Posted by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 10/5/08 1:58am
Msg #266378

Query

I have a friend who is wheelchair-bound. I am thinking of suggesting to him that he consider becoming a signing agent; however, I am concerned that the obstacles may preclude him from pursuing such employment.

I don't mean to be intrusive, but I'm wondering if anyone on this forum is confined to a wheelchair, and, if so, whether you would recommend such employment to someone else. If you don't wish to reply on the board, please PM me.

Thanks.

Reply by PAW on 10/5/08 7:11am
Msg #266379

The biggest obstacle I see to a wheelchair bound person visiting anyone's home is accessibility. Most homes, unless specifically designed or modified for wheelchair access, would be difficult to enter. Once inside, it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem with the more narrow chairs.

When our daughter was wheelchair bound, we had a very difficult time entering and exiting our split-entry home. Without assistance, she would never have been able to navigate the steps leading up to the doors, nor the stairs once inside.

Also, there will be those who will become extremely uncomfortable with a vendor who is wheelchair bound. I've seen some who are visibly irritated with folks on crutches. I couldn't imagine how they would react to someone in a chair. I certainly think those types are in the minority, but it is a fact that it just may happen.

With all due respect, I don't think being a "home" vendor of most any kind, no matter their skills, may be better placed in an "office" environment.

Reply by BobbiCT on 10/5/08 8:13am
Msg #266380

Personal Residences not Handicap Friendly...

Many of my family use canes and personal assistance to get up stairs, into homes and businesses, find a "handicap friendly" seat in a restaurant, etc. They also need the level and wider space (to get doors open fully) provided by handicapped parking areas.

An office environment, either a title company or law firm or bank branch, would work.

It is the problems with getting from car to door to inside of home that are the MAJOR issues. Hugh, as you know personal residences are not required to be handicap accessible and borrowers are not required to accommodate a mobile NSA who has a handicap. Simply Physical Problems: 1) Where to park, is there enough level ground and room to get wheelchair out of vehicle and into chair. 2) Once in chair is the terrain "friendly," wheeling the chair across dirt/gravel drive, "path" to door, over grass/garden and, once at "door" how to get the chair up the traditional one-step, usually 2 concrete steps with no landing space to be in wheel chair and open door at the same time. 3) IF you can get inside, I've been in many small homes where there is no room to get a wheelchair from inside the door to dining room table ... narrow access, stuff (shoes, kids sports equipment, dog bowls, etc) and lots of stuff in the way. I doubt any homeowner would be willing to re-arrange their home and be available to assist a wheelchair bound NSA into their home (liability of the NSA falls out of chair, chair rolls down hill, tips over as attempting to carry it up entry steps, etc.). I think homeowners would feel bad about not being able to accommodate an NSA in this situation; however, they would think of themselves and their liability first. Also, the over-50 set may not be physically capable of assisting someone into a non-handicap accessible home. I also think when scheduling the appointment, after the call most borrowers will call their LO and request a non-wheelchair bound NSA (eliminates worry and need for them to "clear a path" from parking space to inside house).

It is worth an in-house or in-office try, but I think the unpredictable landmines of going to a private home aren't work the risk. What if your friend arrives and, although the homeowner said "I am sure you'll be fine," and it turns out the home is inaccessible and, at night, there are no driveway lights to conduct the signing outside.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/5/08 9:07am
Msg #266385

Hugh, I'm curious why you'd encourage someone to

become a signing agent in the first place considering the state of the mortgage industry ...

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 10/5/08 2:16pm
Msg #266412

Re: Hugh, I'm curious why you'd encourage someone to

***I'm curious why you'd encourage someone to become a signing agent in the first place considering the state of the mortgage industry ... ***

The friend is an attorney who has a progressive degenerative disease and has encountered a perfect personal storm. He has a niche practice which legislative changes have severely undermined. His health is deteriorating rapidly. And he is divorcing, thus losing a major support system.

As a result of all this, he is moving out of state to be with family. He odes not intend to sit for the bar in the new state. I thought a small signing agent practice might give him some assstance. I agree with the other posters, though: It just doesn't seem feasible.

Thanks for those who responded.

Reply by desktopfull on 10/5/08 2:21pm
Msg #266414

Re: Hugh, I'm curious why you'd encourage someone to

Maybe he could offer legal research assistance at a lawfirm where he is moving to, just a suggestion.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/5/08 4:59pm
Msg #266425

That's a shame, Hugh....

can he maybe partner up with a title company in the new state - let him do some signings there (they're probably handicap accessible) in return for research, title work, etc...

Reply by Michelle/AL on 10/5/08 11:39am
Msg #266400

Hugh, I'm not wheel-chair bound but I think this could

work if the Borrower's were inclined to meet at your friend's home. If he has a "home office" that is can accommodate closings comfortably for the Borrowers that might work just fine. Granted, that would limit the amount of closings he would do. I still get calls from some companies asking me to let them know when I open an office and can do closings there. I guess some people just don't like having strangers in their home.

I am slow to discourage anyone from entering this business right now because everyone's situation is different. When I was doing this part-time and had other sources of income, one or two closings a week was just fine for me. I have also heard from some notaries living in rural areas are doing well.

So for what is is worth, those or my thoughts on the matter.

Michelle

Reply by parkerc/ME on 10/5/08 9:21pm
Msg #266450

Maybe he could start his own signing service.