Posted by Rachel/ORWA on 5/14/08 2:49pm
Msg #247436

Babies at closings: question...

I know the subject of babies/children/pets at closings has been discussed before, and I am with the majority in thinking it is very unprofessional to bring one along.

Here's my question: When a borrower tells you that the previous notary brought one, do you do anything about it? Or do you just (as I did) blush and say "oh, my!" or something to that effect?

Reply by Charles_Ca on 5/14/08 3:04pm
Msg #247439

Re: Babies at closings: question...I usually just dismiss it

with a "Humph, well that wasn't very professional" and let it go. I hate to get side-tracked during a singing some people take so much time just wanting to chit chat. I just want to get it over with and move on. Of course if they are my own clients I take time to schmooze.

Reply by JohnnyB on 5/14/08 3:13pm
Msg #247440

You could say, "oh, was it an emergency, sometimes sitters cancel at the last minute" to uphold the reputation of the notary profession.

"oh, my" is great, in my opinion, too

how many times has this happened to you?

Reply by CF on 5/14/08 3:44pm
Msg #247443

Even though it is unprofessional- I do not think that there are any laws against it. What exactly are you going to do about it?

Reply by Rachel/ORWA on 5/14/08 4:09pm
Msg #247447

This is actually the third or fourth time a borrower has mentioned something like this. My question really was about doing "something" within the signing world, not the legal realm. I would think title companies, etc., would want to know if a notary was bringing their child along. I confess, though, that I'm speaking out of both sides of my mouth, 'cause I'd be reluctant to follow up on it even if I had the information to do so (notary name, etc).

I am just wondering if anyone ever does follow up in any way.

Reply by JohnnyB on 5/14/08 4:16pm
Msg #247452

The borrowers without children themselves will probably say something to lender and it will get back to the title company. I wouldn't do anything about it

Reply by Julie/MI on 5/14/08 4:26pm
Msg #247453

If you go to the register of deeds office (some are on-line) where the property is located, you can look at an image of the mortgage/dot and get the notary's name.

Reply by LKT/CA on 5/14/08 5:04pm
Msg #247459

The Notary's baby at the signing is no less unprofessional than showing up under the influence, unprofessionally dressed (cleavage or stinky), flirting with the borrowers, doing anything to make the client uncomfortable. Obviously the borrowers that mention it were bothered by it or they wouldn't have said anything.

If a borrower tells me something like that I would say to them, "If this happens to you again, contact the company who set up your signing appointment. I'm sure they would appreciate your feedback as they are always looking for ways to improve customer service and make a signing courteous and professional".

This way it's the client reporting the Notary since you are only hearing their story and wasn't there to know what truly happened.

Reply by Merry_CA on 5/14/08 5:32pm
Msg #247461

*When a borrower tells you that the previous notary brought one (baby), do you do anything about it? Or do you just (as I did) blush and say "oh, my!" or something to that effect?*

"Oh, my" is perfect.... NO you don't DO anything about it.... it is none of your business.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/14/08 5:34pm
Msg #247462

I am sure the borrower would mention it themselves to the title company.
I would not go into it.

Reply by CaliNotary on 5/14/08 9:32pm
Msg #247490

Why would you want to get involved?

People are free to run their businesses however they want. If they choose to do it in a way that makes them look like unprofessional idiots, they have every right to do so. It'll sort itself out sooner than later.

Reply by Maureen_nh on 5/14/08 10:53pm
Msg #247511

Well you could call all your signing companies and tell them about the unprofessional conduct and maybe you will get rid of some competition (make sure you spell the name right ) or you could figure out that they were so upset ? that they reported it themselves. or you could learn a lesson and don't bring any babies to your signings, or you could call the notary in question and tell him/her that this was reported to you as a professional courtesty.

Reply by lindetteh_PA on 5/15/08 7:49am
Msg #247546

Re: Don't Be So Quick to Judge

Although I agree that taking a baby to a signing is completely unprofessional I would think the notary had no other choice often times the signing takes place hours after the scheduled appointment eg. docs late some of these title companies think all we have to do is sit around and wait for them. Maybe the notary was trying to save the borrower from not closing at all. I mean lets face it we never know what we are walking into, if a borrower told me someone brought there child with them I would say It must have been an emergency because who in there right mind would take there baby to a place they have never been. I know I have been places I wouldn't take my dog much less a littlel baby. JMHO