COVID-19 CONTINGENCY PLAN
To our Clients & Affiliates,
**UPDATE** 4/01/2020
1. Appraisals – We have encountered many issues with AMC companies not having any available appraiser to go out and complete appraisals for homes and we have seen many appraisers not turn the appraisals back in to the AMC. Best practice to avoid delays is to stay on top of the AMC/Appraiser, if the Appraisal is not back in within the normal time frame of 2-3 days… something is probably wrong and you will need to follow up with the AMC. If no one can be reached, best to cancel and reorder.
2. Notaries – Many Notaries are not taking any signing appointments or, are limiting the range they are willing to travel for each signing. We are actively adding new Notaries to our database for signings to ensure that delays, if any, are minimized.
3. Working Remotely – We have given the option to our employees to work from home during this time and a few have taken the opportunity to do so due to schools being closed and child care difficult to find. We ask that you please understand that we are doing everything within our power to keep our doors open and deliver exceptional service to all of our wonderful clients.
** END UPDATE** 4/01/2020
**UPDATE** 3/20/2020
With the new State-wide “Safer-at-Home” order just passed by Governor Newsom, Concierge Escrow Service Inc., will continue to remain open. We will however, be closed to the public – meaning; any signing appointments will be done outside the office(a mobile notary will be provided), all deposits to open escrow will have to be messengered, overnight or made via wire.
Our bank is continuing to remain open and we will be able to make all necessary deposits, wires, etc for escrow purposes.
Title as of now is still remaining open.
County recorders office for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino are still open. We have seen other counties in Northern California Shut-Down, please check with us to see which counties these are if you have files in these areas. All recording at this time are being completed electronically. There are no special recordings for Los Angeles County at this time.
If you have any questions please contact our office.
** End Update ** 3/20/2020
While the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is evolving rapidly, we want to assure you that Concierge Escrow Service Inc. is being proactive in preparing for the situation and fully committed to the health and safety of our clients, employees and communities at large.
All of us here at Concierge Escrow Service Inc. want to reassure you that as of this time, we plan on keeping our normal operating hours in order to fulfill our commitment to serve you.
We are monitoring this situation closely, taking steps to minimize risk and will provide updates, via the Concierge Escrow Service Inc Web Page, as we have them.
Our Commitment to you as outlined below in our Policy & Procedures plan:
- We would like to remind you that we have many ways to offer you excellent service that does not require in-person contact. Our staff is available to communicate with you via telephone, text message, video conferencing or email correspondence. If a staff member is unable to take a phone call, an attempt to return the call by the end of the business day will be made, or by the next business day should your message be received after 5:00 pm. We are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure a safe & clean environment for our staff, clients and affiliates. We do ask that during this time that you please only use our office only when absolutely necessary and you Must call ahead to make an appointment. In regard to any signing appointments; we will use Mobile Notaries for all documents that need to be signed.
- We are implementing the CDC recommendation for employees who exhibit symptoms (Fever, Coughing, Sneezing) or who have come into contact with anyone who is known to have contracted the Coronavirus to self-quarantine at home with their entire family.
- In the Event we are required to shut down, our entire company will be working from home, ensuring that all transactions are worked on accordingly. If this were to happen please know that all information sent, received and stored electronically will be secure as we use the most advanced security there is to offer against cyber-attacks for our E-Mail, Computers and Network. We are also insured for these specific types of cyber security attacks.
- Our bank, California Bank & Trust, has assured us that they will remain open even in the event of a shutdown. This means we will still be able to receive funds via wire (no checks) and be able to send out any wires necessary for fundings/recordings. In the event of a shutdown, the only aspect of our banking that will be affected is the ability to go directly to any of their branches to cash a check, etc.
- In regard to recording of your files; at this point everything is being done electronically, including Los Angeles County. This means in Los Angeles County, they will No Longer be offering same day funding and recording. During this time, please make sure to be proactive with all files so we do not run into any issues with closing on-time. Our commitment will remain strong that we will do everything in our power to ensure everything is completed in timely order as to not delay the escrow in any way, ensuring an on-time closing.
In short, our commitment to our clients, employees and affiliates is that we will remain open and we have a contingency plan ready should the worst happen, and we must unfortunately close due to a Government Mandated Quarantine. We truly hope this does not happen and we hope that everyone continues to conduct business in a normal but precautionary fashion – ensuring the safety of themselves and everyone that they come into contact with
Sincerely,
Concierge Escrow Service Inc. Dated 03/16/2020