Posted by John Temblador on 10/24/06 8:29pm
Msg #154773

Last Week, murphys law.. this week better

Had one borrower - nonspeaking or understanding english.. had to cancel.. wish I would of found out earlier.. now I always ask before signing.. I guess experience and knowledge will be your teacher...I'm a newly commissioned Aug 06, have experience in law enforcement and administration. Been reading and processing the notarial requirements for this part time job with open eyes and ears, and Im having fun in the process! I have filled my first notary page full of notarial signings, & this week I just got off my other job and now tonight have signing for $150! way to go!!... thanks for the time to speak to this board! Stay safe, productive and God Bless...

Reply by Tracey Foughty-Deavers on 10/24/06 9:19pm
Msg #154781

Hi, John.

Here are some other lessons learned:

1) Always confirm not just the time, but that place. I have more than one closing where the signing address was improperly listed as the property address -- only to find out that the borrower was at work, in another state. (I live in Northern Virginia, and many people here work in either DC or MD.) You might also want to confirm am vs pm.

2) Review the documents prior to calling the borrowers to confirm the appointment. Specifically you want to know whether a non-borrower needs to be present to sign "spousal documents," whether this particular lender requires a copy of the ID/how many IDs per borrower, and whether a witness is required if the property is in a different state. If you don't have the docs when you are confirming, ask the borrower if there is anyone else on the title to the property. If you or the property is in a spousal state and it looks like there is only one borrower, ask if the person is married. You can explain that you don't have the documents yet to review, but you are trying to determine whether there is anyone else that will need to be present to sign certain documents. It's a royal pain to get to a closing and find out that someone else has to sign the spousal docs and that person is vacationing across the country, or that the property is in a state that requires notices are you are doing the closing at a farm house with only you the borrower and a cow present.

3) Have your directions before you call and ask for landmarks if you are doing a night time closing. I don't know how things are in your neck of the woods. However, in many parts of rural VA, the street signs are tiny or the house numbers are too far off the road to be of any help.

4) If at all possible, only talk to the person named on your confirmation sheet as the borrower. I've had Mrs. X tell me on a confirmation call that they were not going through with the loan and do not come to the house -- only to find out later that Mr. X was the one who was taking out the loan so that he could leave Mrs. X.

Good luck with your signings and have fun!

Reply by Jolene Lien on 10/24/06 9:42pm
Msg #154784

One more major important question to ask...

...how is/are your name(s) spelled? First, middle and last. I once again got to the borrowers house tonight (30 miles away) only to find out that their names were spelled wrong on all of the docs and the lender wouldn't allow the cross off, change, and initial. Of course, the signing company will only pay a portion of the original fee and won't pay the print fee.

Wouldn't you know it was last minute and no chance to speak with borrowers in advance!

Anyway, hope you do well in your new profession!!!

Reply by John Temblador on 10/24/06 9:53pm
Msg #154786

Re: One more major important question to ask...

Thanks everyone for those items of importance.. I really appreciate them and I consider everyone with respects.. my notary family... Again... thank-you!!