Posted by PJM/MI on 8/26/06 6:15am
Msg #141092

Dealing with the "Clutterers"

Since we go to the homeowners home, (usually), I've been trying to figure out how to tell Mrs. & Mr. Borrower that we need a clean area to sign at.
I've seen the wonderfully clean homes, and then there are those homes where you wonder how the borrowers even find themselves in all the clutter.
It would be great if we could have a "warning" from someone... like being able to talk to the appraiser so we can be forwarned if we need a biohazard suit to walk in the door.
I don't want to seem like a snob and call the borrower to schedule the closing and tell 'em to have a clean area, as you never know if the borrower is a good housekeeper or not.
Anybody have any suggestions on this?

Reply by hcampersFL on 8/26/06 7:17am
Msg #141094

Re: Dealing with the "Clutters"

I carry with me a plastic clip board. It is over sized legal and has a calculator on it and a compartment inside. I will use it in these situations. I put all the docs in front of me and hand the Br the clip board. Then I will give them one doc at a time (all pages to be included as in the mortgage and note). After it is signed by them I will then add my signature and turn it over and place it in a pile. By the time we are done all signed pages are upside down and then I review them before I leave.

Thank goodness I don't have to do this all the time. It does add an extra 10 minutes or so to the closing.

Reply by Kate/CA on 8/26/06 8:59am
Msg #141106

Re: Dealing with the "Clutters"

But haven't you been to a house that there is no place for you to put that pile of papers? I was at one last nigh, took them 10 minutes to clear the table.

Reply by hcampersFL on 8/26/06 9:15am
Msg #141110

Re: Dealing with the "Clutters"

I can use my lap.

Reply by hcampersFL on 8/26/06 9:16am
Msg #141111

Re: Dealing with the "Clutters"

I have done signings on the hood of my car during the end of hurricane Katrina. True story.

Reply by Kate/CA on 8/26/06 9:36am
Msg #141115

Re: Dealing with the "Clutters"

I've done many on the trunk of a car. When the house is such a mess it take much longer to do the loan.

Reply by LawrenceOK on 8/26/06 10:38am
Msg #141122

I am not afraid to tell the borrowers that we need a clean stable surface to sign the documents on. One borrowers home that I rememeber the kids had PB&J for lunch and the table was a sticky mess, they didn't bother to wipe it off until the TIL stuck to the table.

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 8/26/06 11:48am
Msg #141132

I hate having to clean the docs up after them sticking to the table! YUCK! That only happens once, I then take the bo copy and put the messed up one in their pkg and get a wet wipe out of my purse and clean my area while explaining that the lender won't accept docs with jelly on them, that seems to solve the problem. I'm not mean when I say it, tact is everything, after a while you get it down to the point where You are not uncomfortable and neither is the BO with the situation.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/26/06 12:26pm
Msg #141137

I guess I have been fortunate in that I have run into only one of the truly expreme situations that you all have experienced. I felt sorry for the lady who was obviously sick in some sort of a fashion (clutter/obsessive-compulsive hoarder). It was probably one of the most embarrassing moments of her life to have me in her home. I pretended it was normal. My style is something like Bev's in this situation. The NR hardcover MoJo is the way to go in this situation.

Having grown up in a family with women who worked, did crafts, loved music, and letting the good times roll (mom's side of the family - they all kept housekeepers on a regular basis) I don't feel much out of the ordinary with messy homes and just find any flat surface for them to sign or offer the lap method/hardback book method.

I do a lot with wheelchair bound people who need the documents in their lap to sign so carrying a flat surface around is necessary.

Reply by kathy/ca on 8/26/06 2:58pm
Msg #141153

Ha ha, these posts are TOO funny! I have done signing's on

the hood of car's, at a table in a motor home, in the backseat of a car with the signers in the front seat, at a poolside table at an apartment complex, in the kitchen of a restaurant, in a tent at a campground & in a bank parking lot at the ATM to name a few. Ya gotta love this job!!! LOL!