Posted by Dee_Fla on 4/4/06 2:25pm
Msg #110963

Can I ask a question....?

Can I ask you all a question...I know this might be far fetch. However, after spending some time here and other forums, in which I have to say I have learned a lot and have implemented a lot of ideas that has come from these forum. But there are many here, who have a lot of experience, knowledge and skills as Signing agents (ok..we are NOT closers). Most have more then others. But we all see the in's and out's of how alot of SS's and TC/Lenders work. Its like at times they just don't listen to us.

We talk about how some SS's dont' pay on time, or how other pay greatly. We talk about how some TC/LEnders fail to properly communitcate/educate their borrower's (expecting us to do it for a low fee but yet it really isnt our job to do so), we talk about the many ups and downs as a signing agent. And not really to be complaining, but to compare notes and yet somehow, we all want this to be better for our work as independant contractors and for the TC/Lenders.

Now I know there are some rules and guildlines how we as Notaries suppose to do our job as SA...however, what I would like to see that may help us better in our work is to really find a (proper) way to communicate with TC/Lenders and even SS's.

Like, have you ever noticed how most TC's or even Lenders are not consitent with forms..how they are made or where things are? Have you noticed, how many are not consitent in their own guidelines? especially in payment issues. I mean I can go on and on...

But can we somehow form a COMMITTEE to somehow make things consistent with all of us and somehow ask TC/Lenders and especilly SS's to work with us and respect our work as much as they want us to respect their work. I hate being talked down like a child by some, like I have "stupid" on my forehead. (especially by SS).

I'm not sure if I'm asking or saying the right thing, but hoping others understand. If they expect us to be "consitent" on certain things, then we should expect them to be. And they do need to be consistent with fees. They do need to listen to our suggestions. They do need to listen to us as much as we listen to them. I think...somehow, we do need to lay down our own rules and guildlines as Notary Signing AGents and be FIRM with it. After all, isnt that what they expect from us?

If there are some Notaries out there that are not good at their work, maybe they need to be 'suspended" and be re-educated /trained. Be Mentors for the new folks. So...instead of being mean and rude, let us help them to success as we have. If there are SS that are new or not good with their work, then let us do what we have to ......ummmmmm what's the word I 'm looking for??....uhmmmmmmm If there is a TC or Lender not advising their borrowers ahead of time as they should, then let us lay down the rules on this, so that we are not wasting anyone's time or they are not wasting our time. (I hate it when the borrower apolgizes to me cuz the paper work is not correct when it is not their or my fault).

I hope something like this makes sense? would anyone care to suggest or advise on how we as SA can better our work?

The key thing is....RESPECT. Respect for each other and the type of work we do. Repect our guidelines. Respect OUR fees. Respect for....

Dee

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 4/4/06 3:06pm
Msg #110972

"... to really find a (proper) way to communicate with TC/Lenders and even SS's. "

I believe this comes with experience and maturity. I make sure when I speak with TC/Lenders and SS's that everything is crystal clear and any questions have been answered. If there is any follow-up that needs to be done, then follow-up and do it. If the TC/Lenders and SS's need to do the follow-up and you don't receive it, then call them until it is done!



"...form a COMMITTEE to somehow make things consistent with all of us and somehow ask TC/Lenders and especilly SS's to work with us and respect our work as much as they want us to respect their work."

It'll never happen. If a person respects her/him self then others will respect her/him. Respect is earned, not a given.



"If they expect us to be "consitent" on certain things, then we should expect them to be. And they do need to be consistent with fees. They do need to listen to our suggestions. They do need to listen to us as much as we listen to them. I think...somehow, we do need to lay down our own rules and guildlines as Notary Signing AGents and be FIRM with it. After all, isnt that what they expect from us?"

Consistency begins with each signing agent managing his/her business. Run the business as a business, be professional, stick with your rates, and keep marketing. As for "listening" to each other - the bottom line is that they just want to get the job done and get paid, and we just want to get the job done and get paid. Sometimes a time-rush doesn't allow either to really listen to eachother. BUT... a thank you note to the TC/Lender or SS will go a long-long way! People like to be appeciated, and who knows... they might even listen a little more the next time you have something to say or suggest.



"If there is a TC or Lender not advising their borrowers ahead of time as they should, then let us lay down the rules on this"

Not our job!!! When I do a signing, ANYTHING in question gets turned back to the loan officer. We as signing agents are to be objective.


Dee, you are so right with the RESPECT (as even I mentioned above). People have different personalities and different ways of handling frustration and conflict. Those who can not handle it well will eventually learn from it (hopefully). We all should be the best we can be, have a positive attitude, and run the business professionally.

Reply by Anonymous on 4/4/06 5:44pm
Msg #111009

YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT ONE THINGS, SOME, A FEW OF THE SA ARE SOMETIMES RUDE IN THE SENSE...I HAVE MINE NOW GET YOURS...THAT IS WHAT I INITIALLY RAN INTO..NO ONE WAS WILLING TO OFFER ANY ADVICE... AND AS A NEWCOMER, I ONLY ASKED BASIC INFO...I THINK IT IS PRETTY AWFUL WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN IN A PROFESSION FOR A WHILE AND WHEN A NEWCOMER ASKS FOR INFO TO AVOID POSSIBLE MISTAKES THE ONLY ADVICE THAT IS GIVEN IS .."YOU NEED TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH" KINDDA MAKES YOU WONDER...

Reply by Accurate Signing Agency, Inc. on 4/4/06 6:02pm
Msg #111016

Dee, I understand what you are saying and I agree in some aspects. But the truth of the matter is that SA's and even SS's are at the very bottom of the foodchain in this industry and that will never change...it's a fact that must be accepted.

First of all, the entire mortgage industry always has and always will be a huge facade and the only ones that control it are the lender's investors. The common person has the impression that it is a well oiled machine, but it's just plain chaotic. Do you have any idea of how many pairs of hands one loan goes through from beginning to end before it reaches an SA? LO's, assistants, processors, account reps, junior underwriters, underwriters, pricing managers...then it starts going through all the hands at the TC and the list goes on. COUNTLESS typos and mistakes that are just human error. There will never be any type of uniformed system because every loan is unique as is every lender and every TC. As far as forms go, every lender is governed by their investors, so every lenders set of mortgage docs are different.

The industry is constantly changing and not always for the good. For example, I see so many people complain on these forums about price cuts and several other fee issues. But I don't think very many people understand why it's happening. The market has transformed and EVERYONE is feeling it. The lenders are losing a tremendous amount of money because they can no longer sell all of their paper on the secondary market which means they get stuck holding it and cannot recoup those funds for who knows how long. Investors on the secondary market are no longer buying loans in blocks as in the past, they are cherry picking every single file now and there are several lenders that have gone belly up because of it. The TC's are losing money because the brokers (the greediest and most scandalous entities in this entire industry) are demanding affiliated business arrangements with them and taking upwards of 55-60% of the TC's money from each loan. And then it trickles down to us SS's and SA's. We are expected to cut our fees as well because everyone else has to.

Now, there are bills being passed and revised right now that will eliminate the brokers being able to have an ABA with the TC's, so that will eliminate some of the $ problems for the TC's, but don't count on them to offer SA's or SS's a larger payment. A huge number of TC's are no longer going to pay high fees to SA's and that's a trend that is going to continue. So basically, we either have to roll with the punches or find another line of work.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 4/4/06 6:14pm
Msg #111020

Thank you for sharing this info...

it's very informative, enlightening, and good to have from another perspective.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/4/06 6:25pm
Msg #111022

Re: Can I ask a question....?Very well said-Thanks n/m

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/4/06 6:26pm
Msg #111024

Re: Can I ask a question....?Very well said-Thanks

My comment is intended for Accurate....

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/4/06 6:32pm
Msg #111026

How very refreshing...

to hear the truth stated plainly on this board.

***But the truth of the matter is that SA's and even SS's are at the very bottom of the foodchain in this industry and that will never change...it's a fact that must be accepted.***

Thanks Accurate...and you are, accurate. I appreciate your honesty.

Reply by Accurate Signing Agency, Inc. on 4/4/06 6:38pm
Msg #111027

Re: How very refreshing...

Anytime. I read the forums regularly, but usually don't post. I just kind of felt compelled today for some reason...lol.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/4/06 6:49pm
Msg #111029

Re: How very refreshing...

That foodchain is definitely a tiered deal.

Believe the title company isn't much higher up if you ask the brokers/agents/lenders.

Reply by Accurate Signing Agency, Inc. on 4/4/06 6:53pm
Msg #111031

Re: How very refreshing...

That's a fact.

Reply by John_NorCal on 4/4/06 9:44pm
Msg #111062

Re: How very refreshing... Question to TitleGal

Does the fact that title companies in Calif come under the jurisdiction of the Dept of Insurance have any bearing with brokers, etc wanting an aba with the title company? Since escrow companies are regulated by the Dept of Corporations, I can see them attempting to get that piece of the action. Just wondering how title companies are affected.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/4/06 10:10pm
Msg #111070

John, I'll have to ask.

Well aware of the dif between Dept. of Insurance and Corporations, but as to the regulation issues as such for this issue, I won't comment until I'm sure.

For my subdivison processing work, there is NO difference in practice.

If I had to guess as of this very moment in time? I'd say the above statement is true, but I'll get back to you.

Reply by Sherri_NWA on 4/4/06 10:51pm
Msg #111083

Well done...

Dear Accurate,

I applaude your honesty and agree with TitleGal, it is refreshing. Just as in the corporate system, the more times a project (or loan) goes through the different pair of hands, many things can and will happen to it. It is Murphy's law.

As far as the industry is concerned, the industry may demand change but it still has not fixed the previous hiccups from the last version so here we are with the newest forms, price cuts, fee issues, and still a high demand of loans not to mention the people on every level that are stressed and disgruntled. Sounds like a potion for disaster. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the borrowers that want their loan yesterday.

Well, I usually don't post like this but after working on taxes for the last few hours, I felt the need to voice my opinion a little.

Have a great night.

~Sherri in Arkansas

Reply by MichiganAl on 4/4/06 8:58pm
Msg #111049

Dee, I understand what you're trying to say about consistency across the board. I remember when I started out it was a little crazy trying to get it all straight. This one wants blue pens, this one black, this one wants to call with status, this one wants an e-mail, this one wants fax backs, this one wants individual invoices, this one wants once a month, this one doesn't need one, etc... I'd love to see uniformity, but it's not going to happen. They're all going to run their business as they see fit. Our opinion isn't going to matter. Just recently I went around and around with someone high up at a title company about some absolutely ridiculous procedures. Common sense didn't matter, reason didn't matter, redundancy didn't concern him, useless phone calls were essential in his mind. His attitude was that they will do what they want, too bad if we don't like it. It's their business to run. I am sure all of us have had dozens of conversations with companies about why we need docs on time, why borrowers should be informed before we get there, etc. But I don't see them changing the way they do business based on our opinions or concerns.

As far as notaries that aren't good, there is only so much we can do. As self-employed individuals, the onus falls on our own shoulders to learn our jobs. We can help those who help themselves, but many are just beyond help and will never succeed.

I don't disagree with your wish list. It's just not going to happen.

Reply by Dee_Fla on 4/4/06 10:24pm
Msg #111073

I do appreciate you all 's thoughts, suggestions and advise on this...at least 99.9% of us are in some agreement how this industry is working. However, I still say, we have a voice and it still needs to be heard (ok...somehow).

It was just a thought and curious how many really thought about it.

Safe hugz to all...& sweet dreams...gnite (smile)