Posted by Courtney/VA on 8/12/05 7:32pm
Msg #58714

What would you do in this situation?

I accepted a signing for Monday evening, got the confirmation today only to discover that it is located in the worst part of town. I don't even drive in this area, let alone go into someone's house that I don't know in that area. Should I just tell the signing service I don't feel comfortable, and find another notary? Thanks.

Reply by m-fl on 8/12/05 7:41pm
Msg #58718

IF i was you i would try to get the borrower to meet you in a public place.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 8/12/05 7:42pm
Msg #58719

I would attempt to reschedule for an earlier time, if that can not be done, request a more safe place. There are places even in Ok I wont go without my SW 40 cal.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 8/12/05 7:44pm
Msg #58721

Yes you should call the ss and let them know that it's a real rough area that you don't feel safe in. Suggest that they either have the borrower meet you at a coffee shop; or have them get a notary that would be more suitable (big, buff, male, who works as a correctional officer for thier day job). One of the perks of this career is being able to say no if need be. I think that the ss would be happy to know that they aren't sending someone into a bad situation.

Reply by Courtney/VA on 8/12/05 7:50pm
Msg #58724

Thanks for all the suggestions....I was thinking about having the borrower meet me somewhere, but wouldn't that make them feel bad, like I don't want to go to the place that they have to live? I think I might just see if the ss can get someone else to go there

Reply by ML/PA on 8/12/05 8:21pm
Msg #58733

I had a situation last month that when I got close to the borrowers home (I realized I was going to end up in the woods, dirt road with huge holes and no signs of life) I drove back 10 miles to get a signal on my phone. I spoke to the LO and explained that I did not feel safe going into that area and she agreed. I called the borrower and he agreed to meet me at a more acceptable area and we signed in my car. He was very nice, a prison guard and totally understood . For me, I will not put myself in a situation if I feel unsafe- that would be stupid.

Reply by Nancy in Florida on 8/13/05 9:42am
Msg #58821

I have had signing in bad sections of a neighboring city and being somewhat new to the area I was unaware until I was already there. Once I did call the SS as I was driving in the neighborhood because I had just called the wife for better directions and she said her husband was working and I would have to go with her to his job. The SS wanted me to at least go to the home and find out where he worked. Luckily it was on the way back home and we actually did the signing on the hood of my car because he didn't want me to go inside the place he worked. It was a modification loan and only about 10 docs they had to sign so it only took a few minutes. Now when I am called for closing in that city I need an address first so I can mapquest it, this gives me a good sense of where the property is located. I did that yesterday with an SS and told them why but the scheduler didn't have the address and said she'd call back with it but never called. I know I lost an assignment but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

I had one recently that was supposed to be at the borrower's home in my city but when I spoke with the TC they said the borrower was working and it had to be at his job. I called the borrower and got directions, again not in a good part of the nieghboring city but still a public place so I was okay until he told me it was a porn store! He failed to tell anyone where he worked, he didn't tell me until he asked if I was the one who would actually be doing the closing. Then he laughed and said it was an adult store and said you don't have a problem with that do you? I got off the phone and called the SS and they are so great they forbid me from going to that location and said to call the TC and have it changed or they would re-assign a male SA. Well I called the TC and the loan was being postponed anyway but according to the TC this borrower refused to close anywhere but at this porn store, apparently he is very open and free spirited and feels everyone should be and this location should not be an issue. Well I will not be the SA doing this signing, I am a middle aged Mom and those kind of places scare me.

Reply by christiSocal on 8/13/05 2:00pm
Msg #58872

wow Nancy, I'm so glad the ss backed you on that one! I

wonder though, if the guy was so open and ok with his choices why did he hide it until the last moment?

Reply by MelissaM/FL on 8/12/05 8:23pm
Msg #58734

There is a part of my hometown that I won't go into after dark. WHen I have borrowers in that area I simply ask them to meet me in a neutral location without mentioning that I'm uncomfortable in their neighborhood. Most of the borrowers realize that I'm not welcome in their area after dark and are happy to rearrange the time.

Reply by mes/IL on 8/12/05 10:50pm
Msg #58766

I run into this situation weekly.Living in Chicago, there are many neighborhoods I don't feel comfortable in.I get alot of calls for these area's and am upfront with the ss, some even offer me a higher fee.I am cautious, and only will take these in the daytime.One or two times, my husband insisted on driving me and waited out in the car reading the paper or whatever.Most of these borrowers are really very appreciative, and sense right away that I am in unfamiliar territory.I have never felt any sense of danger in their homes, and most make me feel very welcome.It is a different world in these neighborhoods, but I have met some really nice people, and leave some of these closings with a better idea of what really is going on in these diverse communities.Yes, there are alot of rough neighborhoods that seem intimidating, but there are lot's of very nice everyday kind of people living them.In my situation, if I didn't take these assignments, I would de turning business away on a daily basis.I do say no when I feel lit's a safety issue.I have been in some very nice neighborhoods where the borrower made me feel uncomfortable, some single men that were a little quirky, I guess it all evens itself out.