Qualia launches tool for remote notarizations

In light of coronavirus shutdowns across the US, Qualia has launched Connect Video Chat, which can be used for remote ink-signed notarizations (RIN) during home closings.

Demand for contactless, eClosing technology has skyrocketed in the past few months due to COVID-19. To help the real estate industry adapt to the new norm, several states have allowed remote notarizations through approved audiovisual conferencing tools  in accordance with state emergency mandates and requirements, as well as RIN guidelines established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

According to the company, Connect Video Chat allows title and escrow companies to launch video conferences with all parties involved in the closing process, including their partners, real estate agents, lenders, homebuyers, and sellers.

“The COVID-19 crisis has magnified the need for contactless, digital real estate tools throughout the entire home buying journey for businesses and clients, from the beginning of the initial search all the way to the closing,” Qualia co-founder and CEO Nate Baker said. “We recognized this need early on during the crisis and went to work.”

Additionally, the video technology also features a long-term video storage capability either on Qualia with the rest of a client’s closing documents or on a title and escrow company’s own internal servers.  The company said that it would offer the recording and storage functionalities required for RIN transactions at no additional cost from June through August for both existing Qualia Connect users and new users activated in June.

“Our goal is to support our community by building products that make home closings safe, secure, efficient, and affordable,” Baker said.  “The launch of Connect Video Chat is an important step toward fulfilling that goal of enabling homebuyers across the country to continue to close on a home. Now they can do this from anywhere they have an Internet connection, at any time, and ultimately in a safe way.”