Most borrowers who have their closing conducted by a notary signing agent appreciate the convenience that we provide. They are able to stay at home, rather than having to drive many miles to a title company. Or they can sign their loan documents while they're at work, and not have to take time off. There are also borrowers who prefer to sign their loan documents at their favorite coffee shop or restaurant. And these closings can be done at any time of day or night. Even on the weekend. That's the real beauty of it -- the flexible nature of these types of closings.

But nothing is perfect.

Notary signing agents are independent contractors. We are not employees of the lender or the title company. We do not have intimate knowledge of your loan. We don't know what you discussed with your loan officer. Our knowledge of your loan is limited to the documents that we bring to you. And in many cases, we have received them just an hour before the closing.

We do our very best to prepare. But it's a lot to expect that we have read every single word of every page of your loan documents. We can tell you what the document is and the nature of it, but don't expect us to tell you the full contents of it. We don't have the time to read over 100 pages of loan documents before each and every closing. Many of the documents we are very familiar with. But occasionally there will be documents that are specific to your loan. We are not attorneys. So please don't ask us for legal advice, or to interpret the contents of your loan documents.

So what should you expect from a notary signing agent?

Convenience. That is primarily what we are hired to do. It's what we do best. Most of us are on call 7 days a week, and make ourselves available 24 hours a day.

We are willing to travel to remote locations. We are willing to meet with you wherever and whenever it's most convenient for you. We are willing to take as much time as you need to sign your documents. If you are pressed for time, we will try to conduct the signing as quickly as possible.

If you are physically challenged, we will do whatever it takes to make the signing as comfortable for you as possible.

We will do our best to be on time. We will be courteous and respectful. We will conduct ourselves in a professional manner.

That's what you should expect from a notary signing agent. And when you think about it, that's a lot. Isn't it?

Thank you for your understanding.