Posted by 101livescan on 9/25/11 10:09am
Msg #398600

Signing Biz Revelations

1) No more Esignings during this refi flurry on the heals of news that rates are below 4%
Too unpredictable for logistical errors, connectivity issues, borrower late and not willing to sit thru the difficult process
2) No, Mr. Borrower,you're not the only appt I have today. Please be prompt and have a copy of your DL available to be returned for the loan funder. Please allow at least 30 minutes for the signing, perhaps 45 minutes to an hour. Do you have a large table we can sit at with adequate lighting so we will be sure to sign in all the right places? (many people live in a cave, I'm discovering!)
3) The name on your docs must match the name on your ID, in order for me to proceed and for your docs to be processed for closing. Photo ID must be current. Some lenders will not accept an expired DL/passport.
4) Please have a cashier's chec for $xxx. Amounts over $1500 must be in the form of a wire or cashier's check.
5) You'll have to check with your loan officer on the exact date of closing.
6) Taxes will be prorated and collected in advance now since tax bills are just being sent out, and insurance premiums are collected for a year in advance to fund the loan, lenders requirements.
7) Prior to funding conditions may require the notary to provide a copy of bond and E&O policies.
8) Is there a security gate at your property and how do I contact you at the gate? A couple of appts I had last week, six dogs met me at the gate and there was no controller to press a code or call button. The borrowers had to come out and manually open the gate.

How much did I want to get out of my car~not at all~

Boy, has this business accelerated in notary's expertise and details and duties to close. Any one else care to contribute to this list of preamble to attending the signing appointment?

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/25/11 10:54am
Msg #398602

9. Will all parties be there at the same time? Is there a POA being used to sign and is the TC aware? My .02

Reply by 101livescan on 9/25/11 12:08pm
Msg #398610

Thanks, good one. Often, one borrower shows up at title, the other "is on the way". I let them sit in the foray until they are both there, then I come to get them and show them to the signing room, and we begin. They think they are saving time by getting started, but it actually becomes two signings, and there is the risk for missing signatures.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/26/11 12:32am
Msg #398662

Right! Or for in-home signings, one plans to stay with the screaming baby while the other one signs, then trade off. I just love that one! NOT!!

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 9/25/11 3:16pm
Msg #398622

1. It's your fault you took a Flagstar. Let that be a lesson. Don't you read the warnings on NR?That's what we're here for. When I started getting calls for Flagstar I checked out NR posts and said no. In my profiles, I specifiy Amtrust only. Occasionally, I still get calls from frantic SSs, cos they can't find anyone to do Flagstar anymore. They'll lie and say they're "not that bad." (Yes, I really do sympathize with what you went through on this one, but still, you could have avoided it ....)
2. You are so right about cave dwellers - it seems to be the trend to have "mood lighting" at the dining room and kitchen tables, and I can't see a damn thing. I'm thinking of packing a small pen light for reading DLs under those no-light circumstances.
As far as a large table, I do lots of signings with people who observe traditions from the Old Country (I'm talking Muslims, Arabs, Eastern Indians, etc.) where it's apparently de riguer to plunk the "guest" (me) on the living room sofa. I long ago gave up looking wistfully at the dining room table, suggesting they would be more comfortable signing there. If they want to sit on the floor to sign, which they do, I'll stack docs up on the sofa cushions. I'm used to it by now.
3. I love it! I'm going to memorize that line .... and recite it as professionally and pleasantly as possible, so when I get to a signing, and the ID and the loan docs don't resemble each other, I can politely remind them that I told them this would be a condition of signing. And while CA notaries can accept expired DLs under certain circumstances, you're right, I'm noticing more and more that lenders will not.
8. I know exactly what you mean. You've confirmed the appt. with the borrower, but when you get there, it's dark, no lights, you're greeted with locked gates, no call button (unless it's hidden in all the overgrown shrubbery), house 100 yards in the distance, barking, killer dogs, etc. - like these people had no idea you were coming at that time. Grrr. I also hate it when they have failed to tell me they don't have a visible house number: "Oh, it fell off a few years ago. Didn't I put it back up?" while kicking around in the dirt, looking for the fallen, rusted numbers. Or "Oh, we didn't put it back up after we painted (5 years ago)." But I don't really know how to head all that off at the pass in a confirmation call without bogging things down.

Reply by Buddy Young on 9/25/11 4:55pm
Msg #398628

Re: Gold Girl, under what cercumstances can we accept

expired CA. drivers licences?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/25/11 5:07pm
Msg #398632

If they've been issued within the last 5 years..for one n/m

Reply by Buddy Young on 9/25/11 6:03pm
Msg #398637

Re: If they've been issued within the last 5 years..for one

Wasn't thinking about out of state drivers licences.

Here in California they are issued for 5 years.

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/25/11 8:14pm
Msg #398644

Re: If they've been issued within the last 5 years..for one

Let's say a person got their license in 2008. It is now 3 years old but they lose it. Their license will expire in 2 years which will be 2013. They get a replacement license tomorrow, so the issue date is September 26, 2011.

Let's say the customer fails to renew their license before it expires on their birth day/month which is May 25th of 2013 and they need their signature notarized on June 18, 2013. The issue date falls within the five year range because the range is the current date of June 18, 2013 to June 18, 19, 20...., 2008. Sept. 26, 2011 when they got the replacement license falls in the middle of the range. Therefore, their license can still be used to identify them.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 9/25/11 8:17pm
Msg #398645

Re: If they've been issued within the last 5 years..for one

Even tho CA licenses are valid for 5 years, things can happen within those 5 years - a license may be temporarily revoked, suspended, modified, whatever and then reactivated for a shorter period of time, say, 1 or 2 years. A license like that could be expired by the time we see it, but it still was issued within the past 5 years. We can use it for ID, according to CA notary law, but lenders would probably throw a fit (if they knew). I see this occasionally with commercial truckers - I get the idea that DMV and CHP are keeping them on a short leash for a while.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/26/11 7:53am
Msg #398673

Not all Ca Lic are issued for five years n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/26/11 12:40am
Msg #398664

Great list, Cheryl! I've also been asking if the property is in a trust so they can have a copy handy to fill in the Trust Cert. that invariably is included. (On a rare occasion that has been done in advance, but that's the exception.) Many of the people I see these days who can qualify for a loan can also afford to have their property(ies) in a trust.

Reply by NJDiva on 9/26/11 11:57am
Msg #398696

I carry a lightweight battery powered lamp in my bag...

It's the best!!! It's small (about 7" or so tall), flexible (has the bendable goose neck extender) , weighs just about nothing and is incredibly bright. It has most definitely come in handy.

Also, when they try and put me on the couch, I tell them it's not going to work (most times they have a table SOMEWHERE, i.e. a tv tray) because I have problems with my back and it is impossible for me to sign like that. (If they want to, so be it.) Okay so some of it is a bit of an "exaggeration" (some may call it a "little white lie") but it gets my needs met without coming off offensively. Many times I'll say, plus it keeps us moving in an efficient manner and believe me you'll appreciate it by the time we are finished. Inevitably by the time we are done, they agree (of course because I will ask them "aren't you glad we sat at the table?).

Some great advice given by all!!!