Posted by PJM/MI on 6/15/07 6:01am
Msg #195291

The 2 1/2 hour closing.. VENT

The bo was an attorney buying a REO, so there was the lo, the seller RE agent, the buyer RE agent, and me. Usually these goes smooth as silk..especially with the lo present. What could go wrong?
Mr. Attorney had to READ every page, didn't believe a single word I told him, so he had to call his real estate attorney friend. And after a 10 minute conversation (I was referred to as "that woman", he'd sign the doc. Get a little further into the docs, and again, another call to att. friend. (Had about 5 of these calls).
He informed all of us that he didn't trust anybody, as he knows there are "shady" real estate agents, shady lo's, and shady notaries.
After we finally get through the signing, he informs me he wants a copy of the entire SIGNED package! His unsigned copy of docs is not good enough, as who knows? All of us "shady" characters may have slipped something into his package.
We (the re agent..who was wonderful) copied the docs and I crossed out through the copy of my seal and wrote "copy" on the top of each page.
I thought to myself driving home," I'll bet when he graduated from college his professors went on a 3 day binge!"
Needless to say, since this closing took so long, I had to turn back in the next closing. This not only really upset the bo, but the tc that hired me. So today I am writing a letter of apology to the tc, as I have never turned back in a closing.
I am hoping today is a MUCH better day than yesterday. And I hope you all have a great day, too!

Reply by Ernest__CT on 6/15/07 6:30am
Msg #195292

Wow! You've got my sympathy! n/m

Reply by SReis on 6/15/07 6:39am
Msg #195293

You should have been more firm w/him & everyone present. When I have another appt to go to, esp. when the closing is taking an absurd amt of time, I tell them sorry but we need to speed things up a bit here. Its not right that you should be losing money because this guys a jerk, nevermind the future jobs that you may also miss out on because the other tc is upset.

Reply by jojo_MN on 6/15/07 7:36am
Msg #195308

Wasn't the next borrower able to move back their appt. time? Whenever I'm in a situation like that, I tell the next one that I can sign as late as 11:30 at night. Most of the time, they are more than willing if you explain the situation as soon as you realize you're running late.

Reply by DebbieT on 6/15/07 8:00am
Msg #195310

Unfortunately as we all know there are shady people and that always seems to fall back on us.

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/15/07 5:41pm
Msg #195406

I can't believe you're the only person who commented on this

I don't care what is happening at this signing, to cancel another signing at the very last minute because this one is taking too long is just horrifying to me. Why should the other TC and borrower be screwed over because of this guy? It's one thing to try to move the next signing to a later time, but to just give it back and put them in the position of having to scramble for a last minute notary? Not to mention ensuring that they'll never use you again? That just blows my mind that you would do that.

After maybe 30 minutes of the detailed reading and long phone calls I would have made it clear that I was not about to sit there while he read through every page and packed up and left if he wasn't willing to sign.

Reply by janCA on 6/15/07 10:49am
Msg #195338

He informed all of us that he didn't trust anybody, as he knows there are "shady" real estate agents, shady lo's, and shady notaries.

But definitely there are no "shady lawyers" out there, huh?

Reply by Michael/FL on 6/15/07 11:03am
Msg #195340

That sucks, but he does have the right because remember we have no right to explain the packages ( we are just notaries, we are a witness to a person signing). Once we begin to discuss anything on the paper we are at risk later on if the borrower comes back and says " well the notary said" then we are in trouble. That's where it comes down to it when some people yell at notaries on here for not knowing what to do; they do not need to explain the papers, just tell them what it is and say sign here... If the borrower is not smart enough to understand then let them get their attorney. As for shady deals oh they are out there but just like that their are shady attornies too haha

Reply by CJ on 6/15/07 12:48pm
Msg #195354

Re: What a JERK!!!

I think people use themselves for measureing sticks: honest people trust everyone, and dishonest ones don't. So that says a lot right there. When I get idiots like this, I find that anything I say to speed it up, they just get more controlling and slow down on purpose becuase they are control freaks, and you are their current minon. If no one else was there, I would have said I have another appointment to go to, and I will be back in 2 hours. Usually that makes them very happy, becuase they can take their time without any pressure. I know we are not supposed to do that, but sometimes you are very stuck. I have other notaries tell me to just pick up the docs and say, "Call me whe you want to sign". Anyway, I tell them to sign all but the notarized stuff, and we will sign that when I get back. I figure a double trip is better than the hell of sitting there. Then he can sign all his borrowers copies too. I tell them to call me if they have any questions.

But most of all: if he is a good attorney, he should KNOW that all that writing is just boilerplate. It is just forms that they punched the numbers in. I think it is so stupid when borrowers say, "I am a [random professinal], so I know ALL about these docs". Then they scrutinize the RESPA or the Loan App. Pul-EEEZE. If you were REALLY a pro, you would know what to skip.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 6/15/07 1:12pm
Msg #195362

Leaving and coming back

I'm very concerned that anyone would leave both the borrower's and lender's copies of loan documents with the borrower (those not requiring notarization, that is), then return later with just the docs to be notarized. If they were not edocs, how would you know that one or more documents was not kept in the lender's package by the borrower? Would you count the pages and write down a description of each doc? If they were edocs, would you compare the signed docs page by page with the edocs you received?

Reply by Michael/FL on 6/15/07 1:55pm
Msg #195372

Re: Leaving and coming back

Ernest does make a good point there, remember if something goes missing it's the notaries behind that is on the line! I surely don't trust people, especially If I already get a bad vibe from them once I first meet them.. I don't recommend you do that much CJ, it's not a really a good thing to leave the papers sitting around while you're not there. Just my .02 on that statement

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/15/07 2:29pm
Msg #195373

Re: Leaving and coming back

I once had to do a signing where the borrower had the docs. Another signing agent had gone out and there had been some problem (after doing this signing I really believe it was the borrowers who were the problem). Docs had been left with the borrower and it was a nightmare. Nothing was in place, docs were missing. I called company from the table and told them I would not be responsible for missing docs. The borrowers had taken out docs that they felt should not have been there. This was about 3 or 4 years ago now so can't remember much more about it, only it was a nightmare! I believe this was the same borrower who was wearing an ankle bracelet courtesy of the judicial system

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/15/07 8:47pm
Msg #195433

I remember you telling us that story n/m

Reply by TNhills on 6/15/07 4:19pm
Msg #195393

Great! This is what I have been telling my customers. Great way of putting it. I hope others will read and learn...

Reply by Gerry_VT on 6/15/07 7:00pm
Msg #195414

Not the borrowers fault

If someone is purchasing property, of course the person is entitled to study the paperwork in as much detail as he/she pleases. It is the fault of the seller, lender, and title company for not making the paperwork available to the buyer well in advance of the closing. And it is just as inconsiderate for whoever scheduled the appointment to not warn the notary about the situation.

Perhaps this does not fit well into the way notary signing agents usually do things; in that case, maybe this was the wrong kind of assignment to use a mobile notary and a more old-fashioned approach would have been better.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/15/07 8:53pm
Msg #195434

Pam, You could have pulled out the borrowers copies and left them telling him that you had scheduled X amount of time for his loan and you had another appointment to go to. It is his choice, read to your hearts content and I'll be back after my next appointment or finish this signing in the next 30 minutes, because I HAVE to leave then so as to not inconvenience my other customers. And then do it!! I know it makes two trips, but better than cancelling out at the last minute to the other TC. He was having a control issue.

Reply by SharonMN on 6/17/07 8:45pm
Msg #195595

I'm confused - why would you do this? Is there some MI rule where it's illegal to phoocopy a notarized document? It's not like you are being asked to notarize a photocopied signature, Whenever I've closed my own loans at title companies, I've received copies of the signed docs.
______________
We (the re agent..who was wonderful) copied the docs and I crossed out through the copy of my seal and wrote "copy" on the top of each page.