Posted by TERRY BOXER REAL ESTATE BROKER on 1/1/08 7:44pm
Msg #228516

Who is DRI Title n/m

Reply by Kathryn on 1/1/08 7:47pm
Msg #228517

Re: Who is DRI Title


Great company. I take all the work that I can get from them. Pay on time. No problems.
As far as the photo compliance letter that they just sent out, I will be participating in that.

Reply by Loretta on 1/2/08 7:03am
Msg #228539

Re: Who is DRI Title

I do title work for DRI. They pay on time. They are a low balling title company for their closing fees (notice I said title company). It is unacceptable for them to ask for lowball fees like signing services do. I do not do closings for them because of their fees.

My question is where will it stop, Kathryn? Will you give them your credit report next?
Everyone that has requested a copy of my social security card, I have declined and I give them a w-9 with my tax id. When they ask for my drivers license, I fax it to them with my drivers license number blacked out. Let's request pictures of the borrowers and the borrowers ciminal background check so that I can determine if I want to go to their home.

Reply by desktopfull on 1/2/08 10:21am
Msg #228574

The picture request is going to far, if the borrower's are

that afraid of who may knock on their door then they need to go to the title company for the closing. Besides if their neighborhood makes them that weary of people coming to their door that have provided them with a phone call prior to coming, then why would I want to travel into such a dangerous area for a closing?

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/2/08 10:38am
Msg #228582

Re: Who is DRI Title

It just strikes me as being not very well thought out by 'whomever' is requesting the photo (if there really is a whomever). We do not just show up at someone's door; we are part of the process and they are expecting us and we have confirmed the appointment via 'phone. If I became involved in anything that required a home visit and somebody told me 'we'll be sending you a picture of the person who will be coming'... I'd begin to have doubts: WHY do they feel this is necessary? Have there been problems? What sort of problems? It would simply raise questions in my mind about the whole concept.

In a similar vein, I wonder if the request is simply a way around the discrimination laws. i.e., We want to know what you look like and if we feel you're too young, old, funny-looking or the 'wrong' color--we won't call you. Now I never would have even begun to think like this UNTIL I read their photo request. The idea just weirds a person out, imo.

Reply by desktopfull on 1/2/08 10:59am
Msg #228593

And also............

Look at how many of the borrower's that don't even have computer's or anything else in order to receive a picture. Are they going to send it to the local Kinkos or office depot for the borrower to go pick up? Who's the brainiac at DRI Title that dreamed this one up in the first place?

Reply by kate_nortca on 1/2/08 11:30am
Msg #228611

Re: And also............

You all make some great points above. I deleted that email from DRI this weekend after reading it a couple of times.

Here's my question: if we are cast in a shadow of doubt why shouldn't the borrower be? I mean are all borrowers safe? Pass background checks? Is their house clean and suitable for occupation? We all have stories of creepy borrowers that have made us wish we had not taken that call. Should THEY be screened first?

I'm being dry here but you see what I'm saying. Do we all need DNA tests before signing a set of documents?

Kate

Reply by JanelWI on 1/2/08 11:40am
Msg #228613

Re: Who is DRI Title

I do a lot of work for DRI as well. They are a great payer and easy to work with. I however will not be supplying a photo. Forgive me, but I thought we were part of the loan signing process???... If we are strangers then every loan rep and every individual responsible for getting the transaction done....is a stranger as well. What incentive then does borrowers have in entrusting their personal information to people they don't see? I am not sure I want my picture to be the model for making them feel comfortable. What if the lender does not like my picture? Do I then get a call and not get the work?

Where is DRI's profile and photographs? Why are they safer because they don't go to the door? Have they heard of Identity theft?

These borrowers entrust potentially 30 years of their life in a loan transaction to someone they don't even see, via telephone or email and they are worried about opening a door to a stranger? They are making a financial decision and sharing their personal financial info that can potentially ruin their future as we have seen of late with the mortgage crisis going on, how many of them said; well if I had a picture of the closer I would have felt safer to open the door?

I confirm with the borrowers before I leave to let them know I am on my way. I introduce myself at the door and wait for them to invite me in. This is not rocket science! This does not require a photograph. We can't even become a notary with a Background check. Why don't companies who do background checks require recent photos? Why did I waste my money on a background check if our work will depend upon whether we comply with a photo?

If a borrower wants to know that I am credible and safe I can provide that information to them myself. DRI makes no statement as to how they intend to protect us. The borrower is not the only one getting the photo, so will their client. That client can refuse to use us based on a photograph. DRI has not answered these concerns or put some sort of guarantee on the line that we will not be unfairly judged by a photograph regarding their clients or borrowers. It was just if you don't comply you will not be on the preferred list.

DRI or their clients are asking us to put our financial potential on the line for a photograph to ensure the borrowers safety because we are the strangers???.........but borrowers are not strangers to us because we contract though DRI? Is that right? What about our safety. Are we to assume the only people who qualify for loans are the sane ones? I have yet to see in a set of instructions what to do if we feel threatened. Nope, it is dress to impress and close the loan.

Meanwhile the subject or concern about our safety goes on and exists in self reliant, silence for the NSA. Should we not be afforded the same protection by their clients? Should the borrower not provide a photo copy of their ID or a photo as well so we know who to expect and what kind of conditions we are walking into?

If this can of worms is to be opened shall we make it equal for all, an industry wide standard that all who submit loan applications or accept them back it up with a background check, recent photo and credit check to ensure loan success and integrity by all parties involved?

My goodness!! The mortgage market is drowning as it is and this is the best they can come up with to make borrowers feel secure is a photo of the remote closer? As if we are the risk. Anyone have a surplus of mirrors on hand? Good Grief!