Posted by pat/WA on 11/11/11 9:09am
Msg #403557
What would you do?
What would you do if faced with an entry to a home that you felt was unsafe? I fell last night leaving a signing. The steps to the home did not have a hand rail and I fell. Going into the home I felt uneasy because of this but I went in anyway.
Would you call and ask if there was another entryway into the home, call and ask the signers to meet you somewhere or go in anyway (or advise the scheduler that the signing would have to be rescheduled)
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/11/11 9:13am
Msg #403558
More important...are you okay?? n/m
| Reply by Saul Leibowitz on 11/11/11 9:47am
Msg #403560
1. Hope you are ok.
2. I've gone into some areas (factories, offices, homes) where I had doubts about lack of handrails and other safety issues, but just kept on going. Having reached a certain age I now think twice about those things and handle it case by case, usually asking the borrower if there is another entrance, room, whatever, if the situation appears dangerous. These things are usually easier in the daylight when you can see clearly.
3. I don't reschedule or call the SS or TC.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/11/11 9:51am
Msg #403562
So sorry you fell, hope you're ok, Pat. Falls are a
sticky wicket - people should be made aware of the unsafe situation on their property, if only as a heads-up that another invitee could be more seriously hurt.
I fell hard on broken cement stairs - in the dark - no rail - and gashed my knees pretty deeply. By the time I hobbled to the car, blood was everywhere, and I got stitches at the ER on my way home. I never told the HOs, but did let the SS know. Dad brought home a nice big flashlight the next day, I paid for my ER visit, and pulled the stiches myself when it was time.
Had I fallen upon arrival, I don't think I could have gone inside (my shoes/socks were soaked,) and I was shaking too hard to even hold a pen let alone conduct business as usual.
I just don't know. People have a responsibility to maintain their property; we have a responsibility to do our work - in safety.
It's a sticky wicket.
| Reply by CJ on 11/11/11 10:38am
Msg #403569
Re: So sorry you fell, hope you're ok, Pat.
That's terrible! Blood everywhere and you had to go to emergency AND pay for it. In California, everyone sues. I wish there was some way to let them know. I hope they saw all the blood in the morning. You just came to their house and helped them with their loan, and next thing you are on their doorstep bleeding and they don't even know or help you.
I have not fallen, but I remember some particulary dark, slippery steps that sloped downward, and I remembered the borrower was an attorney. I was appalled that an attorney would have such a dangerous situation on his own property.
| Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/11/11 10:40am
Msg #403570
I have fallen at a BO's home
Broad daylight with the BO standing on the porch watching me, also a crack in cement just as was Susie's experience. Fell on my right arm but had a quick Quicken loan and got through the signing with no problem. However, could NOT shift my car upon leaving and by the time I got to the house the spasms were so bad I was crying out (much like labor pains). Had someone take me to emergency and found my elbow was broken so when I got back home I called BO and they gave me their agents name and number. That's why we all pay insurance...in case someone gets hurt.
| Reply by RedBaron/IN on 11/11/11 11:22am
Msg #403577
Re: I have fallen at a BO's home
If you feel it is unsafe, don't do it. Call the BO or SS/TC and advise them. The USPS or other delivery personnel would not make the delivery if it is unsave. I carry a flash lignt and a bright spot light to locate street signs, mail boxes & house numbers.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/11/11 11:16pm
Msg #403671
Re: I have fallen at a BO's home
I agree. Everyone's capabilities are different and we likely know best what to consider a risk or not. A signing is not more important than your safety. I've had a time or two where I've called from the front yard to let them know I'm there with no qualms. The examples that come to mind are when there's a gated front yard with a "beware of dog"sign. Fido might in fact be a sweetie once I get inside, but as a stranger opening the front gate... well, I'm not about to find out! (Usually they've already put the dog away in those cases, but ya never know. )
As for flashlights, I have two in my car: a big one for street numbers and signs and a smaller one that easily fits into my purse so I can see where I'm going in those unlighted areas. I don't want to be tripping over stones or uneven pavement, etc. or get poked in the eye or scratched by over grown branches or bushes or whatever. Small price to pay and a little bit of caution goes a long way.
| Reply by Luckydog on 11/11/11 3:42pm
Msg #403627
Re: So sorry you fell, hope you're ok, Pat. Falls are a
That's when you go in, and ask them for their homeowner's insurance policy!
| Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 11/11/11 11:20am
Msg #403576
Yikes, Pat! Hope you're OK. If not, I'd do what one poster did - contact the homeowner's insurance agent.
In any case, in answer to your question, I've never really thought about this even tho I have been at homes where I can't see a thing going in or out because of no or low porch light and the entryway has unlighted steps, is studded with winding, uneven paving stones, shrouded with overgrown bushes. It's like Halloween all year long. I think your idea of callilng them sounds good. Just stand outside as close as you can get to the front door without falling and hurting yourself and call the borrower and say they have to come get you (because they're complete idiots, they knew you were coming and this is the best they could do!?!? No, don't actually say that). Or other option: meet you at the nearest Jack in the Box. You know they're not going to want to do that, so they'll come get you. I don't think I'd call the scheduler at that point. Same thing upon exiting. They have to guide you out. Sweetly say: "Woudl you please help me out because it's kinda dark ... (and you're a complete idiot and unless you want my lawyer calling your lawyer ...")
Reading your experience I think I'm going to add a big-ass flashlight to my arsenal. This is in
addition to my itty-bitty flashlight which I use when borrowers park me at the "mood lighting" table or sofa like we're at a cocktail party and I can barely see the DLs. (Fortunately, I have the docs memorized by now and don't need to be able to see them.)
Tell us you're OK, Pat!
| Reply by Eve on 11/11/11 11:27am
Msg #403582
Someone mentioned the mood lights or low lights at signings. What's up with that? I've had a lot of those lately. Last one, I asked if the chandelier was on a dimmer. They said no ... maybe there's a market to sell light bulbs at signings.
| Reply by pat/WA on 11/11/11 12:05pm
Msg #403588
Thank you I am not hurt
I was lucky and fell into the lawn.
The steps were not unsafe but they had no railing. I am sure the owners did not feel that their steps were a hazard. But, I feel steps with no hand rail are a safety hazard.
I don't think I will chance it again. I will call and ask if there is another entrance, such as through the garage. Or if they will meet me some where.
| Reply by NJDiva on 11/11/11 12:28pm
Msg #403595
I have a $1,000,000 umbrella on my home in the event...
someone gets hurt and tries to sue me for my house. I own and occupy a two family home so we have a higher risk of there being an issue.
It's practically NOTHING a year and though I've not had problems, it's better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.
Quite honestly, falling down the stairs of in the driveway at night (well, in the day too) is something that's popped in my head MANY times. There are a lot of stone and brick stairs in my area that are not in the best condition including no hand rails; and G*d FORBID there be snow and ice on them. I actually had a bo have to just about carry me down the stairs & a driveway as well another time. We held each other up, that's for sure!!!
We should get hazard pay like some careers have available when a person's safety is on the line.
Pat, I hope you are okay as well. I'm fairly young (by SOME people's standards-certainly not MINE), but I know that I don't heal as fast as I used to and my body doesn't "bounce back" as quickly either. I HATE to be in pain!!! Those bo's are very lucky you're not sue happy. After all, you potentially would never have to work again if you sued and won. lol...don't know if that's true, but, hell, ya hear it all the time.
I hope there aren't long term ramifications from your fall. Feel better soon.
| Reply by Karla/OR on 11/11/11 12:36pm
Msg #403601
Sorry about your fall Pat. How humiliating and scary when that happens. Glad to know you are ok this morning.
Your post is so appreciated because it opens our eyes to the potential hazards and injuries that await us in an encounter like you had, especially now that it is getting dark so early.
I, too, carry a halogen flashlight just for the purposes of finding street and house numbers in the dark and finding my way to the front door. It is a lifesaver. It unfortunately wouldn't have helped in your situation where there was no guardrail to hang on to.
The scare was probably enough for you to remember it the next time you encounter this situation. I know I will!
Take care and be good to yourself today. Karla
| Reply by Barb25 on 11/11/11 2:37pm
Msg #403619
So sorry for this. Glad you were not seriously hurt. After reading all these responses so sorry for all these "mishaps" so many which could be avoided if the people we go to see would only think or be told by the loan officers or may even us to please make sure they have a light on for us. Who would ever have thought we would need hazardous duty pay and yet our first thought is that we need to get the docs signed. Wow. I have banged my ego and my car. Muddied my clothes and felt riduculous but fortunately only pride was hurt. Last encounter was one of those "secret" signings where I could not call the borrower before going there. It was on a dirt road and when I pulled into the middle of this open field with a house and an unfinished double wide both dark on the property I had enough. I called the loan officer and said I am going home. I am not getting out of the car. I obeyed every "order" up to that point but I wasn't risking my life. If someone didn't come out of that house and get me my mission was over..... I got an apology and an escort. What can people be thinking? Anyhow glad you guys are all right. You are our brave 
| Reply by Jessica Ward on 11/11/11 4:34pm
Msg #403631
I've wondered about this too.
I've seen a number of "unsafe" houses, but mostly on the pets/hygiene/firearms lying around everywhere front. I've also been in a few closings where there was an obvious domestic problem in the home.
I've had I think three falls, all last winter when I had a ton of closings on really snowy/icy days. I fell on ice each time, so totally not the borrower's fault.
I've gotten myself out of a few of the really funky houses by explaining that I have a really bad cat/dog/child allergy (just joking on the last one) and would the borrowers be willing to complete the signing at the local Starbucks.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/11/11 11:28pm
Msg #403673
Re: I've wondered about this too.
Reminded me of the most difficult entry I've ever encountered. It was up the side of a steep hill. Not counting the relatively flat switch-backs, I had to climb up 85 steps with all their docs, my notary case and a too heavy purse! And with all the vegetation and brush growth, you couldn't see how far it was, only to the next turn. I couldn't believe they didn't warn anyone! And not a single comment from the owners who weren't very pleasant people. Someone with a heart condition could have had a coronary making that climb! (I'm glad that was early in my notary career when I was in better shape...  )
Worse yet, they were in the process of moving out and on the way up, I was passing movers who were carrying all their possessions down the hill. I can't believe there wasn't another entrance, but I couldn't find one. (Their 3 or 4-car garage was at the base of the hill.)
| Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 11/11/11 5:31pm
Msg #403638
On my first signing about 6 weeks after my bilateral knee replacements, I walked into borrower's home not realizing I was stepping down into a sunken living room. I invented a new dance step, but thankfully did not fall on the floor. That was painful!
| Reply by Marty/TN on 11/11/11 7:43pm
Msg #403646
Thank you! I have actually sat on my rear and bumped my way into houses where I felt the entry was unsafe. Of course, I believed myself to be a wuss. Makes me feel a lot better to realize that others deal with this situation.
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