Posted by Bruce_CA on 6/20/06 1:36am
Msg #126928

A couple of questions...

Hello there,
I have a few questions and just want to get some ideas...

First, does anybody have a spiel that you use as an intro? Something that gives the signer an idea as to the limits we have (not giving any advice, etc)

Second, do you present the closing instructions? do you give a copy of these? Sometimes these can be QUITE lengthy! If you don't how do you know what is to be presented? I have been presenting these and giving a copy, but I was talking to a local notary and she said she did not, that these were her instructions.

TIA
Bruce

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/20/06 1:52am
Msg #126929

Bruce, you can start reading with thread #33325 and get a ton of info on getting started. I don't focus a great deal on much of anything except, "Beautiful home!" then let's get started, but many agents do. I avoid telling them what I cannot do because I figure we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

As much of a stickler as I am about getting fees where they need to be I am very relaxed with the bwrs and do not ask them to sign something to agree to pay me if they do not sign, and I do not use social engineering on them to make them worry I might not get paid if they do not sign. I let them set the pace, unless they are big time hogs, and then I will move them along.

If they want to let me hold the baby, I will. Want to watch a little TV while we sign...that's fine if they don't bog down. If they are older and in a wheel chair, I might even undo the back of their blouse before I leave so they can get ready for bed easier. I am going to do whatever I can to make them feel comfortable with me. Prohibitive talk might take that away.

Many do differently than I do, but that's their style. I have mine. You'll develop yours.
I don't fool with things they do not need to sign as experience has taught me that it's just confusing to them. As I flip them over I say, "you do not need to sign this and we won't review it unless you just want to, however, you DO have one identical to it in your package." I only say that once -- then I keep repeating, "Again, one's in your package just like this one." (Flip it. Move on.)

I print ALL documents sent to me and give it to them. I feel that cuts back on *my* error margin.

Reply by ananotary on 6/20/06 10:02am
Msg #126980

Re: A couple of questions...Brenda

I so agree with you. That is exactly how I handle my signings. I love working with people and I have ony had a few in three years that I would call "satan incarnate".

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/20/06 11:13am
Msg #127000

Re: A couple of questions...Brenda

I try to keep in mind that I am a person first, a notary second, and an NSA third. I hope to leave them feeling that I was a good person, good notary and a good NSA, in that order.

Sometimes it works well...sometimes you have to "punt." If the bwr from he77 shows up you have to do like Bob says and remember that "you" can leave. They have to stay and be themselves forever.

Reply by Ndwa on 6/20/06 1:57am
Msg #126932

"Quick disclaimer before we start; My name is....., a NP aka SA. I have been contracted as a 3rd party impartial witness here to facilitate the signing of your loan documents. I'm not authorized to give legal advice nor discuss the terms of your loan. Therefore, you should seek legal advice from an attorney and any disagreement to the loan term should be brought to the lender/LO attention. Remind them of the sign as printed, highlight the RTC and their copy."

Are you talking about the CW/FS 28 pages closing instructions. No, they need not be given or present to the borrower.

Reply by PAW on 6/20/06 10:23am
Msg #126986

Closing instructions from CW/FS

I do these occasionally from a couple of attorney owned title companies and they have always told me to do two things with the closing instructions:

1) Have the borrowers initial all unsigned pages, including the 25+ pages of the closing instructions;

2) Make a copy of the closing instructions for the borrower

I've never understood why they need to initial them, since the closing instructions typically don't contain any new or different information as that which is presented in the other documents. But, like many others, EVERYTHING that I get, I make a copy for the borrower unless directed otherwise. (Exceptions: FedEx/UPS/DHL airbill and notary invoicing instructions.)

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/20/06 11:58am
Msg #127011

Re: Closing instructions from CW/FS

**FedEx/UPS/DHL airbill** I even give them that and tell them they can track whether or not I dropped their package. I don't give them my confirmation or ss/tc instructions, however. Those come ahead of the job.

Reply by PAW on 6/20/06 12:21pm
Msg #127014

Re: Closing instructions from CW/FS

I write the tracking number on their cover sheet that I give to them with their docs. I used to just copy the package until I had a borrower use (or at least tried to) the airbill to send in their information for the autopayment program. Since then, they don't get a copy of the airbill.

Reply by NCLisa on 6/20/06 7:00am
Msg #126940

I use a non-attorney aff that I have the borrowers sign. I only do this because NC is still partially an attorney state, and I want to cover all my bases.

As for lenders instructions, I give the borrower a copy of every document sent to me. They need to have a copy of the entire loan package and all the tc/attorney affs, etc. As I organize the documents into the order I use, I pull the ones that are not signed out, and put them in the back. The last documents I have the borrower sign are the RTC's and the loan app, when I get to the app they are done, and do not need to go thru the pile behind it.

Reply by Kelly M Robertson on 6/20/06 9:10am
Msg #126963

Bruce - if you email me directly, I'll send you my "California ID & The First Five" document. It will help you get started and of course eventually with experience, you will end up developing your own style.

Reply by Damariz Damariz on 6/20/06 2:26pm
Msg #127050

I just introduce my self Hello, I am ---- your signing agent.

I photo copy the entire package for the borrower and advise them that they can review the copy once we are done with the signing.

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 6/20/06 4:55pm
Msg #127069

Hi Bruce,
I like to tell them at the onset of the signing that 'I cannot advise them. If they have questions feel free to ask them and if possible I will help them find the answers in the documents. If we can't find the answers, you are most welcome to contact your loan representative while I am here or you could compile your questions and contact them during normal business hours. If they are not able to satisfactorily answer your questions you may exercise your RTC.
I don't like to wait until an issue comes up, to tell them 'oh ya, I can't advise you.' I feel like that makes it seem shady. I like to be up front with them about my role. Once the signing is completed I give them a notary disclaimer, tell them this paragraph reiterates my role in your loan signing and ask them to sign that they were made aware of my role and that I did not in anyway advise them etc. For me if the closing instructions do not ask for their signature I just say these are documents that need to carry forward for the person who is going to fund your loan. They are not for us. Unfortunately, there are times they are required to sign them. In that instance I find the need to invite them to browse through them and I give the same explanation of their purpose. Closing instructions are NOT for the notary/sa.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 6/20/06 5:35pm
Msg #127078

I could be the odd man out here but...

I always take a moment (or two) to look at the closing instructions. I once couldn't find the color of ink preferred so went with my normal default...much to my surprise in the closing instructions...lo and behold....there was an area meant 'specially for me! Had to dig out clean copies and start over...since then I've taken an active interest in skimming those pages "just in case".

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/20/06 6:00pm
Msg #127082

Re: I could be the odd man out here but...

Sue - I don't start over. I just start from there. I do look over the package for ink color. I also use Bob's method of the little "blue x" by each signature as a matter of habit. It helps the borrower locate the signature line if they see me mark it before they sign it.