Posted by Kathy-PA on 9/2/04 4:06pm
Msg #7221

Late Loan Docs - Long Distance Travel

Hello - I just wanted to say thank you for your past messages about how to handle late docs. I accepted a 120-mile (roundtrip) signing yesterday morning for 7:00pm this evening, but stipulated that the docs needed to be emailed to me by 4:30pm today so I'd have time to review the docs before leaving. The title person assured me that I'd have the docs by yesterday(!) and it's now almost 5:00pm the evening of the signing and no docs.

I've emailed the title contact several times today and re-stated my deadline (especially since I was only accepting $75 for the assignment). I just sent my final email and let her know that I was sorry but I'd have to decline the signing because I was unable to wait any longer and to let me know by 5:15pm if she needed me to contact the borrower. I hope I did the right thing, but I feel like I'm taking care of myself here and I wouldn't have thought of the deadline deal if I hadn't read your messages, so thanks again. (I'm definitely a newbie) I haven't heard back from her yet.

Kathy-PA

Reply by Roger/OH on 9/2/04 4:33pm
Msg #7222

Kathy,

$75 for a 120 mile round trip and Emailed docs is shortchanging yourself terribly. For that distance, I'd suggest $150 minimum (including the e-docs).

Youe were right to give a drop-dead time to receive the edocs, and if there not there, you don't go. You have other people to see and can't be waiting around for them.

Reply by Kathy-PA on 9/2/04 4:46pm
Msg #7223

Roger -

Thanks Roger, I know I accepted too little for the docs - had that nagging feeling after getting off the phone, but again glad I gave them a deadline - slowly learning the way - will know not to settle for less next time - have a great evening!

Kathy-PA

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/2/04 5:05pm
Msg #7224

You did the right thing. $150 firm, stay at that rate, they'll use you and keep coming back for more. I will not travel that distance anymore for a closing. I will only travel 30-35 miles one way now. I have been in the business long enough that I have enough clients and I can be picky with who I work with.
Take care and good luck.
Loretta

Reply by CarolynCO on 9/2/04 10:18pm
Msg #7253

Kathy-PA said: I've emailed the title contact several times today and re-stated my deadline (especially since I was only accepting $75 for the assignment). I just sent my final email and let her know that I was sorry but I'd have to decline the signing because I was unable to wait any longer and to let me know by 5:15pm if she needed me to contact the borrower. I hope I did the right thing, but I feel like I'm taking care of myself here and I wouldn't have thought of the deadline deal if I hadn't read your messages, so thanks again. (I'm definitely a newbie) I haven't heard back from her yet. ...

One time I didn't get the docs by my deadline even though I repeatedly called the SS and left e-mails stating my deadline. One half hour after my deadline I called the SS stating that I couldn't wait any longer. The SS turned me into the bad guy. Their solution was for me to have a neighbor come into the house and they would walk them through step-by-step the downloading and printing process. My response was that there was no way I was going to trust *anyone* to be left in the house alone -- the neighbors are nosey busy bodies and I certainly am not going to help them spread my husband and my personal business up and down the street -- second problem, even if they didn't have loose lips, they are all in their 70's and 80's and know absolutely nothing about computers. Needless to say, the conversation got more and more heated and I have been removed from the SS call list.

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/2/04 10:57pm
Msg #7261

CarolynCo: "Their solution was for me to have a neighbor come into the house and they would walk them through step-by-step the downloading and printing process. "

As if a person with half a brain would not have thought of this, or some other ridiculous solution ** if ** it was viable. Bottom line--they did not meet the deadline but will figure out a way to make it your fault.

Yep. I know the type!! All too well.

They have already figured out *they* screwed up so these folks have lots of stupid solutions requiring me to do back flips faster than a speeding bullet--knowing I cannot or will not do it. Then, they can deflect the results of their incompetence onto me.

They are called "narcissists" and they actually plot that stuff out so they can spin the tale of your lack of cooperation, to cover up their own stupidity and to get sympathy. They want to be able tell "the boss/client/lender" how badly you wronged *them* and maybe even how they pulled it out of the fire somehow. Masters of spin. They come out smelling like a rose until they run upon the wrong person.

Every dog has his day. I try not to laugh, but, man, it's hard not to.

Reply by Paul_IL on 9/3/04 2:27am
Msg #7277

Kathy,
You did the right thing. I always give a specific time I need e-docs and if they do not arrive I do not do the signing. Some settlement agents and most lenders think we have nothing better to do than to sit around and wait for them to complete the docs on their timetable instead of ours. If you give them a specific time then stick to it as they will usually try to get you to accept them past your deadline. I usually call the borrowers and tell them I will not be keeping my appointment since the e-docs have not arrived.

Reply by Andy_WA on 9/3/04 3:50am
Msg #7279

Kathy,
Call the borrower and let them know what happened. Heck, I would also ask the borrower for his/her lender's contact and tell them too. I'd bet an unprofessional ss is going to pull the SA's fault trick. If this is the case, you've got nothing to loose but might gain some credibility toward the lender for letting them know the truth and what kind of services they are getting from that ss.

Reply by Joan-OH on 9/3/04 8:21am
Msg #7284

Why have the borrower call the lender? They are the one not getting the docs out. Chances are they are devising their story on who to blame and it most likely will go to the bottom of the food chain, the notary.

If any call goes the borrower, it should be short and simple: "I am not going to be there for our appointment because I do not have your documents yet and am booked for the rest of the evening. You might want to call your lender to reschedule"

That is sufficient, professional, and points no fingers at anyone, but clears you of any wrongdoing. Heck, even an idiot knows you can't do a signing without docs. In the end, many things are out of our control. We can only control how we react to them and the professionalism we bring to the process.

Joan-OH

Reply by Kathy-PA on 9/3/04 9:07am
Msg #7286

Hi again -

Thanks for all the feedback - when I sent my final email to the ss, I included the statement "If you need me to contact the borrower, please let me know within a half hour". An hour later I asked my brother to check my email (I was on the road) and instead of replying, the edocs were sent from the lender.

I asked my brother to email the lender right back and explain what happened and suggest that the lender to call the ss to decide on the next step.

Next time if I have to decline, I'll take it upon myself to call the borrower and explain the situation just as Joan-OH described above.

Reply by Paul_IL on 9/3/04 12:27pm
Msg #7309

Chances are that the Lender was most likely the cause of the late docs more than 75% of the time.

Reply by SN-PA on 9/3/04 5:43am
Msg #7281

I agree with the other posters....you've really shortchanged yourself going 120 miles roundtrip for $75.00, especially if that includes the edocs. Everyone makes mistakes as a newbie. On one of my first assignments, I was not familiar with the town. I took the title companies word that it was within 20 miles, turns out it was over 50 miles one way. I'll never do that again! Just learn from your mistakes. You definetly did the right thing with the deadline. Stick to your guns, you'll gain respect.