Posted by NCLisa on 1/2/08 8:52am
Msg #228558

Borrower asked if I was bringing any kids!

I called a borrower this morning to confirm an 11am closing. Borrower asked if I'd be bringing any kids with me. I said no, why? She went on the say that her previous attempt at closing involved an NSA and her 2 young children. NSA was so focused on the kids she made lots of mistakes. She had to go back with the corrections, and again brought the 2 kids.

What was she thinking?!

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/2/08 9:05am
Msg #228560

NSA thinking...gee, I can do this job AND not hire a babysitter! SS or TC need to start weeding out this type of person. Which they obviously didn't do as they sent her out a 2nd time. BTW, 'licensing' isn't going to change this. Hiring entities really need to do some sort of interview and not just 'go with whoever is cheapest'. Rant over.

Reply by LisaWI on 1/2/08 9:13am
Msg #228563

I actually had a borrower ask me to bring my daughter to a closing last year. A company had called me for a closing in a snow storm and the drive was over 100 miles one way. I told the comp I couldnt do it, explaining the drive was too far in a snowstorm, and my daughter would be left home alone. It was too risky. I then get a phone call from the borrower begging me to come and close the loan. I told her with the distance and bad weather, I would not leave my daughter home not knowing if Mom would make it home. She asked me to bring her along. I said, I dont think so. Its bad enough I would be risking my safety, let alone my daughters too. I just thought to myself, what people will do for money. No regards for anyones safety.

Reply by sue_pa on 1/2/08 11:10am
Msg #228600

I don't drive 100 miles one way on a sunny afternoon and I certainly don't get the snow that you do, but on occasion I'v gotten permission to ask the borrowers to meet me part way. I've had other borrowers say they're coming to me. It's their 'life'/money. To me it's just a job and no one pays me enough to slide into a ditch or have someone slide into me nor do they pay me enough to add an extra hour or two to the appt. due to slow travel conditions. One time all over the tv and radio they were saying to get off the road, stay in, etc. I called title company and said that I'd actually meet borrowers 1/2 way if they wanted to. Title company said okay. Borrowers said no - they weren't bringing their children out in the snow, why would I think they'd endanger them like that. I called title company back and said appt. was off. LO told them to 'tell' me to get out there and do my job. Thankfully, it was a good client and she told him if I said I couldn't go, that meant I couldn't. As you said, no regardsfor anyone's safety.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 1/2/08 10:01am
Msg #228566

In the Year 2001...

...when I first started in this business a discussion was started on the old NASA message board on this same topic. I was excoriated beyond any reasonable measure for expressing my disapproval of an NSA bringing their child(ren) to a signing. The "prevailing" thought among many posters was my opinion wasn't welcome & I was in fact "meddling" in how they should be able to freely conduct business as they saw fit. While it's gratifying to see that "childish" thought process appears to have died off somewhat, it must still exist somewhere out there in newbieland.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/2/08 10:13am
Msg #228569

Re: In the Year 2001...

I was told by a title company that one of my signing agents took her granddaughter to a signing and the borrower wasn't happy about it. NSA's children do not belong at a signing.
I have not used that signing agent since. It is most unprofessional to take children to a signing.

Reply by sue_pa on 1/2/08 10:48am
Msg #228587

Re: In the Year 2001...

Dennis, I remember that and I believe it was mainly one individual. She surprised me greatly with her thoughts on children. Although, given her experience, knowledge, and her general professionalism, I'm guessing she took her daughter only a handful of times and then in emergency type situations. I also think her child would have been VERY well behaved. I'm almost certain she posted here a few months ago but haven't 'noticed' her since. However, I still disagree with kids 'going to work' with their parents. I did take my children one time - and they were driving age. I don't remember what they did but I ran into teh house for something betyween appts., I wasn't happy with whatever was going on at the time, and they had to sit and pout in the car while I went and finished up my appts.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 1/2/08 11:16am
Msg #228604

I Know Exactly Who...

...you're referring to & she did come out of nowhere several months ago to post on NotRot only to disappear again. There were several others in that NASA discussion who felt I was "off my rocker" to even suggest they were wrong in this area.

Reply by NCLisa on 1/2/08 10:14am
Msg #228571

I'll admit to

getting docs late, and needing to get to an ortho appt. for my kid immediately after the closing. I had my 15 year old daughter sit in the car and do her homework. No one but me even knew she was there. I really didn't want to do that, but the ortho charges full price for missing the appt or getting there more than 15 minutes late. I couldn't afford to pay for 2 appts. that month.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/2/08 10:21am
Msg #228575

Re: I'll admit to

Lisa
It is one thing to take a 15 year old daughter and have her wait in the car and do her homework (although I think you should have dropped her off at the mall with your credit cards <jk>, it is quite another thing to take small children to a signing when you are trying to keep an eye on them and conduct a signing as well.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 1/2/08 10:35am
Msg #228578

You could always bring your dog. :) n/m

Reply by ME/NJ on 1/2/08 10:50am
Msg #228589

Almost happened to me today

My wife was running behind this morning and the babysitter was not feeling good today. With a 9am closing 2 hours away I was about to call the borrower and ask if I could bring my 3 month old.

I was lucky and my wife made it home before I left this morning. Its so much fun all the things we need to do to survie.

Reply by SReis on 1/2/08 10:57am
Msg #228592

Why wouldn't you just ask to reschedule closing..

I have 2 sons (7 & 3) & have never brought them to a closing, nor even considered it. Luckily I have great family around that can take care of them, even when they are sick (my kids that is) Only time my children have ever been w/me, is if I was dropping off something quick - to a FedEx drop box ;-) I did, however, have a great dream once about bringing my 3 yr old to a closing & the havoc that ensued!!!

Reply by sue_pa on 1/2/08 11:12am
Msg #228602

Re: Why wouldn't you just ask to reschedule closing..

I agree. I wouldn't want someone fooling with a 3- month old baby 'on my time'. What would happen if it's time to eat or he's 'gotten rid of' what he's just eaten?

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 1/2/08 11:22am
Msg #228608

There's Also a Liability Concern at Play...

...in this scenario. With my insurance background kicking into gear the first thing which comes to my mind is what if the child hurts themselves in the borrower's home or breaks something of significant value? Then you've got a REAL stickey wicket on your hands.

Reply by kate_nortca on 1/2/08 11:26am
Msg #228610

Re: There's Also a Liability Concern at Play...

In regards to the dog comment above maybe some of you recall a person on this forum who said they brought a chihuaua in her purse to all her closings and that no one ever knew. I would flip if someone tried to sneak a dog into my house!

My husband has taken me to a couple of closings. Once during a snowstorm and once when the borrower seemed a bit sketchy to me. Both times he sat out in the car. Both times I mentioned to the borrower he was out there but that there was no rush. When we finished we finished without any urgency to rush through it.

Kate

Reply by OR on 1/2/08 1:03pm
Msg #228633

Re: brought a chihuaua

"maybe some of you recall a person on this forum who said they brought a chihuaua in her purse to all her closings and that no one ever knew'.
If I remember correctly she said it was her body guard.....LOL

Reply by Linda Juenger on 1/2/08 1:12pm
Msg #228638

Re: brought a chihuaua

If I remember, she said the dog saved her from asthma attacks.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/2/08 1:19pm
Msg #228640

Re: brought a chihuaua

Yes, she says the dog was a service dog.
You can read the thread here:
Message: 214931

Reply by kate_nortca on 1/2/08 2:05pm
Msg #228657

Re: brought a chihuaua

Oh my gosh! That is so funny. Her body guard indeed! As pointed out below she did say it was for health reasons. My spin on that situation was if asked I would have permitted it most likely. But bringing an animal in under cover would have been a problem.

Kate

Reply by OR on 1/2/08 2:22pm
Msg #228665

Re: brought a chihuaua

Your right it was for her health reason but I think that she chatted aboout it on one of the ning sites. We were chatting about going to peoples homes where we questioned our safety and she said she would bring her little dog it was for health reason but the little thing make always made her feel safer. She doesn't have a profile here any more.

Reply by kate_nortca on 1/2/08 3:18pm
Msg #228677

Re: brought a chihuaua

Gotcha. I did not remember that aspect. Maybe because that sounds pretty darn goofy to me.

Kate

Reply by NCLisa on 1/2/08 5:45pm
Msg #228692

I have asthma, can I bring my 105lb King Shepherd

as my service dog? Since when do they have service dogs for asthma? You keep a rescue inhaler with you at all times. And if the attack is bad enough you go to the ER. It's not like epilepsy where there is no warning, you just fall over and have a seizure.

Reply by jba/fl on 1/2/08 6:10pm
Msg #228696

w/epilepsy, the dog would be of value! n/m

Reply by kate_nortca on 1/2/08 6:15pm
Msg #228697

Re: w/epilepsy, the dog would be of value!

I know guys. The dog conversation turned into a big thread that was kind of funny at times. Kind of sad at others. I felt bad for the lady as I really don't think she was in the right line of work.

Kate

Reply by Linda Juenger on 1/2/08 7:54pm
Msg #228720

Lisa, Honest, that's what she said she needed the dog for

to calm her "asthma" attacks.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 1/2/08 7:56pm
Msg #228723

See message 214931 about her asthma

This was one of the longest threads. 139 replies

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 1/2/08 12:02pm
Msg #228616

I took my 42-year-old son, but he stayed in the car

When my ankle was dislocated a few years ago, after I was able to get up and around a bit on a walker, I had someone driving me to closings, but she always always stayed in the car. And a couple of times I was getting some errands done with my son and underestimated the time, so we went directly to the closing, but again he stayed in the car. I never mentioned to the borrowers at any time that someone was in the car as generally borrowers will insist that whoever is waiting for you come inside to wait. I figure the closing is absolutely no one's business except the borrowers and that outsiders like family, friends, kids, strangers, etc., don't belong in listening range.

Reply by CF on 1/2/08 12:31pm
Msg #228623

I would never take my son 2 1/2 with me!

I can not believe that people would even consider it. My son is such a handful- no way!!!! He is in daycare on MWF- and on T Th- he is so loud sometimes I have to go upstairs- leave my office- to carry on a business call. It is funny though- I have called a couple of times to tell borrowers I may be about 10 minutes late b/c my husband is running a few minutes behind from work to babysit. Some borrowers have said "oh that is OK- we love kids- you can bring him with you" I respond- no I would never do that- it would be very unprofessional. I have a great family support system; my sister lives 2 miles away and my Dad is retired and my Mom is partially retired. My husband works 3 miles away- and has flexability. Without that I would not be able to do this fulltime and have it be my only source of income. Just my 2 cents!

Reply by Carmi/CA on 1/2/08 2:44pm
Msg #228671

This happened a few weeks ago.

I called the BO to confirm the appointment. She heard my 6 month old daughter and asked if I was bringing her. I told her no but she still insisted. She said she loves babies and it would break her heart if I don't bring her. I apologized and explained to her nicely that I really can't. It's unprofessional plus my attention won't be on the signing. I don't want to go back if I made any mistakes.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 1/2/08 1:17pm
Msg #228639

Re: I took my 42-year-old son, but he stayed in the car

I do many reverse morgages. Perhaps in one out of 30 reverses I do, I'll have a loan officer show up. Interestingly enough, I've had the LOs bring their girlfriends, wives, business associates, and even adult children.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/2/08 1:22pm
Msg #228641

Re: I took my 42-year-old son, but he stayed in the car

When I was unable to drive anymore my husband drove me to my signings. He would sit in the car and read a book. If a witness was needed and borrowers didn't have one, he would come in and witness their signature then go back to the car and read.