I recently received information that these last-minute signings are a red flag for illegal practices. I’m not sure I understand if you are verifying ID’s. However, just this morning at 6:00 am I get a request for a signing at 10:00 am. Now I am on the East Coast and there is no conceivable way that anyone Central or Pacific would need to assign this early in the morning. Why would any company hold the assignment to last minute. Keep in mind, we are a rural area. Transportation to most assignments should be allowed 30 minutes to 1 hour travel time. One thing I have been noticing are these are not the “regular” companies that I sign for but then at one time they were a new recruiter. I’m just feeling safer by stating I’m unavailable. What are your thoughts?
My thoughts are last minute signings are just asking for mistakes.
Last minute signings are opportunities to make more money. There are numerous reasons for “last minute signings”. The previous assigned LSAs pull out of the assignment due to an unexpected event. It happened to me. I had to pull out ot an assignment due to an unexpected auto problem. Last minute revisions to loan documents. Things in life happens and so it creates “last minute signings”. From my experience “last minute” signing orders are opportunities to make more profit. As for mistakes or illegal practices, as long as I adhere to my state’s statutes, it shouldn’t be a problem. Just because it’s a “last minute” signings assignment, doesn’t mean I am obligated to rush my processes for preparations.
Mostly agree with cfletcher. Also agree that very close scrutiny is required as they are often also a nightmare.
Illegal practices are not really a concern with last-minute signings any more than they would be with “regularly scheduled” signings. There are legitimate reasons for last-minute signings, not the least of which is the notary pulling out at the last minute for whatever reason. There are also drawbacks with last-minute signings, mostly that it’s rush-rush, print and run. That can lead to carelessness and mistakes. Personally, I try to avoid taking last-minute signings unless I can get more money for them than they would normally offer. Unless there’s a clear incentive for me, it just isn’t worth the hassle.
Last minute signings can be lucrative. The reasons are numerous. I had to cancel a signing for 8:00 am because I woke up with a fever and headache. Not only did I call the signing company but I called the borrower and apologized for having to cancel. They were very pleased and didn’t mind the later signing time one little bit! 
That’s how I feel. And rushing around; especially on the road.
I can see your point, but it is becoming WAYYYYY too frequent in this area. Almost every assignment is becoming a top priority for these companies as its last minute. I just feel like I’m being set up to fail. They want us to be professional, yet they are lacking it themselves in this respect. It also gets to the point around here that they think we are notaries in order to do them favors. It is nothing for them to offer $45 for a buyers package and travel is 45 minutes one way. I’ve been contacted directly with this type of offer and I tell them I wouldn’t walk out to my mailbox for $45. (I live 1/2 mile off the road) Ok, I’m getting off topic just a little but the last minute signings go the same way. Occasionally, ok, I get it but not every other job. Makes me wonder if these notaries accepting the $45 are finally realizing they screwed up and are backing out. Now the companies need to be retrained that they must pay for our services. Just an after thought.
My thoughts are that you are wise to trust your gut by avoiding companies that aren’t your “regulars.” Conversely, the last minute docs are almost always on the part of the lender. I worked for lenders for years so I know the goings-on behind the scenes. It wasn’t always pretty, LOL.
Last minute can result from a scheduler refusing to accept a counter offer.
A notary requesting to be unassigned. I had an appointment last Friday and it became apparently about an hour into an appointment that lasted well over two hours I was NOT going to be able to handle that 2 o’clock signing. So they had to scramble. I felt bad but Friday was busy I got requests all day long into evening. I think it’s a lot to do with schedulers not going with counter offers. And I bet their hindsight told them they should have.
Definitely an uptick.
I’m okay with last minutes - l charge quite a bit more for them, as should every NSA; the “Do Your Job Better” tariff aimed at those who create the emergency.
However, I will only accept last minutes from services with whom I have past history, never from a title company/signing service I do not know.
i have only had one of those and usually last minute signings are due to errors in the docs so they have to be rewritten. Snapdocs and Signingorder use a algorithm that is for distance of NSA (5,10,15,20mi). but keep in mind the signing company chooses who they want to use. Some have favorite NSA’s they like to use regardless of zip code or distance. I hope this helps you.
This is getting to be the norm. It’s a ridiculous situation. Just last night at 7pm I received a request for refi which is usually a big package. It was a one hour drive (one way) and scheduled for 8pm. Absolutely no prep time available. $95 fee. Of course I declined. This is no longer the exception around here. Keep in mind we are a VERY rural area. My county alone is 99 sq miles with a population of about 22k.
Yesterday, an offer for 125 miles round trip for $25. Seller docs (small package). It came in 45 minutes before appointment time. SERIOUSLY, $25.00. Who are they kidding?
Thankfully I’m retired and can sit here and say no to this nonsense and provide service to agencies that use me directly.
I don’t know if theres any thing illegal but the ones Ive done at the last min always a disaster. The paperwork is not right or they left something out then try and tell you. You missesd it ( I now keep a copy of the documents I upload and the scan backs for 17 days) the customers didn’t review the doc with the customer and on and on.
Hi - the one thing I learned the hard way - vet the company by doing a BBB search prior to accepting the assignment. If they have complaints, are not accredited, and have lower than an “A” rating, do not accept the assignment.
I had 2 hiring agencies, which were used and supposedly vetted by 2 independent title companies, which after 90+ days have not paid.
I recently received a last minute assignment, which I turned down twice mostly because I had not vetted the signing service. The Nearby Notary owner called me and stated she would pay me half and then the other half after scanbacks because I told her I was reluctant to take on a new service due to not being familiar with them and being taken advantage of in the past. It was obvious they were in a bind, reluctantly I agreed, printed, and rushed to the signing because the couple was selling their home and needed to close ASAP. They were also a little anxious due to the assigned notary backing out at the last minute because she was having issues printing the docs. I was tired and ready to kick my shoes off, but the signing did turn out fine. The owner of the Nearby Notary kept her word and paid me $50.00 before and $50.00 immediately after scanbacks. Since it was last minute signing, I probably could have gotten more, however, since she was willing to pay “on the spot” I agreed for the $100. Money talks! It’s too bad that notaries don’t always get paid right away, while everyone else is getting paid.
The first place I check is here. If I can’t find them, which was the case last week, then I might look into the BBB. But 99% of the time I can find something in this forum which I’m grateful for.
I do not do last minutes at all. I need 24 hours in advance on all my signings. I like to be 100% before meeting clients.
Wow! I trimmed my advance notice down to 4 hours advance. But I have been getting texts with 1-2 hours advance notice, to which I respond no. Now I gotta rethink my notice requirement. Also there is a signing service that requires scanbacks of the entire document within 3 hours of the appointment time. Things have changed since I started doing this years ago. Now that I’m retired, I don’t want all that pressure.
That is exactly how I feel! I am in such a rural area that the hour before a signing is dedicated to packing up the car and heading out without running the Indy 500. Punctuality, efficiency, accuracy…(period)! They expect it, so do I!