UNDERSTANDING SETTLEMENTS & LOAN SIGNING AGENTS
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What Is a Settlement / Loan Signing Agent?
Understanding the notary’s role in real estate closings across Virginia.
A Loan Signing Agent (LSA) is a specially trained notary public who guides borrowers through real estate closing documents, verifies identity, prevents errors, and ensures lenders and title companies receive complete and accurate paperwork — without delays.
Quick Facts: Loan Signing Agents in Virginia
- A Loan Signing Agent is a specially trained Virginia notary who manages real estate signings.
- LSAs do not give legal or financial advice.
- Accuracy is critical — missing signatures can delay funding.
- Title companies, lenders, attorneys, escrow offices, and investors commonly hire LSAs.
- Closings often require over 100 pages of documents.
- Mobile signings and after-hours appointments are common in Virginia.
What Does a Loan Signing Agent Do?
A Loan Signing Agent focuses on the signing process during real estate closings. Their job is to ensure every page is signed, dated, and notarized properly, supporting smooth, on-time funding.
- Verify borrower identity following Virginia notary laws.
- Present closing documents in a clear, structured order.
- Ensure all signatures, initials, and dates are complete.
- Complete notarial certificates accurately.
- Return documents quickly to the title/lender.
- Guide borrowers without offering legal advice.
- Interpret legal wording or loan terms.
- Advise borrowers on interest rates or fees.
- Decide whether a borrower should sign.
- Change, edit, or correct lender documents.
LSAs act as neutral professionals who ensure the signing is completed correctly — without influencing the borrower’s financial decisions.
Why Accuracy Matters in Real Estate Closings
Real estate closings are time-sensitive. A single error can create costly delays, including:
- funding conditions,
- missed rate-lock deadlines,
- rescheduled movers,
- reissued paperwork from the lender.
A trained Loan Signing Agent helps prevent these disruptions by catching errors before the appointment ends.
Who Typically Hires Signing Agents?
LSAs are commonly hired by:
- Title companies
- Mortgage lenders
- Real estate attorneys
- Escrow offices
- Real estate investors
Many organizations keep a list of reliable local signing agents for mobile, after-hours, or high-volume closing needs.
Benefits of Working with a Trained Signing Agent
- Knowledge of loan documents and closing packages.
- Ability to explain document purpose (not legal advice).
- Professional signing workflow that reduces errors.
- More confident, less overwhelmed borrowers.
- Fewer re-signs, funding delays, or missing forms.
For borrowers, lenders, and title companies, this professionalism protects timelines and reduces risk.
Borrower Checklist: What to Bring to Your Closing
Whether you’re closing on a home purchase, refinance, or HELOC in Virginia, bring these items to ensure a smooth, delay-free appointment:
- Valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID)
- Secondary form of ID (sometimes required by lenders)
- Cashier’s check for closing costs or required funds (if instructed)
- Bank wiring instructions or confirmation (if applicable)
- All pages of the lender package (even if some pages are “informational only”)
- Contact number for your lender or closing attorney
- Your spouse/required signers — many Virginia loans require both spouses to sign certain docs
- Reading glasses if needed (lots of fine print!)
- Plenty of time — closings typically take 45–90 minutes
Being prepared ensures your Loan Signing Agent can complete your documents accurately and the title company can release the file for funding without delay.
Need a Loan Signing Agent in Fredericksburg, Stafford, or Spotsylvania?
FXBG Notary provides professional real estate signing services for title companies, attorneys, lenders, and investors. Mobile and after-hours appointments available.
Need help preparing for an upcoming closing? Contact us — we’ll walk you through exactly what to bring.