Posted by Heather Michaud on 12/30/09 11:26pm
Msg #316183

Borrower smoking while signing..

I haven't had this happen many times but lately it has been more frequent.
Walking into a home when a borrower is smoking and they continue to smoke during the signing just to put the cigarette down to sign, I have also had others have other people in the home smoking.
Now, I am tolerant and understand that I am going into someone's home but I think that smoking is unacceptable at the table, especially when I am a non-smoker.

Any thoughts on this, what does everyone else think?

Thanks!

Reply by Alz on 12/31/09 12:00am
Msg #316188

I encountered something similar

about two - three months ago. I politely asked the BO if the patio door could be opened, as I am allergic to smoke. They quick stopped smoking and the patio door was opened. Issue solved. Now, I am not saying that this will occur in every situation; however, you must speak up. The worst thing a person can say is…No.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/31/09 12:03am
Msg #316189

It's their home, I'm not going to tell some not to smoke if they want to, sometimes they are just nervous and it helps the signing to go quicker. If it really bothers you though you might suggest meeting the borrower for the closing somewhere that smoking isn't allowed like a restaurant.

Reply by Notarysigner on 12/31/09 12:06am
Msg #316190

I like that, hope you don't mind if I borrow the idea from you.

Reply by Alz on 12/31/09 12:25am
Msg #316191

When would you suggest making these arrangements? n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 12/31/09 12:53am
Msg #316193

Re: When would you suggest making these arrangements?

I've done a lot of closing at McD's or Burger King, when I call to confirm I ask them if it would be convenient to meet them at the restaurant and you would be surprised at how many go for the idea, their kids get to play on the equipment and out of parent's and my hair, plus it gives me that convenient witness on the mortgage that most of my companies require even though it isn't necessary on a refi in FL.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/31/09 2:19am
Msg #316196

Re: When would you suggest making these arrangements?

So do you ask all your borrowers ahead of time whether or not they smoke? I don't see this as being too practical for this reason.

For other reasons, I think McD's or Burger King, etc. can be a great alternative, since there are usually good sized (clean) tables available and lots of light. Unless it's right at peak dining hours, they don't usually mind, either.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/31/09 9:59am
Msg #316231

Re: When would you suggest making these arrangements?

No, I don't ask about the smoking, but if I hear a bunch of kids in the background it's the first thing I ask because of the secure indoor playground and the kids stay out of the way and we get done much quicker. It can also cut down on driving time and having to look for homes without numbers on them. I know the Orlando area very well so that helps.

But if you are really sensitive to smoke and don't want exposed the restaurant thing works great in FL, state law no smoking.

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/31/09 12:31am
Msg #316192

I suppose the only thing you can do is *demonstrate* that cigarette smoke bothers you by coughing, gagging, choking and nearly falling out of your chair....hopefully, the smokers will get the hint. If not, you may just have to tell them you are allergic to cigarette smoke.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 12/31/09 3:17am
Msg #316201

I've found that the most considerate of smokers realize that, even though I'm a guest in their home, I may not be a smoker and they always ask if I mind if they smoke. In reality, I do mind... a lot. I'm "allergic" -- not in the sense of a true allergy, but I am extremely sensitive. Cigarette smoke triggers migraine attacks for me, as well as my oxygen saturation. I, like my mom, have developed breathing issues and am more likely to develop respiratory infections and the like. Normally, I'm just fine.... but if I'm exposed to an irritant, I can have problems. Worse than my mom, though, I have to sleep with oxygen and a bipap machine because I have hypopnea when I sleep. If I'm exposed to irritants during the day or if I have a cold or something... I have to crank the oxygen concentrator up. I hate it.

However, I'm not really going to make a big deal of it. I've only had one person who tried to light up at the signing table, and I just matter of fact like asked if they could smoke elsewhere because I have a condition similar to asthma and don't react well to smoke. The guy said he didn't mind at all, just asked if he could step into the other room for a few minutes instead. I through that was fair. He was back in less than 3 minutes and when he came back he apologized and said he should have asked before he did that.

I actually fibbed a bit though... I don't really have asthma. But, it's the easiest and most familiar way of getting the idea across. That's why I say "something like asthma" -- all they hear is asthma, and they get it.

Reply by Julie/MI on 12/31/09 7:11am
Msg #316208

I'm old enough to remember when my parents smoked while grocery shopping, at the malls, and ash trays at the doctor's office. We used to be able to smoke at our desks in the work place. Used to smoke on airplanes and at the closing table when I worked for the title company.

If a borrower wants to chain smoke in their own home, they can.

I quit smoking 5 years ago today, but even when I was a smoker, menthol please, I could never stand anyone else's smoke. But if I'm in someone else's home, smoker or not, it's their turf and just hope you don't get a reader.

I has a reverse mortgage application appointment recently and the wife was a chain smoker and I had to defume everything I had on and I will refuse the closing if it comes up as I don't want to sit through the smoke again.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 12/31/09 8:00am
Msg #316214

I've had an attorney tell me when a borrower extends his home to conduct a closing they are making it a public place and by law no smoking is required if you ask the cigarettes be put out. You shouldn't expose yourself to second hand smoke if you are a non smoker.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/31/09 8:16am
Msg #316215

"when a borrower extends his home to conduct a closing they are making it a public place "

I disagree with this statement - you're there to help conduct borrowers' personal business - this does not make it a public place -

I have had a borrower ask me if I wanted him to put his cigar out - now I hate the smell of cigars, and since I quit smoking 20 years ago I find myself more and more sensitive to smoke -but like I told this borrower - it's your home and I'd never ask you to not smoke in your own home. I've had other smokers at the table who just smoke away but, luckily for me, they've all been very thoughtful about being aware that the smoke doesn't drift toward me so no issues - I have more issues when we stay overnight at my sister-in-law's house - she smokes and after one overnight stay there (like Christmas eve) my husband and I have headaches and everything we've brought reeks of smoke....

Reply by PAW on 12/31/09 8:48am
Msg #316221

I think that attorney is blowing smoke

Or smoking some wacky-weed. That statement just doesn't make logical sense to me. But then again, there are quite a few illogical and nonsensical laws and statements on the books.

Reply by LOVETEAM on 12/31/09 9:21am
Msg #316226

I tell them I am allergic

Reply by Michael/NC on 12/31/09 10:07am
Msg #316233

Today is my 101st day of my suspension of smoking (can't say I quit because I still have the desire). However---I long for the GOOD old days when smoking was accepted anywhere anytime (even in Hospitals and YOUR own home). A pack of smokes cost 20 cents and the only Health problem was the fear that smoking would stunt your growth. I guess that part was true because my waist size has gone from 30" to 34" in 101 days.

Reply by MW/VA on 12/31/09 5:02pm
Msg #316304

I think you can politely ask them to refrain from smoking if it bothers you. Otherwise, I wouldn't turn it into a "political correctness" situation. I am a smoker & about the only place we can still smoke is in our own home.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/31/09 5:42pm
Msg #316313

I'm a smoker, and if I see evidence borrowers smoke, I

tell them so, and to go ahead if they want to smoke. I don't join in, of course, but the offer is often taken up and seems much appreciated.

Reply by Jayhawk/KS on 1/2/10 11:11pm
Msg #316451

Re: I'm a smoker, and if I see evidence borrowers smoke, I

I have a different problem. I'm allergic to cats. It's so bad that I have to carry an epipen. When I confirm, I ask if they have cats in their home. If they do, we just make arrangement to close at a different location. I don't want to quit breathing in the middle of a closing!!!!!!!!!!