Posted by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 9:35am
Msg #72597

Lender at Signing

I did a signing last night where the Lender brought all docs and then kept them. He took out everything I needed to notarize and I never got to see if there was anything else. I am pretty sure there wasn't but still is this as unususal as the SS said or is it common?

Reply by calipat on 10/27/05 9:40am
Msg #72601

I have only had that happen once. She drove 3 hours to be at the signing. The borrower and her were friends. She had the docs and just gave me the ones to be notarized. I told her I get paid to make sure every document gets signed and notarized so could she please let me have the docs and she could have them after they were signed. She was fine with that. Everything went fine.

Reply by PJM/MI on 10/28/05 7:40am
Msg #72831

I have been told to NEVER had over the docs to the loan officer! We are legally responsible for those docs, and once they are signed, it is up to us to get 'em back to the correct office.
Even if the lo brings docs to the table, I always take 'em with me.
If borrower doesn't sign, take all docs back with you. (I will leave t he HUD & the first page of the Note, but I mark through it so it cannot be signed).
I don't mind if the lo is at the closing, although sometimes they can be a pain! Remember.. you are being paid to do your job. Do not let the loan officer tell you how to do your business, just as we don't tell them how to do theirs.

Reply by Anonymous on 10/28/05 8:33am
Msg #72837

My situation may be a little different than yours, but I have NEVER been told that I should tell a loan officer when present how to handle their closing. I work for one title company, so I work with the same loan officers over and over. If I was giving them a hard time, I would be doing a lot less closings. My job is to witness the signatures, that's all. I am not the armored car company for transporting the documents. I just need to perform my duties as a notary in accordance with my state laws.

Reply by Charm_AL on 10/27/05 9:41am
Msg #72602

very rare, but it happens....n/m

Reply by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 9:46am
Msg #72606

Re: very rare, but it happens....n/m

Thanks guys because it was just really weird lender was "pushing" me out the door.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 10/27/05 10:04am
Msg #72616

Re: very rare, but it happens....n/m

Don't take this the wrong way, but YOU need to take charge of your signings. Politely tell these pushy lender types that this is your job and you will conduct the signing.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 10:08am
Msg #72618

Re: very rare, but it happens....n/m

Thats what I would normally do but this was a new situation for me and the Lender Had specifically told the SS I was only wanted there for 15 minutes. Should I look at all docs before notarizing next time or Just the ones I notarize? I did see the ones i notarized before the bo signed. THanks again

Reply by LawrenceOK on 10/27/05 10:40am
Msg #72633

Re: very rare, but it happens....n/m

If that was the case, then I would have explained to the borrowers that the lender present was cunducting the signing and I am (Ok hear goes) JUST THE NOTARY. Bash away folks.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 10:54am
Msg #72639

Re: very rare, but it happens....n/m

LOL I felt the same way. So I won't bash you for it.

Reply by NY_TaxLady on 10/27/05 10:12am
Msg #72621

Broker at signing

I had a broker ( brker & bwr were friends ) at the signing but I came with the docs and took them with me. He was just there to answer questions if needed. I had complete control of the signing. I went through all the docs with the bwr. No problem made my job easier.

Reply by B__CA on 10/27/05 10:30am
Msg #72628

If they want to handle it that way fine, just explain you need to go thru just to make sure there is not anything else to notarize, that you wouldn't want the loan held up becasuse something was missed. Never had one refuse to let me go thru the package then.

Reply by Anonymous on 10/27/05 10:56am
Msg #72640

I don't think it's a question of whether you had control of the signing or not. The scope of this assignment was to witness signatures, making sure that the signers are who they say they are, and then notarize those documents. As part of that you should be able to review the documents you sign to make sure there are no black spaces or anything like that. Other than that, it's not your business (for this assignment). If you never see the note or any of the other docs, or if there is a document that needs to be notarized and the lender does not have them sign it in your presence and you don't notarize, again not your problem.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 11:04am
Msg #72642

When I was taking the course We were told that it is our job to make sure that the loan docs are complete from first to last page. To make sure everything was signed and initiales where needed and that all necessary notorizations were completed. I felt that the lender "hiding" the docs was a little weird and he kept repeating I was to be there only 15 minutes. And to make sure the right of recission was completed. I asked to see the page and was told it was completed and did not need a notorization. If I am to be a competent notary these are the things that need to be seen to and made sure are correct. But with a lender not willing to let you see anything but the pages to be notarized what can you do?

Reply by Anonymous on 10/27/05 11:21am
Msg #72645

Fair enough. And I agree with what the class taught you for the other 99.9% of assignments you get. I am just saying that exceeds the scope of this assignment and would not worry about it. Your most important job as a notary is to perform notarial acts while abiding by the laws of your state. I am fairly certain that the law does not say you have to witness and make sure all pages in a loan package are signed. I think it's great that you take your responsibility seriously, I was actually more or less defending the fact that you did not lose control of this closing, that's all. If the lender or mortgage broker wants to be in control, let them be.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 10/27/05 11:25am
Msg #72647

Sorry if I sounded huffy. Didn't mean to. I do take my resposibility seriously. And true The lender was in control I did my job. If the loan doesn't go through because of docs not being correct then it is more money for me

Reply by Anonymous on 10/27/05 11:32am
Msg #72650

I get these closings where the borrower does not speak english. I check ID's to make sure everyone is who they say they are, then I just set back and watch. The loan officer does all the talking, I have no idea what is being said. He is presenting the docs to them and then he just slides over the docs that need to be notarized. Easiest closings I have ever done.

Reply by Anonymous on 10/27/05 1:38pm
Msg #72688

See all documents

Tell the lender you have been hired to see that ALL documents are properly signed and the notary ones signed and notarized. If not, you might not get paid. If he missed giving you a notarized one you might not get paid.

Reply by Art_MD on 10/27/05 1:45pm
Msg #72689

Re: See all documents

Write up a note:

In regards to the XXXXX closing, all documents given to the notary were properly signed and notarized where required and returned to me.
Have the Lender sign and date it.

Art

Reply by Anonymous on 10/27/05 1:53pm
Msg #72693

Re: See all documents

Maybe the closer was not hired to see ALL documents. Why would you automatically assume that is what the assignment was. Seems to me that the lender hired the signing service, and the signing service hired the signing agent. So therefore, if the lender is saying it will only take 15 minutes, you only need to do the docs that need to be notarized and then you will be on your way. That would be what you were hired for.

Reply by canotarygal on 10/27/05 6:13pm
Msg #72747

Your job

Just remember it is at your benefit, and the clients, that the lender is there. They can answer the questions that we are not allowed to. We are impartal witnesses that are there to verify ID, and yes, to have them sign where need be. The lenders are the one that are making the big bucks off the loan, and in reality, it is their signing, and we ultimatly are working for them and title.(yes and the client) My husband is a loan officer, and it's nothing personnal, they are the ones that have built that "relationship" with the client.