Posted by PJM/MI on 10/26/05 8:22pm
Msg #72511

Gotta Love It!

I now there are alot of us who do this full-time, and I must say "hats off" to all of us. This is one crazy, weird business... strange hours, strange borrowers, but oh my.. what great pay! I see we all frequently complain about this that and the other thing.. but all in all...what else would you rather be doing?
I have been at this "game" for 6 years, and it sure beats sitting in an office for 8 hrs for "okay" pay. Isn't it nice when you can "walk" to your office in your p.j's in the morning?
I know this can be an upside down, crazy job..full of surprises..full of problems.. but why else are we doing what we do?
This board has been very helpful (although I sort of forgot about it for a couple of yrs..oops!)
and I really enjoy reading the posts. (Except those who "slam" other posters....what the heck is up with THAT?)
We're all in this together.. and if we treat one another with dignity and respect..(like we do the SS's and title co's), then this is a GREAT place to post our thoughts and ask questions.
I think as a whole, we all try our darnest to do a GOOD job so we get call backs. I know we all have worked VERY hard at marketing ourselves and we all work VERY hard to do a good job.
We are the ones who are the "face" of the lender, and it is up to us to do so in a professional and dignified manner. We are CLOSING AGENTS.. not the one who wrote the loan (shhh.. no comments at the closing table re: int. rate, etc), we are only there to close the loan.
We didn't have to deal with the borrower for 2-3 (or even 6) weeks.. we only see these people ONCE (hopefully), and signing their lives away is a tough call sometimes. Yes.. we get to hand hold them at the closing table (or floor, or tractor, or car.. or wherever), but this is what we CHOOSE to do.
I salute all of us who strive to do a GOOD job and deal with the problems with a smile on our face (while "grrring" inside) and continue to go sign, sign, sign. Good luck to us all!

Reply by SLP_VA on 10/26/05 8:44pm
Msg #72515

Why THANK YOU PJM/MI for the kind words to all us hardworking Signing Agents. You are absolutely right and I do love what I do. Even though I've only been doing this full time since August, the rewards are GREAT. I worked at a major mortgage company for 15 years as a closing coordinator and recently worked for a law firm (foreclosing on folks homes)...I started doing this part time and realized I loved it and would rather do it all day, every day if I could. I quit that stressfull, 5:30am to 7:00pm job in a heartbeat (and it helped that my husband was behind me all the way) and have not looked back since! I wouldn't have it any other way. On the slow weeks, I relax and prepare for the hectic, upcoming last 2 weeks of the month. In the end, it's all worth it.

Good Luck to everyone!

Reply by Margaret_FL on 10/26/05 8:56pm
Msg #72520

I have been doing purchase closings for a Condo Conversion. I do the closings in the office where all the Realtors are. I print the documents there, make my copies, etc. and do all my closings in the conference room. I have a key to the office and have been doing closings as early as 8am and as late as 8pm. I go in and make coffee and have bagels/cream for the early morning closings. They reimburse me for my expenses from petty cash. They have told me that I am part of the team. I love it, all the closings I have done have been for 1st time home buyers. I am the one who gets to give them the keys to their new home. The preferred lender is Countrywide as most are using them as they pay the 1st years Home Owners Association dues. This is the best gig I have ever done and I am cultivating a relationship with the Reatlors, Title Company and Lenders and they told me that they would like to use me on future projects after this one is sold out.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 10/26/05 9:25pm
Msg #72523

Re: Gotta Love It! Margaret

It is nice, isn't it? Good for you, you're making contacts that will last, and enjoying the fruits of being the one to hand over the keys! It's very special, and one of the reasons why I love this business.

Personally, I hate HOA's for a lot of reasons...but they're a fact of life now, aren't they? Condo conversions are a challenge in California from a processing standpoint - many, many regulations. I think Florida might be the same...what is the equivalent of the Dept. of Real Estate in CA to Florida for processing these conversions? I'm curious.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 10/26/05 9:34pm
Msg #72525

Re: Gotta Love It! Margaret

I am not sure. Thats all done by the title company I suppose. They are not required to have home owners insurance. Contents is recommended but not required by the lender. Many of the loans are 80/20. It was explained to me that they sign a contract and lock in a price, then before they close the property appraises for more. They are doing a 1st mortgage and a HELOC for the equity they have before they ever close. How does that work?

Reply by TitleGalCA on 10/26/05 9:39pm
Msg #72526

Re: Gotta Love It! Margaret

Terms of the loan is different from CA Dept. RE Reqs. Just curious if you have to hand out disclosure notices from the Florida equivalent of CA DRE? No pressure...just wondering if you've handed out state required disclosure notices on condo conversions.

And, yes, it's generally handled by the title company (jeez...we do so MUCH for so little). Wondering if you're the end recipient of those requirements for handing out disclosure?

Reply by Margaret_FL on 10/27/05 6:05am
Msg #72555

Re: Gotta Love It! Margaret

No, It must be something they sign when they do the buyers agreement. I only had the normal disclosures, condo rider to mortgage, no additional disclosures than the normal ones.

Reply by carlosnyc on 10/26/05 8:48pm
Msg #72517

CHEERS CHEERS!!!! I'll Drink to that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by Anonymous on 10/26/05 11:21pm
Msg #72543

I agree with you. It was funny to read what you wrote. I thought so many times to quit, but here I am, doing the same job every day. Good luck to you