies • June 23, 2025




A Specific Power of Attorney (POA) for a mortgage closing is a legal document that allows one person (the principal) to authorize another person (the agent or attorney-in-fact) to act on their behalf only for the purpose of completing a mortgage transaction—typically when the principal cannot be physically present at the closing.


Key Points of How It Works:

✅ Purpose-Specific Authorization

The document limits the agent’s authority strictly to the mortgage transaction, such as signing loan documents, the note, deed of trust, and other closing forms.


It does not grant broad financial powers—only what’s specifically listed.


✅ Common Uses

When the borrower is:


Out of the country or state


In the military


Hospitalized or otherwise unavailable on closing day


✅ Lender and Title Company Approval Required

The lender must approve the POA in advance. Some lenders are strict and may require the POA to be:


Dated close to the closing date


Notarized and possibly recorded


The title company must also approve the document to ensure it's valid and complies with local regulations.


✅ Execution Requirements

It must:


Clearly describe the property address


State the exact powers being granted (e.g., “to execute all documents required to close on the mortgage loan for [property address]”)


Be notarized, and in some states, also witnessed


Sometimes be recorded with the county clerk if it’s used to sign a deed or deed of trust


✅ Expiration

Some are written to expire after a short period (e.g., 30 or 60 days), or immediately after closing.


✅ Revocation

The principal can revoke it at any time before the closing by notifying the agent and any third parties relying on it (like the lender or title company) in writing.


Example Scenario

Suppose Jane is buying a home but will be overseas on the closing date. She signs a Specific POA authorizing her sister to sign all documents necessary to complete the mortgage transaction for the home at 123 Main St. The lender and title company review and approve the POA ahead of time. On the day of closing, Jane's sister signs the documents on her behalf, using the POA.


tune in and learn at  https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog


Didier Malagies nmls#212566

dda mortgage nmls#324329




Ask a Mortgage Question

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

203H Ask A Question


Start Your Loan with DDA today

Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews


Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies December 1, 2025
✅ Why mortgage rates can rise even when the Fed cuts rates Mortgage rates don’t move directly with the Fed Funds Rate. Instead, they are primarily driven by the 10-year Treasury yield and investor expectations about inflation, recession risk, and future Fed policy. Here are the main reasons this disconnect happens: 1. Markets expected the rate cut already If investors already priced in the Fed’s cut weeks or months beforehand, then the cut itself is old news. When the announcement hits, mortgage rates may not fall—and often rise if the Fed hints at fewer future cuts. 2. Fed cuts can signal economic trouble Sometimes the Fed cuts because the economy is weakening. That can cause: Investors to worry about higher future inflation, or A “risk-off” move where money leaves bonds Both of these drive the 10-year yield UP, which pushes mortgage rates UP even though the Fed cut. 3. Bond investors wanted a bigger cut If markets expect a 0.50% cut but the Fed only delivers 0.25%, that’s seen as “too tight.” Result: 10-year yield jumps Mortgage rates move higher 4. Fed messaging (“forward guidance”) matters more than the cut Example: The Fed cuts today, but says: “We may need to slow or pause future cuts.” That single sentence can raise mortgage rates, even though short-term rates just went lower. 5. Inflation surprises after the cut If new inflation data comes in hot after a Fed cut, the bond market panics → yields go up → mortgage rates go up. Quick summary Fed Cuts Rates Mortgage Rates Move ✔ Expected or priced in Can rise or stay flat ✔ Fed hints at fewer future cuts Often rise ✔ Inflation remains sticky Rise ✔ Economy looks unstable Rise ❗ Only when 10-year yield falls Mortgage rates fall tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 28, 2025
 New conforming loan limits increase to $832,750, which is great considering we have had price decreases on homes this year. So if you put down 3% the purchase price would be $858,051, and 5% down would be $876,578. Why would that matter? Well, you go above, and you are in Jumbo territory, where you have to put 20% down vs the 3% or 5% down. So, really great news that there is an increase, and when rates do come down, there will be all the homeowners who have the low interest rates, probably make a move to either downsize or upsize on their home, which will create activity and an increase in home prices. So overall, exciting to see the loan amounts increase to help offset the higher home prices tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 24, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
Show More