Posted by Brenda J Khan on 8/29/04 11:08am
Msg #6958

Delivery of Docs to Borrower(s)

My question is when you delivery copy of docs to borrower(s) Do you provide a folder or envelope? I have been using legal manilla folders but am seeking something better! Any suggestions or referrals to somewhere I can get nice legal size envelopes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Brenda Khan- FL

Reply by FB/CA on 8/29/04 11:46am
Msg #6961

Not needed...

Wow, what a nice but unnecessary touch. I work in marketing, so I appreciate the small touches that add polish to your service. BUT, in the case of loan signing, your are spending time and money to make the title/escrow/lender look good. When the borrower receives their copies, they assume you delivered them the way you got them... so your extra touch does you no good if you were trying to "look good" and professional for the borrower. The lender/title/escrow company will never know that you gave the borrower their copies in a nice folder or envelope, so you won't gain points with them either. I'd say about 50% of the time the borrower copies arrive in a folder, sometimes a nice one and sometimes a plain manila folder... the other 50% of the time it is a stapled stack of paper marked "BORROWER COPIES." In either case, I hand it to them the way I received it, and have never had borrowers make a nice comment about the folders nor complain that their copies came "naked."

So why waste your time shopping for folders/envelopes and why go that extra mile if no one will ever give you credit for it? And if the borrower doesn't need it? They probably will stick the stack in a file cabinet anyways.

Just an opinion.

FB/CA http://www.berys.com

Reply by Carolanne_PA on 8/29/04 12:08pm
Msg #6962

You can order mortgage presentation products online at www.greatland.com.

Reply by Brenda J Khan on 8/29/04 12:27pm
Msg #6963

Thank you Carolanne I will check this site out. I believe that a good presentation to the borrower is necessary. All of my closing have all been E-Docs, so I have not yet incountered what is sent in the package directly from the companies. Also in the few closing packages I have completed, there was a letter to the borrower(s) requesting a follow up call to be made regarding the closing experience, I believe presentation would be a question or comment asked. Thank you all for your input!
Brenda Khan- FL

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/29/04 1:25pm
Msg #6966

I agree with FB/CA. Giving a copy of the documents to the borrower that are only held together by a binder clip is no worse a presentation than giving them to them in an envelope of some kind. If you feel compelled to do it that's your choice, but to me it seems like an unnecessary expense that will do absolutely nothing to enhance your business.

What exactly do you think the title company is going to ask the borrower about presentation anyway? If they ask anything it's going to be about your knowledge and professionalism, not the physical documents themselves.

Reply by Brenda J Khan on 8/29/04 1:41pm
Msg #6967

Thank you for advice. I truly appreciate all the advice I get on this board. It has been a great learning tool for myself. Thank you all. Brenda Khan- FL

Reply by CarolynCO on 8/31/04 10:23pm
Msg #7101

CaliNotary said: to me it seems like an unnecessary expense that will do absolutely nothing to enhance your business. ...

I spiral bind mine together and include a biz card. Keeps everything together and nothing will be lost or misfiled. As for doing nothing to enhance my business, when the Borower(s) need a notary, they will and have remember(ed) me. If someone they know needs a notary, they will and have recommend(ed) me. A few cents spent on presentation will return much greater amount.

Reply by Joan_OH on 8/29/04 1:56pm
Msg #6969

I purchase 10x15, 100 count manilla clasp envelopes for about $3 from Office Maxx. The borrowers copies go in there along with my business card taped to the outside along with the borrowers name, address & phone number on the outside. The signing docs go in a prepared FedEx or UPS envelope & I use a large red rubber band to band the 2 together. It helps me in several ways:

1. When I am driving and running late, it is near impossible to see the tiny writing on my schedule to call the borrowers or find their address. I write it nice & big on the envelope & can glance over, read the number, give them a quick call advising them of the time of my arrival.

2. I have gotten more than a few jobs where the borrower remembered me from last time, pulled out their old docs & gave my name to the title company as their requested notary. One couple I have signed 3 times.

3. Everything I need prepared ahead of time and rubber banded together. No shuffling through papers in the car looking for the right package.

4. For a 3 cent envelope plus a business card, I have made a good presentation. The borrowers don't know the title company sent me copies stapled together, clipped together, rubber banded together. I am the one in their home. So therefore, they are going to get a professional presentation from ME.

I agree, we are not "responsible" for the presentation of the borrowers copies. I just choose to do it this way. I have done about 500 signings in the last year and it has cost me less than $20.

Reply by Tess/ME on 8/29/04 2:50pm
Msg #6973

Re: Delivery of Docs to Borrower(s)--I agree Joan

I use the large manilla envelopes also. More than not, I've heard the comment, "Boy, that is nice to have this envelope to keep all of this in, last time they just handed me a stack of copies with a paper clip on them, I like this better".
And most of them don't forget the little things, it brings business back to you.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/29/04 3:02pm
Msg #6974

I like your style Joan - the dual functionality makes things simpler for you - and attaching your business card to the envelope is a great way for possible referrals and repeat business. Personally, when I file important papers like loans, tax returns, etc. I like having it all in an envelope - no chance of mis-filing or losing a page or pages.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 8/29/04 6:28pm
Msg #6981

I really like the idea of envelopes with attached business cards.

Reply by nah_AR on 8/30/04 10:05am
Msg #7002

I have two signing companies that have sent me repeat business based on the level of professionalism. Yes I end up spending a few extra dollars a year in manila envelopes and labels. I begin purchasing 2 x 4 address labels and printing the borrowers name, address, phone number, mortgage companies name and number, and loan number. I put this on the outside of the folder. I also attach a business card. This not only helps me when trying to find the address, but it gives a great presentation, and if you think that borrowers will not tell the loan officers how nice there closing went you are wrong. People like to "wined and dined" figuratively speaking of course; but I am in this to offer a service and every detail I take time to make special is more business for me in the long run. Not to mention it makes a very good presentation.

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 8/30/04 10:55am
Msg #7011

Great idea. I just use a rubber band. Thanks for sharing - I think I'll do that too.

Elizabeth