Posted by Mike Photon on 8/18/06 6:16pm
Msg #139426

Flags

Do you use "Sign Here", "Sign & Date Here", "Initial Here" & "Notarize" flags?
Some SA's I know use them, some think its a PIA and use only hi-liter and some use both.
What do you guys think?
On the same note, if you use them(flags), where can you buy them cheap?

Reply by Brad_CA on 8/18/06 6:26pm
Msg #139429

I do not use them, mostly because it is time consuming and they are not necessary in my book. Hi-liters are forbidden by some companies. However, you can purchase the store brand (Staples or Office Depot) cheaper than the Post-It brand.

Reply by Signing_Doc on 8/18/06 6:27pm
Msg #139431

If you are new and you feel that you need them to remind "you" where to sign...then go for it. Most companies I work for will not allow highlighters etc. Once you have done enough, you will learn where and what to notarize and you wont need them. I got mine at OfficeDepot, although OfficeMax Staples or any stationary type store can get them. Or, you can just get some small post-it notes, write what you want on them, and then reuse them..

I find that when the companies include them in the documents, that they are showing that they don't trust my work or my competency level. I find that insulting. "Doc"

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/18/06 6:37pm
Msg #139436

I used them on my first signing and I found them to be more of a hinderance than a help and actually added time to the signing. If you have the time, sit down and thumb through the documents before each signing until you are familiar with the docs. It won't take you very long to become familiar with the docs and your eyes will zoom in on the place for the BO to sign. While there are some minor differences in docs from lender to lender and from loan type to loan type anything recorded in this state is basically the same. When you do loans that record in another state, then there can be larger differences ..

Reply by Signing_Doc on 8/18/06 6:46pm
Msg #139437

Re: Flags...a little trick I learned, I think from some of

the people here...was, when I'm reviewing the documents, everything I am to notarize, I prefill out what I can...i.e. state, county, print my name and title, anything EXCEPT my signature and of course my stamp. This way, when I'm going through the documents with the borrowers, these jump right out, smack me in the head and say..."HEY...Don't forget a signature here" (well they don't really, but you get my drift :-))

(Shrugs shoulders) couldn't hoirt!

"Doc"

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/18/06 6:51pm
Msg #139441

Re: Flags...a little trick I learned, I think from some of

I learned that here also. Works good, but I always forget to pass the tip on.

Reply by christiSocal on 8/18/06 7:14pm
Msg #139445

Hate'em, but you can get them cheap at big lots n/m

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/18/06 8:13pm
Msg #139450

I used them for my first few signings 2 1/2 yrs ago until I became "familiar" with everything...it doesn't take long, but it did give me a sense of security at the time.

Funny you mention these flags today... I did an SBA Loan Signing this morning (had not done an SBA before), and the available time for signing was limited. SO... I dug out the "flags" last night and went thru the docs flagging what needed to be signed and notarized. i also wrote down questions I had as I went thru them (difinitely different than home loan docs) - emailed questions to Title Co. last night and had answers emailed back when I checked my email this morning.

It did save time - from start to finish was 1/2 hour!

By the way... the "flags" ARE reusable! (until the stickiness is no longer there), can get alot of uses,

Reply by SharonMN on 8/18/06 9:16pm
Msg #139461

Re: Cheap flags - try discountofficesupplies.com

I agree with BarbaraL - those little flags can be reused MANY times. I used them a lot in the beginning but now usually only use them if I notice a weird place to sign or intial when I have the luxury of paging through the docs before the appt.

Discountofficesupplies.com is my supplier of choice. Where else can you get paperclips for 3 cents a box?

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/18/06 9:19pm
Msg #139462

Never a highlighter, IMHO.

You won't need more than one or two loan doc packages worth. You'll get the hang of it and ditch them.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/18/06 9:51pm
Msg #139467

I think its a very good idea when you are new to use flags. There will come a time when you won't need them anymore and you'll probably never use them again.

My time came when the docs were sent to borrower and I opened the package and got the signing done without the flags and I never used them again.

I agree Never Highlight a loan

Reply by Becca_FL on 8/18/06 10:00pm
Msg #139469

Flags are a PITA! Borrowers ALWAYS sign into them if they are not removed before signing.

Reply by Sarah/CA on 8/19/06 12:22am
Msg #139475

I also used the flags or arrows to begin with then found it to be more trouble then it was worth. I tried to reuse the arrows but found them taking off the top layer of paper when I reused them so I quite plus using them only once got rather expensive. I think once you become familiar with all the signature places of most loan docs it goes faster without them. It is a great security to begin with so you don't forget a signature though.

Reply by Ndwa on 8/19/06 12:51am
Msg #139477

I never use them and I hate them when they are all over in an overnighted package. IMO...EO who uses them probably had his/her share of screwed up docs. So, I'd remove them even before the signing b/c (conspicously) it makes me look incompetent to the borrowers. And sending docs back without them to would hopefully give the EO a message of my knowledge of the job.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 8/19/06 6:56am
Msg #139489

Never highlight!

As most other people have said, the flags are great when starting out but you'll grow out of using 'em.

Reply by Barbara O on 8/19/06 12:48pm
Msg #139540

Funny, I like them and I use them at every signing (unless overnighted to borrower). I find it a helpful way for me to make sure I review the pages before hitting the signing and then at the signing, I always take the flag from the page I have notarized and stick it at the top so when I am reviewing later, the pages I have notiarized are sure to get my extra attention. I can go to an overnighted-to-borrower signing and whip through no problem but I like the extra security I get knowing I went through and tagged each page that needs a signature.