Posted by Pamela Hoyle on 7/16/10 4:50pm
Msg #345228

Just a vent...

Last night my favorite escrow agent called me last minute to do a closing....no problem. Usually he prints out docs, but since his office was 30 mi the other way and the closing was about 10 mi from my house I printed and proceeded to home. Borrower's d-i-l answered. Borrower had surgery the day before. Was still groggy, drugged. She wasn't aware of the closing, but the borrower was. He had however forgotten about it and was groggy and pretty out-of-it. I was unwilling to sign him. Called escrow officer, no problem. Will re-schedule for tomorrow, and will add a little sumthin-sumthin for your print/trip tonight. Drove off to meet the kids for dinner. On my way, escrow called...borrower decided he wants to sign tonight after all. I said nope. OK...he will find someone else to do it. Apparently he did. Shame on them for signing an impaired borrower. Now I'm out my print and trip. No fee, since I was listed on the HUD, but, darn it! One of my best clients. Will chalk it up to one of those things, but darn it! Darn it! Not sorry or second-guessing my decision not to sign it, but am totally frustrated with high pressure l/o who insisted and pressured borrower into signing. And disappointed in my escrow officer. Oh, well....

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/16/10 5:17pm
Msg #345233

Yep, I feel your pain. I lost out on one earlier this month with one of my favorite (and still decent-paying) TC's because they know that I won't backdate, or in this case forward-date. The borrowers were not available to sign on the date that the docs were drawn for. The LO did not want to incur a re-draw fee from the lender, so he wanted them to sign the day before, but date everything for the following day. It's been really slow for me and I hated to lose that business but I will NOT be a party to fraud.

Good for you for not signing/notarizing an impaired borrower. Sometimes taking the high road hurts, but it's never the wrong decision.

Reply by KSdawn on 7/16/10 5:53pm
Msg #345242

I agree. You can still sleep at night because you didn't sign a borrower while under the influence of pain meds or other medications due to his surgery. I know I won't sign a borrower with alcohol on their breath because I don't know how impaired they are. And I would rather lose the money from that signing than be sued later for an impaired signer.

Reply by Cari on 7/16/10 5:58pm
Msg #345243

sent you pm n/m

Reply by Letty Marquez on 7/16/10 6:14pm
Msg #345255

Pamela,

You did the right thing. The printing fee is not worth getting later in trouble. I applaud you! If this escrow officer is like mine (more friends than just business partners) talk to him.
Remember one thing: If he really appreciate you as a professional, he will know he acted wrong.

I wish you the best, cheer up!

Reply by Pamela Hoyle on 7/16/10 6:17pm
Msg #345256

Frankly, I was a little taken aback. He IS a friend...and I used him just this week to close my OWN refi. The broker/lender is really pushy...I close for them frequently, and I suspect that THEY are the ones who called the borrower and put pressure on. At least my conscience is clear and I don't have to worry about having signed for someone who I have reason to believe is impaired. Hope that it won't keep me from doing more for them, but I won't back down on stuff like this.