Posted by bl/oh on 9/29/09 6:23am
Msg #305524

Question about closing instructions

Hi everyone. I am a former loan closer, but a newbie at this and I am finding it is a whole different animal! I have a situation and was basically up half the night worrying that I totally messed up, but not sure what to do. I had a 4:30 appt. yesterday and got the docs in time to print and run. When I got there, the 2nd page was my instructions from the title company that said "Borrowers need to INITIAL EACH PAGE which does not have a signature", so that is what I did. After I got home and was rechecking everything, I noticed the closing instructions from lender to title company, small print page 3 state that borrower is not to initial any document unless initials are asked for on the document. The lender is Provident, which I know from reading these forums is difficult. I am going to call the ss this morning and tell them the lender may not accept this. My question is this - since I followed the title company instructions, what do you think my response should be when I probably have to to get this whole pkg. resigned. Do you find that you get conflicting instructions and if you don't catch that in time, what do you do?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/29/09 6:37am
Msg #305525

It just sleighs me the way some title companies do not tailor their instructions to conform to Provident requirements. I have a TC that I love working for but if they hired a less-experienced notary I can guarantee that they wold get a rejected package from Provident because this TC does not make any mention of how particular Provident is or provide any instructions what-so-ever.

I suggest you call TC and give them a head's up that you were following their written instructions, but realized later that the Provident instructions conflict with that. Can the initialed pages simply be re-printed by the TC and replace the pages in question?

Reply by bl/oh on 9/29/09 6:43am
Msg #305527

I think they could be reprinted since the only thing on them is intitials that apparently aren't supposed to be there!

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/29/09 6:48am
Msg #305528

OK, then I think I would not call TC, but rather just include a note back in the package on the very top of the stack of docs (underneath my invoice, of course!) that explains how you followed their instructions for initialing, but noticed later that it conflicted with Provident's instructions. Then give a suggestion that they can reprint the initialed pages if they feel it will be necessary for Provident.

Then the decision and remedy is on them, as it should be.

Reply by bl/oh on 9/29/09 6:56am
Msg #305531

Thanks so much for your help. I am going to do that - it seems such a simple and logical solution to something that honestly kept me up all night. I just don't have enough experience at this yet to know what my place in the food chain is .

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/29/09 6:57am
Msg #305532

Just re-read your initial post. Since a SS is involved, I would send them an e-mail explaining what happened (be sure to mention you followed written TC instructions), along with the suggestion that the TC can reprint those pages if they feel it's necessary.

You were absolutely following directions, but I would give the SS a head's up just to cover your rear.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/29/09 7:02am
Msg #305533

One more thing - since you got this job through a signing service, you should NOT send your invoice back in the package as I referenced earlier. Invoice gets faxed or e-mailed to SS - does not go back to TC.

Notify the SS and include your invoice attached to same e-mail. Put your note of explanation to the TC on the very top of the stack of docs, send it back, and be done with it all.

Reply by bl/oh on 9/29/09 7:09am
Msg #305534

Again, I can't thank you enough for your help. If it wasn't so early, I would have a glass of wine - I feel like I need a drink! I thought being a loan closer was hard, and it is, but you do have an office of people around you and a company behind you. You are really on your own out here.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/29/09 7:29am
Msg #305535

I've enjoyed your post & some of your references, like "my place in the food chain".
You have quickly realized that this is a really tough job. We are really in the trenches & don't get a lot of respect or compensation for the job we do. I think you were given excellent advice. I'd like to add one more thing. This is never worth losing sleep over. Yes, if we mess up a loan could be held up.
IMO, if you are to survive this you will need to develop a little detachment. Kudos to you for being so conscientious. You'll do fine. I like your sense of humor--it will save you.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/29/09 7:45am
Msg #305538

Also, those instructions about initialling every page are ridiculous. I don't know where they get this stuff!

Reply by bl/oh on 9/29/09 10:11am
Msg #305555

I thought initialing everything was a little over the top too, but then remembered the "don't analyze, just notorize" mantra and thought, Beth, just do what they are asking.

For an update, I took the advice, put a note to the tc in the pkg., contacted the ss and gave them a heads up. Their response "oh, don't worry about it, I'm sure it will be ok". You are so right about detachment. I hope to do better next time. As for my place on the food chain, I would say whale crap, which is at the bottom of the ocean and you can't get any lower than that.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 9/29/09 10:17am
Msg #305557

<< Their response "oh, don't worry about it, I'm sure it will be ok". >>

This SS obviously does not understand what they are dealing with when it comes to a Provident loan. I believe that the package likely will be rejected by Provident if the TC sends the docs in with initials. Provident demands perfection and complete adherence to its instructions - to the letter!

However, Beth, THIS IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM!!!! You followed directions. You alerted SS and TC to possible issue. Now all you do is pass "Go" and collect your payment!

Reply by Les_CO on 9/29/09 12:29pm
Msg #305578

I totally agree! If a Provident loan, it will come back. But…you did your job, you caught the conflicting instructions, (something many would have missed) and you notified everyone. I say: “Good Job!”
One additional thought, I do know of a CA Title Co. that sends out large FHA streamline packages that require the borrowers to “initial every page not signed.” Why? I have no clue!

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/29/09 6:41am
Msg #305526

Well, never had a fussy Provident, so don't know what they'll do. However, you followed the instructions of the co. that hired & pays you. If they didn't provide proper instructions, it's on them.
And, yes, conflicting instructions are almost the norm.

Reply by Rhonda Skansi on 9/29/09 12:29pm
Msg #305577

If it were me... I would re-print the closing instructions and include them with the signed and initialed docs (with a note)....then Provident could choose which closing instructions they want and discard the others.

Reply by Rhonda Skansi on 9/29/09 12:31pm
Msg #305579

ooops..i think i read her post wrong...go figure. n/m

Reply by JulieD/KS on 10/1/09 7:42pm
Msg #305875

You abide by the instructions of the company that hired you...so if the title company said to initial, then you have them initial. They can duke it out with the lender.