Posted by PJM/MI on 7/17/06 12:31pm
Msg #133611

For the Newbies.. Things to carry with you

You may not be in Journal state, but keep one anyway. I write down the returning tracking #'s in my journal because I seem to get called for a tracking # when I am driving down the road.
A roll of tape. Some companies allow the borrower to have monthly payments deducted from their account and a voided check needs to be attached to the document. (Stapling isn't acceptable). And most people don't know where a roll of tape is.. unless it's close to Christmas time.
Legal size mailing envelopes. A cashiers check or even cash needs to be sent back in a secure envelope.. not floating loosely with the docs. (After sealing, I tape it shut, too).
Pens of black & blue colors. Some lenders REQUIRE a different colored ink than your state.
A listing of all of the companies you have done business with ..and phone numbers.
A COPY of your Notary commission, bond and insurance. You'd be surprised how often you may need to show this. (Some borrowers are skepitcal of us.. bear with them).
BLANK pieces of paper. You may have to have the borrower write a little note to the title co or lender, and often times, they can't find a piece of paper either.
HELPFUL HINT: If you have another "side" job, do not solicit it while at a closing. You'd be amazed how many times loan officers, signing agencies and title companies call the borrowers to find out how the closing went. I know of two instances where notaries have been "fired" for soliciting another business.
Good luck to all of us!

Reply by Valerie Green on 7/17/06 12:42pm
Msg #133615

Thank you

Reply by Cynthia/CA on 7/17/06 1:20pm
Msg #133625

Good, helpful info - thanks

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:23pm
Msg #133626

Re: For the Newbies.. Things to carry with you - GREAT!!!! n/m

Reply by RayC_TX on 7/17/06 1:25pm
Msg #133628

RE: CELL PHONE ......

Its not ok just to carry it .... make sure its charged and ready Freddy !!!

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:31pm
Msg #133629

Re: RE: CELL PHONE It's so nice to hear from you Ray-Ray!!

Reply by hcampersFL on 7/17/06 1:39pm
Msg #133632

One thing I carry that I find invaluable is a full sheet

magnifier. I bought it at Office Depot for $7 and change.
It really helps with the older folks who have trouble seeing the fine print. I have had to us it on occasion myself. Sometimes the print is just hard to read.
I also carry a mini stapler. I attache the voided check with this instead of tape unless other wise instructed.

Reply by LisaWI on 7/17/06 1:56pm
Msg #133640

Re: Nice List and...

Dont forget extra acknowledgements, jurats, Fed Ex and UPS supplies. Oh yeah, road food and drink. I also carry headache medicine (never know when you might need that) and dont forget the handy state map with all back roads and such. If you get into an area with no phone service you have to be able to find your way out.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 7/17/06 1:53pm
Msg #133637

See post #19302

This is an oldie but a goodie posted by Lee/AR a long time ago.

My NSA briefcase contains...
Posted by Lee/AR of ? on 2/3/05 9:13am
Msg #19302

8 each blue & black pens, a calculator, business cards. envelope slitter, couple binder & paper clips, magnifier sheet so people who forgot their glasses can read the docs, 1 plastic 2-compartment legal-size folder to hold docs & b's copy, a 12 compartment thingy with every 'extra' doc I might need--i.e. Loose acks, jurats, sig/name aff, a/k/a, etc., a plastic-sleeved sheet of paper w/every area UPS-FedEx Drop box location, 1/2 dozen sheets of notebook paper just in case b needs to make notes, State Notary Handbook (it is small) , little bitty stapler, a plastic-sleeved really good generic explanation of Docs & TIL, a hard-topped mouse pad (for 'notary-stamping' on rough surfaces), a prepaid phone card, a pair of footie socks (for muddy paths/white carpets/fussy b's), small flashlight, 3 desks (OK...just legal sized hard plastic things)...oh, yeah & my Journal & Stamp. Whole thing weighs 5 lbs--exclusive of docs. Ain't nothing I'm not prepared for...cause it's all happened and I've used every fool thing in it at some signing or another... BTW, you should see the look on people's faces when they realize that they don't have a clean, smooth, flat surface in their house & I pull the 'desks' out of my briefcase!

I started carrying legal size 'desks' and the hard topped mouse pad for stamping after I saw this post and I've used them about a hundred times.

I also carry hand sanitizer and mace!

Reply by christiSocal on 7/17/06 4:11pm
Msg #133679

I also carry wash/wipes

Ca has to thumbprint and even though my ink pad is the "just rub off- will clean" type, Borrowers always want something to wash off with. ALSO due to a few "buggy" homes I spray avon's skin so soft bath oil on my purse and briefcase to keep visitors from coming home with me! AND a can of bug spray( in the car) for the determined ones.

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/17/06 8:57pm
Msg #133728

Substitution on my own list. Re: See post #19302

I have substituted 1/2 dozen or so legal size paper for the notebook paper. Have been able to salvage a screwup a few times by having legal size paper available for e-mailing/printing of 'corrected docs'. (Usually the HUD.)

Reply by Ernest__CT on 7/17/06 6:41pm
Msg #133707

Good lists and additions!

Magnifiers are good, illuminated ones are better. The one that uses UV (black light) works very well for reading CT's red-on-blue driver's license expiration dates. (Those drivers' licenses are supposed to be harder to forge. Yeah. Right. Even the police have a hard time reading 'em.)

Echoing the worth of lined pads: Borrowers are encouraged to write down all of their questions and make ONE call to their Loan Officer. Please note that this is always a REQUEST, never a demand!

Keeping a package of legal-size paper in my car has proved very valuable. (I normally carry ten or a dozen sheets in my case.) There have been several times that I've had to have the borrowers print documents that the lender "forgot" to overnight or email. The most recent time (Friday) it was the HUD!

As silly as it sounds, always take your confirmation and all other info on the signings you'll be doing. Jotted down the Loan Officer's name? Take it with you! Have a "back door" phone number from a previous signing? A copy should be in your possession.