Posted by ms/IL on 2/21/06 10:37am
Msg #98609

uncomfortable signings n/m

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/21/06 10:49am
Msg #98610

make me uncomfortable n/m

Reply by ms/IL on 2/21/06 10:50am
Msg #98611

Re: uncomfortable signings

In the past month , I have had several signings with single male borrowers who have made me feel unconfortable in their homes. I have never felt a sense of danger, yet I have gotten into my car after the signing has been completed, relieved that I was safe and sound. One borrower had a movie on his very large tv that was so unappropriate, I asked him to please turn it off, but he said this was the only time this month that cable was airing it. Another was eating a hotdog, and kept lifting his t-shirt up to wipe his mouth, exposing his chest each time. One had to take me down to his very dreary poorly lit basement to sign on the only table he had in his house. The walls were lined with aquariums filled with very large snakes. I am beginning to dread taking signings with only one male borrower, and I have never felt like this before. I am now leaving a copy of my confirmation on my desk so my husband knows where I am and approximately what time I should be home. I hate having this feeling, as I have had so many wonderful borrowers who have welcomed me into their homes. Anyone out there who has had problems of this nature?TIA

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/21/06 11:02am
Msg #98615

Re: uncomfortable signings

You never know what kind of situation you're walking into. I carry pepper spray in my blazer pocket and if I'm in a bad neighborhood, I call my husband from the car after arriving and he will call after about 15 mins to check on me. We have a code type language so that the borrower thinks it's a company calling. One of the hazards of going into a home.
He will drive along with me and ride around exploring if he can and the borrower sees him pull away after they open the door.
There was only one time I was uncomfortable, when the male borrower had about 4-5 buddies over drinking by his pool.

Reply by Crystal Evans on 2/21/06 11:13am
Msg #98624

Re: uncomfortable signings

I am new to the signing buisness, now I feel sacred and nervous to go on a signing by myself especially if their is only a man.

Reply by ms/IL on 2/21/06 11:19am
Msg #98630

Re: uncomfortable signings

I also have had my husband driving around some not so nice neighborhoods while I was in a signing. In those cases, the borrowers were fine, they just happened to live in really bad places that you want to be out of by sundown. In the situations I described in my earlier post, these borrowers had very nice homes with very nice "addresses". It is very hard to try and determine nowadays what may be a scarier situation. The neighborhood or the borrower. Living in Chicago, there are times I do have to take alot into consideration upon accepting an assignment; the location, the time of the signing, if I am able to park in a safe location close to the borrowers home, etc. But granted, there are wierdos living in million dollar homes and I am quite aware of it, lately. I think I will buy some pepper spray, but I can't imagine myself having to spray a hot dog eating slob with it!

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/21/06 11:25am
Msg #98635

Re: uncomfortable signings

LOL on spraying the hot dog eating slob.

I was born and raised in Chi-Town, there are some places you can't pay me enough to go, and that includes everything east of Western.
I know there are some wackos out there, but like every other job, it comes with the territory.

Reply by BakersfCA on 2/21/06 11:15am
Msg #98627

Re: uncomfortable signings

Here's my uncomfortable story,
I went to a signing about 8pm I get there it's just 2 guys, one looks like a gang member. They deadbolt the door as I walk in, I notice the metal baseball bat by the door. So I'm uncomfortable from the start. There is no table so we stand at the kitchen counter. The gang looking guy goes to take a shower. He comes out later and asks "are you a real estate agent" I said no and the guy that is signing the papers tells him to leave me alone I'm just there to sign papers. So he walks out of the room and when I'm going through the papers to make sure we didn't miss anything, he goes did you hear that? I looked at him and said no. He says that chh chh sound. So I'm thinking like a gun sound. So I flipped through those papers as fast as I could, my heart was just pounding, said thank you very much, good bye. He let me out, then dead bolted the door again. I grabbed my phone as I was walking out the door and called my husband. I told him he needed to stay on the phone with me till I got out of the neighborhood. That was the only one I've gone to that had me thinking what have I gotten my self into.

Reply by Crystal Evans on 2/21/06 11:19am
Msg #98629

Re: uncomfortable signings

I THINK WHEN I GO ON NY FIRST ONE I'M GONNA TAKE MY MOM OR SOMEONE WITH ME AND JUST HAVE THEM SIT OUT IN THE CAR.

Reply by srnotary_CA on 2/21/06 11:25am
Msg #98634

Re: uncomfortable signings

It is not that bad the majority of the BO's are nice friendly people. I fyou are uncomfortable now you may need to rethink your poeition. I am not trying to be mean but you have to be comfortable doing this. There are alot of precautions you can take. Just be smart about it.

Reply by LilyMD on 2/21/06 11:27am
Msg #98636

Re: uncomfortable signings, Crystal

It's not that bad. Honest. You're just hearing about the uncomfortable signings, which I think for most of us are really few and far between. I have only had two signings out of hundreds that has made me give pause. For the most part they're all uneventful. I've taken my husband on a few signings. Mostly because we were going to dinner afterward and he just waited in the car for me. Only once did I take him for security. I was doing a signing at 11:30 at night for a lone male signer. This kid turned out to be the sweetest thing. He was barely older than my own son and reminded me of him a little. Don't dwell on the horror stories that you're seeing in your head. You'll be fine.

Reply by Crystal Evans on 2/21/06 11:35am
Msg #98640

Re: uncomfortable signings, Crystal

That's true and if you think about you have too take precaution anywhere you go because anything can happen anywhere no matter what you're doing, but I'm not gonna let it bother me ans stop me from doing this, I'm just gonna take precaution and do most of my signings during the day and beware of my surroundings.

Reply by BakersfCA on 2/21/06 11:37am
Msg #98645

Re: uncomfortable signings, Crystal

Really they aren't all bad! That was the only one that I felt nervous at.

Reply by ms/IL on 2/21/06 11:29am
Msg #98637

Re: uncomfortable signings

Forgot to add one I did 2 weeks ago. This guy was SO strange. Reminded me of the Beast in the cartoon Beauty and the Beast. Long gray hair to his shoulders, with a long scarf wrapped around his neck. Had a huge beautiful old house. Was a very sunny day, he had all the blinds and drapes closed. Walks me into his dining room. Sitting on the table was his laptop and a long (about 2 feet) dagger in a case. I was so nervous, and this was a 1st and 2nd, so I was there for awhilel Ended up being okay, but I was just so intimidated by that dagger, I kept staring at it, and was not as focused as I usually am. Why would someone have a weapon on the "closing " table? It was ridiculous.

Reply by LilyMD on 2/21/06 11:36am
Msg #98644

Re: uncomfortable signings

Being from the south. A "weapon" at the closing table isn't ridiculous to me. I think nothing of it. I was raised around hunters and fishermen that dress like they're ready for combat just to go for a snowcone. It's just a part of the scenery/wardrobe. Most "avid sportsmen" don't realize how intimidating the knife can be -- even sheathed. Oh, and the people I know would remove the dagger to defend you, not harm you.

Reply by MB_AZ on 2/21/06 12:08pm
Msg #98663

Re: uncomfortable signings

Last month I had a signing at a downtown barbershop on a Saturday. It was for the owner of the shop and the only time he could meet with me was during business hours. This particular Saturday was during the football playoffs. This small barbershop was crammed full of men all looking like (and acting like) NFL linebackers. Some were getting their hair cut but most just standing around like it was a sports bar hootin' & hollering. There were no tables to sign on so we had to go in the back room and use the washer and dryer. I could not wait to get out of there.

Reply by Mung/CA on 2/21/06 12:25pm
Msg #98665

In case he didin't like the financing terms. jk n/m

Reply by Paul_IL on 2/21/06 1:39pm
Msg #98696

Leave Mom alone sitting in the car in a bad neighborhood...

Now there is a good idea!

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/21/06 1:50pm
Msg #98697

Re: Leave Mom alone sitting in the car in a bad neighborhood...

better than throwing her from the train....

sorry, I couldn't resist

Reply by RickinVA on 2/21/06 12:01pm
Msg #98660

Re: uncomfortable signings

My comments may be a little naive, but I really don't think, in almost all cases, there is anything to fear in a persons home. Criminals ARE stupid, in a lot of ways, but they really don't want to "foul there own nest". They know people are aware of where you are or are due to be there so I can't think of a reason to be scared. Wary, though, yes! That said, I'm a male at 6'2 and about 185 and although I'm well over 65 yo, I might not have a great perspective on the misgivings. <g>

Rick

Reply by Mung/CA on 2/21/06 12:28pm
Msg #98666

in this situaution, the best solution is a fast food place.

Assuming of course that you have full info on the bo beforehand.

Reply by NJ_Notary on 2/21/06 1:22pm
Msg #98686

Re: uncomfortable signings

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT EVER GO INTO THE BASEMENT! I am a male who is very concious both for my own safety, but more-so for female signing agents and Realtors( I am also a Realtor). Although tradgedy is not oriented to what type of sex we are the truth of the matter is that females are more acceptable and unable to overpower a male psycho ( Sorry gals, im not trying to be a male shovanist or anything, just trying to express how concerned i am for you).

Please dont ever go into the basement.... thats one of the worse places you want to go. In a basement noone can hear you scream, fight, or shout - especially not a dim lit one. I dont care if there is only one table in the house and its in the basement, use the living room floor-it could possibly save your life.

Remember to always trust ur gut instinct, use common sense, and if your even at all feel wierd- just say your forgot a document in you car and leave. Your life is much more important than the $50-400 fee you would have been paid. Signings come and go; a life is Priceless.

Reply by CalGal on 2/21/06 12:29pm
Msg #98668

Re: uncomfortable signings

I have had several uncomfortable signings. Particularly one in the rural part of the city. I drove down a desolate road and approached a trailer with a person pointing a rifle in the air. At that moment was wanted to leave, but I put on my brave hat and proceeded. I walked up the stairs and asked for the borrower. I was told he lived in the house next door. At that point I thought who are these people? I walked in and there were 3 men in the house. Once again, scared to death. I was seated at the table and realized the borrower was a police officer and he had a training camp for other police officers. Don't let your imagination run away with you...but always be cautious.

Reply by SignerCA on 2/21/06 12:32pm
Msg #98669

is pepper spray legal in CA? I have been considering

buying some for myself but I am not sure where to buy it.

Reply by Adams Notaries - Alicia and Ken Adams on 2/21/06 12:55pm
Msg #98674

Re: is pepper spray legal in CA? I have been considering

I can't speak to the legality, but you can buy it at Fry's.

Reply by CaliNotary on 2/21/06 12:59pm
Msg #98676

Re: is pepper spray legal in CA? I have been considering

try putting the words "pepper spray" into google, i'm sure that'll give you plenty of places to order it from.

I've gotten it at a military surplus store before.

Reply by BetsyMI on 2/21/06 1:08pm
Msg #98679

Re: is pepper spray legal in CA? I have been considering

And I got mine at a hardware store.

Reply by Mung/CA on 2/21/06 1:27pm
Msg #98689

That's why I have an angry trunk monkey. n/m

Reply by Jenny_CA on 2/21/06 3:45pm
Msg #98729

Re: uncomfortable signings

A couple of weeks ago an elderly realtor was beaten up while showing a house in Fresno.

Someone in the above threads mentioned the risk is low because criminals are dumb ( I think I read that right) I think that is what makes it worse. I still think about the guy who didn't like his interest and knocked dents into the wall ending up with bloody knuckles.

I've had other signers also get angry and show disgust at me as if it was my fault but what I seem to think about more is a post by another member last summer in which a borrower pointed a gun on her and pulled the trigger ( it didn't go off) as she arrived. I don't recall the person's name does anyone remember who it was?