Posted by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 5:17am
Msg #264026

Working with escrow officers requires understanding

Last week I reported about a remote closing I did for an escrow officer. Two days ago she contacted me to do another closing.

I say 'contacted' because she didn't call me on my cell phone, as is customary. Instead, she sent me an email:

-------------------------
Hey there Leon, I have another closing, but it is in pueblo is that too far for you ??? It is for Friday at 6:00 at borrower's house
--------------------------

I wrote back that I could do it. No problem.

I also let her know all of the areas that I cover, basically letting her know that I was available to go just about anywhere she needed a closer. Sure there are notary signing agents in Pueblo, as well as other parts of Colorado. But I want her to feel that she only needs to contact one person when she has a closing in my county and the surrounding areas. And I want to make her job as easy as possible.

Why?

The obvious reason is that I want the business. But another reason is simply this: an escrow officer is not a signing service.

They don't have time to make a lot of calls to find a closer. They don't have time to do a lot of explaining and answering a lot of questions. They don't want to feel that they have to prepare for you a 3-page list of instructions telling you how to dress, what to do, what not to do, etc. They don't have the time to hold your hand and babysit you.

When I first began working as a notary signing agent, I thought that the key to working directly with title companies was to really know your stuff and have a lot of experience.

That surely helps.

But I think it's just as important to be someone who understands what it's like to be an escrow officer. Try to put yourself in their place and empathize with them.

They want to work with someone who understands how little time they have. They aren't signing services. So don't expect them to do the things that signing services do. They don't want to spend a lot of time on the phone if they don't have to. They don't want to haggle over petty issues.

They want you to be able to think, and to solve problems. Know the loan documents? That's understood. And a lot more.

But if I had to sum it up in one word, I would say that working directly with escrow officers requires: understanding.

Good luck.

P.S. And a little patience too.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 9/12/08 6:12am
Msg #264027

Very Good, Leon n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/12/08 8:47am
Msg #264040

Good post, Leon. A true professional needs to be able to handle situations & doesn't require a babysitter. The tc expects us to cover their closing without a lot of issues. They have enough to do to get the docs prepared, etc.

Reply by Henry Davidson on 9/12/08 9:07am
Msg #264044

Leon,

If this escrow officer trusts working with you and knows that you will be on your cell to answer, handle any problems and respond, shouldn't you be an affiliate company or sales person of a nationwide signing service? One that handles all the back end operations with you as the reprensentative, similar to having an immediate wholesale operations departement. This way she/he could send you their business anywhere in the country, not just where you can drive, and know they had you as their main contact. I believe only 20-25% of a typical escrow teams business is local, so I think it could be a big increase in your coverage area, volume and income, potentially. Any thoughts?

HDD

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/12/08 9:17am
Msg #264046

In other words, Leon...Henry wants you to hand over your

contacts to him. He's a signing service.

**shouldn't you be an affiliate company or sales person of a nationwide signing service? **

Who knows? It might be a great match for you guys.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/12/08 9:41am
Msg #264049

yeah...there's a brilliant idea...surrender a direct contact

with a TC (and all future contacts and references this TC may provide) to work for $75/signing.....

I made that mistake once not so long ago...will NEVER do that again...lesson learned.

Reply by Henry Davidson on 9/12/08 9:51am
Msg #264051

Re: In other words, Leon...Brendas wrong....

Brenda-

I have enough "contacts" as you call them. I call them relationships with my customers, and I can only manage so many...this business is almost 100% relationship based, and I'm sure you too have relationships with local people that do nationwide business.

Isn't this a way for Leon to increase his coverage area, volume and income by using HIS relationships. He can keep all the fees for any order he wants to take/drive and cover. Why wouldn't he? Any affiliate program that tried to take that business away obviously wouldn't be successful.

This is a way for Leon to garner a full time staff that works for him, a much larger insurance policy, better phone time coverage so as not to miss any calls...not to mention a much more robust order management platform for HIS customers. What else could be the downsides?

HDD

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/12/08 9:54am
Msg #264052

**I have enough "contacts" as you call them.**

That's very good, Henry.

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/12/08 10:01am
Msg #264054

Re: In other words, Leon... Linda's right....

"Any affiliate program that tried to take that business away obviously wouldn't be successful."
Except that SS all do it by contacting another notary... and the odds of Leon finding this out are small. And, if he does, what's he going to do---besides having an expensive 'learning experience'?

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 10:05am
Msg #264056

Re: In other words, Leon...

Lee, if you had read my last post, you would have seen that I have no intention of becoming an affiliate company.

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/12/08 10:37am
Msg #264068

Sorry, Leon, was typing while you were posting... n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/12/08 10:45am
Msg #264072

Re: In other words, Leon...

Lee's post was probably in progress before yours was made.

People read fast and move on, Leon.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/12/08 10:06am
Msg #264058

Henry's just at it again...bored...trolling...trying to

incite the board with his pie-in-the-notary-eye logic.

IMHO...of course!

Reply by Henry Davidson on 9/12/08 10:18am
Msg #264063

Just a thought...

Leon could have his own website...setting up accounts and access for his customers...overseeing every order his customers placed with his company/service. If he wanted to actually fulfill the order great, if not his team is there.

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 9:56am
Msg #264053

** shouldn't you be an affiliate company or sales person of a nationwide signing service? ... Any thoughts? **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Henry, my thoughts are that I am always thinking of ways to build my business, and to provide more and more closing services.

I am always open to suggestions, and thank you for them. But I have no intention of becoming an affiliate company at this time.

I would like to stay independent.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/12/08 10:09am
Msg #264060

Good for you Leon!! n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 9/12/08 10:25am
Msg #264064

I'll become anyone's "affiliate"

for the right price. I've got 10 years of solid contacts (or whatever other term anyone chooses to use). And whether I'm believed or not, they aren't $90 e-doc contacts either. Anyone with a checkbook and a rather large positive balance (emphasis added), give me a call ... we'll talk numbers ... My lawyer will have the paperwork drawn up within 24 hours (of course you're going to pay his fee also) !!!

Reply by sue_pa on 9/12/08 10:43am
Msg #264070

geez, you're fast Henry

I'll call you Monday because I'm headed out now. BUT, remember, I said large, and my definition of large in this instance is six figures and the first digit won't be a one and after speaking with my accountant (which I'll do this afternoon), I'm guessing it also won't be a two. So send me another pm if you still want to talk.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 11:08am
Msg #264073

Re: geez, you're fast Henry

I'm sure he would have been faster had he not had to take a couple of minutes to clean up the mess from the orgasm he had when he realized that, after weeks and weeks of trolling for contacts on this board, someone had finally taken him up on his offer.

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 11:17am
Msg #264077

Re: Working with escrow officers also requires ...

** I would say that working directly with escrow officers requires: understanding. ... And a little patience too. **
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

There's one more thing I'd like to add to that: flexibility.

The escrow officer emailed me and said she wouldn't have the docs ready to do the closing this evening. We'll do it instead on Monday.

That is one of the most important things I learned about this business, and working with title companies -- the need to be flexible.

There's no sense in whining about it. Instead, if you have a closing get rescheduled from a Friday evening, do a little 'wining'.

Good luck.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 11:33am
Msg #264079

You're becoming the new Joan Bergstrom

Signing agents need to be flexible? What's your next helpful post, that signing agents need to have a car? A notary commission? The ability to sign their name?

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/12/08 12:07pm
Msg #264083

My thoughts exactly, Cali...Leon, you must really think the

members of this forum are clueless to your time to write such a obvious post. Do you really think we need your advice to run our businesses professionally and provide excellent customer service? Do you really think we don't understand that it is better to work directly with the TC as opposed to working for a middle man? You don't give your peers much credit do you?

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 12:13pm
Msg #264084

Leon, you must really think the

** Do you really think we need your advice to run our businesses professionally **
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.

This post was not directed at the notary signing agents who have been in business for a long time. I respect them and the knowledge that they have.

There are still people who come to this board who are new. And to them, as with everyone else, I wish ...

Good luck.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 9/12/08 12:15pm
Msg #264085

Re: Leon, you must really think the

Give it up, Leon. Once the knives are out, they're not satisfied till they've drawn blood, preferably in copious quantities.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/12/08 12:40pm
Msg #264090

Now that's not true, Hugh...

I'm simply pointing out the fact that Leon seems to think the members of this board are idiots when it comes to providing their clients with good customer service. I find his posts to be very condescending. Like Cali said, what important, thought provoking topic will he write about next? How to confirm an appointment? How to fax back funding documents? How to make sure the RTC is dated properly? Come on, it's wasted space and belongs on the board that no one reads. Or, they just read and laugh.

Ok, Leon, we know that you are doing business direct now. Good for you. What took you so long?

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/12/08 12:47pm
Msg #264092

Re: Now that's not true, Hugh...

** what important, thought provoking topic will he write about next? **
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None.

I'm done.

Good luck.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/12/08 12:54pm
Msg #264094

Re: Now that's not true, Hugh...

That's it, Leon! Just continue posting self important gibberish to your blog where you can simply delete responses from posters that don't share your opinion. Good idea.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 9/12/08 1:21pm
Msg #264095

Re: Now that's not true, Hugh...

At worst what he has done is post information and advice that many on this forum would find superflurous. At best he has offered some insight to newcomers to the profession. Neither warrants saracastic, hateful tongue-lashing followed by piling-on, in my estimation. If you feel strongly enough, simply stating your negative views should be adequate; even better would be just to ignore the original post.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/12/08 1:27pm
Msg #264098

Re: Now that's not true, Hugh...

Originally, I did ignore Leon's original post, as I usually do, but I ALWAYS read Cali's posts and when I read what Cali said I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Cali's posts are always clear, concise and right on target.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 4:17pm
Msg #264109

Actually, now that I think about it

Leon's posts are less about treating us like idiots, and more about publicly patting himself on the back about how awesome he is.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/12/08 5:20pm
Msg #264114

Yep, it's all about massaging his ego and he can keep doing

so on his blog where he deletes replies he does not agree with.

Reply by Merry_CA on 9/12/08 1:22pm
Msg #264096

Re: Now that's not true, Hugh...

It seems that lately this board is overrun with new NSA's and free-flow wining. I took Leon's post to be directed to educating them as to the nature of the business they have chosen.

Reply by PAW on 9/12/08 1:26pm
Msg #264097

Members ... idiots ...

>>> I'm simply pointing out the fact that Leon seems to think the members of this board are idiots when it comes to providing their clients with good customer service. <<<

Considering some of the posts that anyone can read, there obviously are some members who are idiots. And there are lots more who are not as savvy as you think. If you find his post beneath you, then simply click on another one and move on. No need to be condescending and belligerent.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 9/13/08 1:05pm
Msg #264165

bout that "good luck n/m

Reply by MikeC/NY on 9/13/08 1:09pm
Msg #264167

About that "good luck" thing

"There are still people who come to this board who are new. And to them, as with everyone else, I wish ...

Good luck."

They'd be better served by skills, ability, knowledge, and hard work - luck has nothing to do with it...

Reply by Philip Johnson on 9/12/08 12:30pm
Msg #264088

Another Nom de Plume throwing in their thoughts.

I find it quite interesting that folks who throw stones at others about their ideas, hide behind an alias.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 4:14pm
Msg #264108

Re: Another Nom de Plume throwing in their thoughts.

I find it interesting that people have pointed out many times various valid reasons that they choose not to link to their profile, yet you still haven't been able to comprehend it.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 9/12/08 4:50pm
Msg #264112

I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

What valid reason do you have for lurking behind an alias?

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 5:15pm
Msg #264113

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

Because I have no desire to receive phone calls or emails from people on this board, either telling me what a jerk I am, or telling me how much they agree with me, or newbies asking me questions about getting started, or whatever other reason they might want to contact me.

And ultimately, it's none of your damn business anyway. We have every right to not have our addresses and phone numbers revealed in a public forum if we don't want them there, and nobody owes anybody an explanation about the reasons why.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 9/12/08 5:36pm
Msg #264115

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

Best I can tell, Cali, you have never supported this board financially, yet you arrogate to yourself the post of board policeman.

You apparently have only two positions on your toggle switch, "Off" and "Bilious." The vast majority of your posts are when the switch is on "Bilious." They almost always are negative, and offer little in the way of positive observation or advice; instead, they just pummel your latest target. And when some poster does need to be called to account, you become absolutely venomous. It's all unnecessary. However, being so churlish behind a cloak of anonymity where you can never be personally called to account obviously does fill some void for you. You could probably achieve the same effect, though, by secretly drowning puppies in your bathtub behind locked doors.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 6:02pm
Msg #264119

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

Well, the best that you can tell is wrong. I've bought all my supplies from this board for most of the time I've been a notary, and this year is the first year I decided not to renew my premier member status.

And you're no ray of sunshine either, sweetie, just a bloviating windbag most of the time. I do love that you think the best way to get your point across is by writing a bilious post of your own about how horrible a person I am. Hardly the best way to get your point across, dear.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 9/12/08 6:14pm
Msg #264120

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

***you think the best way to get your point across is by writing a bilious post of your own***

Once you open a door, Cali, there's no telling what might walk through it.

I'll give you this, though: You are consistent. Unfortunately, the consistency is much like a suppurating boil on a pig's butt.

Now that we've both tossed our multi-syllabic, sophomoric insults, how about you try less suppurating and I'll try less bloviating? I'm not sure where that will leave each of us, but it sure would improve the tenor of this board.

Reply by Derrick/MT on 9/12/08 5:49pm
Msg #264117

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

I doubt you would get those calls based on your attitude.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/12/08 5:54pm
Msg #264118

Re: I guess I just have a comprehension problem.

Well, I did also say that people calling me to tell me what a jerk I am is an option.

Reply by rengel/CA on 9/13/08 10:09am
Msg #264154

I have my popcorn and a beer and a front row seat

to this show/thread. It is turning into quite a comedy.