A real estate power of attorney is used to grant a person the authority to handle tasks or decisions regarding real property for another individual. It is a type of limited form that gives the agent (or “attorney-in-fact”) specific powers that can exist indefinitely, or until the tasks are complete. If the principal decides that the form will be non-durable, the agent’s powers end in the event the principal suffers a medical emergency that renders them incapacitated.

Used for giving an agent permission to:

Manage;
Sell;
Purchase;
Mortgage (refinance); or
Transfer (convey) real estate on behalf of the owner.

By State

By State
What is Real Estate Power of Attorney?
- What can it be used for?
How to use a Real Estate POA
Real Estate POA Laws: By State
Sample
How to Write

What is Real Estate Power of Attorney?

A real estate power of attorney is a document used for appointing an agent or property manager to handle one’s residential or commercial property. This can include signing rental agreements, representing the principal at closings, and handling any other decisions or responsibilities the principal may need. Unlike other types of POAs, the form can be made to be durable OR non-durable depending on the purposes the principal has for using the form.

What Can it Be Used For?

As an overview, one can use the document to do the following regarding real property:

Manage / request repairs / hire labor;
Sell / exchange / convey / quitclaim;
Purchase / buy / lease / receive;
Mortgage;
Insure;
Pay taxes; and
Much more.

How to Use a Real Estate POA

Step 1 – Determine the Powers + Term
Step 2 – Select the Agent
Step 3 – Sign & Distribute

Step 1 – Determine the Powers + Term

The principal can structure the form to provide the agent with whatever powers they feel are necessary. Whatever the principal chooses, they should make sure the powers are detailed clearly on the form, leaving nothing to assumption.

Because the POA type is non-durable, it will automatically terminate should the principal become mentally incapable of making decisions or in the event of their death. However, the principal should specify whether or not the agent’s powers extend in perpetuity or are limited to a single task or period of time. In other words, if the agent will be assisting with the one-time sale of a property, the form should state that their powers terminate after the sale. On the other hand, a property management company assigned as an agent should be given continuous powers.

Step 2 – Select the Agent

Federal and state law provides little restriction on who can serve as an agent. Additionally, the agent is not required to be a person – entities (businesses) can be nominated as an attorney-in-fact as well. For property transactions, the principal should choose a realtor, attorney, or another person experienced in buying and selling real estate. Likewise, the principal should choose an experienced property manager or management company if they need to have tenants screened, leases signed, the property cleaned and maintained, and so on.

Step 3 – Sign & Distribute

At this point, the agent will have accepted their nomination, understand exactly what is required of them, and be prepared to carry out their assigned duties. The principal will then need to sign the form. Depending on the state, it may also need to be notarized. However, proceeding with notarization regardless of what is required is recommended to ensure it is accepted by whoever it is presented to. The principal should then make copies of the form and personally deliver the POA to recipients, or give the agent a copy to display as necessary.

Real Estate POA Laws: By State

STATE	STATUTE
Alabama	§ 26-1A-204
Alaska	§ 13.26.645
Arizona	N/A
Arkansas	Title 18, Chapter 12, Subchapter 5 and § 28-68-204
California	§ 4123(b)
Colorado	§ 15-14-727
Connecticut	§ 1-351c
Delaware	N/A
Florida	§ 689.111
Georgia	N/A
Hawaii	§ 551E-34
Idaho	§ 15-12-204
Illinois	755 ILCS 45/3-4
Indiana	§ 30-5-5-2
Iowa	§ 633B.204
Kansas	§ 58-654
Kentucky	§ 382.370
Louisiana	N/A
Maine	§ 5-934
Maryland	§ 4-107
Massachusetts	N/A
Michigan	§ 556.304
Minnesota	§ 523.24
Mississippi	N/A
Missouri	§ 404.710
Montana	§ 72-31-339
Nebraska	§ 30-4027
Nevada	§ 162A.480
New Hampshire	§ 564-E:204
New Jersey	§ 46:2B
New Mexico	§ 45-5B-204
New York	§ 5-1502A
North Carolina	§ 32C-3-303
North Dakota	Ch. 30.1-30
Ohio	§ 1337.45
Oklahoma	58 O.S. § 1006
Oregon	§ 127.045
Pennsylvania	§ 5603(i)
Rhode Island	§ 18-6-3
South Carolina	§ 62-8-204
South Dakota	§ 59-3-12
Tennessee	§ 34-6-109
Texas	§ 752.102
Utah	N/A
Vermont	§ 305
Virginia	§ 64.2-1625
Washington	§ 11.125.270
West Virginia	§ 39B-2-104
Wisconsin	§ 244.44
Wyoming	N/A

Sample

Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument

How to Write

Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument

Step 1 – Principal + Agent

The eight (8) fields found at the top of the first (1st) page are used for identifying the principal and the agent. The following information should be entered into the applicable fields by the principal:

Full name of the principal;
Principal’s street name & number (#);
Principal’s city name;
Principal’s state;
Agent’s full name;
Agent’s street name and number (#);
Agent’s city; and
Agent’s state name.

Step 2 – Powers (Art. 1)

The principal can grant their agent up to four (4) powers regarding the property in question. A minimum of one (1) power needs to be selected. For each power the principal wishes to grant to the agent, they need to complete the following steps:

Inscribe their initials to the left of the power;
Check the box next to their initials;
Enter the full address of the property; and
Provide the legal description of the real estate (which can be found on the most recent deed).

To repeat, the principal needs to complete steps 1-4 (above) for EVERY specific type of authorization.

Step 3 – Term (Art. 3)

This section is used for indicating when the POA will terminate. The principal will need to initial their name and check the corresponding box next to the option they choose. They can only choose ONE of the following three options:

Option (a.) – The POA will end on a specific date. If selected, enter the date (day, month, and year) on which the contract will end.
Option (b.) – The POA will remain in effect (regardless of the principal’s mental state) until the principal dies or manually revokes the POA.
Option (c.) – The POA will terminate automatically should the principal lose their ability to communicate their needs (i.e., incapactitated).

Step 4 – State (Art. 5)

Enter the name of the state in which the principal’s property is located.

Step 5 – Principal’s Signature (Art. 6)

At the top of the third page the principal will need to enter the day, month, and year they are signing the POA, followed by their signature and printed name. Depending on the signing requirements of the principal’s state, they may need to have their signature notarized or observed by one (1) or more witnesses. The principal CANNOT sign until they are in the presence of the witness(es) or Notary Public.

Step 6 – Agent’s Signature

Having the agent sign the POA is not a requirement but adds proof that the representative understands their nomination as an agent and the responsibilities that go along with it. To complete this section, the agent will need to provide the following information:

Their signature (by hand or online using eSign); and
Their full name beneath their signature.

Real Estate Power of Attorney Forms