Posted by laurielnc on 11/22/08 2:39pm
Msg #270346

Run in with an attorney...

My borrowers wanted to meet at an attorney's office because of prior problems with a legit mortgage co. and wanted their attorney to look paperwork over. She met me at the door before borrowers came and said that signing agents were trying to take their jobs and seemed to have problems when we (notaries) did the signings. Mostly problems with the deeds being printed with correct names. I told her that I have nothing to do with that. I told her that if there are problems it's usually with the Mortgage Companies and I still had nothing to do with that. They wanted the closing done by her but the Mortgage company wouldn't answer them back so I was who they had to settle with, so that didn't help the situation either.

The attorney looked over the paperwork and said everything looked fine and borrowers proceeded to sign. She left and didn't have much more to say. Funny thing is that the borrowers have problems with the first loan she helped them with. Last title company didn't pay their insurance and it just disappeared. Finally they got it back but the attorney didn't help them with that as far as I know.

She asked me for my business card and laughed when she saw I was certified. Oh well. I figured that would happen but that's ok, I enjoy this business, even slow. She didn't look too happy.

Reply by MW/VA on 11/22/08 3:38pm
Msg #270347

Yes, it is tough to get respect in our profession. The attitude is, of course, that we're "just a notary". Granted, there are a lot of bad ones out there, but some of us are trained, knowledgable & professional. To make matter worse, there's some blogs on ActiveRain that is trying to shift blame for the mortgage meltdown to notary signings. Of course, it's b---
sh--, but they have to find a scapegoat, and we're prime for that. Keep the faith!

Reply by laurielnc on 11/22/08 5:06pm
Msg #270350

Thank you for the encouragement!

Reply by sue_pa on 11/23/08 7:11am
Msg #270364

Not specifically picking on you Laurie but I am amazed by the general impression of posts I read on these boards that some of 'us' always seem to think we know more than or can do a better job than an attorney. Of course some of us can do a better job than some attorneys but I'd guess that's not the norm.

Because of so much that I read on these boards I personally would never allow a 'signing agent' touch any paperwork of mine. A lawyer, at least in my area, is cheaper anyway because we don't get charged the settlement fee.

As for the certification, it is a laugh. It is an advertising tool to get someone's name higher on a list or get a little emblem beside their name - nothing more.

All that said, there are plenty who know their jobs and we do a good job and provide a good service ... but we cannot ever provide the services of an attorney putting their name on the line for clients.

Reply by sue_pa on 11/23/08 7:19am
Msg #270365

should have said

...A lawyer, at least in my area, is cheaper anyway because we don't get charged the settlement fee....

In PA, we have what is called an all inclusive rate for title insurance. With this rate, when closing in the agent's office (whether it be a lawyer or a title company) during business hours, a settlement fee cannot be charge.

I did a closing yesterday (left over from Friday) and there was a BIG snafu over that. The man told his lender he wanted a local title company to close for him. somehow the message didn't get passed or else this title company wasn't on the 'approved' list and the message didn't get passed to the borrower ...not sure. Anyway, he kept calling the local company and they knew nothing. I called the borrower and he was really confused. Not sure what else happened of he said/she said but the owner of the local title company apparently called Chase and the vendor management company and "was quite unpleasant" to both of them. He then called the borrower and explained to him that he has a right to choose any provider he wants, he wouldn't be charged the settlement fee, etc. Borrower wanted to close so he went with what was in the works ... he still was confused as could be but he didn't care about the middle ... just that he got his loan, the loan itself was what he wanted, and that everything is finished so he can be on a plane to LasVegas Tuesday.

Reply by LarryTN on 11/23/08 7:15pm
Msg #270400

Re: should have said

The fact the attorney in this situation didn't even know who drew up the paperwork, tells me volumes about his/her expertise! Of course none of us are perfect, but an attorney who does this for a living must realize that notaries do not have anything to do with the origination of the documents!

Reply by LynnNC on 11/23/08 10:11am
Msg #270374

***As for the certification, it is a laugh.***

I don't agree...how is a notary going to learn the business...on the job training? I have three certifications and learned a great deal from all of the courses. I didn't step out the door as a signing agent without taking the first.

Reply by Pat/IL on 11/23/08 6:51pm
Msg #270395

I agree with Sue.

I have never known any certification program, aside from those purporting to certify signing agents, that offered an entry level certification. Any intials after one's name stood for achievements, knowledge and service above the ordinary.

Certification based on a test alone, with no additional requirements, is meaningless. How one manages to gain experience is up to the individual. Taking classes is fine and often useful. A certificate of completion would be appropriate, not a designation. Certification implies expertise. Meaningless certification waters down every designation that requires actual experience, knowledge and service above the norm.

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/23/08 9:23pm
Msg #270413

Re: I agree with Sue.

My view is that "if you can buy it on the internet, it's nothing more than a piece of paper>'
Kind of like the emails that fill my junk mail offering "Diplomas for your work experience'

A true certification would have continuing education requirements and be issued by a nationally recognized organization of exceptional integrity. Guess that leaves the XYZ out.

Reply by sue_pa on 11/24/08 7:02am
Msg #270435

We'll have to agree to disagree.

Do you truly think that someone who has 3 "certifications" but has never touched an actual set of loan docs nor sat at a table with borrowers is more qualified than someone with no "certification" but that has years of hands on experience closing loans?

Certification, again, is an advertising tool and nothing else, in my opinion.

Perhaps if there were more on the job training and less 'certifications', the opinion of us collectively wouldn't continue to have dropped over the past decade.

Reply by MW/VA on 11/24/08 8:19am
Msg #270443

I know how many feel about the marketing of "certification" by that national organization.
The certification alone doesn't mean anything, but it at least indicates that someone has had to have taken a course, passed a test, and has some knowledge. Trying to set a standard for the industry isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm aware of some notaries that are out here that don't have a clue about loan documents, etc. They are "point & sign" people, accept lowball fees, etc. I personally don't see that bringing some credibility to the profession is a bad thing.