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beachgirl
LIF Adult

Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name: sara
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
Hi
We are refinancing and the banks attorney is coming to our home today to do the final paperwork.
Do I need to tip him?
Thanks
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Posted 7/20/15 10:34 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!

Member since 7/06 11489 total posts
Name: Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
I'm going with no. I don't think attorneys need tips...
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Posted 7/20/15 10:43 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)

Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name: D
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
No.
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Posted 7/20/15 10:56 AM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
No, not for the bank's atty. If there is a title person there, I think it is customary to tip them.
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Posted 7/20/15 11:28 AM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name: Danielle
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by chilltocam
No, not for the bank's atty. If there is a title person there, I think it is customary to tip them.
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Posted 7/20/15 11:49 AM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name: L
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
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Posted 7/20/15 12:18 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!

Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name: Marisa
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
I have never EVER heard of tipping an attorney
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Posted 7/20/15 2:26 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name: ..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by MarisaK
I have never EVER heard of tipping an attorney
The next question will be- my doctor just performed a pap smear on me- tip or no?
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Posted 7/20/15 2:28 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
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Posted 7/20/15 2:30 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road

Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name: That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
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Posted 7/20/15 3:18 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
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Posted 7/20/15 3:30 PM |
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LI-Joy

Member since 10/07 2910 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Thanks for the laugh!
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Posted 7/20/15 4:37 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road

Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name: That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
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Posted 7/20/15 6:42 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
No offense taken but you analogy about McDonalds makes no sense (no offense intended). I never worked as a title closer but worked in the industry. You are more than entitled to do what you want but that doesn't change the fact that tipping the title closer is "customary"
Message edited 7/21/2015 7:04:51 AM.
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Posted 7/21/15 7:02 AM |
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
My RE lawyer actually told me that I had to tip the title guy. It was $150 I believe. An "appearance fee." She made it seem mandatory and not an option.
That was a few years ago. I won't do it next time.
Message edited 7/21/2015 8:06:23 AM.
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Posted 7/21/15 8:05 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
My RE lawyer actually told me that I had to tip the title guy. It was $150 I believe. An "appearance fee." She made it seem mandatory and not an option.
That was a few years ago. I won't do it next time.
Yes this was the same for me too. The lawyer told us to write a check for $150 for the title person at closing so I didn't think it was an optional thing.
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Posted 7/21/15 8:12 AM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
We did not tip the title closer, but something about the way my attorney worded it made me think it was included in what we paid in closing costs.
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Posted 7/21/15 8:30 AM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by Kitten1929
We did not tip the title closer, but something about the way my attorney worded it made me think it was included in what we paid in closing costs.
I think that's usually how it is done. when writing out the hundreds of checks at closing, my attorney included a check to the closer for a couple hundred dollars.
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Posted 7/21/15 8:38 AM |
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MrsB612
LIF Adolescent

Member since 12/12 784 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
My RE lawyer actually told me that I had to tip the title guy. It was $150 I believe. An "appearance fee." She made it seem mandatory and not an option.
That was a few years ago. I won't do it next time.
This is what our lawyer told us as well when we first bought our house in 2012. No one we knew had done it and we were already way in over our heads with all the other expenses that comes with a new house so we did not do it.
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Posted 7/21/15 9:14 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road

Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name: That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
No offense taken but you analogy about McDonalds makes no sense (no offense intended). I never worked as a title closer but worked in the industry. You are more than entitled to do what you want but that doesn't change the fact that tipping the title closer is "customary"
It's accurate because the mortgage industry (and all relating parties) have it in their best interests to entice homebuyers to "tip" these notaries (that's really all they are) so they don't have to pay them as much. It also allows these document runners to give the attorneys favors and priorities knowing they are getting a little "extra". It's such a racket. In my opinion, if the attorneys say it's required it should come out of the attorney fees.
Also if this is so customary, how come you don't see this anywhere else except certain deals on Long Island? I've closed deals in other states, never seen this. You don't see it because it's hogwash, mainly spewed by these local Long Island RE attorneys.
If a lawyer wants me to write a check for an "appearance fee", I would demand the following:
- Show me an itemized report from the title company that has a breakdown of their costs. Most likely an appearance fee will be in there or the title company will simply say it's included. - If not show me a similar report from the mortgage company for all their "fees", even more detailed than the GFE - If not either of these two, ask if the appearance fee is REQUIRED from attorney, and don't take the lawyer's word for it. If the attorney says the fee is required, demand from the title company why you are required to pay for an appearance fee after paying the title company thousands of dollars. - If all of this is required, demand the attorney switch title companies. If the attorney can't do that, switch attorneys then.
I guarantee if you do all of this the fee will surprisingly disappear likely before you have to be switching attorneys or title companies, thus proving my point it's not "required".
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Posted 7/21/15 9:36 AM |
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
That's good info ave
My attorney came Highly reccomended From here on LiF too
I think when you're a bit "green" in new situations, you just assume things are on the up and up and you don't know to question Things. It's a shame
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Posted 7/21/15 12:38 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
No offense taken but you analogy about McDonalds makes no sense (no offense intended). I never worked as a title closer but worked in the industry. You are more than entitled to do what you want but that doesn't change the fact that tipping the title closer is "customary"
It's accurate because the mortgage industry (and all relating parties) have it in their best interests to entice homebuyers to "tip" these notaries (that's really all they are) so they don't have to pay them as much. It also allows these document runners to give the attorneys favors and priorities knowing they are getting a little "extra". It's such a racket. In my opinion, if the attorneys say it's required it should come out of the attorney fees.
Also if this is so customary, how come you don't see this anywhere else except certain deals on Long Island? I've closed deals in other states, never seen this. You don't see it because it's hogwash, mainly spewed by these local Long Island RE attorneys.
If a lawyer wants me to write a check for an "appearance fee", I would demand the following:
- Show me an itemized report from the title company that has a breakdown of their costs. Most likely an appearance fee will be in there or the title company will simply say it's included. - If not show me a similar report from the mortgage company for all their "fees", even more detailed than the GFE - If not either of these two, ask if the appearance fee is REQUIRED from attorney, and don't take the lawyer's word for it. If the attorney says the fee is required, demand from the title company why you are required to pay for an appearance fee after paying the title company thousands of dollars. - If all of this is required, demand the attorney switch title companies. If the attorney can't do that, switch attorneys then.
I guarantee if you do all of this the fee will surprisingly disappear likely before you have to be switching attorneys or title companies, thus proving my point it's not "required".
I never said it was a good thing, bad thing, or otherwise. I never said I was in favor of it. All I ever said was that it is customary. I can understand why you are against it. It doesn't mean that it doesn't happen on a regular basis.
Message edited 7/21/2015 12:52:08 PM.
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Posted 7/21/15 12:49 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name: L
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
No offense taken but you analogy about McDonalds makes no sense (no offense intended). I never worked as a title closer but worked in the industry. You are more than entitled to do what you want but that doesn't change the fact that tipping the title closer is "customary"
It's accurate because the mortgage industry (and all relating parties) have it in their best interests to entice homebuyers to "tip" these notaries (that's really all they are) so they don't have to pay them as much. It also allows these document runners to give the attorneys favors and priorities knowing they are getting a little "extra". It's such a racket. In my opinion, if the attorneys say it's required it should come out of the attorney fees.
Also if this is so customary, how come you don't see this anywhere else except certain deals on Long Island? I've closed deals in other states, never seen this. You don't see it because it's hogwash, mainly spewed by these local Long Island RE attorneys.
If a lawyer wants me to write a check for an "appearance fee", I would demand the following:
- Show me an itemized report from the title company that has a breakdown of their costs. Most likely an appearance fee will be in there or the title company will simply say it's included. - If not show me a similar report from the mortgage company for all their "fees", even more detailed than the GFE - If not either of these two, ask if the appearance fee is REQUIRED from attorney, and don't take the lawyer's word for it. If the attorney says the fee is required, demand from the title company why you are required to pay for an appearance fee after paying the title company thousands of dollars. - If all of this is required, demand the attorney switch title companies. If the attorney can't do that, switch attorneys then.
I guarantee if you do all of this the fee will surprisingly disappear likely before you have to be switching attorneys or title companies, thus proving my point it's not "required".
I never said it was a good thing, bad thing, or otherwise. I never said I was in favor of it. All I ever said was that it is customary. I can understand why you are against it. It doesn't mean that it doesn't happen on a regular basis. but it shouldn't happen on a regular basis. It shouldn't happen at all. It is a scam and the more you and others say it is "customary" ingrain it into the system. So don't backpedal and half way defend something that should not happen in the first place. It is just like the confederate flag. Just because it was customary to fly it outside the SC state house did not make it right.
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Posted 7/21/15 1:02 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult

Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Closing Attorney - Tip?
Posted by LSP2005
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by ave1024
Posted by chilltocam
Posted by LSP2005
No tips are needed. The only place on the internet where anyone ever has suggested tipping at closing all links back to lif from an old post when lif first started. These people are doing their jobs, which they are paid to do by you, already.
The custom of tipping the title closer goes back way before LIF existed. You don't have to tip anyone, and definitely not the attorney, but it is "customary" to tip the title closer
Customary according to who? And who's customs?
I don't know how the custom started, but I know that working in the mortgage industry many years ago, it was "customary" - not mandatory, just customary.
No offense but that's like somebody who works at McDonald's saying everyone should weigh 300 lbs. if anybody should be "tipping" title closers it should be the mortgage companies or attorneys who hire them.
This whole thing of tipping title closers is a joke. While we are at it let's tip the attorneys, real estate agents, and the admin at the attorney's office who brings me a bottle of water. 
No offense taken but you analogy about McDonalds makes no sense (no offense intended). I never worked as a title closer but worked in the industry. You are more than entitled to do what you want but that doesn't change the fact that tipping the title closer is "customary"
It's accurate because the mortgage industry (and all relating parties) have it in their best interests to entice homebuyers to "tip" these notaries (that's really all they are) so they don't have to pay them as much. It also allows these document runners to give the attorneys favors and priorities knowing they are getting a little "extra". It's such a racket. In my opinion, if the attorneys say it's required it should come out of the attorney fees.
Also if this is so customary, how come you don't see this anywhere else except certain deals on Long Island? I've closed deals in other states, never seen this. You don't see it because it's hogwash, mainly spewed by these local Long Island RE attorneys.
If a lawyer wants me to write a check for an "appearance fee", I would demand the following:
- Show me an itemized report from the title company that has a breakdown of their costs. Most likely an appearance fee will be in there or the title company will simply say it's included. - If not show me a similar report from the mortgage company for all their "fees", even more detailed than the GFE - If not either of these two, ask if the appearance fee is REQUIRED from attorney, and don't take the lawyer's word for it. If the attorney says the fee is required, demand from the title company why you are required to pay for an appearance fee after paying the title company thousands of dollars. - If all of this is required, demand the attorney switch title companies. If the attorney can't do that, switch attorneys then.
I guarantee if you do all of this the fee will surprisingly disappear likely before you have to be switching attorneys or title companies, thus proving my point it's not "required".
I never said it was a good thing, bad thing, or otherwise. I never said I was in favor of it. All I ever said was that it is customary. I can understand why you are against it. It doesn't mean that it doesn't happen on a regular basis. but it shouldn't happen on a regular basis. It shouldn't happen at all. It is a scam and the more you and others say it is "customary" ingrain it into the system. So don't backpedal and half way defend something that should not happen in the first place. It is just like the confederate flag. Just because it was customary to fly it outside the SC state house did not make it right.
I never ever said anything in favor of it or against it and certainly never backpedaled on anything I said. If someone is coming up on a closing, they have every right to question every single fee that they are asked to pay. The OP asked a question about tipping at a closing, so I offered some information - that is it. I never said she had to tip anyone. And to compare this to the confederate flag - you have got to be kidding me! This is where innocuous topics like this just go off the rails - completely ridiculous!
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Posted 7/21/15 1:37 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Closing Attorney - Tip?
As it was explained to me, title closers make very little money because this "tip" is factored into their salary (i.e., waiters make less than minimum wage because tips are factored into their hourly rate).
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Posted 7/21/15 1:39 PM |
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