Posted by Linda Juenger on 7/22/09 2:32pm
Msg #296895

Do Not Call Borrower

I would like to re-visit this. A thread was started last month.

Accepted an assignment and confirmation reads "Do Not Call Borrower". After thinking about this I replied with an email stating that this is Not my policy stating too many things have happened and can happen without being able to confirm with borrower ahead of time. I did state that I would adhere to this for this time. I stated that IL has new ID laws and without being able to confirm that they have valid, current, photo, signature ID's this could cause the loan not to sign. I live in a military area and this is extremely important now. I need to know and want to make sure ahead of time if they have valid ID's.
Do others accept these assignments and how many of you have had problems because you cannot contact borrower first? This is mind boggling to me as to why they do it this way.
After they recieved my email, they sent an email back stating it is cancelled. BS I was born at night, but not last night.

Reply by cntrlcalntry on 7/22/09 2:39pm
Msg #296898

I will do it as long as I have a confirmation that states they will pay full fee if it is a no show or no sign.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 7/22/09 2:44pm
Msg #296899

The confirmation did not state this and in my email back to them I stated that full fee is required if this loan does not close for any reason. That's when they replied back and told me it cancelled. Bull

Reply by Chewie/NY on 7/22/09 2:53pm
Msg #296902

Then you are acting reasonably to decline the assignment. I've done a number of these "don't call the borrowers" assignments, primarily for a timeshare company. Lender guarantees the fee, close or no close, and so far, I haven't had an issue.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/22/09 3:02pm
Msg #296905

IMO… You just saved yourself some time. I’m an “independent contractor” I make my own rules.
Rule one: “Do not work for fools!”
Rule Two: “See rule one.”
I would only accept such an assignment 'after' I called the borrowers and confirmed.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 7/22/09 3:14pm
Msg #296907

Some years ago, abided by a 'do not call borrower' instruction - about 60 miles RT, edocs. I was leery, and for good reason - the lady slammed the door in my face. No pay at all for that one.

I have taken one or two over the years since then; worked out ok, but as a rule? Makes me very nervous - and - suspicious. In my neck of the coast, so much is rural, and directions are extremely important. Also important is to confirm IDs available, and that all signers will be present, as you said.

Had one where the gal thought she was just signing some docs for title, and her husband wouldn't be home for another three hours. Grrr.

The only reason I've been told, is that it's been confirmed, and they don't want borrowers 'bombarded' with unnecessary calls. Really. Bombarded?

Makes you wonder, doesn't it, when the *vast* majority of those who hire us are so insistant that we contact the borrowers asap to confirm.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 7/22/09 3:28pm
Msg #296911

Yes, Susan/Les it does make me suspicious because the vast

majority like 99.9999% of companies insist you contact borrowers ASAP. To me, it is a common courtsey. All of us at one time or another have had any number of things happen that by calling ahead avoided problems. I just don't see the reasoning for this. I too live in a rural area and even my GPS has problems at times. Just last night I was out in the middle of nowhere, my GPS told me to turn Right, well there was NOT a road there anymore. It is a corn field. Nothing is fool proof, but by not having a phone number puts us at risk safety wise also. This is just BS. Like I stated, I accepted it and all I want in return is full pay if this loan does not close for any reason. They will not do that and cancelled on me.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/22/09 5:38pm
Msg #296939

Like I said.... See Rule One.

Reply by John/CT on 7/22/09 3:21pm
Msg #296909

Re: Calling the Borrower ...

is standard practice for me. No exceptions. Connecticut requires two witnesses to signatures on deeds (e.g., mortgage, quit claim, etc), and all too often I am the first to tell them they need to provide the second witness (I can be one) ... much to their chagrin/distress. If they are unable, I try to suggest an alternative venue, such as the library. I also make it a practice to confirm/resolve any ID issues that may come up (e.g., hyphenated last names, her maiden name on title,etc). If the Service doesn't agree, I'm like Linda and others who have replied, I will decline the assignment.

Reply by rengel/CA on 7/22/09 3:43pm
Msg #296915

I don't start printing docs until I have spoken with borrowers. I want to make sure that they even KNOW that they are signing on that day/time. I've called BO after printing only to be told that they knew nothing about the loan closing and hadn't heard from their LO in weeks.

My .02

Reply by Ocean Pacific Notary Services, Inc. on 7/22/09 4:33pm
Msg #296924

If this is an TCT/MIC loan - their reasoning in the past has been notaries start to discuss loan terms with borrower and then borrower does not want to sign. Of course, notary is not aware of loan terms because have no docs. These are usually VA loans with borrower bringing money to the table.

And they do not want borrowers bother with all the calls by notary - what is one CALL for confirmation of ID/Names/married, etc.

Of course, when you receive docs, you are allowed to call the borrower. None of that makes any sense, but that is the direction.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 7/22/09 4:58pm
Msg #296926

Agree, Agree and Agree. Thanks Gina n/m

Reply by Sandra Clark on 7/22/09 5:25pm
Msg #296931

Re: Agree, Agree and Agree. Thanks Gina

Had the same thing yesterday. No calls to borrower, for any reason not even for directions, pay 1/2 fee if no sign or rescind. Now that meant I would travel approx 85 miles, not sure where I'm going (mapquest didn't know either) in rural county taking over 1 hour each way. print docs and spend time at the table for $62.50. No thanks said I, find someone else. Can't afford that kind of job. Someone evidntly took it - more power to em.

Reply by Jim/AL on 7/22/09 5:30pm
Msg #296935

Re: Do Not Call Borrower- Use anywho.com for tele no.

Got an MIC for 8am Saturday that has this requirement, he is not listed on anywho.com and I cannot map to the address using the zip code given. Making me very nervous. But once I receive docs you can bet I will be calling the numbers listed on the 1003.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/22/09 5:53pm
Msg #296942

If the MORON LO doesn't want the "idiot notary" blowing his (dudious) deal "out the door" My advise is to "go close it yourself!"

See "RULE ONE!"

I've been in this business for 30 years, and I can blow ANYONE'S deal 'out the door.'

I work.
I like money.
I still "draw the line!"... see rule one!

Reply by John Schenk on 7/22/09 7:53pm
Msg #296959

I had a big issue with this on TCT/MIC loans also. I was told that as soon as I get the edocs I am encouraged to go to the 1033 and THEN call the borrowers to confirm. Makes no sense to me either, but I do a lot of TCT/MIC loans. I've had a number of them lately that have been re-scheduled 3 times for some reason or another. The ones I've had if the borrower had to bring money to the table it was about $40-$60, so that wasn't a real issue. Anyway, that's the way they do it. I accept them regularly, although the no call stuff seems a bit silly.

JJ

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/22/09 5:31pm
Msg #296937

I have one company that I work for who has this "no call" stipulation. I suspect it's the same company that Sandra mentioned - they pay 1/2 fee if the borrower is not there or if the loan doesn't sign (not stated on the confirm - I had to ask about that). I keep these very local so my exposure in limited. So far, they have all signed and I received payment within two weeks.

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/22/09 5:48pm
Msg #296941

I'm not too crazy about "do not call borrower" signings either, and prefer to confirm the appt but would do them for a guaranteed $50 print/trip fee if the appt turns out to be a no-sign or no-show. For those Notaries that live in rural areas and the typical job may be an hours drive one way, I certainly understand the need to make contact with the borrower and get paid full-fee.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 7/22/09 6:41pm
Msg #296950

Instructions to not call the BO would be a red flag for me - I'm not going to show up on anyone's doorstep unannounced, so all appointments must be confirmed. If the hiring party isn't OK with that, they can find someone else for the assignment.

"I was born at night, but not last night. "

One of my favorite lines...

Reply by Les_CO on 7/22/09 7:42pm
Msg #296958

Yeah...I like that! so much more succinct than: “I just fell off the turnip truck” Can I use it?

Reply by Teddog/CO on 7/23/09 7:48am
Msg #297015

If I can't confirm the appointment with a BWR it's a No-Go. I always confirm the appointment and most all companies insist that we do so. That's why they want us to e-mail them when we confirm. So we're all on the same page.
"Don't confirm with BWR" is just to fishy to me. JMO I wouldn't take the assignment. Nothing like printing docs and then a nice drive for NADA.