What is a primary role of a notary public in real estate transactions?

In real estate transactions, a notary public plays a crucial role by witnessing the signing of documents and authenticating signatures. This function is essential to ensure that the parties involved in the transaction are who they claim to be and that they are signing the documents willingly and under their own free will. The notary's presence helps to prevent fraud and provides a level of legal assurance that the documents will be recognized by courts and other entities.

The process provides a formal acknowledgment which is often required for documents such as deeds, mortgages, and other legal agreements in real estate. This underscores the importance of the notary's role in fostering trust and security in the transaction process. By validating the authenticity of the signatures, a notary enhances the credibility and validity of the documents, making it a critical part of real estate operations.

Other roles mentioned, such as appraising property values or managing escrow accounts, do not fall under the responsibilities of a notary public. Their expertise lies specifically in witnessing and validating the authenticity of documents rather than in financial or managerial aspects. Thus, the correct response highlights the principal duty of a notary public in protecting the integrity of the transaction through proper documentation.