Posted by taxpro on 11/14/05 8:20pm
Msg #76544

venting...

I'm in Kansas, and had a signing for the sale of a property in Florida, I was to be witnessing the seller only. The SS was super cheap, and tried to low-ball the fee at $40, saying it's only 6 or 7 documents, emailed. I said no thanks, a seller has no right to cancel, therefore they will read every word on every page, and it'll probably take as long as a refi. Besides, I still have to drive there and back, and do some fax-backs. They begrudgingly agreed to pay $75, but acted like it was highway robbery. When I got the docs and instructions, I saw that 2 witnesses were required. I called the seller and he didn't know if he could get anyone to come. All his friends and neighbors work during the day. I called the SS back, and they said, "you'll just have to bring the witnesses with you." I said ok, I'll try to find someone to go with me, and I'll let you know what they're going to charge you for that." They said, "We don't pay extra for witnesses." Excuse me? So, let me get this straight. I'm supposed to find two people to go with me, during the day, who have nothing else to do, and don't want to be paid for their time? Or am I supposed to split my $75 with them? Fortunately, the seller remembered he had some really nice, retired neighbors, and he asked them to come over, so it turned out to not be an issue. But I couldn't believe them saying "You'll just have to bring them", like that's no problem, and wouldn't cost anything. What do they think, that I just do this for a hobby, and I have friends on call, available anytime to go with me to a signing, at the drop of a hat, just for the pure pleasure of my company? Do you notaries in Florida have to put up with this all the time?

Reply by PAW_Fl on 11/14/05 10:52pm
Msg #76594

>>> Do you notaries in Florida have to put up with this all the time? <<<

No, thank goodness. It's very rare that we need two witnesses. Witnesses are only required on deeds that convey property and since 99.9% of the work is refi, 2nds and the like, there is not deed or property ownership being conveyed. But that 0.1% can getcha. Sometimes it is difficult to obtain a second witness (the notary can be a witness for FL property transactions) and I've never had any issue in getting a $15 or even a $25 'witness fee' for her. But more often than not, it's just a neighbor.

I always tell the signers that we will do the deed first so the neighbor can witness the signing and be on their way. No need to broadcast the signer's business all over the neighborhood.

Reply by Tina_MA on 11/14/05 10:57pm
Msg #76595

>>They said, "We don't pay extra for witnesses." Excuse me? So, let me get this straight. I'm supposed to find two people to go with me, during the day, who have nothing else to do, and don't want to be paid for their time? Or am I supposed to split my $75 with them?<<

ROTF LMAO!

They probably expected you to split your measly $75 with them!