“YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!” the real estate agent shouted at me as I attempted to enter my vehicle.
This recently happened to me at a purchase closing, and the experience sent shivers down my back.
The situation started when I was contacted by the real estate agent who desperately wanted to close a home sale — and to close now.
I explained that I had other appointments but could accommodate her if her clients (both a husband and wife) were present and ready to sign and if she would print the documents at her office. She said she had the documents and that both husband and wife would be present, so I headed straight out.
No documents, absent wife
Upon arriving at her office, only the real estate agent and the husband were there. They did not have the documents.
After 35 minutes of waiting and still no wife or documents, I said that I had to leave but would come back when all needed parties were there and documents were ready.
As I stood up, the real estate agent shouted at me, “YOU ARE NOT LEAVING!” I started to walk out of the room, and the screaming real estate agent blocked me, grabbed my bag, and then the husband also started yelling. At this point, I called the title company to explain the situation and to get their okay to leave and return when all parties were present.
I finally made it past the real estate agent and outside when another employee from the office began berating me on my professionalism and threatening me. She then placed herself in front of my car door and positioned her body so I could not get inside.
As she was blocking me from getting into my car, the real estate agent made her way outside and joined her colleague in shouting and threatening me. I felt like a hostage.
Video of the craziness
I asked them both to please step away from my car, but neither of them moved. At this point I really did not know what to do so I called the title company again to inform them of the bizarre situation.
After the two women refused to step away from my car, I proceeded to use my phone to video record the situation. I pushed record on my phone and stated my name, date, location and that I was being held hostage and harassed.
I turned the phone to record the two women blocking my way and screaming at me: “You f*!*!*! Idiot!”
Once the women realized they were being videoed, they quickly moved out of my way. Shook up, I got into my car and emailed the video to the title company with a follow-up explanation. They were so apologetic.
As mobile Notaries, we meet many people and travel to a lot of different locations, but staying safe at signings is always a prime concern. While most people are nice and cooperative, every so often we run into a crazy person.
This situation reinforced a valuable lesson. When faced with a difficult situation, stay calm and professional. Do not get pulled into a physical confrontation, and communicate honestly with the needed parties.
We do not need to stay in a situation where we are being berated or threatened.
Of course, call 911 immediately if you feel you are in danger.
Amanda Doumanian Reeves has worked as a mobile Notary in Tallahassee, Florida, for more than five years and helps run a thriving business, A Notary on the Go, with her family.