Posted by MelissaCT on 6/17/06 8:59am
Msg #126500

Fleas

I did search, but my question is a bit different & I didn't really find my answer.

Did a signing last night for an older woman that had several cats. The smell hit me as soon as I walked in the door. I tried to be polite, etc. & just "plug on". Signing took WAY TOO LONG. (Luckily I put my bags into the trunk for the ride home.) Bags stayed zipped except for putting in or taking out supplies.

In going back through the documents for my own QC check last night, a flea jumped out of the papers. I had disrobed on our back porch last night before entering my house, and left my bags out there as well.

For future, because we obviously don't know what the conditions are like before we get there, is it rude to require the borrowers to then meet somewhere else? I would have done the signing outside, except for the mosquitoes. (Although I guess they wouldn't have come home with me, at least)

I know from the search button that many have encountered this before (luckily, this was the first time in 3 years for me). As professionals, we shouldn't have to put up with situations like this & the borrower should know better, too! Does everyone just "grin & bear it", burn the clothes later & chalk it up to experience? Has anyone refused to do the signing inside? I don't want to offend the bwr, but I what about me being offended?

TIA for your suggestions.

Reply by Roger_OH on 6/17/06 9:25am
Msg #126502

One of the primary reasons mobile SAs have flourished is that we come to the borrowers for THEIR convenience. As SAs we will encounter all kinds of folks in all kinds of socioeconomic situations. At noon I may be in a palatial home where my house would fit in the guy's garage; two hours later I may be in the lower-rent area where I hope my car won't be up on blocks when I come out. We have to be prepared for anything at any given signing, not be judgemental, and just do our jobs.

Having said that, certainly we should always be cognizant of any potential safety issues, and
in any case/area where you don't feel comfortable going to, then you can certainly suggest a McDonald's, library, etc.

Reply by MelissaCT on 6/17/06 9:42am
Msg #126504

Roger,

That's my dilemma. I am there for the bwr's convenience, but it is still a BUSINESS transaction. Many times, that gets "lost" when you're in the borrower's comfort zone of their home.

Personally, if my home was dirty or infested, I would make sure I met someone elsewhere. I'd be too embarassed to have a stranger come to my house & see that I lived like that. People should have shame...

As for not judging -- every human judges others. First impressions are made in the first few seconds -- that is judging. The difference is that I usually just go in & do my job, worry about things later. But, where do you draw the line? There has to be a point where a professional says "no" and has every right to do that.

I'm still itching & have the heebe-jeebies. Pets, kids, neighborhoods -- yes they're part of the job, take the good with the bad, but I can't believe we (collectively) go into infested houses & just smile. I'm re-evaluating my approach to situations like this & looking for alternatives without offending a borrower, because I realize I am there for their convenience.

Reply by MelissaCT on 6/17/06 11:39am
Msg #126520

not my bugs!

Good thing I went home & not to another borrower's. I would be embarassed to be bringing "bugs" into someone's home. I wouldn't want a call to the lender that I did something like that -- they're not even my bugs!!

I do like the allergic to pets (bugs) idea previously mentioned & signing outside, but what to do in winter?

Reply by SueW/Tn on 6/17/06 11:39am
Msg #126519

I'm not normally nasty but you've gotta be kidding

"As professionals we shouldn't have to put up with situations like this" Holy Batman! Lemme see...this particular borrower was PAYING you to do a professional job and you want to dictate where? You want to look down your nose because of a flea? Good grief! If you don't want to be "surprised" each and every day may I suggest you open up an office and solicit borrowers to your very own space. When signing you're in their home, their private space, you are the invader and they're paying you! I use to have a friend that had a housekeeper come once every two weeks, I always knew when she was coming because he'd spend the day before cleaning, doing laundry etc. so she wouldn't think he was a pig. I laughed at him for that and I chuckle about this post. Remember without these less than desirable borrower's and their surroundings, you're out of the Home Signing business.

Reply by MelissaCT on 6/17/06 12:07pm
Msg #126523

Re: I'm not normally nasty but you've gotta be kidding

I've done signings in bad neighborhoods, middle of the night, most everything type signings. Been there, done that. I don't look down my nose (I'm too short) at anyone while I'm in their home. I'm a guest, as far as I'm concerned.

What really bothers me is what I bring home with me after I'm done with their transaction. I try to take reasonable precautions -- I always close my bag back up after removing the documents, so nothing can crawl in. The house could be beautiful inside & out, but they could have bugs, one can never tell for sure, unless they're crawling around. I don't do anything differently from house to house.

I am reevaluating how to handle situations that arise, to be better prepared for the next time. I'm sure there will be a next time at some point. I certainly wouldn't want to transport critters from one house to another, whether it's mine or another borrower's.

Reply by Howie35CT on 6/17/06 5:13pm
Msg #126576

Re: Melissa...

I appreciate the advice, I for one normally leave my bag semi-open while conducting business, then give it a quick once-over once I put docs in and am ready to depart. Maybe now I'll keep it shut :oD

Reply by christiSocal on 6/18/06 2:18am
Msg #126616

Re: Melissa...

Yes, thats one piece of advice I'll remember too, my bag and purse stay as tightly shut as possible now! A few weeks ago I wrote about a similar signing except it was cockroaches (crawling everwhere) shuddering still! The problem is you never know when this type of thing is going to happen and you can't just have all your borrowers meet you somewhere else. You won't stay in business long that way. Maybe if the smell is that bad you could say you are allergic (just don't say the allergy is to Bugs) There were several "after bug " ideas given to me you might want to look up

Reply by LawrenceOK on 6/18/06 11:53am
Msg #126657

Re: Fleas, Mites, Ticks, Lice???

Melissa, This is just part of the business and you have been around long enough to know that. One suggestion I got from my Terminix gal (yes gal) was to lightly spray my briefcase with Raid. The cloth will absorb it and kill the little critters for about a month. Now don't let this turn into a phobia. I would hate to think what might happen at your next signing when the brws kid asks "Ma, whats crawling on my head?"

Reply by Anonymous on 6/19/06 10:25pm
Msg #126909

Re: Fleas, Mites, Ticks, Lice???

I kid you not...I did a signing once and this is what the ENTIRE house smelled like...

Imagine someone not taking a shower for 10 years...taking their bare bum and spreading their cheeks...and then having a fan blow on it!!!!!!!

That is exactly what the house smelled like!!! I almost threw up right then and there!!!

Reply by MelissaCT on 6/21/06 4:53pm
Msg #127348

Re: Fleas, Mites, Ticks, Lice???

In retrospect, I may have been a BIT over-reacting. Thsi was 1 in more than 350 signings, not a bad track record when looking at the big picture. I will try the raid on my bag -- during summertime I can at least get away with smelling like deep woods off!

I'm glad I freaked out here & not in front of a borrower. Not that I ever would in front of a client.

It's just when something affects my home or my family, I get a bit overprotective. Thanks for the perspective, everyone!!

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/21/06 6:26pm
Msg #127369

Re: Fleas, Mites, Ticks, Lice??? Melissa - if you don't mind

Lavendar essential oil...it's good for repelling fleas.