Posted by Gilda Murray on 2/14/11 2:17pm
Msg #372699

VA Refinance Loan Signings

Good Day to all and of course "Happy Valentines Day". Would like your brief input on the subject above. A Notary Agent receives e-docs on a VA loan that consist of 160 pages along with instructions to fax back certain items that winds up totaling 50 pages. Downloading the lenders package along with the most vital borrower's copies "winds up being almost 250 sheets," then coming back home after the signing, separating the package to fax back those 50 pages with additional instructions to "wait for call back approval before shipping." Have any of you encountered this scenario? If so was there an "extra charge?" Or did you just roll with the flow as they say? It was one instance last summer a 6:00pm signing, where I did not get the call back so I just used common sense and sent it back by the middle of the following day anyway. All that extra effort and time for nothing. "Was never questioned about it either."

Thanks in advance for your response..

Reply by Donna McDaniel on 2/14/11 2:26pm
Msg #372701

If the client is one that calls you often and rarely sends you huge packages such as this one with faxbacks, then yes, I would probably just roll with it, as you said. If not, a fee for the additional printing and faxing would be in order. JMO

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/14/11 2:32pm
Msg #372703

All that "extra time and effort" should have been disclosed up front and a fee negotiated in advance - when the final fee is agreed upon, except for unforeseen table issues, all contingencies are accounted for and an adequate, all-inclusive fee has been quoted...

Further, as to this: "e-docs on a VA loan that consist of 160 pages along with instructions to fax back certain items that winds up totaling 50 pages. Downloading the lenders package along with the most vital borrower's copies "winds up being almost 250 sheets"

Should have been 320 pages - 160 pages X2 = 320 - borrowers should be receiving an exact duplicate of the package they are signing. It is not up to you to decide what constitutes "most vital borrower's copies"...

Reply by Gilda Murray on 2/14/11 4:00pm
Msg #372725

Maybe I should make myself clear it's called "Common Sense" I know it is not up to me to decide what constitute "most vital" but as the "borrower" who wants to review the three pages or so thats listing what size each page should be printed on, additional pages on how the notary should present themselves "what to wear and what not" and be on time don't forget to call and confirm the appointment. 25 + pages or so for the "closing lenders" instructions "only" on how to proceed after receiving the return docs etc. I am NOT "Short Changing" anyone on what they should receive, or what they are getting.

Sorry if it appeared that way.

Reply by MW/VA on 2/14/11 2:36pm
Msg #372705

I charge an additional fee for pkgs. over 140 pgs. & I would also charge a fax fee for faxing 50 pages. Those huge VA pkgs. (I've a few that went over 180 pgs.) would kill our profit margin if we just ate the extras, IMO.

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/14/11 2:49pm
Msg #372709

imho, fee should be equal to work performed. If I took my car in to have the brakes replaced, I'm quite certain they wouldn't rotate the tires and do an oil change for free.

And, yes, I do have one company that requests (& pays for) faxbacks and then supposedly will call with permission to ship.... but they never actually do call. I just ship.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 2/14/11 2:54pm
Msg #372711

Just say no

For what it's worth, I don't do fax backs (unless it's in my best interests). I used to ask for extra $$ for the scenario you just described and was always told NO. So I just stopped faxing. The thing is, it seems the hiring agency seldom tells us about faxbacks upfront. But if they do or when I see it on the job confirmation instructions, I immediately tell them in the nicest way possible: sorry, I am not able to do faxbacks. I have never had a signing taken back because of that; on the contrary I usually get some blubbery response along the lines of that's OK, you don't have to, just get docs back ASAP ... maybe they don't call me again when a loan requires faxbacks, I don't know - but that's my policy and I'm sticking to it. I'm a notary/loan signer, not an office asst. I've been known to fax to help somebody out under unusual circumstances, but that's about it.

If you're going to fax back, fax the entire pkg (asusming you're using a toll-free number). That way, you're saving alot of time by not pulling out the 50 or so pages they want and then getting them all back in the right stacking order. Of course, the receiving agency wants you to pull out only the docs they need so they don't have to wade through the entire loan set (once again, doing their clerical work for them) ...but too bad.

Generally, I don't get the "wait for a call before shipping" anymore, because I am fortunate enough not to have to work anymore for those kinds of SSs that require it. But you did right by shipping docs because I can guarantee you that you would have received a hysterical call at some point demanding to know why you're sitting on the docs and holding up funding!! And when you replied you were waiting for their call per theirinstructions, they'll yell you should have known better, never hold on to docs, you stupid notary ... blah blah blah.

And Happy Valentines Day to you, too, Gilda!

Reply by Gilda Murray on 2/14/11 9:35pm
Msg #372779

Re: Just say no

Thanks again to all that responded to my post you're appreciated.