Selling a house in New York. Buyer wants to pay cash. I got sick and had to move to South Carolina with my son. How do I do this deal?

You can have your attorney in NY handle the transaction for you by executing a Power of Attorney who can act as your fiduciary to handle the transaction.

Selling real estate remotely in New York is very achievable, even with a health situation requiring a move out of state. A cash offer simplifies the transaction by removing financing and appraisal contingencies, though it doesn't eliminate New York's other requirements, including the Property Condition Disclosure Statement, which sellers of 1-4 family homes must now complete and deliver before contract signing, and a title search to clear any liens or mortgage payoff. Physical presence at closing is generally not required; out-of-state sellers commonly execute a power of attorney, notarized in their home state, authorizing an agent (often their attorney) to sign on their behalf, or complete a remote "mail-away" closing. Because outcomes depend on the property's title history and specific closing terms, sellers in this situation should consult a New York real estate attorney to structure the sale properly.

By utilizing a Limited Power of Attorney (POA), you can authorize a trusted individual—frequently your real estate attorney—to act as your "Agent" and sign the necessary closing documents for you. To facilitate this, your attorney will draft a specific POA form limited to this single real estate transaction. You will need to sign this document in South Carolina before a notary and witnesses, then overnight the original "wet ink" version back to New York. Once your chosen agent signs and accepts the document, they can execute the deed and transfer forms on closing day. Because this is a cash deal, the timeline is often accelerated since there is no mortgage lender required to vet the POA. Finally, your sale proceeds can be wired directly to your bank account , ensuring a seamless transition without a trip back north.