Posted by Jessc098 on 3/26/09 10:39pm
Msg #282300

Is it a full moon?

Here's an adventure I've had one night this week.... I can't help but wonder if it's a full moon? This strange scene has repeated itself more than a couple times lately, and I can't help but wonder what's wrong. (It hasn't been this difficult before).

Till 4pm, nothing, phone is silent. Mom calls to see how I'm liking self employment. Between 4pm and 6pm, decline 1/2 dozen calls for $40 closings and creepy loan mods. Accept one decent closing for 6pm.

Client 1. Outrageously bizzarre flirt (and 10 years older than my father... ick). Shows me gun permit for ID, "uh, Sir, could I please get a photo ID?" wants to celebrate with champagne after closing "uh, gee, thanks but I'm on my way out to another closing." Note to self, present business cards after the closing. I'll be checking caller ID.

Client 2. Cancels enroute to client 1, but two minutes later I take a phone call and accept another signing for the same time.

Client 2B. I race at breakneck speeds home to print docs because SS says they're flexible and need someone TODAY. Print docs and call borrower to confirm. Borrower doesn't answer but calls back just as my map is printing. They said "we're not signing at home--we're signing tomorrow in the office." Ok, I'll shred this 250 page doc and fax back the shreds. <just joking on that last part...>

What? (Oh, and did I mention I turned down two other cilents between client 1 and picking up my docs for client 2B?)

Is it a full moon or is there something in the air? Is it going like this for everyone? Maybe this is what happens because I'm fairly new and low on the lists?
Hope your week has gone better than mine.

Take care all,
J

Reply by Pat/IL on 3/26/09 10:48pm
Msg #282301

The champagne is looking pretty good now, I'll bet.

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/26/09 10:56pm
Msg #282303

Yeah, but I decided to pour my own at home. <grin> Not interested in whatever that fellow had to offer....

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/26/09 10:56pm
Msg #282302

"Maybe this is what happens because I'm fairly new and low on the lists?"

No, this is just what happens... Doesn't sound at all unusual. In fact, it pretty much resembles the day I had today, too. It's just something we all need to get used to and learn to deal with - especially as business is picking up.

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/26/09 11:00pm
Msg #282304

Thanks for the reassurance... well... perhaps advice. It's not at all reassuring to know I won't be able to work up to better/less creepy assignments with senority.

Brings up an interesting point...does anyone have any personal safety rules they follow? Here's the basics of what I operate on, but there may be others I should add (i.e. giving out my card AFTER closing).

1. Always leave the name, address and phone number of the person I'm meeting with, along with the location and time on my outlook at home. If I fail to appear my husband needs to know where I am.

2. Never, EVER accept last minute changes of venue unless it's at a public place (i.e. Starbucks. I'll even buy the coffee). If I'm on the way to a closing and someone says, actually--i'm late at a friends' house--can we sign there... no way buddy. Starbucks or MacDonalds or a Public Library--I've signed at all three).

3. My whereabouts and purpose are at home, in my car and on my person at all times. I call and leave myself a voice mail at home as soon as I'm in my car after a closing with the time of completion, then if I have another closing direct afterwards I'm accounted for.

Yes, I'm a little paranoid. Before this I spent a few years teaching self-defense classes.

Anyone have other safety tips that I should keep in mind?

Reply by Pat/IL on 3/26/09 11:18pm
Msg #282305

I have never given it that much thought. My office has always known where I was going, and I suppose most borrowers sort of figure somebody else is aware of your appointment (such as your hiring party). But it certainly doesn't hurt to be cautious. And your ideas are pretty good.

The most I have ever done in safety's name, on my own behalf, is to dial 911 and know by touch where the send button was in some of the less pleasant Chicago neighborhoods. And once I received a call, while in the office, from one of our female closers who was afraid to leave her car in the presence of some menacing-looking loiterers nearby. I called for a police to escort her into the residence, and they actually did. I stood by at the office for the length of the closing to make sure she had a safe exit also. The borrowers escorted her back to her car and all was well.

Safety is a big concern. Take all of the precautions you think are necessary.

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/27/09 12:12am
Msg #282308

That's a good idea. My cellphone has a panic key programmed . (I hold down 9 for three seconds and it dials). I also often wear a bluetooth into an appointment and take the headset off as i turn off my phone ringer and get out my documents.

So far I've never had a fear of unsavory neighborhoods, but I've had a couple of awkward/bizarre borrower situations. Things that make you go "hmm..."

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/27/09 1:46am
Msg #282311

Well, to be fair and honest, I was referring to the last part of your post about schedules, etc. getting messed up -- in the eggbeater, as I call it. I'm fortunate to be living in one of the safest parts of the country and I tend to not be too concerned with personal safety. There have certainly been some exceptions, but it's not something I've given much thought to. You make some good points, and I should probably be more cautious -- although I am careful to notice what is going on around me.

That reminds me of a situation I was in last night. I entered the home around sundown and left after dark. As I was getting into my car, I noticed a car parked a little way behind me that had the engine running, lights off, with someone in it, but I couldn't tell much more than that. Turned out to be a police car! That was a relief! (I wonder what he was doing there...) The only thing I was concerned about then was making sure my lights were on, seatbelt fastened, etc...

Reply by Teddog/CO on 3/27/09 6:31am
Msg #282318

Jessc098

It pays to be paranoid kiddo. Never leave the house without leaving a list where and went you are going to be. Even if you leave your travel information with a good friend or neighbor to check on your whereabouts. My neighbors (friends) even have my license plate number just in case. At least you know someone will come looking for you or try contacting you via cell phone if you are to late getting home. I live in a very rural area and have learned Never take chances with people or the weather. I always take my two dogs with me at night just because they are so large. If you get stuck in a rural area where there's no cell reception I would rather have the Pups to walk with then all alone.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/27/09 5:46am
Msg #282314

I learned the hard way, like you just did, not to print the docs until AFTER you confirm appt with borrowers. I also learned the very hard way that last minute emergency calls for it-must-get-done-right-now jobs are not worth it, and I stopped accepting them. They usually have huge packages with everything under the sun needing to be filled out by borrower and notarized, plus those jobs are usually the most difficult to collect on for some reason.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 3/27/09 6:42am
Msg #282319

Re: Is it a full moon? CopperheadVA

How very true Copperhead. Just had one last night that I turned down for a few reasons you just stated. Learned all those lessons the hard way years ago. Topped off with the blizzard we are having here in Colorado. lol Sorry I wouldn't dream of traveling in that mess I like my Jeep in one piece and the driver intact, alive to sign another day.

Have a great weekend

Reply by MW/VA on 3/27/09 8:56am
Msg #282327

Welcome to the "twilight zone" of EOM. It gets absolutely crazy & bizarre at times.
Never compromise personal safety. Remember that you are your own boss & can pick & choose what assignments you are willing to accept.

Reply by sue_pa on 3/27/09 9:10am
Msg #282331

Responding to your Client #1. Are you young? While I'm sure (as I'm guessing you were) this guy was just a harmless "old" flirt having fun and not meaning anything out of line, as a business person you should know how to stop this IMMEDIATELY. I know, all our mothers told us to be nice, but this is a business situation, and should be handled as such. It should have never gotten to the champagne comment. So what if it makes it uncomfortable for the next 30 minutes. When this guy chats it up with his best friend the LO the next day, his take and yours are going to be entirely different if you giggled along with him or even evaded whatever he was saying. Same for your last comment to him "I'm on my way out to another closing". A comment with "the look" would have been more appropriate. You don't have to be 'mean' but you should know how to handle these situations (in life in general, not just this job).

Our good friend Dennis has said for years he won't go into a home alone with a woman being there by herself. While I go into homes all the time with just one man, Dennis' "MO" is always in the back of my mind and I watch my p's and q's perhaps more than I would have previously.

Reply by Jessc098 on 3/27/09 9:41am
Msg #282333

Agreed. I was pleasant but icy. Usually that does the trick (I rode the city bus for years so got practiced at shutting anyone down politely). I was surprised at this fellow's persistence. I also kept moving with the papers but he kept derailing the signing: a big pause and question about the APR vs. the interst rate. My simple explanation of the formula that calculates wouldn't suffice. I flagged the 3 day recission in the borrower copy and suggested he call his broker in the morning.

I truly suspected this guy knew exactly what he was reading, but he was trying to get me off my mechanical processing through the paperwork.

I think your friend Dennis has a good point. I do most of my signings with couples, naturally, so I've not given it much thought. The few times I've done singles signings they're usually elderly widows doing reverse mortgages, so I've never had any trouble at all.

Reply by Susan Kostalas on 3/27/09 11:25am
Msg #282347

sounds like your guy was a talker - if the notary had been a male, he probably would have been attempting to discuss "manly issues" with him ... like Dennis' beloved Jayhawks and their position in some's brackets !!!

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 3/27/09 3:49pm
Msg #282407

Now You've Gone & Done It, Sue...

...my beloved Jayhawks are in the Sweet Sixteen & sitting pretty in all my brackets I'll have you know! They need to bring home the bacon tonight against Michigan State who beat us earlier this year by 13 on their home court. BTW, it's rather amazing you'd bring up the topic of my practice when meeting with female borrowers by themselves. I just got back from one a few minutes ago. She's the wife of a professional & the husband was away in another city on business. It was going to be just the two of us & when I made the suggestion we might consider meeting at a neutral location she jumped at the opportunity. This MO definitely works for me & I'll never criticize you or anyone else for doing otherwise.