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Notary Public in Santa Barbara, California
Welcome to the notary public and signing agent listing for Santa Barbara, California, where you can find a qualified notary to assist with a loan signing or any other notarization allowed by law. Notary public profiles in this archive were current as of 12/31/2013.
 
Notary Public in Santa Barbara, CA
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County list: according to our records, Santa Barbara is in or near the following county(ies):
Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Ventura
 
INSTRUCTIONS: To view detailed profiles, click the ZIP Code link in the list below to access our notary search engine. On that page, click Search. Locate your notary in the search results.
 
Santa Barbara County Cheryl Elliott

Search in ZIP Code: 93101

EXPERT NNA Certified and Background-Screened Notary Signing Agent with more than 35 years of loan closing and escrow experience in both Residential and Commercial  transactions. I meet all current standards being implemented by the Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW) which at this time include a current background check from the National Notary Association, NNA certification, and $100,000 of Errors and Omissions Insurance.   Highly knowledgeable, reliable and competent professional on the Central Coast of California serving your valued client loan signing requirements.  I am an energized, motivated, and affable business minded professional with 35 years of successful experience in the lending, title and escrow industry, and I deliver impeccable service.  Some lenders I work for on a consistent basis are Bank of the West, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Quicken, US Bank, Greentree, Bank of America, Union Bank, PNC and Providant. 

Co-author of "HOW TO BECOME A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL LOAN SIGNING AGENT". 

Clients' deadlines are firm and there is no room for error in today's highly regulated, time sensitive mortgage market. I am knowledgeable in all updated regulator disclosures, HUD-1 settlement statements, Grant Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Notes, Trust Certs, PCORs, GFEs, POAs, 1003s, 4506-T, Escrow and Lenders/Closings' instructions. I will package your loan docs, accept email docs, and my fees are reasonable. Please contact me 24/7/365 for all mobile loan signings anywhere in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.  I occasionally travel to Ventura county.

* Deliver an incomparable, reliable, error free and amazing experience with your valuable clients that guarantees an accurately signed loan, every time. Esigning certified; Emailed docs accepted for same day signing!

* Equipped with lightning speed Dell laptop/4G Verizon aircard, travel Tri Counties/Central Coast * Professional fully trained Signing Agent qualified in all types of loan closings, residential (REO SALE PACKAGES SIGNING PRO), commercial and industrial mortgage products.

* Loan packages accepted in all formats * Highly Competitive Rates. Top Drawer Concierge Service! *Frontline fraud prevention! * Gold Seal Notary Embossing for foreign documents. 

* CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS!

* FBI/DOJ Certified/Approved Live Scan Fingerprinting Facility in Downtown Santa Barbara.

* 24 hours 7 days a week personal service by appointment. *

IF YOU GO INTO MY VOICE MAIL, TEXT OR EMAIL ME AND I'LL RESPOND ON MY SMARTPHONE ASAP.  I'M PROBABLY IN A SIGNING OR IN THE MOUNTAINS OUT OF RANGE.

I work only for four and five star companies on this board, delivering the highest quality of work you expect for your valuable clients.

 ****************************************************************************** For other Expert Loan Document Specialists OUTSIDE of Santa Barbara County-

Please visit- http://www.CaliforniaMobileNotaryNetwork.com. ********************************************************************************

COMMISSION NO. 2037209 Expires September 1, 2017

 This profile was last updated on 12/31/2013 12:39:00 AM.
 24 Hr Service: Yes
 Does Fingerprinting: Yes
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Home Inspections: Yes
 
Recent Notary Talk Threads Authored by this Notary:
 
The Stars Have it, just in CA for instance
Posted by 101livescan at 12/24/2013 7:35:00 AM
I just went into SC to do a search of CA signing services, historically. Of course, we are known mostly in CA for our great weather, palm trees, Hollywood and movie stars, trend setting restaurants, Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo, San Francisco Bridge, etc.

Sadly, we have most of the flaky signing service companies in CA also.

Of the 330 CA signing services, 86 have 3.5 to 5 stars. 47 are 3 stars, the balance of 197, over half, are companies that are either defunct, unrated, or lurking in the shadows waiting to take advantage of those of us not on our toes.

So, everyone. Be on your toes this season. Over half the CA signing services out there are either dead or soon to be dead...check em out before you become an unpaid statistic.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
 
 
Internet Fraud is a white collar crime; FBI investigates it
Posted by 101livescan at 12/23/2013 3:24:00 PM
Here is the website for reporting internet fraud.

You accept a signing and order comes to you in an email, docs to follow. If you are not paid in a reasonable period of time, or not paid at all, there is a website you can report it to.

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

This is the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).

What are you waiting for? Any notary who has been completely stiffed should use this resource to recover monies due for any kind of internet fraud.

 
 
Center for ID Management and Information Protection
Posted by 101livescan at 12/22/2013 10:32:00 AM
Here are the most common Identity Crime schemes being employed by fraudsters.

This is a great website and tracks major ID fraud crimes/criminals.

http://www.utica.edu/academic/institutes/cimip/idcrimes/schemes.cfm. It's amazing how many crimes are committed against friends and relatives under the same roofs.

 
 
Most Annoying Words to Americans in 2013
Posted by 101livescan at 12/22/2013 9:45:00 AM
According to a poll taken by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, there are 10 words that are found most unpopular for Americans this year.

Whatever 38%
Like 22%
You know 18%
Just Sayin' 14%
Obiouvly 6%
Obamacare 41%
Shutdown 11%
Fiscal cliff 10%
Sequestration 4%

Geez, I didn't know. Well, dusting of my Thesaurus today and building my vocabulary.

Wonder what the buzz words are for 2014...researching...Reinventing reinvesting, retooling, identification protection, may be good ones to start with!




 
 
ID Fraud & Forgery Arrest where you least expect it
Posted by 101livescan at 12/22/2013 4:59:00 AM
My cousin is a professor of chemistry and biology in Brookings, SD. Recently one of the secretaries in her administration department was arrested for ID fraud of a coworker. Shortly after her arrest, both her and her husband were fired from their jobs at Utica. She opened up $35K in credit cards in her coworker's name.

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/former-sdsu-secretary-charged-with-id-theft/?id=157615

Crime does not pay. They will never have great jobs again. And they have to pay all this money back along with fines, penalties, and other fees. They apparently took a trip to the Bahamas and other posh vacation resorts in the Caribbean with the entire family. They were living high on the hog with new vacation apparel, expensive dining and excursions. At one resort their stolen credit card was not honored, and they were unable to pay the bill because the ID theft and credit card forgery had been discovered. The perpetrator was arrested on her return to work on the university campus.

As if credit card companies don't expose us enough, as we are witnessing with the Target debacle, all you notaries who willingly turned over your SSNs to now defunct signing service companies need to be concerned about ID fraud and theft because at least one SS owner we know of has a conviction for ID theft and forgery, which was never paid back to the bank. It was a Pell Grant funded through the BofA This person is armed with enough SSN's of notaries and borrowers to go on forever. Not everyone would know how to defraud innocent people, but this person definitely knows how to defraud innocent, unsuspecting consumers. At least 2500 notaries were affected, along with thousands of borrowers who refi'd during August 2, 2012 and July 10, 2013.

This is pretty darned scary stuff. Because now this SS owner is completely out of money, having spent $18K in prepaid rent on a hot pad home she and her family are getting ready to move out of after only five months, extravagant vacations in Cancun, Vegas, water ski trips to Havasu, breast enhancements, household furnishings, new apparel required due to breast enhancements, expensive jewelry, speed boat (which isn't even listed on the statement of assets), and has now filed for divorce and can't even afford the filing fees because she is indigent.

Unbelievably wild caper, wouldn't you say?

The only way to protect yourself is by freezing your credit.



 
 
Year end hysteria! for an outofstate purchase investment
Posted by 101livescan at 12/21/2013 6:42:00 AM
Docs supposed to be to me so I can get to an 8:30 am signing. No docs. The guy lives in the middle of nowhere.

I get a call at 8am that docs won't be ready until late morning. Okay. Call me, I'll be closer to the borrower by then.

at noon, I get a call, can I do 1pm, yes, I can, but no docs again. Finally at 1:15 I get docs, and I meet the borrower at a local hotel where he is doing Rotary lunch. How do I find you, I text, I have your docs? No word, after six texts and two phone calls, I realize his phone is turned off.

I get into the hotel dining room, and ask about six people "do you know who !!! is, yes, he's over there.

I go pull him out, we run to the lobby and sit and sign docs for 20 minutes, because I am now going to be late for my 3pm on the way home.

This had to be signed yesterday, just had to be, and to be deposited into FEDEX for funding on Monday.

If it's so danged important, Mr. LO, why don't we have documents on time, huh?

Crazy day, just of the crazy ones of a number of them in one day will send you to the moon.
 
 
How credit card companies perpetuate identity theft
Posted by 101livescan at 12/20/2013 8:48:00 AM
http://www.keyt.com/news/money/Why-credit-hacks-will-keep-happening/-/17671998/23577934/-/geuamm/-/index.html

This is amazing to me, that we are so backward in this country in the protection of consumers' private information.

And this is why it will keep happening until the credit card companies improve the technology.
 
 
GLBA
Posted by 101livescan at 12/20/2013 8:21:00 AM
I don't think most new notaries and perhaps some veteran notaries, realize the significance of GLBA. This legislation is posted on this website, I encourage everyone to read it and reread it. Its a long read, around 60 PP I think.

Yesterday it became very clear to me that both the State DOJ and the Federal US (DOJ) District Attorney's office take the violation of consumers private information very seriously while many individuals in our industry do not. I received a number of emails from some of my financial accounts regarding the Target hacking of consumers' credit cards and debit cards this week. Recently our local hospital came clean that thousands of patients' financial information had been hacked. It's becoming more and more common these days. How do you protect your financial information? Frank Abagnale (To Catch a Thief), world's renowned corporate fraud whistleblower says the only way to avoid your private information from being defrauded is to freeze your credit. I'm about to do that before year end.

Some signing service owners are the epitomy of "deceit with intent to defraud" and I think this will be a dying breed in the coming years. It's amazing to me that a company like SOX was able to survive in this space for 7 years before finally closing her doors. ANS pales beside SOX and Final Links. Many notaries across the country are still owed $1000s each. Unfortunately, they let their A/Rs become enormous, then SOX just closes up and disappears! Final Links pulls the BK card.

Meanwhile, civil penalties are NOT dischargeable in bankruptcy, not to mention IRS and state and local taxes based on net income of the signing service owners.

It's been an interesting escapade ANS perpetuated on many notaries, say 2500 of them listed on the BK petition. They all "willingly" gave over their tax ID information, personal addresses, etc. and over the top is all the borrowers' information that passed through ANS' IP address. 500 to 1000 per month for 11.5 months that ANS was in business, according to Accurate owners' posts on NR.

Again, I think that since the title/escrow companies did not properly vet a SS owner with a criminal conviction of ID fraud and forgery, they should be held liable to pay the notaries who performed the closing, along with fines and penalties for failure to properly screen who they shared consumers and notaries private and financial information.

These two DOJ entities are going to be very busy looking at SS's who've snarked notaries over the last few years. It's been notorious, like the historic wild west stagecoach robberies, in plain view, right under our noses, and we notaries unknowingly perpetuated the activity. Some, not all, SS owners are also notaries, who like all of us, took an oath to uphold the US Constitution, among other promises, but who have failed to hold up their end of the deal by not paying notaries.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and holiday weekend. Be safe out there, CA is missing this latest storm, some how. It will be in the 70s here for the Christmas holiday. Be safe, and jolly. Law is behind every bush here making sure everyone is driving sober and sane.
 
 
At 9am today in downtown Riverside, CA, the Kirkishs will
Posted by 101livescan at 12/19/2013 10:50:00 AM
be telling a BK Court Trustee just how they breezed through $x,xxx,xxx paid to ANS in 2012-13 by Valuamerica and EntitleDirect paying themselves over half a million at least and are now declaring BK for the second time in a decade. Seems money management is not their forte. And they had friends in high places who spun business their way to take severe, NOTORIOUS advantage of notaries who accepted signings from ANS.

We'll see if the trustee allows this BK petition request to fly, given Amanda was convicted of ID fraud and forgery in 2009, and paid most of her restitution of $7800 with the fees she was paid by Valuamerica and Entitledirect fees. These companies had no idea of her criminal background as they funneled great sums of money her way.

This is just about the worst example of a fly-by-night signing service operation I've witnessed in my signing career, given the high lifestyle of the Kirkishs and the Mendozas on the backs of notaries all over the country.

We'll see what the outcome is this morning. I'm told there are a few notaries present who want to know why in the hell they couldn't get paid when the riches were so plentiful. Amanda herself claims she processed 500 to 1000 loan signings a month (Msg #442376) , let's say she made $50 a file. Some notaries didn't even remember to call her for payment, hence they were never paid, and in July when these two title companies cut Amanda off, she closed her doors and stiffed at least 35 notaries across the US for May, June and July signings. After all, these crooksters took numerous trips to Lake Havasu, Vegas and Cancun, concerts, football and baseball games, adorned their bodies with silicone, piercings and gaudy tattoos, purchased new household furnishings and rented a hot pad with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, which costs $2500 a month. Amanda loves Tiffany Jewelers according to her Facebook page, so how come she only claims $500 worth of jewelry, according to her statement of assets in the BK petition. Plus with this breast enhancement surgery, you know she's got to have all new clothes, undergarments, etc. The old clothes just wouldn't do!

It was in November 2012, when Amanda was getting her enhancements that she

Posted by Accurate National Signings of CA on 11/23/12 1:43pm Msg #444434
Yes we do pay attention to inaccurate information. We pay our notaries in our disclosed time frame. We have no problem going on to this site and defending our business practice and letting other notaries know that we do not stiff our venders, matter of fact we accommodate them and re use all of our notaries for they are fantastic and we appreciate each and everyone. So this one out of 900 used in the month of October that has an issue we take very seriously and like to re-inform them of our policy's. We here understand that our policy sometimes does not work with your policy and that is fine, we will just agree to move forward and not work together but we still appreciate them for their work. If there is any issues please contact Accurate National Signings and we will do the best to accommodate you in your issue.

Hogwash!

Trustee Karl Anderson is about to get an earful this morning! I believe the District Attorney's Special Investigator plans to be in attendance as well.

Any one who is unable to attend the hearing this morning will get another crack at it in February.

 
 
Is it just me, has any one noticed all the new names of
Posted by 101livescan at 12/16/2013 9:58:00 AM
posters on this board? So many new people who are not linked to their profiles, with lots of time on their hands...is it just me? I've been busy, so I haven't been spending much time on this forum until last week. Had a chance to catch up this weekend.

I've noticed the slew of new names posting since the SPW onslaught. I can't get over the number of new handles I'm seeing weekly. As for bad info, if I thought the exchange here is bad, I'm avoiding LinkedIn - it's like the kindergarten of the notary/signing agent world!!

What has happened to our professionalism, demeanor, public face? Eroding in my opinion, or maybe I'm just missing PAW, Hugh, Glenn, Art, Richard...the back bones of our forum are rapidly disintegrating. We're plagued with people trying to advertise their own personal interests, not in the interest of our current longstanding membership.

Seems like we have a lot of very special interest groups lately. Just my observation, maybe I'm clueless. I'm just trying my best to avoid the SS sharks in the water lately, trying to make as much money on our backs as they can before they totally tank.
 
 
Two non signing loans last week! LOs not even available
Posted by 101livescan at 12/16/2013 8:13:00 AM
to speak with. Even though they knew their clients were signing at specific times, no one available on Friday for a RM with a lady who would be checking my id at the door because she's suspicious of strangers. No one answered the phone, the front gate was padlocked, no LO available, no next of kin and even the SS call went to voice mail. Finally I called escrow, they said I should keep calling. After 30 minutes, more time than I usually let my notary meter run, I left and told the EO I was leaving the property. How long was I to sit and wait for the lady to answer her phone?? I finally suggested someone, besides me, needs to do a wellness check.

Next morning I print documents for 2pm, Saturday. 1:45p I call the borrower to say I'm within blocks of her driveway, will she make a copy of her DL for me. She says she signed her documents at 11am, 300 pp package, twice, more than a ream of paper and toner is spent needlessly, my gas, my time, I was infuriated that I had been double booked for this signing.

Careful, guess these LOs don't care that much, month end, year end. The RM docs have to be redrawn, if there is to be a signing, but it won't be me going out there.

Just an indication of the last of respect for our professionalism and due diligence. Take the order and run! It falls finally on the NSA who expends paper, toner, time, gas, wear and tear. Then you have to fight for your no-sign trip fee. When the SS insists you make the trip even though the borrower does not answer the phone, I'd say, full fee. But of course, they were lucky to get the assignment in the first place

I hope this week is a better experience, but at least I've managed to avoid the 3 star companies.

HAPPY MONTH END EVERYONE!
 
 
The Real Deal!
Posted by 101livescan at 12/15/2013 10:23:00 AM
How can you tell if a company intends to stay in business and grow their business?

Has a real address, not a Maibox USA, commercial po box, or UPS store box. Has a real name, not a made up name.

Entity formation, partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship

Has a current fictitious business name statement

Has a current business license on file in the city where they operate their business

Has a TAX ID No.

Has a land line, not just a cell phone number

Owner is a notary commissioned in the state of CA him/herself

Answers the phone

Has a website other than an out-of-box site whipped up with GoDaddy or similar low cost investment

Pays as agreed (we'll see!). Not 45, 60, 90 or 180 days. And the check is good! (Thank you for sending me the check and not sending it to the borrower by mistake.)

Doesn't arm wrestle you for $60-$85 for edocs, faxbacks and 200pp.

Doesn't ding you because you didn't follow their instructions for timeliness in actually printing the documents, copying the documents, getting fax backs in, calling to say you're in the driveway, sitting in the borrowers' dining room, out of the driveway, on the way to your office to faxback, out the door to fedex, and stopping for gas along the way. Swinging through Starbucks drive through on your own time.

They've been in business longer than two years and they have a great reputation among professional notaries. There is no Non-Disparagement Clause in their IC agreement they want you to sign. Yes, imagine, you're agreeing that they can sue you if you tell the notary world they mistreated you!

Some three star companies need to hang up their shingles. AVOID all 1 and 2 star companies in SC, they are sure to live up to their reputations of low pay, slow and/or no pay.

Have a great Sunday, everyone. On a warming trend here...40 last night, not 20 like last week. Love the new energy efficient Avalon Arbor wood burning stove my brother installed for me in October, just in time, too.





 
 
Quick Loan Signings, Irvine, CA
Posted by 101livescan at 12/15/2013 8:33:00 AM
Website's been suspended. Hope everyone out there is paid! The end off times for some of these nonpaying companies seems to be eminent. Since 2011 they've had a consistent history of late payment, yet Unisource in Irvine continued to give them orders. I wonder why that is. Relative, girlfriend, some sort of connection....why would an escrow company tolerate receiving calls from unpaid notaries for over two years?
 
 
Tis the season for SS fee absurdity
Posted by 101livescan at 12/14/2013 9:07:00 AM
$60 for a refi with edocs and faxbacks?!! ABSURD! And, yes, they have a DISPARAGMENT clause in their contract that says if you say anything negative about them publicly on this or other forums, they can come after you for thousands of dollars for legal fees, etc.

Now, how are you supposed to save up $XXXX to pay disparagement fees on $60 a signing, huh, tell me that.

Wow, I wonder if anyone is taking a leap of faith by working for companies like this! Surely newbies know better, right? But if not, I'm sure we'll be hearing about it soon.

Absurd! Wow, my, my, how times and things have changed in this industry.
 
 
Jet age!
Posted by 101livescan at 12/13/2013 7:43:00 AM
I went into Verizon the other day to upgrade my air card and walked out with a 4G Jetpack. it's pretty cool and pretty fast. Any one else got one, or am I just now catching up.

 
 
Signing Svc Contracts~Be sure to read the fine print!
Posted by 101livescan at 12/13/2013 7:38:00 AM
Would you sign up with a company that had this clause in their contract?

"Non-Disparagement"

You agree that you will not, in any communication with any person or entity, including any actual or potential customer, client, investor, vendor, or business partner of Company, or any third-party media outlet, make any derogatory, disparaging or critical negative statements, orally, written or otherwise, against Company or any of Company’s managers, directors, officers and employees. Nothing herein shall prevent you from testifying truthfully in connection with any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding when compelled by subpoena, regulation or court order to do so.

In the event you breach any component of this Non-Disparagement clause at any time, you acknowledge and agree that it would be impractical or extremely difficult to ascertain the amount of actual damages to Company. For this reason, you agree that any violation of the Non-Disparagement provision of this Agreement shall result in the imposition of liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, in the amount of Four-Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), per each occurrence, to be paid by you to Signing Stream, which represents the reasonable compensation for the loss incurred because of the breach." I called back and turned down the assignment.

So if the notary doesn't get paid in 90 days, then gets dinged for some silly a$$ reason, you can't talk about it cuz it'll cost you $4000.

Amazing. I think it's hilarious. I've seen everything now.

 
 
Housing Recovery Still has Momentum per B o/t West Economist
Posted by 101livescan at 12/3/2013 9:38:00 AM
http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/dailybriefing/Housing-Recovery-Still-Has-Momentum-Economist-Says-1040096-1.html
 
 
how many of you are members of the BBB in your locale
Posted by 101livescan at 12/2/2013 5:02:00 PM
and do you realize any benefits from it?
 
 
How many of you are using QB Pro for your biz?
Posted by 101livescan at 12/1/2013 12:48:00 PM
If not Quicken/QB Pro, what s/w are you using?
 
 
Always, but not forever
Posted by 101livescan at 12/1/2013 11:10:00 AM
Didn't take long for the always administrator to seize their website, or perhaps it is just me who is blocked for clicking on "buttons". Yesterday this Godaddy website was accessible, today it is not.

So goes the melody...

It won't be long now and the window of opportunity for SS companies to snake NSA's will slam tightly shut.

The birth and demise of this signing service spanned a short six months. I know one fortunate cookie who got paid for one job after hounding for agreed upon fee. But pretty much fees offered by this company were so low most notaries wouldn't go for it. Carrot too small.

Have a wonderful day, fellow NSAs.

 
 
More SS Company corporate status news.
Posted by 101livescan at 11/30/2013 10:20:00 AM
Notary Aid, prez Mazen B. Abdallah dissolved its corporate status this summer.

Home Signings, Inc. previously owned by Mazen, dissolved this summer also.

 
 
Always Signing Inc. A Signing Service in Irvine
Posted by 101livescan at 11/30/2013 8:26:00 AM
Ya all remember SOX, for five years this individual snaked notaries over and over again, offering $35 for edocs, owing notaries coast to coast, $1000s, some notaries said they were owed $4000 and SOX had four offices across the country? Just folded up their tent on 11 Mareblu Suite 220, Aliso Viejo, CA one night into the dark blue midnight air?

Guess what, they have a new company now, a corporation, operating out of a commercial mail box facility, and the infamous Debra VLADIC, 56, is Prez. Corporation filed in Nevada just recently, June 7, 2013. Mike Smith and Tony McAndrew are officers.

Legal Address: 13700 ALTON PKWY STE #154-224 IRVINE, CA 92618 but don't expect a posh office setting here where you can go by and collect your checks.

Not sure if Jack and Debra still have their upscale domicile at 28062 Tefir, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, (949) 770-8999, but looks like Mission Viejo lifestyle suits them favorably.

Meanwhile, Sign on the X Inc. is still an active corporation with Debra VLADU (huh?) at the helm as Prez incorporated in the state of California

Ahhh, how easy it is to come and go in this business.
 
 
Corporate Status of one Slow Pay Low Pay SS Company in OC CA
Posted by 101livescan at 11/30/2013 7:59:00 AM
Looking up a bunch of deadbeat signing services who've bit the dust in 2013 and discovered that one company has dissolved it's corporate status in the State of California and just updated November 27, 2013.

Business Registration | California (Home State) California Secretary of State Data updated November 27, 2013 Business Details Business Name: SIGNING STREAM INC. Citizenship: Domestic State of Incorporation: CA Business Type: Corporation Tax Base: Stock Mailing Address: 6771 WARNER AVE #4349 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 Status: Dissolved Secretary of State ID: C3517722 Incorporation Date: 11/06/2012 Transaction History Transaction Amendment ID Transaction Type Comments 07/13/2013 D1193379 Certificate of Dissolution.

So they must be operating as a Sole Proprietorship?

 
 
Stargazing, again.
Posted by 101livescan at 11/27/2013 4:07:00 PM
Wow, a glance at the SC sort list by stars shows the 3, 2, and 1 star categories are growing. Be careful out there, don't be blind sighted. You might just as well be working for your good locks, cuz the chances of not getting paid or waiting too long to be paid are pretty darn likely.

 
 
Happy Thanksgiving! Be safe out there if you're on the road
Posted by 101livescan at 11/27/2013 9:07:00 AM
Wishing everyone on this forum a Happy Thanksgiving. Make it safe and sane! Just wanted to say I'm grateful for all my fine friends and associates on this forum, to Harry, Traci, Grif and Sue who make this platform a true gift and such a valuable tool, and for helping us to flush out a few deadbeat companies who've managed to reach the Hall of Shame in record time. Let's continue to keep it real. Here's hoping we have one heck of a December in year end 1031s, sales and purchases, and we'll take a few refi's too. HELOCS are on the rise. I had two yesterday.

I'm grateful for my family, my health, my faith, and to be surrounded by so many wonderful folks in life. We're cooking in Ojai at my sister's house, taking some time to revel in what is important, and I hope you all enjoy time, love and great food with friends and family too.

See you all in December!
 
 
Executive Notary Service
Posted by 101livescan at 11/25/2013 1:14:00 PM
I just received a call inquiring why I did not show up at a signing this morning at 11am for this SS's client/borrower.

My reply was that I turned this back in a reply email to the scheduler minutes after I read the order confirmation because the fee fell far short of my minimum fee for edocs and total package faxbacks, or $100, which was not disclosed in the scheduler's delivery to me at the time she called me.

So now I get why I receive last minute requests to perform signings in my area. Other notaries don't show up for one reason or another at the last minute, and that borrower is PI$$ED.

Oh, well. I did not part. The scheduler dropped the ball.
 
 
URGENT! Help needed for Chase docs
Posted by 101livescan at 11/23/2013 2:35:00 PM
I have a signing scheduled RIGHT NOW. no docs, can't raze any one at Servicelink or Chase Team in Westlake, TX.

Any one have an after hours number I can call...the number on the confirmation is switchboard...no one available.
 
 
Low fee offer just now. Time for a break.
Posted by 101livescan at 11/22/2013 3:35:00 PM
I feel like it, but I've got a bunch of live scan applicants on the runway in a few minutes.

Just offered $100 for edoc package, full package to be scanned before dropping. This is a $50 company, involves two trips. What an exercise. This company is rated 4+ stars. Sorry, Executive Notary Services, not my kind of gig.
 
 
Senior Scams
Posted by 101livescan at 11/22/2013 9:04:00 AM
Here's one, one senior alerting community about this latest scam.

Senior Scam Alert
updated: Nov 21, 2013, 8:36 AM


By Edhat Subscriber

I received a slick telemarketing call directed at seniors at 7:30 last night from 718-764-3185. I let it go to voice mail. It started, "Hi, this is John." It was casual and conversational. He acted as if he were going through paperwork. Supposedly, someone has paid for an emergency alert system for me, and, oh yes, has paid for the shipping. Toward the end of the call, he said to press 1 to accept the system, to press 5 to refuse the shipment, and (repeated twice) to ignore the message if I already have a system. My name and address were not used in this call.

An unwary senior responding to this call would give their name, address and, most likely, credit card information. If the telemarketer isn't engaged in identity theft, then, most likely, there is a monthly monitoring fee (usually around $30 a month).

This is another "wake-up call" for the elderly. Scammers are getting more sophisticated. Never give out your information on the phone unless you, personally, have initiated the call. And there's no such thing as a free lunch.

(I looked up this phone number, from the Bronx in NY).
 
 
Aging Borrowing Population
Posted by 101livescan at 11/22/2013 8:56:00 AM
I began my day yesterday signing a refi for NY home with an 83 year old retired gynecologist who delivered my nephew in 1985. Awesome gentleman. He now travels to Africa three times a year to train nomad tribal women on mid wife skills. There was a very high mortality rate among these new mothers to be and their infants due to disease and famine, and his foundation built a clinic in the desert where women come to deliver their babies. There is no electricity, solar power was introduced. They now have wells for water and ways to sterilize. Hand washing was introduced. I was completely mesmerized at his excitement over the milestones they have achieved in this desolate land. When I was ready to leave, the Dr. said he was so excited to be able to make a contribution to humanity, and that he figured if he was going to live this long, he needed to be giving back to the world.

My last signing of the evening was with three 85 plus borrowers. One a retired judge, the other a retired architect who designed and built practically everything in Solvang Village and his wife. It's amazing the energy of these folks and what they are still doing.

In the middle, I had quite a few youngsters (50s-60s) signing their loan documents, mostly refis. It was a relatively smooth day. LOs trying to get stuff closed before Thanksgiving holiday.

 
 
Universal Notaries~tis the season!
Posted by 101livescan at 11/19/2013 9:41:00 AM
Joe sent me an email last week saying I owed him an invoice for a signing I performed for him in 2011. I went back to QuickBooks and found two invoices I hadn't been paid for, probably my fault for dropping the ball, as I was busier than a one-woman band in August 2011. Universal Notaries has been in business since 2009. I've done a few signings for Joe over the years.

Joe is sending me payment this week. Thank you, Joe, for being an upstanding, honest company owner whom notaries can trust to do the right thing. Especially this week, I had extraneous expenses driving to Hollywood, a hotel stay, eating out with my sister, and auto expenses when my nephew ended up in ICU due to brain seizures. My prayer list is being answered over and over again.

Thanks again, Joe! I appreciate you more than you'll ever know.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Bless you!
 
 
I have a question....ANS
Posted by 101livescan at 11/18/2013 4:06:00 PM
How can Darcy Mendoza be named as a creditor of Accurate National Signings when she was signing checks that paid notaries who worked for Accurate????

 
 
For notaries who have unpaid signings by bankrupt ANS
Posted by 101livescan at 11/18/2013 12:33:00 PM
Page 9 of bankrupty papers describe the different type of bankruptcy, #2-3 uses the words “improper conduct”

2. The Four Chapters of the Bankruptcy Code Available to Individual Consumer Debtors
Chapter 7: Liquidation ($245 filing fee, $46 administrative fee, $15 trustee surcharge: Total Fee $306)
1. Chapter 7 is designed for debtors in financial difficulty who do not have the ability to pay their existing debts. Debtors
whose debts are primarily consumer debts are subject to a "means test" designed to determine whether the case should be
permitted to proceed under chapter 7. If your income is greater than the median income for your state of residence and
family size, in some cases, creditors have the right to file a motion requesting that the court dismiss your case under §
707(b) of the Code. It is up to the court to decide whether the case should be dismissed.
2. Under chapter 7, you may claim certain of your property as exempt under governing law. A trustee may have the right to
take possession of and sell the remaining property that is not exempt and use the sale proceeds to pay your creditors.
3. The purpose of filing a chapter 7 case is to obtain a discharge of your existing debts. If, however, you are found to have
committed certain kinds of improper conduct described in the Bankruptcy Code, the court may deny your discharge and,
if it does, the purpose for which you filed the bankruptcy petition will be defeated.


Googled improper conduct, and this came up

The debtor’s purpose in filing a chapter 7 case is to obtain a discharge of existing debts. If, however, the debtor is found to have committed certain kinds of improper conduct described in the Bankruptcy Code such as fraud, hiding assets, disobeying court orders, etc., the court may deny the debtor’s discharge. If so, the debtor’s purpose for filing the bankruptcy petition will be defeated


I think that expensive vacations to Cancun, Las Vegas, Silicon boobies and households full of new appliances and furniture might fall under this category.

In the BK filing, Amanda Kirkish says she is the only owner of ANS, but remember earlier this year, she informed us there are four owners (the Kirkish's and the Mendoza's we learned were signing checks from their USBank account). The Judge will hear of this!

At least one notary who was stiffed by ANS for $1300 is going to challenge this bankruptcy, joined by others who are owed $2000, $2100 and lesser amounts.

To boot, I wonder how the borrowers in these unpaid transactions would like hearing that the owners of the SS hired by Valuamerica and funded by BofA was convicted of ID fraud and forgery. We're about to learn of their reactions in a major reaction by these clients.

In any case, this BK filing is, guess what, FRAUDULENT! Well who cares, the attorney collected $3000 from the Kirkishes to prepare. Do you think she gives a rat's A$$ if the information is not correct?
 
 
Life of Crime does not Pay!
Posted by 101livescan at 11/18/2013 8:39:00 AM
As this husband/wife team are learning.

Ohio Title Agent Gets Lengthy Sentence
11/18/2013 TITLE SOURCE


An Ohio title agent has received a 66 month prison sentence for her role in a $9.6 million mortgage fraud conspiracy, despite appeals from her family that she receive only probation.

Deborah L. Kistner, 50, Hilliard, Ohio was sentenced last week to 66 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to repay victims $9,644,601.84 for deceiving lenders while securing fraudulent real estate loans in three different conspiracies between July 2006 and July 2010. Her husband, Mark A. Kistner, 52, was sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to forfeit his retirement account worth about $300,000 and make restitution of $381,764.92.

“Over five years, Kistner participated in an ongoing, multi-million dollar mortgage fraud in which banks and lending institutions were defrauded out of several million dollars in mortgage loans,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Fulton told the court prior to sentencing. "Her role as a title agent mandated that she be a ‘gatekeeper’ for banks funding these mortgages, and she violated that position of trust.”

The Hilliard couple pleaded guilty on January 18, 2013, four days after their trial started. Deborah Kistner pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of bank fraud. Mark Kistner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Several other members of the fraud conspiracy have previously pleaded guilty.

Deborah Kistner operated Premiere Title Company in Hilliard. She deceived lenders in connection with the purchases of real estate in Ohio and Florida. She conspired with others to secure inflated loans for real estate and kept the excess proceeds or used them to pay others involved in the conspiracy, and prepared the fraudulent documents for the scheme.

In many of the fraudulent transactions, the Kistners purchased a newly built home in a suburban development using Mark Kistner's name and inflated financial credentials and other misrepresentations. Using Deborah's title company to close the transaction, dual settlement statements were created to hide from lenders the fact that significant kickbacks were paid to the Kistners or a sham company under their control from loan proceeds at closing. The kickbacks would either be labeled on the lender version of the settlement statement as a finder's fee or would be omitted altogether. The kickbacks would range from a little over ten thousand dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars.

The Kistners and their co-conspirators allegedly engaged in at least six transactions of this type from 2006 to 2008, according to prosecutors.

In 2009, the Kistners allegedly switched over to short sale fraud. A co-conspirator would allegedly approach homeowners who were behind on their mortgages, offering to buy the home in a short sale. The same co-conspirator would then negotiate with the lender for a short sale, representing that he was acting on behalf of investors-- disguising the fact that he was in fact the purchaser. The actual purchaser in these transactions was allegedly a sham "investor trust" set up by and under the control of the Kistners. The Kistners would typically put up half the money for these transactions and the unnamed co-conspirator put up the other half. There was often already a prearranged buyer for the property at a higher price. This buyer was often deceived into believing that he was buying the property directly from the distressed homeowner.

Deborah Kistner, through her title company, allegedly prepared the documents for these transactions, hiding from lenders the true nature of these transactions, including her involvement in the investor trust and the fact that there were buyers willing to pay more than the arranged short sale price at the time of the short sale. The Kistners and their co-conspirators allegedly pocketed the difference in price between the fraudulent short sale and the sale to the pre-arranged buyer, laundering the profits through bank accounts controlled by Mark Kistner. Using this recipe, the Kistners and their co-conspirators repeated short sale frauds at least four times in 2009 and 2010, according to prosecutors.
 
 
Microsoft Scam in San Luis Obispo County reported
Posted by 101livescan at 11/15/2013 9:30:00 AM
11/14/2013

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department is warning of an alleged Microsoft scam going on.

A South County woman told authorities after someone called her, claiming to be from Microsoft. That person claimed her computer had viruses and asked for her personal information. Luckily, she did not divulge her information and did not fall victim to it.

Central Coast News spoke to a Santa Maria, CA woman back in May who had a similar experience.

Authorities warn that Microsoft will not call you for this type of transaction.

This could happen any where. BEWARE!

Have an awesome day everyone!
 
 
Amanda Kirkish dba Accurate National Signings files BK
Posted by 101livescan at 11/15/2013 8:52:00 AM
What about this wonder girl? What a fast tumble, hustle Amanda gave notaries in less than a year in business.


What do you think Amanda submitted to the courts today ???? bankruptcy papers ???? She tries to get out of everything !!!!

Case TES1301645 - SMITH VS KIRKISH

Case TES1301645 - Complaints/Parties

Complaint Number: 0001 — PCS Plaintiff's Claim - Southwest of SANDRA SMITH
Original Filing Date: 07/29/2013
Complaint Status: Judgment 09/27/2013
Party Number Party Type Party Name Attorney Party Status
1 Plaintiff SANDRA SMITH Pro Per Judgment 09/27/2013
2 Defendant AMANDA MARIE KIRKISH Unrepresented Judgment Against 09/27/2013


Case TES1301645 - Actions/Minutes

Viewed
Date
Action Text
Disposition
11/14/2013 RETURNED DOCUMENT: NOTICE OF STAY SUBMITTED BY AMANDA MARIE KIRKISH.

To those unpaid notaries who worked for ANS, your complaint to the DA still stands, it is being looked into very seriously, and of course no one should ever have expected to be paid by ANS once their doors/phones/website shut down when Valuamerica aka Value Escrow cut Amanda off from future orders due to nonpayment claims by notaries to their PA accounting department. Then the Kirkishes relocated to their posh hot pad on Big Sycamore Court in Wildomar, stiffing notaries to the tune of more than $30K. C'mon, isn't it a little ostentatious to rent a $2500 5/3.5 Bed/Bath home, get a $15K boob job and vacation with your partners in Vegas and Cancun, and then expect it all to go away in a BK strategy? Really?

Wonder how that Wildomar HVAC biz is going for Jason Kirkish, is he declaring BK too? He got his contractors license back after recently catching up on his delinquent child support payments to his first family, so there must be some revenue somewhere.

Take heart, notaries. You won't see any money here, but this naughty little girl needs to learn a lesson about it's not nice to lie, lie, lie, steal, steal, steal. And the DA is on it like a flies on a cowpie. Some people just can't phart without the noise and smell traveling on internet speed all around the global atmosphere.

Never, never attempt to rate the notaries when you yourself can't become one because of a criminal background conviction involving moral terpitude. Heck, I thought it was pretty bold of Amanda to get into this business when she was still on probation for her unlawful forgery/ID fraud conviction, using Valuamerica revenue to pay her restitution. What an amazing young woman Amanda is! Right under the very noses of members of our new SPW organization.

 
 
Castle & Cooke penalized for steering borrowers to costly
Posted by 101livescan at 11/13/2013 8:14:00 AM
loans.

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/castle-cooke-penalized-for-steering-consumers-to-costlier-mortgages-2013-11-12

The CFBP is collecting millions of dollars in its coffers to repay more than 9400 borrowers over $9mil who overpaid for their mortgages.
 
 
Especially for Florida Notaries near Ocala, FL
Posted by 101livescan at 11/12/2013 9:04:00 PM
Have any of you ever done business with Foray Investments LLC, Spenser J. Kennedy or Chuck Kennedy, principals, offices located in Ocala, FL. Also dba ATS Homeowners.

G/B/U?
 
 
Lending Staffing Model will focus on higher educated LOs
Posted by 101livescan at 11/12/2013 1:17:00 PM
From the National Mortgage News 11/12/2013 (LIKE 11,12,13. It's a breeze to date stuff today!)

The servicing industry has witnessed unprecedented changes during the past several years and there is much more to come. While noble in seeking to improve outcomes for homeowners, the new CFPB regulations being implemented in January 2014 have yet to be tested and interpreted in a real world setting.


These new requirements and potential penalties will leave no servicer untouched. Servicers must find ways (and fast) to prepare their businesses for these changes. One solution is for servicers to capitalize on the slowdown in loan originations and adjust their staffing models to focus on college-educated originators and transition them into successful careers in the servicing field.

Employees with previous mortgage origination experience are well-versed in the state of the industry as well as compliance procedures, current regulations and bankruptcy code. The lending space is full of ever-changing rules and laws that differ state to state. An experienced originator will be able to leverage their previous job experience and training to keep within the rules.

Further, servicers who can utilize numerical skills to calculate yield and ROI as they essentially re-underwrite delinquent loans can better analyze resolution strategies such as modifications and refinances and how they affect both the borrower and the investor. Every loan is different and every borrower faces specific circumstances that are unique. This reality means that the best course of action may not be output of a complicated decision matrix or algorithm; it may require practical consideration of situational nuances that only an experienced professional can apply.

Heavily investing in ex-originator staff provides resources to build the strong relationships with borrowers needed to reach productive and compliant resolutions from seemingly impossible financial situations. We believe that end of the refinance boom could prove to be a blessing in disguise for many origination employees and servicing firms that are open to making meaningful changes to survive and thrive in the mortgage environment of 2014 and beyond.
 
 
NAR Chief's 2014 Housing Predictions
Posted by 101livescan at 11/12/2013 8:19:00 AM
Certain parts of the US are predicted to have great market next year.

Time to relocate?

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/nar-chief-economist-reveals-2014-predictions-2013-11-11
 
 
Chase laying off 15,000 employees by 2014 year end
Posted by 101livescan at 11/12/2013 8:13:00 AM
http://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news44734/jpmorgan-chase-reportedly-let-15000-plus-go-end-2014

Wonder how many will become CSS's.
 
 
I salute the many men and women who are serving our country
Posted by 101livescan at 11/11/2013 2:08:00 PM
and those who have served, especially my late father, Max Norman Elliott, Retired US Navy for 30 years, WWII, survivor of Pearl Harbor USS Arizona, USS Chicago, New Caledonia, my brother, Daryl Elliott, USMC, Camp Pendleton, and my nephew, Scott Conway, Lt. Col. USMC in Naples, Italy.

Hope all you veterans out there are having a wonderful VD celebration with family and friends.
 
 
Food for thought re. ID fraud and forgery and loan fraud
Posted by 101livescan at 11/6/2013 9:45:00 AM
Sometime in 2004, I signed a couple, he is a SB City Fire Chief. It was a CitiMortgage $100K line of credit to invest in Tamarack, a high level ski resort development in ID.

Before they even had a chance to draw down on it, someone on the inside of the bank make two withdrawals in one month, $10K and $20K, by forging the borrower's signature digitally.

About six months later, I went out to their home again, with a new line of credit loan package and resigned them. They were very skeptical of me...alluding that perhaps I had something to do with their ID fraud and loan fraud on this HELOC, since I had their social security numbers and drivers licenses.

Well, I set them straight. I turned out an employee of the bank thought this might be a great way to get their hands on some extra cash. Now, what do you do with sums of cash that huge? How do you disguise it? Not very easily. That employee was rapidly discharged, the cash was recovered by the legal arm of CM and the borrower's credit was cleansed of these transactions.

I hope never to have to apply for another RE loan in my life. I can see how easy it is to defraud unsuspecting, hardworking citizens. But no where to run you thieves, it's only a matter of time before the FBI steps in. Lenders are audited all the time. I have more stories about theft from inside the walls of banks. I worked for a bank in the 80s and I can't tell you how many VPs thought this was an easy way to "advance" themselves cash. Once an employee has been convicted of these crimes, there is no way to be hired again in a position of trust and fiduciary responsibility. Not even Taco Bell wants them.
 
 
Note to NSAs, Valuamerica/BofA hired Amanda Kirkish ANS etal
Posted by 101livescan at 11/6/2013 8:06:00 AM
and her partner, Darcy Mendoza, BOSOM buddies behind the scenes as their signing service for hundreds of thousands of HARP loans. Thousands of borrowers' private and confidential information was compromised by allowing an individual with a history of ID fraud and forgery to act as the middleman overseeing the signing of these loans.

Now I see that Bank of America and Valuamerica have joined the SPW in their crusade to vet notaries public, but I don't see a plan for vetting Signing Services. And actually, these companies can join if they post an annual $1000 membership fee. But a huge group of notaries are owed $10s of thousand$ by ANS and there is no way to pay because they are fresh out of dough.

Does this mean that Amanda, Jason, Darcy and Fernando can become signing services yet again and hire CSS's whom they have no plan to ever pay for their services?

Wow. Been in this business for decades, and I'm completely, utterly speechless! at this turn of events.

 
 
$1300 Judgment Granted for unpaid Accurate National Signing
Posted by 101livescan at 11/5/2013 9:52:00 AM
to a notary who pursued this case. Amanda never showed up, the notary won by default. Another notary in the pile of growing complaints on the Riverside County DA's office.

Now to collect that judgment. Since Jason is the only one under that posh new roof in Wildomar making any money, he is the only likely resource for collecting since I'm pretty sure ANS is out of moola given their lavish spending habits.

Not to late to file a judgment in Small Claims.
 
 
Economic Update by Prospect Mortgage
Posted by 101livescan at 11/4/2013 11:09:00 AM
This is a strong lender on the Central Coast.

http://myprospectmortgage.com/blog/2230/Economic-Update/October-28-2013
 
 
Local Woman to me ID Theft Victim in 5 States
Posted by 101livescan at 11/3/2013 10:15:00 AM

Santa Maria Woman Victim Of Identity Theft In Five States
Posted: Nov 02, 2013 7:19 PM PDT Updated: Nov 02, 2013 7:19 PM PDT

By Liberty Zabala - email







SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- A Santa Maria woman says she's been a victim of identity theft for more than five years and didn't even know it!

Lupe Aguilar says she's had to fight for her own name.


"They have me in Pennsylvania and in California in the same year," says Aguilar. "That's even funnier."

Aguilar was shocked when she found Social Security documents stating she's worked in more than five different states from Nebraska to Mississippi and even Texas.

"And I was just like, but I never lived there!" says Aguilar.

Dumbfounded, Aguilar contacted local law enforcement and discovered her identity had been stolen and used to gain employment at different businesses for the past ten years.

And Aguilar isn't alone. According to the California Department of Justice, more than 1.6 million Californians fell victim to identity theft just last year.

Authorities says once you find out that your identity has been stolen to immediately contact your police department and file a report. Once you file the report, police usually give you a copy along with an incident number card.

"Then when you're contacted by merchants about merchandise that you allegedly purchased, you can say 'no, I've been a victim of identity theft and here's the report number, you can get a copy', says former FBI agent Dan Payne who says he's been a victim of identity theft himself.

The only problem is, Aguilar says, so far the police departments from the other states have been reluctant to work with her.

"It's a frustrating thing when someone else is making that bill for you and you have to pay it," says Aguilar. "It's like, 'no I'm not paying nobody else's bills, I can barely afford to pay my own.

According to the CA DOJ, the total cost of identity theft in the U.S. last year was $21 billion.
 
 
Not much time left for the deadbeat SSs to dupe NSAs
Posted by 101livescan at 11/2/2013 6:33:00 PM
into working for them. Let's not give them the pleasure of lining their pockets. The writing is on the wall, they'll be going out of business before too long.

There are a couple of companies out there still giving biz to these deadbeats, some know the SSs aren't paying the notaries. Do they care, apparently not! They got the file closed, that's all they care about. By working for only 3.5 to 5 star companies, and some 3s, you have a better chance of being paid. Otherwise, it's no fun to work for the hell of it, might as well stay home.

Here's to smooth signing the rest of the year and that no one gets stiffed their signing fee. Tis the season.

 
 
As if we don't have enuf issues, fraudster SSs, SPW, NNA
Posted by 101livescan at 11/2/2013 11:04:00 AM
Looks like half the country believes we're heading for another Housing Bubble...

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/half-of-consumers-fear-another-housing-bubble-is-forming-2013-11-01

and 27% of HAMP loans are in default...get ready, get set, go! Things ain't so rosy out there any where these days. Time to go camping.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! high 60s...going to rake leaves...and think on my next gig.
 
 
Happy Hallow's Eve, Everyone!
Posted by 101livescan at 10/31/2013 9:22:00 AM
While it's not my favorite holiday of all, I so enjoy this time of the year when the air turns a little crisp, leaves are golden and we're getting ready to gain an hour's sleep on Sunday with the time change at 2am. Time to button down the hatches, hoping for a lot of moisture this year.

I hope you all have a good week. After two days of burning and churning about the new regime trying to harness a bunch of stray cats in the barnyard, we've certainly learned what they are capable of and we can spend some time on drawing the pluses.

It will not be a level playing field for people who have come on line and have no real connections except with deadbeat signing services.

Deadbeat signing services will not survive unless we aide and abet them.

There is ample time to market and solidify relationships with the BEST companies to work for.

Work on Plan B because this business will never be again what it was earlier this year after a nice four year run (for me any way) due to new regulations, compliance, the mortgage origination applications anticipated to drop to around 32% in 2014 and fewer homeowners/buyers being able to qualify.

All this is the wake of demands for required membership, certification and redundant background checks if we want to work for the big boys, who by the way created all this mortgage havoc and upheaval in our industry in the first place, and reaped major rewards/bonuses afterwards. We need to all sit back and watch what happens, for we have little to say in these matters except refuse to participate by feeding the wild beast.

Well, no trick or treating in my neighborhood, my house is at the end of the road by the bush with three leaves on it, and a pretty steep climb to boot.

Have a great day, everyone!

 
 
More balls than most...
Posted by 101livescan at 10/30/2013 1:24:00 PM
Surfing craigslist.org for notaries in my area, here is a two-star SS in CA looking for notaries to sign up with them only $18 one time fee.

Wonder how that's going!

http://www.firmasolutions.com/index.php/join-notary-network.html
 
 
Phoeniz AZ in June 2014
Posted by 101livescan at 10/30/2013 12:55:00 PM
I just wonder how well this conference will be attended given all this controversy. Especially given real estate market conditions in AZ these days. What if there is no attendance? All those rooms sitting empty, seminars with no participants, all the schotskies sitting on tables with no purchasers...
 
 
Okay, I get it now
Posted by 101livescan at 10/29/2013 10:10:00 PM
In CA alone, we are 100,000 short the number of notaries that were on the SOS database in 2007.

Of this number, today, 161K and some odd, I wonder how many

1) Will allow their commission to expire, given the rock and roll of our business these days, and not renew
2) Are members of the XYZ
3) Are signing agents

Of course, in CA we are held to much higher standards than most other states. At least one state, New Mexico, does not conduct background checks as a prerequisite to becoming a notary, shocking huh? If you live in NM, and a notary comes to your door, it is very likely this person could have been released from prison or jail recently. No screening.

State by state, I'm curious

How many notaries in each state
How many notaries are signing agents in your state
How many notaries belong to the XYZ

Do you see what I'm getting at? Numbers must be so terribly off, this is a marketing plan to increase membership numbers, sell, sell, sell certification tests and BGS, and XYZ membership.

I don't mind compiling the numbers if you don't mind doing the homework for your specific state.

Let's get to work! Let's find out what the numbers show.

I can't imagine anyone in their right mind wanting to become a notary these days, I'll bet the XYZ classes are smaller than ever! Just like 2008.
 
 
Deadbeat Signing Services
Posted by 101livescan at 10/29/2013 9:01:00 AM
Well, they are still trying to keep their heads above water, looking for notaries whose backs they can ride on without paying them. Many notaries do not read this board, don't even know it exists, but they nonetheless are duped into working for these guys, then suddenly begin to look for ways and means to collect when they are not paid after many unreturned phone calls, faxes, emails, etc. relentlessly.

Isn't that simple...many people will not see their money, ever, from these companies who are barely staying above water themselves. It won't be long and they'll be unable to sustain themselves even with keeping the entire fee from title/escrow they are paid within days of the closing.

Please, people, let's not prolong their meager existence in this industry...I figure by the end of the year, there will be fewer of them, simply lurking in SC as 1, 2 and some 3 star companies.

If we don't feed them.....they will disappear like stray cats.
 
 
What is the latest and greatest mobile phone out there you
Posted by 101livescan at 10/28/2013 8:59:00 AM
all like for getting text and emails the fastest possible time?

I don't know if my Android Razor Maxx is just getting tired or what, and it's awfully "goosey", sensitive and does some strange things while I'm talking.

It's getting near two years for an upgrade and I'm wondering what the "best" mobile phone out there is.

I'm also getting ready to dump yahoo.com, I'm having the most difficult time adjusting to the new platform/environment. I wonder how many other people are frustrated beyond belief.



 
 
To notaries stiffed by bad SS owners who don't pay
Posted by 101livescan at 10/27/2013 1:35:00 PM
Have you visited ripoffreport lately? This morning I found this updated post by a notary in Southern California who filed a complaint with the Riverside County DA's office recently, along with at least 13 other notaries. There are now four reports on ripoffreport for defunct ANS.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/ACCURATE-NATIONAL-SIGNINGS/Wildomar-California-92595/ACCURATE-NATIONAL-SIGNINGS-Amanda-Kirkish-Jason-Kirkish-Sara-kirkishpossible-aka-for-Ama-1090212

The people who helped the Kirkish's carry off this scamming of notaries are listed as accomplices, including the title/escrow companies she contracted without so much as a background screening report.

I think if I were one of the notaries ripped off for $2100, I'd be on their front lawn with the 6 o'clock news, taking inventory of why I hadn't been paid and where my $$ went!



 
 
N3 Notaries in Portland OR in SC, for example
Posted by 101livescan at 10/27/2013 1:07:00 PM
I have a friend who received a call from N3 Notaries for a signing, she has not returned their call based on their SC rating.

This company has not been rated since March 2013, for poor quality company to work for.

How do they stay in business? How come no one has rated them in March, 2013?

Just curious, any one here had a good experience with them?
 
 
Diamond Star Notaries, San Jose, CA aka Philip C. Doren
Posted by 101livescan at 10/26/2013 9:28:00 AM
Any one worked for this company? G/B/U? Looks like a new company just up this year.

 
 
Good morning, everyone. About Signhereink.
Posted by 101livescan at 10/24/2013 8:54:00 AM
We absolutely performed autopsy on these guys yesterday. I cannot speak for Mark Wills or JJ, but I now understand why they left HVR, why the classes are being held, and why we might consider giving them a chance to demonstrate their commitment to their vendors and the notaries they might ask to perform signings for them, coast to coast.

I've learned more in depth information about their business model and why they started their own SS company. Yes, they are undercapitalized. They are working hard to get it together. I think we've helped them through some missteps, but we've also been a little hard on them, and we need to retract and apologize for some of the assumptions we made about them.

If Signhereink calls me for a job in my area, I'll give them a chance and then make sure I'm paid before I do too much. Mark Wills is the marketing guru, he's the one reaching out to escrow and title to garner their business, which he was doing for HVR for quite a while.

Under the circumstances of his previous company taking assignments and not paying notaries, doesn't this seem like it's worth trying?

To confirm, Michael Edward Shields III is not the same Michael Shields named in the Ameriquest Mortgage Fraud Indictment. When you don't know all the scoop, much is speculation. This is completely my error, I take ownership, and I've apologized to Mike Shields for this misinformation, which spread like wildfire to other misconceptions.

Mike is a new father, his wife, Heather, is a stay at home new mother. Any calls to their home is certainly an invasion of their privacy. Mike has offered up his cell phone on his profile. Call him directly if you want more information. Mike is a full time notary, as well as a mortgage broker for the Bank of Manhattan, a highly reputable lender.

I think we need to give them a chance to show us they can be a trusted company. They have a huge audience and presence in San Diego now that the other company has demonstrated an inability and unwillingness to pay their notaries for several months now.

I will personally contact certain escrow officers I've dealt with in San Diego, who have paid HVR, who has not paid notaries, and endorse these guys.

Hopefully, we have all learned something from this outing of Signherink. I wish them well in a slower business climate we're all experiencing now across the country.





 
 
Remember Ameriquest~recognize any one of these parties
Posted by 101livescan at 10/22/2013 7:19:00 AM
Especially you long time San Diegans:

Conviction in Mortgage Fraud Investigation


FBI San Diego Office Press Release - May 2, 2002

San Diego, California - William D. Gore, Special Agent in Charge, San Diego Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announces the guilty plea of Jarrett Pugh on one count of identity theft as part of the national identity theft initiative as announced by Attorney General John Ashcroft.

This investigation involves mortgage fraud/identity theft violations, wherein seven employees of Ameriquest Mortgage Company and two corrupt appraisers created 64 loans using forged and inflated appraisals of property in San Diego and Riverside Counties. These loans were funded by Ameriquest and then subsequently sold to Washington Mutual Bank and other investors. Ameriquest purchased all of the loans back when the fraud was discovered. Most of the loans are currently in foreclosure or default. The total aggregate value of the inflated loans is over $9,000,000. Ameriquest attorneys estimate the actual financial loss to the company is approximately $2,000,000, not including commissions paid on the fraudulent loans and attorney’s fees.

The subjects in this case are young, local San Diego residents who have known each other prior to their employment at Ameriquest. Subjects Chris Zennedjian and another unindicted co-conspirator were the first to start working for the company. They rose to the level of manager and, unbeknownst to Ameriquest, began hiring their friends as loan executives. Zennedjian and the other individual taught the other subjects how to create documents which supported fraudulent property values and borrower incomes. They introduced loan executives Jarrett Pugh, Eric Peterson, Carlos Campillo, Michael Shields, and Jamin Osborne, to subject Dan Benavidez. Benavidez created false and forged appraisals for the subjects for a kickback payment. Later, the subjects used another corrupt appraiser who created fraudulent appraisals as well.

All of the subjects were indicted on September 27, 2001, on 80 counts of conspiracy, false statement on a loan, and identity theft. Four of the subjects were arrested on October 3, 2001, two became fugitives who were later located and arrested, and one arranged his surrender.

On May 1, 2001, one of the primary subjects, Jarrett Pugh, pled guilty. Pugh was responsible for the most instances of stealing the identities of real estate appraisers in this case. Zennedjian was convicted on December 17, 2001, and Benavidez was convicted on April 8, 2002.
 
 
New Housing Bubble Bust Predicted
Posted by 101livescan at 10/21/2013 7:22:00 PM
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/10/17/Feds-Fisher-Warns-US-Housing-Bubble-Signs

Plus, beginning in January 2014, it will be more difficult for people to apply and be approved for loans.

We still have many people in "zombie" foreclosure inventory.

Where is all this going?

Can't wait for some good news, what about you?
 
 
Another Convicted Motley Crew for Title $$$ Scam in MD
Posted by 101livescan at 10/21/2013 8:53:00 AM
Any one in Maryland know these ladies, do any work for this company?

Crime does not always pay, unless you're a deadbeat signing service.

http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/dailybriefing/title-company-manager-pleads-guilty-to-five-million-dollar-scam-1039476-1.html

Facing 30 years in Federal pen and huge restitution/fines.
 
 
Now here's a job possibility, policing FL notaries
Posted by 101livescan at 10/20/2013 10:08:00 PM
There's only one person handling complaints about notary errors in all of Florida, where there are more than 400,000 notaries.

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/action-9-investigates-notary-errors/nYzBs/

 
 
Petition to Change How Signing Service Companies/Owners are
Posted by 101livescan at 10/20/2013 3:28:00 PM
vetted and regulated.

This is a draft. If you are interested in signing this petition, please email me at info@101livescan.com. If you have any suggestions on how to give it more "teeth", by all means, please jump in. We will all benefit from your input. I do not profess to be the strongest petition innovator on the planet. Your input is welcome.

This petition is being drafted for submission to the State of California Department of Corporation Business Oversight.

There are no standards for this sub industry of signing companies who act as the middle man between notaries and title/escrow companies across the United States. These companies charge, for example, $300 to escrow and title, agree to pay the notary $100 or so, but often keep the entire fee while they go out of business. It is the biggest scam we've witnessed in the area of mortgage fraud.

Unfortunately, unchecked, owners of these companies have criminal backgrounds in the areas of forgery and ID Fraud and assault and battery. One particular company went out of business owing more than 30 notaries $10s of thousands of dollars coast to coast. A huge stack of complaints has been filed with the County of Riverside DA's office by notaries across the US.

Now there is a second signing service in San Diego, who claims to be going bankrupt, however, the company that owes notaries a lot of money isn't even registered as his company, but he left the unpaid notaries holding the bag, claiming he was not paid by title/escrow, hence he cannot pay the notaries.

These are just two examples of companies who've gone out of business this year stiffing notaries all across the country. There have been many before them who fold up their tents, and move across town, operating under another guise, another name, same game.

Notaries are required to pass DOJ/FBI background checking, huge E&O policies to work in this industry. However, the middlemen, the signing companies who contract with Title/Escrow/Lender, are not.

Notaries across the U.S. would like standards to be set by every state in the U.S. Since most of the "deadbeat" signing services are here in California, we'd like the California State Department of Corporate Business Oversight to lead the trend to helping notaries get paid for their services and to set just as rigid requirements for Signing Service Company owners and their employees as exist for notaries. At least two companies I know of, the owners were convicted of crimes that would keep the owners from becoming notaries themselves.

We need to raise the bar on qualifications for signing companies. They are not regulated. They slip through the cracks. There are fewer and fewer reputable signing services across the country. Many of these companies do not have business licenses, FBN filings in their name, valid addresses or have completely dismantled their websites, phones, fax and email addresses, even moved across town to evade collection attempts. Meanwhile, they've spent all the notaries' unpaid fees on luxurious homes, Cancun vacations, breast enhancements, new home furnishings and other frivolity. These owners are so audacious, they post their extravagance on social media sites. It's completely insane.

I believe notaries across the U.S. would be grateful if someone at the State level would step up to the plate and audit, qualify and quantify these companies. Notaries on the east coast trying to collect from defunct companies on the west coast would be happy to know the state of CA has given it's stamp of approval or disapproval, some sort of rating system to know they are legitimate companies. Right now, all we have is our own rating system on notaryrotary.com. It's often too late to collect when a company hasn't paid for 90 days, has dodged calls for weeks, and suddenly announces they are bankrupt owing hundreds of thousands of dollars to notaries.
 
 
Are you f'ing kidding me? Msg #488786
Posted by 101livescan at 10/20/2013 9:50:00 AM
Msg #488786 How do you make message blue?

I almost fell of my chair just now reading this. It fell so far off the page, I have to move it back up for your reading pleasure this morning. Unbelievable. So this is the mentality of SS's these days, and why we must move away from them. Trying to hard sell a $45 fee for a loan signing.

May I remind you Cory Byrd, of the investment we all make for equipment, materials, our time, what it costs to become and maintain notary commission, growing each and every day, and you're trying to convince yourself and others what an opportunity $45 is? Your blog makes me want to vomit. I wouldn't touch your $45 signing with a 10' pole. What on earth is wrong with your head? You are completely off your track!

You people are incredibly greedy. What do you make on these files? I'll bet it's way more than $90, unless of course you've sold yourself down the river for under $90, but I'm sure that's not the case.

I think I better add some Bailey's to my morning Italian Roast. I simply cannot believe my eyes.


 
 
While there are still 100,000 fewer notaries in CA today
Posted by 101livescan at 10/20/2013 8:13:00 AM
than in 2007, we have three new signing services in CA, all in San Diego. Makes you wonder where all the work is going to be coming from. Or is it just that brand new loan San Diego signing school, Escrowsfirstchoice.com that hopes to mill out all the new notary signing agents to get to 260K by year end. Conveniently owned by Mike Shields, and Mark Wills who was formerly of HVR Notaries, have also opened a new signing service, Signhere Ink. Then there is TheInk Signing Service, owned by Kendall Janes Bellini (a basic NR member also, all friends and associates No details are yet known about these signing service, except that JJ Spivak will be the operations guy for Signhereink. Hopefully someone can get them into SC soon so we'll know who we might end up working with, location, how they pay, etc. Hopefully better than ANS, HVR and Siigningscream. There is one other, I will tell you about in the coming days.

Hope springs eternal, while companies are going out of business, left and right, due to NOT BEING PAID BY THEIR VENDORS, or willy-nilly spending, more are appearing on the horizon all the time.

Guess it's just too good an opportunity to pass up, cuz a lot of notaries don't notice they are not being paid until it's too late to collect.

Seems like these days, no one is asking ANY questions. Any signing service can be listed on notary rotary, but it doesn't mean they have been checked out..............Maybe the newbies don't realize that...be sure to do your homework and ask a lot of questions.
 
 
Avenues for Stomping out Deadbeat Signing Companies
Posted by 101livescan at 10/19/2013 9:12:00 AM
There are agencies in the State of California who are very interesting in the standards of companies operating within the financial/escrow/title agency.

For those of you who are owed money by defunct signing services, check out this site:

http://www.dbo.ca.gov/

There is also an overseer of escrow companies at the CA state level, among other licensees listed below:

http://www.dbo.ca.gov/Licensees/default.asp

Licensees and Industries Regulated by the Department

Affordable Credit Building Opportunities
Banks
Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers
Business and Industrial Development Corporations (BIDCO)
California Finance Lenders
California Residential Mortgage Lenders
Capital Access Companies
Check Sellers, Bill Payers and Proraters
Credit Unions
Deferred Deposit Originators (commonly known as “Payday Lenders”)
Escrow Agents/ Escrow Law
Foreign (Other Nation) Banks
Foreign (Other State) Banks
Franchises
Industrial Banks
Local Agency Security Program (LASP)
Money Transmitters
Mortgage Loan Originators
Premium Finance Companies
Securities Depository Law
Trust Companies and Departments

It's long overdue for this NSA community to get organized and petition for change in the character and vetting of signing services and the people who own them.


 
 
Back in the saddle again
Posted by 101livescan at 10/18/2013 9:29:00 AM
NATIONAL MORTGAGE NEWS this morning:

Now that the federal government shutdown is over, the Internal Revenue Service has started processing Form 4506-T requests again.

“We have received one completed request so far today. The order was placed on Sept. 30, 2013,” a lender said.

CoreLogic said it started receiving completed IRS transcripts Thursday morning. “The IRS is processing requests on a first-in first-out basis and has stated most sites are currently completing work submitted Sept. 27-30,” the vendor said in an email to clients.

The IRS had been shut down for 16 days and the lack of IRS verification of borrowers’ income and other key tax data were uncomfortable for many lenders and investors.

Many rely on the IRS transcripts to protect themselves from borrower fraud and buyback risk.

Fortunately, Congress agreed to a compromise to end the shutdown and passed a bill Wednesday evening to temporarily fund government operations and extend the debt ceiling.

CoreLogic noted it is unclear how long it will take for the IRS to work through the 16-day backlog of 4506-T orders.

Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration is expected to be back online no later than Monday so it can process requests for verification of Social Security numbers.
 
 
Lulls are good sometimes! Examining the CFPB bulletin
Posted by 101livescan at 10/17/2013 9:24:00 AM
Good time for cleaning out closets, storage areas, get back to basics. Analyze where we go from here.

It also gives us time to sharpen our marketing rools and look hard at who we're working for. There are still a lot of great companies to work for, although remember the numbers I showed you earlier for CA SS's

Of the 328 CA companies listed in SC, only 86 have 3.5 to 5 stars. 140 are companies that have no ratings because a) they are out of business b) they are also basic NR members on this board doubling as a SS c) good question, why aren't they rated.

I've noticed a heightened awareness by posters on this board about companies that they can't find any information on, it's not readily available in SC. Great work! by all. I think we need to keep this in the forefront of our brains. By seeking help on this forum, and calling out the companies who are rated poorly and still trying to hire notaries for jobs, we can keep current on which are the best companies to work for.

Keep the mug shots coming, very entertaining and telling about their character, and laughable that they think they can snake NSA's across the country.

Google is the best tool for finding information about companies and their owners. If they aren't listed in SC, we need to get them added.

Every company in business should have a FBNS, a business license, and if they are a legitimate company, a website that is not a nickel and dime $5 a month website, but rather one that is interactive and shows some commitment to the biz by investing in a great presence on the internet.

I hope that no one gets snaked for any more money going forward. Times are lean, but companies have been paid and so should NSAs.

On a further note, take a look at this bulletin ~

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-to-hold-financial-institutions-and-their-service-providers-accountable/

Read the bulletin at the bottom......very interesting read. To me, I interpret it, that title companies are to be held responsible who they outsource their work to. I still say Valuamerica and the others should be held responsible for money that was not paid to notaries. They did not do their job !!!!!

Can't we find a attorney who would just like to handle this for fun, but gets their name out there, for uncovering this, and who knows what else?

Hugh, darling, where are you this morning? Whaddya think?

As I've said before, I have no dog in this fight, I am not owed any money by defunct companies. The last time I was snaked was in 2005-6 by 11th Hour Signings, Instafi.com and Docuservusa.

Thank God for heightened awareness!



 
 
Skye Closings and Adeptive partner
Posted by 101livescan at 10/16/2013 12:22:00 PM

Adeptive partners with Skye Closings

Industry News, Technology
Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Adeptive partnered with Skye Closings, a national signing service. The partnership allows users of ResWare to post signing requests to Skye Closings in an automated fashion.
 
 
To All My Fellow Notaries, HAPPY BOSSES DAY!
Posted by 101livescan at 10/16/2013 10:06:00 AM
Today is Bosses Day", so cheers to all the notaries, who are their own boss.....Treat yourselves good today!

Make it a great day!
 
 
CA is a cornucopia of deadbeat co's; huge issues facing NSAs
Posted by 101livescan at 10/14/2013 2:01:00 PM
Just for drill, I cut and paste the SC listing of CA signing services. I found this astounding, thought you'd be interested to know my findings.

Of the total 328 companies who have been listed here,

102 are Unavailable, meaning they've been out of business for a while, nor never been rated.
86 are 3.5 to 5 star companies
140 are 1 to 3 star companies, and while some 3 star companies are okay to work for, most are not!

I have not yet done an analysis of those companies who have risen and fallen in the last 12 months, but I will be doing that soon.

We have many obstacles facing us in this industry today.

Fees are being diluted as SSs compete to stay in the ring with title/escrow by working for volume discounts
There is no vetting of SSs. All they must provide to title/escrow/settlement agents is E&O and a W9, which may not bear a valid TIN or SSN.
Now the NNA is requiring everyone, if they want to work in this industry, to have an annual background screening.
New notaries/NSAs being soaked for $200 to take a one day class to learn to become a ROCKSTAR NSA with new signing service on the radar in a market where there are fewer and fewer loans to be signed.

Title insurance is going up across the board, across the nation.

Notary fees are being negotiated down.

All this business about what is a fair margin, it's becoming less and less fair and equitable, and everyone needs to understand it. Builds a great case for why we should not work for less than $100-150 per file.

If any one wants my detailed list of who it's okay to work for in our current industry, send me an email and I'll happily forward it to you.

It's a holiday, I had some time on my hands. Going outside to prune some vines, no work today...





 
 
Theink a signing company in San Diego, CA
Posted by 101livescan at 10/14/2013 10:37:00 AM
550 15th St # 808
San Diego, CA 92101
619.450.1750

Any one ever work for this company? New this year apparently.
 
 
Some reasons why it costs so much $$$$ to become a CA Notary
Posted by 101livescan at 10/14/2013 8:49:00 AM
Real Estate Mortgage Fraud is at an all time high. Get a gander at some of the crimes that are being prosecuted these days. Any one ever work for some of these fraudsters?

I wonder, did any of these people own a signing service along the way?

http://www.californiarealestatefraudreport.com/archives/category/notary-fraud
 
 
The next time you're called by a 1-2-3 star company
Posted by 101livescan at 10/13/2013 9:17:00 AM
And you inform them you are unable to take their assignment because of their ratings in SS,
send them a screen shot of their ratings to help them understand why this forum as a group is wise to low, slow, never paying schemes and we've had enough. We're fighting back. Enough is enough.

Unfortunately the number of 4 and 5 star companies to work with is waning. The companies we've traditionally worked for are going by the wayside, one by one. How is it that some companies survived much longer than they should have, as their payment histories became less and less "stellar"? Because notaries did not stay up to date with how these were performing, the numbers of unpaid orders began stacking up and finally notaries are owed thousands of dollars and have no way to be paid by these defunct companies.

Important to identify and quantify companies that call you and not just say "yes" because your phone hasn't rung all day.

 
 
Star Ratings = Payment Opportunities
Posted by 101livescan at 10/11/2013 7:37:00 AM
4 and 5 = payment highly likely
3 = maybe in time after deductions, 90 days or more
2 and 1 = not likely at all

If you work for 2 and 1 star companies, please do not come here and complain that you were not paid. You set yourself up for non payment. If you work for thieves, expect not to be paid. It's part of their business model to hoard all the fee they are paid and stiff the notary. END OF STORY.
 
 
The formula for pursuing payment from deadbeats is not easy
Posted by 101livescan at 10/10/2013 11:39:00 PM
The best course of action is not to work for these companies in the first place.

Check their star ratings. Three and below are very risky, especially in this market. I can't feel any sympathy for any one who is not being paid by a company with three and fewer stars. They just aren't going to be around if we don't work for them and allow them to go out of biz when they've got a fist full of notary's earnings.

I know a very smart cookie who hand carried about a sixty page report to a DA's office for investigation of mortgage fraud and nonpayment of notary fees. Hers is not the only one, but only one of many other complaints. This is a conspiracy to defraud notaries nationally.

It takes a little effort. These notaries may never get paid, but at least the case is being investigated and perpetrators will be brought up on charges.

The problem is, look how many people before the present bad boys and girls have done the same thing, and somehow missed the guillotine. They simply go down the road and open shop on the other side of the road with a new game and a new guise.

I really hope people will stop aiding and abetting these clowns.
 
 
HP 4250DTN and HP 4350DTN Printer Issues Resolved, I think
Posted by 101livescan at 10/10/2013 10:55:00 AM
for now any way. My HP4250 needed a maintenance kit after 200,000 copies. I bought it for $93 on Amazon, plus shipping $103.

My repair guy wanted $300 for it out of his shop. Even though Orion back east was offered up as a telecon walk you thru the steps resource, there is no way I could have done this without heaps of frustration. Also it turned out one of the gears was badly chinked up and had to be replaced, you just don't get those at CVS or Best Buy. Special order. The repair guy had one in his truck.

Problems resolved on 4250.

4350 has a bad formatting board. Maybe demm is bad too. Under warranty. I'm 50% back in business with the laser printer situation...thank God for 1320 I have at home. It got me through it for a couple of weeks.

Now, just waiting for the orders to start cranking in again.

Bless my printers and my printer repair expert. So frustrating when our tools go south!

This has set off an entire office cleaning project. Well, I got the time so here we go! Toothbrush cleaning.
 
 
More on background checks from Signature Closers
Posted by 101livescan at 10/10/2013 9:17:00 AM
I received this clarification this morning from SC on background checks.

Yesterday, we sent the below email. Thank you to those that responded with questions, concerns, and updated background checks.

Since sending that email, here's what we learned and apologize for any confusion we caused:

The NNA plans to roll out a 1-year background check program. We will let them communicate the program details to NNA members when the program is ready.

The NNA issues 2-year background checks for now.

Bank of America is requiring our client to have notaries with annual background checks. This is NOT a CFPB requirement.

The CFPB requires notaries to have a background check, but the background check is good for 2 years, which has also been and will continue to be our requirement. The CFPB has no plans to change this requirement. Individual lenders (like Bank of America) may have their own requirements that are more stringent than the CFPB requirements.

That said, if you want to close a file for us and the lender is Bank of America, then your background check must have been completed within the past year. If it is older than one year, then you can pass on the closing or send us an updated background check (from any search provider).

At this point, no further action is required on your part.

Thank you again for your service and sorry for the confusion we may have caused.

So soon background checks must be done annually. That is completely understandable. Our vendors want to make sure we haven't gone to the dark side. Just more expenses for the notary to complete. Tax deductible as a valid expense to conduct NSA business.

Or you could just do GNW and skip the background check altogether and all the drama that goes with this business to sign for lenders, title and escrow.

So we're beginning to see how lenders are tightening the screws on vetting the notaries, but how about the middle men Signing Service companies?
 
 
Got it! LOAN SIGNING CLASSES FOR NON DUMMIES! 101
Posted by 101livescan at 10/10/2013 12:44:00 AM
You don't have to show me your notary journal that proves you've performed 50 signings in the past 90 days. I only want you to show me evidence of 50 signings by your QB A/R statement. Before you go out on an assignment for me, you'll sit and sign me up for my own personal refi/purchase/sale transaction. I will not throw us under the bus. I want to know you know your stuff. ONLY THE BEST WILL SURVIVE IN THIS BIZ GOING FORWARD WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE.

The Cost: $100 for the whole 6 hour class, including handouts, and brown bag lunch is $15 extra if you want to work through lunch with me, complimentary coffee and tea.

Goal: How to market yourself in a struggling market; how to package a loan; who to work for; who not to work for; how to make sure you get paid within 5 to 30 days (enuf of 45 biz days which becomes 90 or never); how to package a loan.

How to operate at a profit; I'll show you how to make $125 to $150 per signing, occasionally $200 to $500 for commercial deals, and I'll still make enough to run my company because I'm not greedy! The more great successful signing agents I have in my wings, the better we'll all be for it.

As CEO of my own Company, I don't need or want breast enhancement, Cancun vacations (I love exploring the woods, treehouses, beaches and historic empty mansions), or a house full of new furnishings and appliances, Neiman Marcus clothing, expensive makeup, tattoos, jewelry, water motor craft, a country club membership hobnobbing with the rich and famous. I'm just a decent, honest, hardworking notary myself, not in it for fortunes on other peoples' backs offering value focused services to the escrow/title/lending industry. I pay taxes on my net income, you should too. My favorite charities are St. Judes Hospital for Children, Wounded Warrior, CASA Santa Barbara county and the Rescue Mission.

If I don't pay you, you can burn me at the stake! I would deserve it if I cheated you out of your hard earned money.

Call, email or PM me if you're interested in jump starting your notary loan signing business for 2013/14.

I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours:

Commission
E&O
Bond
NNA Background Check
Valid Current Photo ID

(all tongue in cheek, of course!)

Have a great week/weekend!




 
 
Curious, in your specific state, who can view your journal
Posted by 101livescan at 10/9/2013 9:13:00 AM
contents?
 
 
Industry Standards
Posted by 101livescan at 10/9/2013 8:21:00 AM
Now that the XYZ has sold the concept of background checks to title companies to comply with federal guidelines, how do we get title companies to do the same with Signing Service owners? Is XYZ able to swing this program over to SS owners and their employees?

I have a database of some 14,000 title and escrow and law firms who are settlement agents for refis, purchases and sales of real property. They should all be vetting their signing services, I wonder just how many there are on this list doing this. These are active companies/firms who are used by major mortgage brokers across the U.S. There are multiple layers of subcontractors who are not vetted.

If a signing company is owned by a notary in CA, we know that their background has been checked. But what about their employees/independent contractors? If they are not notaries, it is likely they have not been background checked.

Since legislation is not possible, we do need some industry standards. I think Fightback! might be just the conduit to bring about change for notaries/loan signing agents coast to coast.
 
 
What Notaries/Loan Signing Agents Need is Legislation
Posted by 101livescan at 10/8/2013 7:30:00 PM
Advocacy....getting paid fairly and timely by all signing services.

Any ideas.
 
 
Ya gotta love it! Whose brilliant idea do you think this is
Posted by 101livescan at 10/8/2013 9:27:00 AM
http://titlecompanylist.com/Title-Company-lists/

 
 
Mortgage Business will be weak for some time into 2014
Posted by 101livescan at 10/8/2013 8:57:00 AM
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/weak-third-quarter-expected-for-mortgage-banks-2013-10-07

Whatever your plan B is, you better work it.

Hence, I wonder about the feasibility of starting a new signing service these days. And yet, XYZ gave these classes in Austin in June. Who would know, right?
 
 
HVR Notaries
Posted by 101livescan at 10/7/2013 4:43:00 PM
To all those notaries who have contacted me or posted on this board, I just received a telephone call from Mr. Vides.

Hector has honorable intentions to pay everyone who is owed money for unpaid signings. Give it a little time while he sorts things out.
 
 
Dejavu and Prevailing SS Biz Model
Posted by 101livescan at 10/7/2013 7:17:00 AM
It is nothing new, and seems to be a replay of 2008 signing environment. Found this on ripoffreport.com.

Here's one statement a SS made to an unpaid notary. Yet this company stayed in business until 2012.

I was contacted by XYZ Signing Service to conduct a loan signing on October 3, 2008. As of 01/06/09, I have yet to be paid.

I have made numerous phone calls and emails and per *the owner),"If you feel the need to go through the legal system, let me speak from experience. By the time you ARE paid by me, if you contact legal counsel you will have only wasted time and money. Trust me, I know!"

XYZ Signing Services advertise on their website that they are members of the following assciations: MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association), NHEMA (National Home Equity Mortgage Association), ALTA (American Land Title Association), FLTA (Florida Land Title Association), and PLTA (Pennsylvania Land Title Association). I called all of the named associations and I was informed that they are not members of any of the associations.

The Truth
Tampa, Florida
U.S.A.

This trend of not paying notaries is not going to disappear. It's the hottest scam going right now. It's bigger than the Nigerian scams. The best way to avoid is to only work for 4 and 5 star companies.

BTW, these SS owners are still around with a new label, new company, same game. These people will never give up. The stakes are too high.

Wouldn't it be better if they couldn't get any one to work for them?
 
 
ComplaintsBoard.com
Posted by 101livescan at 10/6/2013 11:48:00 PM
This website has not been used since Fox Signings was outed in 2011. I wonder why!

http://www.complaintsboard.com/?search=Signing+Services
 
 
From Forbes.com this morning
Posted by 101livescan at 10/6/2013 9:04:00 AM
4 Ways Government Shutdown Effects New Mortgages



Under normal conditions, homebuyers would be leaping off the fence to grab lower mortgage rates, but with the shutdown, there's enough uncertainty in the air to keep mortgage consumers on the sideline until Uncle Sam is open for business again.



Some of that uncertainty over the mortgage market and the government stoppage is linked to facts on the ground, and some is closer to fiction.



"Watching the markets, mortgage rates did waver a little but we didn't see massive movement some expected," says David Hall, President of Shore Mortgage, a Troy, Mich.-based mortgage services provider. "This shutdown does come at an especially bad time as new home sales and home construction are building back up. More uncertainty is not what we need."



With that uncertainty as a backdrop, let's clear the air and point to four ways the shutdown really does impact the mortgage market:



1) Lower rates may be due to the shutdown - By and large, mortgage rates move with the direction of the economy. If banks and mortgage lenders think the economy is slowing - as it likely will under a prolonged shutdown - they will lower rates to attract more business.

In fact, rates remain fairly unscathed at this point, although there is an upward bias," says Bob Van Gilder, a mortgage broker at Finance One Mortgage. "There may be some bumps in the road as the I.R.S. and the Social Security Administration have limited services, which will affect the mortgage process. But if you are being offered a rate that is attractive to you take it. You can't lose by being able to sleep at night."



2) FHA loans will be affected - If you're a consumer waiting on a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, you could be out of luck for now. In fact, approved mortgages will certainly be slowed while the FHA is shut down, even as it provides other services to the public.

The reason is this. With any FHA loan, mortgage services firms have to order a FHA case number, prior to an appraisal on the home. With the FHA's lights out, those case numbers can't be processed. Expect that process to take longer with fewer hands on deck.



3) I.R.S. documents out of reach - Another consequence of the U.S. government shutdown is the inability of mortgage firms to verify a borrower's income via his or her U.S. tax returns. By law, any mortgage loan approval is subject to the review by the mortgage lender of at least one year's worth of federal tax returns, and must be verified by the I.R.S. through a 4506 Transcript. With I.R.S. staffers at home, that process is stalled as tax agency workers would be unable to verify tax return documents.



Some industry experts say the damage here may be minimal, depending on the size of the lender.



"One of the biggest impacts to the mortgage market is that the ability to obtain a 4506 and Social Security Number Verification has been halted," says Jason Auerbach, an LPO manager at New York city-based First Choice Bank/Lending. "The 4506 IRS Transcript is verification from the IRS that the income documentation, specifically tax returns, provided by a client match with what they filed." Auerbach adds that the 4506 mandate does not impact lenders who are selling loans directly to Fannie Mae so many of the large lenders will see little disruption. However, smaller lenders who sell adjustable rate mortgages to investors may have to halt that lending," he says.



4) A weaker U.S. housing market - The U.S. Housing and Urban Development, which runs the Federal Housing Authority, only has 337 out of 8,709 managers and staffers on the job this week. The longer that HUD is blacked out, the more potential problems for the U.S. housing market.



"If the shutdown lasts and our commitment authority runs out, we do expect that potential homeowners will be impacted, as well as home sellers and the entire housing market. We could also see a decline in home sales during an extended shutdown period, reversing the trend toward a strengthening market that we've been experiencing," HUD said in a recent report, entitled HUD 2013 Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations released last week (find it at http://portal.hud.gov:80/hudportal/HUD , under "Featured News."

HUD does report that essential services, like HUD homeless assistance grants, housing services for veterans and housing for disabled people and AIDs patients will continue running.





The birds-eye view?

The mortgage market should largely remain up and running during the government shutdown, and homebuyers may even get a bonus, if mortgage rates keep falling while government agencies are shuttered.
By no means it is a perfect scenario, but for homebuyer, sellers, and real estate professionals, it's certainly a survivable one.
 
 
HVR San Diego, CA Every Dog Has His Day
Posted by 101livescan at 10/6/2013 8:46:00 AM
Sign Here, Ink is owned by J. J. Spivey, former employee of HVR Mobile Notaries. J. J. took Hector’s biggest client with him when he left HVR, meaning that Lawyer’s Title and Quality Escrow left HVR.

Wonder if Hector has the operating capital to pay the outstanding notary fees.
It is highly likely that Hector could go out of business.

Beware, I know many of you haven't been paid for your work with HVR. IF NOTARIES TAKE FUTURE ORDERS FROM HVR, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY YOU WILL NOT BE PAID.
 
 
Time to reflect, analyze, scrub and be discriminating on SSs
Posted by 101livescan at 10/5/2013 9:37:00 AM
This week certainly has been enlightening. Wow! What would be do without social media to witness first hand how the owners of signing services are living and luxuriating lavishly while not paying the notaries for all their hard work.

This is better than holding up a bank! or stealing an old lady's handbag. Near a local SB campus, a girl was approached by a man in a grey hoodie brandishing a knife, and got off with her cell phone and her wallet. She's lucky he didn't stab or slice her. Well, these signing services are doing the same thing under the guise of "can you help us out with a signing" while we help you out of your money.

It is not difficult to tell when they companies are getting ready to fold. Any issues of non payment after 30 days should be examined carefully.

Be wise, do your homework, find out where their physical address is. How long in business. I guarantee you, any SS that pops up now is a temporary gig to exploit notaries. We have XYZ to thank for providing the toolboxes to new SS owners last June in Austin, TX, and it's only a matter of time before these new SSs will fold after hoodwinking notaries across the US.

There is a silver lining to these dark clouds. Title/Escrow companies are going to be looking harder at their signing services because several unpaid notaries are contacting their individual state DAs and the US Attorney's offices regarding these illegal activities. Any non payment issues are going to be a flashing red light that alerts the settlement agencies' compliance people to illegal and unethical business practices.

These fly by night companies only have to produce an E&O Policy and a W9 to get their foot in the door with management. Ah, a friend of a friend, VOILA! they're in like Flynn. Hell, I'll bet the Tax ID number they write on the W9 isn't even valid.

So now we have another issue, as the IRS and the State Tax Board's try to figure out who should be paying income taxes on hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to these scumbug signing service owners. Interesting huh?

Communication is very important on this forum. Please don't say yes just because your phone hasn't rung in two weeks. Investigate, verify, vellify, ask questions. If the scheduler hangs up on you, well you probably dodged a bullet.

Have a great weekend everyone. Proceed with caution and keep your ears and eyes wide open and on alert for the scammers in our industry.

This is my tirade for the day. Make it a good one everybody.

PS: I hope the scumbags choke to death on their ill gotten bucks.

 
 
About XYZ Background Checks
Posted by 101livescan at 10/4/2013 10:24:00 PM
If your current background check expires, there may be lapse before you can work. Sometimes it takes 10 days to process the new BGC.

You might end up sitting on the sidelines without a current background check.

It's probably that way with all vendor background checks, no matter which company produces it.
 
 
Vendor requests for BGCs and other documents on the uptick
Posted by 101livescan at 10/4/2013 7:44:00 AM
Yesterday, like Hugh, I received two requests for my commission, E&O, bond, W9, BGC and a recent photograph to keep my profile current in their databases. I see it as a trend among more signing vendors during this slack time we're experiencing, to have a clean, lean and mean database of current NSAs they will poll from.

Do you think some of these settlement agents are experiencing more notary fraud and auditing their files on a regular basis. For instance, I heard this week that a notary in PA was using his family members to go out and get loans signed, and they were bringing the documents back to him to stamp and sign as the notary who attended the signing. The signers never appeared before him. Someone else reported this in WV this week. Clearly a breach of borrowers/lenders confidentiality. You think this is a $50 notary?

It was a complete shock for one settlement agent in CA to learn that one of their vendors had a criminal history. All that was required to be a SS for this company was providing an E&O policy, no background check, no notary commission, and I'm pretty sure this manager has never laid eyes on this owner who perpetuated fraud against countless notaries, the settlement agent and the lender for about a year before closing their doors.

What I'm looking forward to is a vetting of this industry. BTW, I have a list of around 14,000 settlement agents across the US, no contact names, but agency names, addresses, and telephone numbers. There is a national settlement agencies conference in New Orleans in June 2014. That could be an interesting place to be next year.

I would like to broadcast email their legal agent for legal notices to find out what they are doing to vet their signing services, but it would be an overwhelming and time consuming task to get names of all these officers. Any ideas?

 
 
Moving onward and forward
Posted by 101livescan at 10/4/2013 1:45:00 AM
A member of this forum owed over $1000 has filed a complaint with the Riverside County DA's office in an attempt to investigate the wrong doings and impropriety of a slime ball signing service in Wildomar, CA aka ANS. There were already complaints filed previously and recently against this company by independent notaries aside from this group of 30 notaries. We await the results. All the posts and ratings in SC were reproduced and provided to DA's office as part of the complaint.

Meanwhile, we all need to move onward and forward and hope this experience does not repeat itself any time soon or EVER. There are plenty of great companies in SC to work for. Skip the deadbeats. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Perhaps Mr. HVR has found a new gig in Cancun, we can only hope. I'm disgusted that after 9 years as a Marine, this is the best Hector could do for the universe. I wonder how Mr. HVR would like to be cheated out of his fees.

What's the update on Liz and Eric Hueg, any one getting paid by them?

Hope you all have a great weekend.
 
 
Disclaimer: I am not defecting.
Posted by 101livescan at 10/4/2013 1:22:00 AM
Job opportunities for those looking for job security are now available at:

http://www.nationalnotary.org/about/nna_career_opportunities/index.html
 
 
EnTtileDirect, Corona, CA
Posted by 101livescan at 10/3/2013 7:34:00 PM
Having been in the business most of my career, I thought I knew all of the title companies in CA. This is one I'd never of until yesterday.

They have one of the most interactive and informative websites I've ever seen. Have a look at their site for yourselves and why they will probably give their competition a little run for their money.

http://www.entitledirect.com/our_secret_formula

I posted a link yesterday about EnTitleDirect yesterday, and in no way was intended to be derogatory to the company itself.

If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
 
 
Do you all (CA NOTARIES ONLY) remember
Posted by 101livescan at 10/3/2013 5:42:00 PM
that if your commission is revoked for any reason, any other licenses you may hold with the State of California or the Federal Government, may also be revoked?

 
 
Okay all you notaries who've not been paid by ANS
Posted by 101livescan at 10/2/2013 9:41:00 PM
Are you all holding out on me, because Amanda says she's paid everyone. And for all of you who got screen shots of the ANS owners on Myspace, Myface, and FB, good job, because Darcy and Amanda have been very busy erasing everything today.

Too late, ladies! It's all evidence.
 
 
Sunneshine Frey, EnTitleDirect, Corona, CA
Posted by 101livescan at 10/2/2013 12:03:00 AM
Any one ever worked for this company?



Services:Escrow

Location:4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Ste 211, Corona, CA 92883

Email:Sunneshine.Frey@EnTitleDirect.com

Staff:Sunneshine Frey
 
 
ANS/Kirkish Headquarters, Wildomar, CA & Owner No. 3
Posted by 101livescan at 10/1/2013 9:06:00 PM
From HOT PADS! Man oh man, I couldn't have said it any better.

http://hotpads.com/rentals/20484-Big-Sycamore-Court-Wildomar-CA-92595--58u02udxhxtg4#

Check this out. Amanda and Jason's new home before they moved in. Awfully nice, don't you agree? This is why they can't/won't pay their notaries.

With at least 10 notaries lined up ready to descend on the Riverside County DA's office, and everyone comparing their past payment checks, a new name has popped up. She signed the checks paying notaries. She's the third owner. Her name is Darcy Mendoza.

Now I'm wondering if this is the same Darcy Mendoza who is best buddies with Michael Tafoya, Prez of Title365 and his wife who owns a title/escrow company? And best buddies with DocPros' owners. So this is how Amanda skated through unchecked, background unverified, no questions asked. Based on her cozy, tight little friendship with Darcy Mendoza, also a California Notary? I wonder if Michael Tafoya knows about this little arrangement. We'll see. And the notary team thinks they've focused in on just who owner No. 4 is. Stay tuned.

There is certainly more than meets the eye here. Oh, yes, and now Darcy and Amanda can practically shake hands over the fence in the same block. Maybe they'll also get the same cell in county jail.

It's all beginning to make total sense.

 
 
CASmall Claims Results to Collect Overdue/Unpaid Debt
Posted by 101livescan at 10/1/2013 11:32:00 AM
Who in CA has been successful in recovering overdue unpaid notary fees? and what additional fees did you recover? Been a while. The last time I had to take someone to small claims, he quickly declared personal bankruptcy and I was left with zero, but not everyone can declare BK to avoid payment.

All this debt was extinguished.
 
 
Printer Dilemma
Posted by 101livescan at 10/1/2013 8:51:00 AM
Both my work horse printers the HP 4250DTN, Thelma, and the HP 4350DTN, Louise, went over the edge last week. They've been great printers for a long time, through many toner cartridges and cases of paper.

Thelma needs a Maintenance Kit, which I ordered from Amazon. Louise, I have no idea what her issue is. I have a technician coming in tomorrow, once the maintenance kit arrives, to have him install that and diagnose Louise's issues.

It was good timing, as business is kinda flat, and the HP1320 backup machine at home is doing the job. For a short time.

I was pulling my hair out last week over trying to print three packages and no way to do so at my office. I was sure I could get these printers to turnover, but to no avail.

Synopsis: There are no local stores, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max, that carry these work horse printers. So you're stuck, get em fixed or buy online and get delivery in 24 hours, an arm and a leg expense when revenue is down...Sucks big time. CDW carries them, and there is PrinterPros in Torrance for recycled printers, best available resources for me. But costly.
 
 
The Issue of Good Character
Posted by 101livescan at 9/29/2013 6:19:00 PM
I know all of my fellow NSAs don't need this reminder, but a good many signing service owners do, and that's why I copied and pasted this here. The same laws should apply to them as well.

Disciplinary Guidelines

The Secretary of State is responsible for appointing and commissioning notaries public in the State of California. In the performance of such duties, the Secretary of State strives to ensure that applicants and commissioned notaries public possess the requisite honesty, credibility, truthfulness, and integrity to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Character is germane to the qualifications of the office of a notary public, given the nature of the duties and responsibilities. Government, business, and the public depend on the integrity of notaries public to take the required steps in authenticating signatures and properly completing transactions. The issue of good character is the foundation of all notarial acts.

The disciplinary guidelines are intended to facilitate due process and uniformity in reviewing notary public applications, investigating alleged violations of notarial law, and instituting administrative actions against notaries public and notary public applicants. The disciplinary guidelines are designed to assist administrative law judges, attorneys, notaries public, notary public applicants, and others involved in the disciplinary process. The disciplinary guidelines address only the Secretary of State's review of applications, investigations, and administrative actions and are not a comprehensive overview of the criminal and civil offenses in statute, which may subject a notary public to a civil penalty or to criminal prosecution.

 
 
Green Recycling Question
Posted by 101livescan at 9/29/2013 11:38:00 AM
Over the years I have collected a lot of notary seals, usually four for every four year term I've been a notary for the last 12 years...heavy use of notary seal causes them to wear out. So Question: Even though I've destroyed the little rubber impression of my notary commission information, I'm still left wih all these plastic cases, and I'm wondering if there isn't some place that would take these to reuse.

I hate throwing plastic away, where can it end up but in our landfills. You could burn them, but the carcinogens would end up in our atmosphere.

Any ideas?
 
 
EOM like none other
Posted by 101livescan at 9/27/2013 11:46:00 PM
I'm bushed. Had a helluva week. Great fees for fewer files, which suits me fine. Managed to dodge some huge bullets like SS, Notary on The Run. Mostly direct with Title/Escrow and one very fine signing service tonight.

I just gotta figure out what is wrong with my printers. I did purchase a maintenance kit for my 4250DTN on Amazon just now for $100 and some change. I'm in dire need of an IT expert. This is not my first suit.

So I came home to crawl into the down and hopefully sleep well into past 7am, then get up and do my invoicing and get ready to close a purchase loan at three.

More free time, but hard to maximize use of it when you're all over the place picking up and dropping documents between signings. Thank God I didn't have to print that many this week, because my HP1320 is a wimpy printer compared o 4250 and 4350.

Had birthday lunch with a friend of mine today who turned 53. I rarely get to have lunch with friends, but next week on Wednesday I'm doing it again. LIKING THIS.

 
 
Valuamerica paid the Kirkishs $30k
Posted by 101livescan at 9/26/2013 9:15:00 PM
Two weeks ago. Before they blow their whole wad, call or Text Jason to be paid what you are owed. If you need contact info pm me.

These two may have some shred of integrity to pay you before DA visits Amanda I her new digs.
 
 
Does any one have a Dell laser prrinter, which model? n/m
Posted by 101livescan at 9/25/2013 11:34:00 PM
 
 
Signing Stream called me for an LSI file $80 n/m
Posted by 101livescan at 9/25/2013 5:17:00 PM
 
 
Any one having problems with yahoo?
Posted by 101livescan at 9/25/2013 4:57:00 PM
Giving me fits. Just sent something to office mate to print. both lasers on the fritz...good grief, Charlie Brown? WTF
 
 
Notaryontherun/LA: Must have been a brain phart
Posted by 101livescan at 9/25/2013 8:01:00 AM
They are in my phone, I don't know why I thought they are one of the good guys. $25 to sign/notarize a Trust Certificate "very close to me" is like no offer at all.

My bad...the slow down in "volume" has caused me to relax a little too much. Gotta update my database in my head.

Thank you, Notaryontherun, for giving me something to remember you by. Oh, and SC says they don't pay any way, so the offer was actually for ZERO fee. Really, how do these schedulers keep a straight face any way?
 
 
Can I go to Wells Fargo Advisors & notarize Trust Cert $25?
Posted by 101livescan at 9/24/2013 5:53:00 PM
No way...unless I had nothing else to do, but it would be $50...what are people smoking?
 
 
One Signing Service wants to know
Posted by 101livescan at 9/24/2013 8:42:00 AM
if they should accept a "volume" account which means they would have to take a lower cut and so would the NSA's be willing to take a lower fee? WHAT? Volume for whom? Hope no one goes for that sales pitch. That is what VA is all about too. Their volumes are not our volumes.

We might night one or two, not 1000s like they do, so where's the percentage in this to us? There is none.

Hang tight.

 
 
Citibank is cutting 1000 jobs due to slowdown in refis
Posted by 101livescan at 9/24/2013 8:38:00 AM
Mostly in origination and mortgage default departments in Las Vegas and Irving, Texas.
 
 
There is often more than meets the eye
Posted by 101livescan at 9/21/2013 8:55:00 PM
Nationalnotaryink.com's owner has had some very devastating circumstances lately, which I'm sure are difficult to discuss with any one.

Maybe Tammy Haselhorst has shut down due to devastation of losing her friend of 25 years.........

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/03/missing-womans-friends-demand-police-talk-to-housemate/

and then finding her

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23625535/leann-annie-meyer-news-conference-anticipated-wheat-ridge
 
 
Let's not allow ourselves to be sitting ducks in this biz
Posted by 101livescan at 9/21/2013 9:12:00 AM
It seems now after all this spinning around for a year with slimy signing service in Lake Elsinore that Valuamerica does not vet it's vendors. Maybe they will from now on. No one knew of the owners' criminal background until very recently. Vetting of signing services by escrow companies other than the big boys like First American Title and the Fidelity affiliated companies is not standard operating procedure.

There is another service in Orange County, The Notary Biz, owned by Eric and Liz Zeek Hueg, that also has mostly one star ratings for more than a year, yet notaries keep working for them and keep not getting paid.

Liz and Eric (Eric may be on the east coast working for a mortgage broker company) have not paid notaries for over a year, take a look at the comments in SC.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS. Why isn't someone going to the Orange County District Attorney's office and filing complaints? Notaries can do this on line.

What happens when you call the escrow company to tell them you've not been paid for the closing? They tell you they paid The Notary Biz, right, only Liz forgot to pay you. It's time we took a direct approach to driving these people out of business. I know firsthand that Amanda and Jason Kirkish's name made a big splash in the legal department of Valuamerica, and any notaries who have not been paid should file complaints online with the Riverside County District Attorney's office. They are very interested in this company.

These are small time crooks, they aren't like the Cartel who are pursued by the FBI, DEA and CIA, but still, they are small time crooks, living on your hard earned money. Jason is now a California notary. Is this the craziest thing you've ever heard that someone who has stiffed so many notaries, can actually become a notary public????

Please take action, and I hope notaries coast to coast are reading this forum every day to make sure they don't work for these fraudsters. Of course, ANS is out of business. Valuamerica cut them off on July 10...no more moula for ANS. Done, kaput, off the chart. However, they still owe notaries in the area of $10,000. Meanwhile, the Kirkish's are living high on the hog on notaries' unpaid fees!
 
 
Use caution when receiving signing requests
Posted by 101livescan at 9/20/2013 7:13:00 AM
After a dry spell like we've had where the phone hasn't rung as much in July, August and most of September, it's easy to accept an order without really checking out the company to make sure they are legitimate and will actually pay for the signing in a reasonable time frame the entire fee agreed upon at acceptance.

ANS like so many before them, raking in the dough and not paying the notaries, it's an old game. Amanda learned everything she knew from DocPros, she had good teachers. Imagine her looking at the stack of envelopes that held notaries' checks that were not mailed until the notary called and bugged DocProcs for payment, weeks, months later.

ANS survived 10 months. Began in business in August 2012 in Wildomar, CA and closed it's doors in Lake Elsinore in July, 2013 sometime. Valuamerica cut ANS off on July 10. Right now the DA's office is trying to get its arms around just how much money has not been paid to notaries, and how much Valuamerica paid ANS during this period, without ever checking Amanda's (aka Manda Lou) background. The IRS and FTB will want to know what the actual earnings of this company were for tax purposes.

I'm just wondering why DocPros didn't check out Amanda's background. They've been in business for years, Corie Maue is good buddies with Michael Tafoya, Prez of Title365. Probably because her good friend recommended her to Corie, and Core was CLUELESS. Corie has many years experience in the escrow field. Wonder how she'd feel about being duped by Amanda.

Also can't wait to see what the Kiirkish's next crime spree will be. But it won't be notaries because we've been there done that with ANS and we're all the wiser.

Unfortunately, there are other companies out there just like ANS waiting to take advantage of the next notary by not paying them.

Just be careful when you're accepting orders that you carefully verify, quantify and are comfortable that you're working with a reputable company.

 
 
Monthend is picking up!
Posted by 101livescan at 9/20/2013 6:55:00 AM
Not anything like the first six months of this year, but I had five yesterday and six today already. We'll see how next week goes. Lots of purchases and sales, a few refi's that have been in the pipeline.
 
 
Tax Forms in Sellers' Packages Sue Harke and John Tennant?
Posted by 101livescan at 9/19/2013 10:03:00 PM
I'm doing a lot of seller's packages these days. When I get to CA State 530 form and the IRS form, the sellers' eyes generally glaze over and they are not prepared to complete these at the table. We fill out the top portion with their name, address and SSN, and the sale price, but the rest is like physics.

What should happen at the table, should they be calling their tax advisors for info to complete the form, or are these forms generally returned to escrow incomplete, but signed and dated by the seller at the bottom.

This is Goldgirl's question to me this evening, and this has always been a query for me too. Can you tell us what the best approach is, from your viewpoint as notaries and tax preparers?


TIA.
 
 
N3Notary Nationwide, Portland, OR
Posted by 101livescan at 9/18/2013 1:27:00 PM
Hi, Cheryl, we have a closing wondering if you can help us out. Are you available? Docs need to make FEDEX today...

Yes, I'm available but I can't work for you because your fees are too low for scope of work and you have a terrible reputation on NR.

THANKS SC/NR. Dodged a bullet.

 
 
ISS Notary
Posted by 101livescan at 9/17/2013 9:51:00 AM
Any one else get an email this morning from ISS Notary?

COMPENSATION
1.Independent Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for performing those tasks and duties related to the Scope of Work as follows: E-signing: $65; Car Loan/Title: $40; Immigration:$35; Deed: $35; Reverse Mortgage-In Office: $40; Reverse Mortgage-Out of Office: $85; Cash Purchase-In Office: $30; Cash Purchase-Out of Office: $40; Loan Purchase-In Office: $40; Loan Purchase-Out of Office: $85; Refinance-In Office: $40; Refinance-Out of Office: $85; Seller-In Office: $30; Seller-Out of Office: $40; Trip Fee: $35; Hospital Trip: $35; Affidavit: $35; Jail: $35; Individual POA: $35; Marriage/Divorce/Will: $35
2.Such compensation shall become due and payable to Independent Contractor upon receiving an invoice and shall be GUARANTEED paid according to the following schedule (100% upon receipt of payment.)
3.If the Independent Contractor must print documents related to the Scope Of Work delivered from the assigner of the signing, they will be compensated an extra $10
 
 
In response to message 484464, PegiT/MN
Posted by 101livescan at 9/15/2013 8:31:00 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiCilTzhXrA

You have to declare it, you can't just say it! Saying it doesn't make it happen.

 
 
Zombie Foreclosure Inventory
Posted by 101livescan at 9/15/2013 6:51:00 PM
Bear900, what do you make of this story from DS News? When will banks let loose of this shadow inventory, hence stimulating sales/purchases. Or perhaps the GOVT has said they need to wait for HARP3 to roll out.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

http://www.dsnews.com/articles/real-estate-professionals-must-battle-foreclosure-zombies-to-survive-2013-09-04
 
 
Today's Script for Screening signing companies
Posted by 101livescan at 9/15/2013 3:52:00 PM
Hello, yes, I'm available at such and such a time on such and such a day.

Do you promise to pay me? Really?
When do you pay? Will it be less than 45 biz days that I can expect payment?
Will you pay my full fee?
Where do I find you if you end up not paying me; what rock will you be hiding under?
Oh, I should have inquired, since you have requested my BCG from XYZ, do you or anyone on your staff have a criminal record? Can you send me your BCG, bond, biz license and your checking account information in case we have to go to Small Claims for me to collect my fee from your company. And who is your insurance carrier, do you have a valid DL, and what is your SSN?

Yes, you have a nice day too.

Just getting ready for Monday. Have I left anything out?
 
 
Message 484396 from DOCGIRL aka Amana Kirkish aka Mandy Lou
Posted by 101livescan at 9/13/2013 12:41:00 AM
Please read this message. If you are owed money from ANS, you do not have a prayer of collecting a dime of it. There are no company or personal assets, just bills, used vehicles, a rented single family home, no assets, all their money goes to PARTYING. There is no $$ to pay notaries!

ANS, get ready for a call from the FEDS and the Riverside County DA....do you really think you have any credibility on this board. You're messing with the wrong community. Hope you have a smart attorney who can help you out of this one.

Unbelievable! Incredible! Sad, and sick Money is their GOD! Mindless, and scary.
 
 
Every dark cloud has a silver lining...
Posted by 101livescan at 9/12/2013 6:00:00 PM
Two candidates for insurance licensing in the state of CA came to my office today for live scan fingerprinting required by the Department of Insurance. These two men worked at the Wells Fargo branch where I performed countless in branch refinance and purchase loan escrows. They are no longer employed there, this is their next gig.
 
 
PegiT/MN, think you're on to something w SCHEME TO DEFRAUD
Posted by 101livescan at 9/11/2013 9:54:00 PM
This is from the US Attorney's US Attorneys Criminal Resource Manual

NY, PA and FL have all enacted this in their criminal codes. Las Vegas has something too, I remember, since there is so much flim/flam business going on their. I know that if ANS operated in this fashion in SB, our own DA Joyce Dudley would be on ANS like a three piece suit.

> USAM > Title 9 > Criminal Resource Manual 944
prev | next | Criminal Resource Manual

944

Proof of Scheme and Artifice to Defraud

To sustain a conviction the government must prove the existence of a scheme; it is not required, however, to prove all details or all instances of allegedly illicit conduct. See, e.g., United States v. Stull, 743 F.2d 439, 442 n. 2 (6th Cir. 1984) ("It is well established that proof of every allegation is not required in order to convict; the government need only prove that the scheme to defraud existed."), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1062 (1985); United States v. Halbert, 640 F.2d 1000, 1008 (9th Cir. 1981) ("[T]he Government need not prove every misrepresentation charged conjunctively in the indictment."); United States v. Jordan, 626 F.2d 928, 930 (D.C. Cir. 1980) ("The Government is not required to prove the details of a scheme; it is, however, required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt . . . that the defendant . . . willfully and knowingly devised a scheme or artifice to defraud . . . .") (quoting with approval the trial court's instruction on § 1341); United States v. Amrep Corp., 560 F.2d 539, 546 (2d Cir. 1977) ("A scheme to defraud may consist of numerous elements, no particular one of which need be proved if there is sufficient overall proof that the scheme exists."), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1015 (1978); Anderson v. United States, 369 F.2d 11, 15 (8th Cir. 1966) (all instances of illicit conduct need not be proved to sustain a conviction), cert. denied, 386 U.S. 976 (1967).

"All that is required is that [the defendant has] knowingly and willingly participated in the scheme; she need not have performed every key act herself." United States v. Maxwell, 920 F.2d 1028, 1036 (D.C. Cir. 1990). The "evidence need only show that defendant was a 'knowing and active participant' in scheme to defraud and that scheme involved interstate wire communications." Id. (quoting United States v. Wiehoff, 748 F.2d 1158, 1161 (7th Cir. 1984)).

 
 
No Better Time...than now!
Posted by 101livescan at 9/10/2013 10:32:00 AM
Time to seize the moment, the day. Life is short. Be proactive. We have many challenges ahead.

There is a book about the first man who died in the 911 Tragedy, Danny Lewin. He is most known for making the internet faster, for the entire world! Danny was only 31 when he died at the hands of a terrorist on AA Flight 11, the first plane to hit the WTC tower no. one.

No Better Time tells of a young, driven mathematical genius who wrote a set of algorithms that would create a faster, better Internet. It’s the story of a beautiful friendship between a loud, irreverent student and his soft-spoken MIT professor, of a husband and father who spent years struggling to make ends meet only to become a billionaire almost overnight with the success of Akamai Technologies, the Internet content delivery network he cofounded with his mentor.

Danny Lewin’s brilliant but brief life is largely unknown because, until now, those closest to him have guarded their memories and quietly mourned their loss. For Lewin was almost certainly the first victim of 9/11, stabbed to death at age 31 while trying to overpower the terrorists who would eventually fly American Flight 11 into the World Trade Center. But ironically it was 9/11 that proved the ultimate test for Lewin’s vision—while phone communication failed and web traffic surged as never before, the critical news and government sites that relied on Akamai—and the technology pioneered by Danny Lewin—remained up and running.

Get the book today if you can. You can "KINDLE" it.
 
 
Bank of America Cuts/Closures
Posted by 101livescan at 9/10/2013 8:09:00 AM
B of A Said to Cut 2,100 Jobs as Mortgage Slump Shuts 16 Offices
By Bloomberg News

Bank of America will eliminate about 2,100 jobs and shutter 16 mortgage offices as rising interest rates weaken loan demand, said two people with direct knowledge of the plans.
 
 
Every minute 113 smartphones are stolen
Posted by 101livescan at 9/1/2013 7:09:00 PM
Today, a woman in Isla Vista, near UCSB lost her cellphone at knifepoint.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9214005

Philadelphia is the top ranking US city for high volume, it's rampant across the US. This is a great article. We take our safety and security for granted too often.

 
 
Coming soon...opportunities in Pandhandling Nationally
Posted by 101livescan at 8/31/2013 7:19:00 PM
I haven't been idle. Been doing a lot of research, interviewing on the job panhandlers, getting photos, all kinds of verifiable data.

Opportunities abound: No start up costs, sky is the limit, average earnings $50 a day, $30K a year tax free, pay is per hour, make your own hours, flexible dress code, no fax backs or edocs, and job relocation any time you feel like it. You're not tied to your desk, or leashed to your steering wheel. Lots of mobility!

Now, I would say this is a pretty hot niche market, no cell phone or other electronic/PC tools are required, no prior experience, and you can bring your kids, your dog, your husband, Grandma for heavens sake. The more the merrier.

The best part! You can work on your tan, Florida in the winter, most of CA year round. No dress code, in fact, the older and dirtier, the better. Having a back pack with a yoga pad and sleeping pad is a nice touch.

Get your story straight! Rehearse it and know it for best results. Must be able to elicit sympathy from donors in order to be profitable. There are certain tricks of the trade I'm learning about every day from skilled panhandlers.

The numbers of homeless people in all 50 states is astounding, over 100,000 in Utah alone. Many people lost homes, jobs and all their dignity after the housing bust, to foreclosure, bankruptcy, companies folding or relocating to another state.

Interviewing contributors to my guide for panhandling is arduous as their are so many people out there on the street to speak with. Not enough time/energy/resources!

 
 
Something to labor over
Posted by 101livescan at 8/30/2013 5:15:00 PM
In mid August, we tallied the number of companies by star ratings in Signing Central. I don't believe the numbers have changed very much by month end. To further analyze what we're dealing with:

There are
 
 
HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND! Be safe, enjoy!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/30/2013 10:00:00 AM
I hope you all have a great holiday weekend doing the things you enjoy most. I'm just about done with all my defensible fire clearance on all sides of this mountain, and am now enjoying the beautiful job performed by one of my neighbors over the past couple of weeks. Stay cool, supposed to be triple digits here. Will head to the ocean and find some shade with my laptop, working on my new HOW TO BECOME A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL PANHANDLER.

As I picked up some groceries last night, a man approached me for lose change, and I gave him an apple.

He expressed much gratitude.

 
 
We're all so distracted! Be aware!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/29/2013 9:37:00 AM
Recently, Belinda posted about a woman who turned up missing and found dead two weeks later. She had posted a flyer offering a reward for her lost dog. Here's the story. The lady was a Federal public defender, and I'm pretty sure she had some training in her career about self defense, etc. She became a victim herself.

We can't be too careful out there!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/sandra-coke-body-identified-missing-california-federal-investigator/story?id=19951469

 
 
For US Travelers out there looking for hotel accommodations
Posted by 101livescan at 8/27/2013 5:05:00 PM
Terminix published the worst 15 cities for bedbugs.

Now if we can think of a bedbug detection tool and permanent eradication, we can get over the lull in business. Could make us billionaires, I suspect.

http://www.keyt.com/news/cities-with-the-most-bedbugs/-/17671600/9705582/-/ahr9a0z/-/index.html
 
 
July 2013 Home Sales' Performance Strong in CA
Posted by 101livescan at 8/26/2013 12:18:00 PM
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/housing-market-gives-strong-performance-in-july-led-by-california-2013-08-23
 
 
Paper Terrorism!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/25/2013 11:57:00 AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/us/citizens-without-a-country-wage-battle-with-liens.html?hp&_r=1&
 
 
What it's like to work for Bank of America!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/25/2013 9:45:00 AM
http://gma.yahoo.com/bank-america-review-working-conditions-intern-death-141612244--abc-news-topstories.html

Well, I'd have a heck of a time staying up for 3 round the clock work schedules. I was down at 8pm and woke at 7am today...no way could I pull an all nighter.

So much for job security at ole BofA.
 
 
Accolades to Companies who Pay Stellar Performance Bonuses
Posted by 101livescan at 8/24/2013 10:00:00 AM
I received a check yesterday in the mail for June 2013 Performance Bonus.

More than the tangible amount of the check is the recognition and appreciation shown by this vendor to its top performing NSAs.

Awesome...wish there were more of these vendors on the planet! Thank you, Servicelink.
 
 
Thank you, NR Fulfillment! You Rock!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/24/2013 8:27:00 AM
Received my embosser insert and two new notary seals for next four years this week! Good to go.
 
 
Cost for Recording Notary Bond
Posted by 101livescan at 8/23/2013 9:22:00 AM
In Santa Barbara county, the cost to record four year bond has risen to $57.

I can remember when it was $8 in Ventura county in 1973.
 
 
The Director of RE Economics of Property Radar says:
Posted by 101livescan at 8/20/2013 9:09:00 PM
Despite the recent jump in mortgage interest rates, July 2013 sales were at their highest levels since July 2006. Numerous California real estate professionals told me the recent spike in mortgage interest rates encouraged a lot of undecided people to get their properties listed and sold while they still had the chance. Since the end of July, mortgage interest rates have drifted higher in response to the nearly 30-basis-point jump in the 10-year Treasury note. I suspect the recent mortgage interest rate increase will likely push more fence-sitters into the market, driving up August sales as well.

Longer-term, however, rising mortgage interest rates will eventually depress sales and push prices lower in six to eight months hence.

Another trend to watch is median prices. For only the second time since January 2012, California median home prices fell, suggesting that the rapid price increases we have seen over the past 18 months may take a breather as the housing market digests the impact of higher mortgage interest rates.

The decline in investor purchases since late last year also bears notice. While there has been broad-based concern over what would happen when the larger investors begin to exit the market, the jump in July sales suggests that there is enough pent-up demand from non-cash buyers who have been shut out of the marketplace to make up for the drop-off in investor activity.
 
 
Dub me The Change Agent!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/20/2013 9:01:00 PM
This is going to be my new title, because change is what it's all about. Seems that the housing market is already tightening in certain cities, LA, San Jose, San Diego, even Portland, OR. It will be an interesting rest of the year. The article was in USAToday that I picked up yesterday.

While at Home Depot today purchasing up a new Fiskar lopper (the Corona lopper dropped dead yesterday after 8 years of loyal service) for sculpting oak tree limbs, a multi colored, striped cloth hammock beckoned to me. I've never owned one, and it was on sale for $18. In my colors, green, red and cream.

From this hammock, I'll be contemplating my next six figure income enterprise. Wish me luck! Any and all suggestions are welcome.
 
 
NR is the best notary site on the planet!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/20/2013 10:20:00 AM
Let's face it! No other compares!

What we don't have on this site is FAQs. Maybe that's a consideration, and perhaps this group of frequent fliers on NR could harvest a list of FAQs for newbies, with a HOT button that says, NEW NOTARY? Start here!

Now as has been commented in an earlier thread, this all takes $$, web development time and manpower to set up. That may not be Harry's priority. Personally, I like that Harry is getting partner discounts for us with Hertz, TMobile, notary supplies and more to come hopefully. These are the real high value perks on this site.

How important is developing Newbie's Start Here? We all know that every NSA training site will suggest this and other sites for the new notary as resources. That is why there is a flood of newbie questions, and no research is being done on their own, but rather to post HELP NEEDED to get started in a new career path in a business they know zip about until they embarked on their NSA training.

Well, for me, I just skim the posts and read the ones that are pertinent to me and may affect how I conduct my business.

We're all learning constantly. Day to day, minute to minute. I don't engage in every conversation that is held around me, I couldn't possibly. Gotta just sift through lots of communication and media blasting that is nonstop and take only what is important to you.

JMHO. Have a great day everyone.
 
 
Hovercam is a pocket size mini scanner only $249
Posted by 101livescan at 8/20/2013 9:53:00 AM
Get a load of this little gem. It's on my Christmas wish list!






product_mini5_f_1362x1657

product_mini5_b_1789x2401

product_mini5_e_1166x1951

product_mini5_d_1134x2401

product_mini5_a_1699x1667

product_mini5_c_1558x1495



HoverCam Mini 5



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The world’s smallest document camera ideal as a portable scanning solution for people on the go. Mini 5's footprint takes up very little space on your desktop and is always available when you need it to scan, record a video or better explain a concept over the Internet. Not only is it much smaller than a traditional document camera or flatbed scanner, its powerful software allows you to do so much more.




Includes:Mini 5 Document Camera
Carrying Case
Positioning Bumper
Positioning Mat
4.3in USB 2.0 Cable
Velvet Pouch
Quick Start Guide
HoverCam Flex 3.0 Software

Web Conferencing
Document Scanning
Business Card Recognition
Receipt Recognition
All of the software is included
It's a high tech office that fits in your pocket.


http://www.thehovercam.com/products/mini-5



 
 
Amazing Grace...
Posted by 101livescan at 8/16/2013 3:47:00 PM
that was me this morning at my first signing. I don't know how I did it, I would have made you all PROUD.

I arrive at 10:45am, and soon two more notaries arrive at the branch. Turns out there are three packages with three different notaries assigned. The third one to arrive says "I'm on my lunch hour so I need to sign him up and get outta here." REALLY! The first one says, "I'm in no hurry, I can go third."

I go second, while I'm sitting there wondering how long the lunch hour notary will take, I'm listening to a bunch of small talk, ready to jump out of my chair and say, "please, don't chat the borrower up", but I remained calm, she took 20 minutes.

MY TURN: we go to another cubicle, my signing takes 11 minutes, no small talk, just point and sign, as the borrower says, I've done this 1000 times, don't explain anything to me. I'm on my lunch hour too.

I had the foresight to ask the LO, who was completely embarrassed at this event, if she had copies of borrower's Drivers License in her file, so we each were able to get this task completed even before sitting with the borrower.

Just thought I'd let you all know that sometimes, as perfect and on time as we all can be, sometimes snafus arise we absolutely have no control over, and this was one of them. Although underwriting was told to schedule all three of these with me, that's not what transpired, and the LO was hot!

By the way, notary no. 1 had to return to the borrower for signatures on the HUD and initials on one of the rider documents.

Of course, mine was perfect. I made it to my noon signing actually 15 minutes early. And my BP, well, it didn't go any where and I can't figure out why!

Hope the rest of the day is better than the way it began.

Just call me AMAZING GRACE! I can do it.
 
 
Recycling Laserjet Toner Cartridges
Posted by 101livescan at 8/14/2013 6:54:00 PM
I just signed up for $4 per cartridge recycling program with this company. This ship their labels to you and they will send a truck to come get the boxes.

I've got quite a collection since Staples will accept, but no give you $2 per cartridge any longer.

http://empties4cash.com/mc/SignUpThankYou.aspx
 
 
Work for the Biggest Stars! WORK FOR THE BEST!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/11/2013 9:35:00 AM
I'm nearing the beginning of the end of my notary career, I have a five year plan. My goal is to go out with a HUGE BANG! I will then become a full time rancher, living on the land, close to the earth, no more freeway hugging! late docs, no show, no sign borrowers! I'll miss it like heck!

So for the next five years of my notary career, I plan to work only for the best. 12 years ago when I first began doing this NSA work on a full time basis, I pretty much worked for any one who called me. I listed myself every where possible, and the phone rang nonstop every day.

However, I quickly learned not to work for DEADBEATS 101, as Les wrote yesterday. There were fewer of these DEADBEATS then, although companies like SOX lasted far too long before their ultimate demise. We still have Nations Direct and the remnants of FINAL LINK sucking the life out of notaries, tried and true to their lackluster business acumen.

So my motto is, WORK FOR ONLY THE BEST, and leave the rest to die on the vine, as they will over the next six months if we COLLECTIVELY refuse their paltry offers. WHY wait for slow pay, no pay results? I will love and cherish my work for the next five years and then happily step aside, and hope that others will carry the baton and help these DEADBEATS to their ultimate demise, sooner than later.

Happy Sunday everyone. Got a new washing machine, after two months without one, trying to get the sick one well, ultimately not doable, so far 10 full machine loads, the new GE works like a charm. Writing Maytag a letter because this Neptune was a piece of crappola. According to their ads, weren't they supposed to last a life time?

 
 
Two Easy Ways to Make Your PC Work Faster
Posted by 101livescan at 8/6/2013 12:02:00 PM
Found this great website this morning, HOW LIFE WORKS

http://www.howlifeworks.com/Article.aspx?Cat_URL=technology&AG_URL=faster_pc_v2&ag_id=333&wid=7363E87A-E27A-4833-AAFE-7D30EB8FEDC3&did=2759&cid=1005&si_id=2325&pubs_source=ca_test_hlw&pubs_campaign=20130806-333

 
 
VIVA LA FIESTA!
Posted by 101livescan at 8/2/2013 12:01:00 PM
This is one day of the year I avoid SB like the plague. When I was but a young thing, I looked forward to the Annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta with wild anticipation, but I can no longer do crowds of 10s of 1000s of people who descend on downtown SB. Every hotel room is occupied. It is great for the SB economy, there are many arrests for drunk in public and DUIs, spare me the confusion and inconvenience, thank you very much. I'm not alone.

I have one signing this afternoon on the fringe of town, thankfully. Quick and easy. Then nothing, so far, until Monday 8:30am, busy all day.

VIVA LA ME OWN LITTLE FIESTA IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEKEND. OLE!
 
 
25 cities with lowest unemployment figures
Posted by 101livescan at 8/2/2013 11:55:00 AM
Could be boom towns! Most are in the Midwest, especially Iowa. Brutal weather, however, and Nebraska (Warren Buffett's digs) run second.

http://www.keyt.com/news/money/-/17671998/20879810/-/10vq3xr/-/index.html

Heads up!

 
 
When to accept a low fee from SS (below $100)
Posted by 101livescan at 8/1/2013 5:40:00 PM
Borrower prints the docs,

Borrower comes to notary's office for the signing

Borrower figures out where to sign and initial independently everything that does not require a notarial instrument

Borrower faxes back the docs

Borrowers drops the doc at FedEx/UPS/Ontrac by same day or next day deadline

Based on per signature per notarization and $25 onsite facility charge, and $25 for oath administration.

Did I leave anything out?

 
 
FOMC issues warning
Posted by 101livescan at 8/1/2013 9:30:00 AM
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/fomc-votes-no-change-in-policy-with-mortgage-rate-warning-2013-07-31

Good news for our industry, hopefully.
 
 
MBA: Rates Stable, loan apps volume down
Posted by 101livescan at 7/31/2013 4:32:00 PM
Things are very picking up after a two week lull, sort of.

http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/dailybriefing/MBA-Application-Volume-Down-Rates-Stable-1037899-1.html?ET=nationalmortgage:e4447:457975a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ON_Bulletin_073113&site=default_on

 
 
Be Nice...or Else, What's in it for You~GREAT READ!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/31/2013 4:06:00 PM
Picked it up today at the Paul Mitchell Salon while getting haircut! Nice!
 
 
SOS my 11th Commission Renewal~NR ROCKS!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/31/2013 7:46:00 AM
I called the CA SOS yesterday to verify my renewal was in process. Yes, said the SOS technician, it will be mailed to you on August 1, 2013. My commission expires September 1, 2013. I took the CPS exam on February 13, 2013, and I'm glad I did because it did take 90 plus days to process, as they said it would and they don't act on it until 30 days before expiration of current commission.

I always hold my breath as one year I didn't hear they lost my passport photo until well into the process, only because I called them, then my commission for some strange reason didn't arrive for three weeks, then I sent to Tracy Shoemaker and that took 10 days to get to Iowa in the regular USPS. I was sweating beebees for days. But she made it happen on August 31. I got my seal and bond, etc. the very day before expiration of old commission.

NR ROCKS!
 
 
Courier Information a Major Component of Assignment
Posted by 101livescan at 7/30/2013 11:54:00 AM
I can't tell you how many times over the years I've received documents via email and there is no return airbill or account number included with which to return the signed package.

I am on the horn or emailing the scheduler immediately! If you don't have a way to return the package, the job is only half assigned. I'm filling out an airbill while I'm printing documents, inserting it or applying it directly to a FEDEX/UPS/ONTRAC envelope because I want to drop that puppy immediately! after the signing.

I keep a list of the "regular's" account numbers if they don't provide a preprinted airbill in the document package as a rule.

I think it's a key point of information in the assignment and can't be overlooked.
 
 
PNC Mort yesterday~failed to sign because no borrower @ home
Posted by 101livescan at 7/30/2013 11:47:00 AM
I get this order, telephone number does not work...loan officer does not answer my call for a better number, the scheduler at settlement agent couldn't provide a better number either. I print the docs, make borrowers' copies and travel to the client's home.

No one there! SURPRISE!

Turns out the telephone number was one digit off, the borrower didn't even know their docs were about to be ready for signing. Date sensitive, Mr. in PA, Mrs. in SB. Have to sign together, but only yesterday. How do you get to SB from PA in less than a day? You don't.

Turns out the LO isn't even employed at PNC any longer...another SURPRISE!

Lenders succeed in spite of themselves. Unbelievable.
 
 
Abuse in Assisted Care Living Facilities Nationally
Posted by 101livescan at 7/29/2013 8:38:00 AM
This is a very alarming article from Fiscal Times. For those of you who do GNW in these faciiities, please read this article.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/07/29/Abuse-and-Neglect-in-Assisted-Living-Facilities.aspx#page1

 
 
Think Postively
Posted by 101livescan at 7/28/2013 9:08:00 PM
Nice quote.

http://www.wittyprofiles.com/q/6704178

Only three more days of purchase and sale packages. Busy month end here. Caught someone's bug somewhere on Friday. Any one else get sore throat and cold, achy all over?
 
 
ALERT: Stay on your Toes, Fellow NSAs
Posted by 101livescan at 7/27/2013 2:44:00 PM
I got an email this morning from a notary in another state. One signing service who owes this notary for several signings...

"No one has answered phone for over 3 days. Sent message through her website and no response. She really is a horrible person. I think she owes so much money that there is no-way she will be able to pay it. I am trying to work with the States Governments to have them enact a law requiring all Signing Agencies to be bonded. If we need it they should need it. Enough of the crooks getting away with these scams."

Just be careful who you accept work from. If they don't have 4 or 5 stars, don't go there. Chances are their work is slow and these companies are eking out a living on your hard earned dollars before they close their doors for good.

 
 
Hot Tip! For those of you who wish to succeed in this biz!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/25/2013 8:52:00 AM
Yesterday trekking home from my last signing around 6:45pm, I received a call from a large closing agent we all know well regarding a survey rating me for my closing/signing services. I thanked the caller as we discussed his company's goals regarding customer care and delivery of services to their lender and lender's clients . I have benefitted over the last five years and experienced a pretty good track record with this vendor.

I just want to reiterate what has been said on this board over time and that is these companies read our forum on a regular basis, and how we "show" here is largely how they view us individually and collectively.

Have a great month end!
 
 
Home Sales Jump in June, Fastest Pace in Five Years
Posted by 101livescan at 7/25/2013 8:24:00 AM
Home Sales Jump 8.3 Percent in June, Fastest Pace in Five Years

Wed, 2013-07-24 12:38 — NationalMortgag...

House Money in Hands

Sales of newly built, single-family homes surged 8.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted, annual rate of 497,000 units in June, their fastest pace in the last five years, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau.

"New homebuyers are returning to the market in larger numbers as firming prices, shrinking inventories of homes for sale and improving local economies convince them that now is the time to make their move," said Rick Judson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. "Meanwhile, the very low supply of new homes on the market is indicative of the difficulty that builders are having in keeping up with demand due to availability issues with regard to materials, credit, labor and lots for development."

Three out of four regions saw solid gains in new-home sales activity in June, with the Northeast, South and West posting increases of 18.5 percent, 10.9 percent and 13.8 percent, respectively. The Midwest posted an 11.8 percent decline following an above-trend bump in activity in May.

The inventory of new homes for sale declined to 161,000 units in June, marking a razor-thin, 3.9-month supply at the current sales pace. The months' supply of homes for sale has not fallen below this level since March of 2004.

"The takeaway from this report is that the housing recovery is solidly on track and isn't going to be derailed by slightly higher mortgage rates," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "After years of fence-sitting, buyers are back and are ready to move forward with an investment in homeownership."

Looking ahead, he said he anticipates further, though more incremental gains in sales through the end of this year.
 
 
Wells Fargo and Citigroup announce hundreds of layoffs
Posted by 101livescan at 7/25/2013 8:21:00 AM
Here we go!

The High Cost of Profitable Quarters: Wells Fargo and Citi Announce Mortgage Division Layoffs

Wed, 2013-07-24 13:01 — Robert Ottone

Layoffs_07_24_13

Typically, when a company reports solid financial gains, that means that they aren’t doing badly, right? High revenue surely means that workers' jobs are safe, that business will continue, undaunted for at least another quarter. Unfortunately, in big business, this isn’t the case for companies like Wells Fargo and Citigroup, who both announced the layoff of hundreds of employees in their respective mortgage divisions.

"While business decisions such as these are always difficult, they are a necessary part of our strategy of remaining a competitive and strong player in the mortgage industry," wrote Mark Danahy, a Citi managing director and head of origination services in a company memo.

National Mortgage News highlights the fact that JPMorgan Chase stated that layoffs could potentially continue into the third and fourth quarters of 2013.

"We're just now starting to see layoffs," Keith May, a partner at Richey, May & Co., an accounting and consulting firm said. "It's a cyclical industry with these types of cycles that are boom or bust. When refinance volume disappears it creates a short-term problem that everyone has to work through to get back to normal levels. Refinances made up 70 percent of total volume last year so production volumes are going to be off significantly from 2012, and companies will be forced to start laying off staff.”

Citigroup posted an income of around $4 billion in revenue, an increase of over $1 billion from 2012. In fact, Citigroup’s numbers posted increases of around 42 percent when compared to their 2012 take. How an increase of 42 percent results in the firing of hundreds of employees is anyone’s guess, but all indications lead to mortgage refinances. Overall, refinances are expected to drop around 60 percent by next year, these layoffs are the first of many, should the refi market take a bigger hit by the beginning of Q3 2014.

Wells Fargo alone is laying off around 350 employees, though they service one-third of every single mortgage on the market. After their powerful second quarter, Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf stated, "Compared with the prior quarter, we grew loans, deposits, and net interest income, and both our efficiency ratio and credit quality improved, Wells Fargo again demonstrated an ability to grow during a dynamic economic and interest rate environment, and we feel very well positioned to continue to perform for our shareholders over the long-term.”

Both Citigroup and Wells Fargo point at mortgage rates remaining elevated as the primary reason for the layoffs. Both companies project mortgage revenue dropping 30 to 40 percent should rates remain around the current two-year high of 4.51 percent. "While rising interest rates will reduce housing demand, rates would have to increase considerably more before the reduction in demand for home purchases would be substantial across the country," said Frank Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac.


 
 
How many of you have lost your cell phone?
Posted by 101livescan at 7/24/2013 8:24:00 AM
I have, a long time ago. I left the courthouse and my cell phone was picked up by someone who called me at my office on my landline and told me they had it. I'm pretty well known at the courthouse, so someone there gave this lady my office no. a few blocks away. This was within 15 minutes of losing it. I returned to the courthouse and gave the young woman $20 for her being such a Good Samaritan. Losing your cell phone is like losing your wallet or handbag. Completely rattling! All our personal information is in that little handheld tool.

Found this article on Fiscal Times this morning...what to do if you lose your cell phone.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/07/24/Lost-Your-Cell-Phone-Heres-What-to-Do.aspx#page1



 
 
What Smartphone owners don't know about their Verizon bills
Posted by 101livescan at 7/18/2013 10:11:00 AM
Wow! I'm looking hard at my bills now that I have a little time on my hands...starting with Verizon.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/07/16/My-10-Victory-Over-Verizon-and-the-NSA.aspx#page1
 
 
How to Trace Phone Calls
Posted by 101livescan at 7/18/2013 8:28:00 AM
If someone calls you and hangs up, you're curious about who it was, you can trace it. I did not know this. There is a fee involved in doing this. I did not know about this until this morning, but then, I've been busy.


http://www.ehow.com/how_5815077_use-_57-trace-phone-call.html?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=test62&utm_campaign=electronics

 
 
What's historical about the current mortgage scenario
Posted by 101livescan at 7/17/2013 6:44:00 PM

With the sudden jump in mortgage rates, market spectators are wondering what the impact might be on the housing recovery.



After analyzing previous instances when mortgage rates increased significantly, Mark Palim, VP of Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, determined history suggests rate increases won’t stop the current recovery. Instead, a rapid rise in rates is “more likely to contribute to a decrease in home purchase volume and an increase in the market share of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs),” wrote Palim in a recent commentary.

Over a matter of nine weeks, Freddie Mac’s survey showed the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has spiked 116 basis points, rising from 3.35 percent in early May to 4.51 percent the week ending July 12.


Over the past 10 years, there have been two other instances when mortgage rates saw significant increases, according to Palim.

From October 1993 to December 1994, rates increased by 237 bps to 9.20 percent, and in October 1998 to May 2000, rates rose 180 bps to 8.51 percent, the commentary stated.

When rates rose from 1993 to 1994, existing home sales fell after increasing, though the impact on home prices was more subdued. Home price appreciation did in fact slow, but annual gains were still in positive territory.

The second time around from 1998 to 2000, the housing market reacted in a more “muted” way over the longer period of time. Home sales and home price appreciation “moved sideways” rather than reversing course, according to Palim. Meanwhile, the appetite for ARMs increased during both periods.

However, Palim does not expect this happen the market share for ARMs to increase substantially this time around.

“Given the limitations on ARMs under the recently promulgated Qualified Mortgage rule and the fact that rates on fixed-rate mortgages remain relatively low in historical terms, we may see a more muted increase in the ARM share of the market than in prior periods of rising rates,” he said.
 
 
Good morning, on a brighter note
Posted by 101livescan at 7/17/2013 7:20:00 AM

Record Number of Homeowners Seek Assistance
By Evan Nemeroff

So far this year, 619,263 homeowners who are at-risk of foreclosure have been assisted through the platform, which represents a 51% increase over the same time period a year ago.


Zillow: 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Drop 15 Basis Points
By Evan Nemeroff

Zillow Mortgage Marketplace said the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell 15 basis points from a week earlier and is currently 4.26%.

 
 
Relaxing HARP Rules?
Posted by 101livescan at 7/16/2013 9:50:00 PM
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/report-relaxing-harp-requirements-could-increase-refi-activity-substantially-2013-07-15

This report out just yesterday from DSNews. Could be interesting as there are still more people under water out there!


 
 
1st for me~went to jail yesterday to get interspousal deed
Posted by 101livescan at 7/12/2013 9:03:00 AM
signed. This was really cool, because the EO's father was SBPD bailiff and sheriff's deputy for 30 years. She was able to contact the supervisor of inmate visitation. I called and asked what was a good time to come, she said come ASAP, and I did. Had my journal, thumbprint, pen and documents for signing and my DL so they could run a check on me. No cell phone? Correct, in the car. The inmate was brought to one of the visitation rooms, and the supervisor herself took me back, I gave her my journal, etc., she carried it into the room. I picked up the phone and clarified who the inmate is by his ID wrist band with birthdate, photo and booking number, and explained the document he was about to sign. He signed the documents and my journal, left his thumbprint in my journal, and I was outta there in 5 minutes.

You know that this is not how this usually goes. Typically you wait, and wait, and wait and wait some more. Jail personnel is not inclined to do these incarcerated people any favors. I thanked the supervisor heartily for her expediting the visit and my tasks, and we spoke briefly about the overcrowded conditions, budget cutting impacts, and she could hardly wait for retirement. What will you do next (she's in her 40s), she said anything but this! And with nice people!

The wife's purchase of property without him in the equation will close in two weeks. We got a critical piece of business done before he is transferred to another facility upon pending arraignment and sentencing for who knows what.
 
 
SCAM ALERT~could happen anywhere USA!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/12/2013 8:47:00 AM
Scam Alert
updated: Jul 11, 2013, 12:20 PM


Source: Santa Barbara Police Department

The Santa Barbara Police Department is warning the public about a possible scam taking place in our area. Thus far this activity has targeted elderly Spanish speaking residents on the Eastside and North End, however all Santa Barbara residents should remain vigilant and are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the police.

In recent days the City of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department has received reports of a subject posing as a "water employee" and contacting elderly Spanish speaking residents on the city's Eastside and North End. The subject informs residents that he needs to enter their homes for the purpose of testing their water quality. According to the Public Works Department, no such activity is currently being performed by the city or other agencies involved with water distribution in our area.

This activity may be a ruse perpetrated by criminals for the purpose of casing residences to burglarize or to commit some other crime of opportunity. Residents should exercise caution before allowing strangers to enter their homes and are advised to report suspicious activity to the Santa Barbara Police Department by calling 9-1-1.

Please share this information with anyone that may be vulnerable to this type of scam.
 
 
Examining SC for SS ratings, I'm observing
Posted by 101livescan at 7/10/2013 8:33:00 AM
that the star rating system is flawed overall, unfortunately. So maybe not all four and five star rated companies really are that great to work for because they skew their own ratings. Meanwhile you read things like $75 for edocs and fax backs and no consideration given to the number of notarizations in the package. How is that a great company to work for? So right off the top, the SS is getting more than half the notary fee...maybe because the SS's overhead is so high since they are top heavy and ya gotta allow for those big salaries and company vehicles, right? So if a company has a bunch of one and two star comments among a bunch of 4 and 5 star comments, there is cause for pause and try to figure out if you want to take the risk of working for cheap and slow pay, or no pay. Hence, ratings really have to be examined on a case by case basis. All I know is that somehow I have managed to sift these companies out and only work for fair and square compensation. It's a learning process, and takes time to get in gear. I think new notaries are in for a huge learning curve to identify which are the best companies to work for.

So I have to amend yesterday's post about only working for four and five star companies, because these must be examined closely also. You've got posters saying they weren't paid for 90 days, and the fee was $75 for edocs and faxbacks. WOW! To me, these are not four and five star companies, really.

So how does one figure out which are the best companies to work for? It's a daily task. Researching, networking and developing a strong rapport with escrow/title and loan officers directly. It's just too easy to say yes when the phone rings, and to automatically say yes to companies that have no intention of appropriately and fairly compensating their notaries.




 
 
STAR RATING SYSTEM IN SC
Posted by 101livescan at 7/9/2013 6:50:00 PM
I love that you can sort all the companies in SC by stars. The 4 and 5 star companies are clear winners. They have been around long enough and they're earned their stellar ratings, just as the 1, 2 and 3 star rated companies. (Not all three star companies are risky, I might add.)

When a low, slow, non paying company calls me, I immediately know it because I've assigned a ringtone from the Dragnet series, and I disregard it. When it rings and I'm in a signing, my clients will often ask me, what is that ringtone for, and I tell them that is so that I don't waste my time speaking with clients who have no intention of treating notaries fairly, if they pay at all.

Really, companies do that? Yes, ma'am. Just the Facts ma'am!

I am proceeding very cautiously in the coming months and doing my due diligence, making sure I don't work for any new start up signing service that has no rating because the owner just took the XYZ seminar in Austin last month on how to start a signing service. Especially given that many companies will be dropping like flies due to the change in business these last
30 days since interest rates took a major hike. I'm hoping all of you new folks will too. You do not need the experience of not getting paid for your hard work.

I just love the $50 offers, don't you? Doesn't begin to pay for fixed expenses, nor for the number of notarizations you're performing. With many borrowers taking title in the name of their family trust, there is always the trust certificate, sometimes in duplicate, and the usual suspects: DOT, E&O, Occupancy Affidavit, Name/Signature Affidavits, ID Verification Affidavit, no to mention title affidavits...list goes on.

So how does $50 even begin to be fair, or $95 for that matter, and fax backs on top of a low fee? REALLY?

Well, what would happen if we all stood together and firmly, flat out refused to fill these orders?

Time is too precious, and if we're off doing this kind of BS work, we're missing the bigger opportunities.




 
 
? for BRAINIACS OUT THEREConverting PDF to Excel spreadsheet
Posted by 101livescan at 7/7/2013 5:28:00 PM
I came across a valuable marketing tool that is HUGE and I'd like to convert it from PDF to excel to be able to sort geographically.

Anyone out there know how to do that? Other than purchasing 3rd party conversion software? I will be eternally grateful.
 
 
Rising Business Expenses and New Taxes effective July 1!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/5/2013 8:49:00 AM
More reasons why NSA's shouldn't cave on signing fees. Gas went up, paper and toner are always on the increase, and there are more and more state, county, local and Federal taxes being levied on Americans as of July 1. The 10 worst states, well, Maryland is No. 1, Iowa, Vermont, New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconson, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and California is no. 3.

Internet sales are a big ticket item in most of these states.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2013/01/25/The-10-Worst-States-in-the-US-for-Taxes.aspx?index=10


 
 
Mortgage Rates Recede after Dramatic Surge
Posted by 101livescan at 7/4/2013 4:24:00 PM
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/mortgage-rates-recede-after-dramatic-jump-2013-07-03

Things looking a little better on interest rates. I'm signing a lot of buyer and seller packages, and refinance loans that have been in the pipeline for some time.

 
 
HAPPY FOURTH, EVERYONE!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/4/2013 8:08:00 AM
Hope you all can fire up the barbeque, have friends and family near, relax, watch the fireworks and celebrate our freedom! With all the governmental BS out there, there is after all much to revel in and be grateful for.

Lots cooler today Blessings and peace from California's Central Notary. Looking forward to a day off the beaten path.
 
 
Distraction while shopping? HIGH ALERT!
Posted by 101livescan at 7/3/2013 12:39:00 PM
While I was having dinner at my favorite Mediterranean restaurant after a long day, I couple came in and sat at the wine bar next to me. She was saying that her wallet had just been stolen at Von's while she was shopping, and she had just finished calling all her credit card companies to report these, as well as her checkbook, DL, medicare card and Health Insurance information. Meanwhile, whoever stole her handbag had quickly walked across the parking lot and purchased cash gift cards on one of her Visa cards. While the Von's market security cameras "purportedly" did not capture anyone taking her entire purse out of her grocery cart, the CVS security cameras did capture a young woman purchasing the gift cards of $300 each on this lady's VISA card.

This is the third story I've heard this month of wallets/handbags being stolen in grocery stores. This lady is 75 years old, had her list, and her husband was also shopping with her and neither of them observed her handbag being removed from the basket of the grocery cart. The thief probably stuffed the handbag into her clothing and cavalierly strolled out of the market right to CVS before these could be reported. There was little cash in the handbag.

So once again, folks, when I go shopping from now on, I am absolutely taking only the card or cash I intend to use and leave my handbag in my car hidden on the backseat floor. This seems to be an epidemic.

Please be careful! This is a serious and growing problem for those of us focused on doing the right thing. There are so many desperate, criminal minded people out there waiting to take advantage of those who are completely unaware of their intentions.
 
 
so much for that volume concept hey guys and gals. like many n/m
Posted by 101livescan at 7/1/2013 8:17:00 PM
 
 
Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated
Posted by 101livescan at 7/1/2013 8:09:00 AM
It's day three of the hottest weather which is setting new records. Early hot weather for extended period of time.

I've just got a few signings today, then I'm heading for the beach and a shade tree. 108 here for two days, three more days to go. Then we're supposed to cool down.

Drinking a tall mason jar of water with lemon juice and wishing I could wear shorts today with sandals but of course cannot. Everything is at title or borrower's business. In Santa Barbara we rarely need air so many people do not have it in their homes.

Still working on some of the loans that should have closed last week but did not or have prior to funding conditions, like subordination agreements. etc.
 
 
Mortgage rates jump on Fed announcement
Posted by 101livescan at 6/30/2013 9:55:00 AM
In layman's terms:


Mortgage rates increased in the week ending June 27 at the fastest pace since 1987, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac. The jump was primarily due to the latest announcement from the Federal Reserve pertaining to the reduction of the stimulus coming later this year.

According to Freddie Mac, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.46 percent in the week ending June 27, up from 3.93 percent on a week-over-week comparison and up from 3.66 percent on a year-over-year comparison. A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.50 percent, up from 3.04 percent a week ago and 2.94 percent a year ago. Despite that significant increases, Freddie Mac reports that there is still high affordability with current mortgage rates for the typical family in most parts of the country.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac said Treasury bond yields and mortgage rates jumped after the Fed announced on June 19 that it would likely reduce its bond purchases later this year and the stimulus would end by 2014.

"Higher mortgage rates may dampen some housing market activity but the effect will be muted by the high level of buyer affordability, and home sales should remain strong," Nothaft said. "For instance, existing home sales in May rose to its strongest pace since November 2009 and new home sales were the most seen since July 2008. In addition, the 12-month growth in the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index for April of 12.1 percent was the largest since April 2006."

Home price increases good for the market
The S&P/Case-Shiller report showed that the 10-City composite increased 11.6 percent on a year-over-year comparison while the 20-City composite jumped 12.1 percent during that same period of time. On month-over-month comparisons the 10-City increased 2.6 percent and the 20-City composite increased 2.5 percent, accounting for a record high monthly increase.

The report indicated that while some markets are faring better than others, the price increases have been broad, encouraging a nationwide recovery. Those buying a home should cover all the bases and ensure they have title insurance to protect from losses.

"The two Composites showed the largest year-over-year gains in seven years," said David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco posted year-over-year gains of over 20 percent in April. San Francisco was the highest at 23.9 percent. Phoenix posted 12 consecutive months of double-digit growth. Recent economic data on home sales and inventories confirm the housing recovery's strength."
 


Marlene Maxwell

Search in ZIP Code: 93111

I close commercial and residential loans, including reverse mortgages. I have signed over 1500 loans. I cover Santa Barbara county. I do e-signings. I have a laptop, air card and experience. I have been a NNA certified Loan Signing Agent since 2005. I have my California Real Estate Agent license since 2005. Sherry Dewane, Senior Relationship Manager from Wachovia Wealth Management, Los Angeles, CA says, Marlene you are the best, most professional notary I've ever used. I want to thank you for your professionalism and courtesy. I've used traveling notaries for years and I have never met such a professional notary. First, you caught a couple of signature lines that my office missed. Second, I had high profile clients, and you were completely professional with them and respected their privacy. You were on time, charged me exactly what you said you would charge. In short, I was completely impressed with your work
 This profile was last updated on 8/1/2013 3:31:00 PM.
 24 Hr Service: Yes
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Home Inspections: Yes


Santa Barbara Notary Public

Search in ZIP Code: 93160

Mobile Notary & Certified Notary Signing Agent services in Santa Barbara and surrounding areas.
 This profile was last updated on 8/12/2013 3:15:00 PM.
 24 Hr Service: Yes
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Home Inspections: Yes


Lorraine W. Pereverziev - A Mobile Notary

Search in ZIP Code: 93105

I am a Bilingual fully experienced Notary Public, having done signings since 1984. I am a Certified Senior Escrow Officer, Certified Signing Agent, and am GLBA Compliant through the National Notary Association. I am on Fidelity's and Chicago Title's, and First American's approved signer's list, as well as nearly every other title company's. Please feel free to contact me should you have questions or require further information.
 This profile was last updated on 8/20/2013 2:26:00 PM.
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Home Inspections: Yes
 Additional languages: Spanish


Colleen Dennis

Search in ZIP Code: 93109

I am a California Certified and Background Screened Signing Agent/Notary Public serving Santa Barbara County. I am also a registered process server and legal document assistant/paralegal.
 This profile was last updated on 10/19/2013 9:57:00 PM.
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Home Inspections: Yes


Brad Clements

Search in ZIP Code: 93101

Knowledgeable, Courteous, Efficient, Friendly I cover The greater Santa Barbara area, including Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpenteria, Summerland, and Montecito. Duel tray laser printers, Fax, Edocs, Flexible Hours. Back Round Checked, E&O, Bonded. I have worked with most major lenders and Title Companies Refi's, Purchase, investment, commercial, Heloc, FHA, Reverse Over 2,000 closings and counting Please... NO Loan Mods or Settlement calls.
 This profile was last updated on 12/30/2013 9:25:00 AM.
 24 Hr Service: Yes
 Has Laser Printer: Yes


Randy Langel

Search in ZIP Code: 93101

I've been a Notary Signing Agent for over 12 years with extensive experience in virtually all types of funding including purchases, refi's, sales, HELOCs, short sales, reverse mortgages, commercial transactions, etc. I also do e-signings. I've been Certified and Background-screened through the National Notary Association for as long as they've been providing those services. My schedule is flexible and can often take signings on short notice. Focus is always on the signer(s) and their needs. I bring patience and professionalism to every single signing and thrive on creating 'another satisfied customer'.
 This profile was last updated on 11/6/2013 4:18:00 PM.
 Has Laser Printer: Yes


Lisa Morrill

Search in ZIP Code: 93106

I am available for notarization services using California Jurats and Acknowledgments at $10 per signature. Please send me a message and I will be in touch with you at my soonest availability. Thank you.
 This profile was last updated on 7/25/2013 6:54:00 PM.


Jasmine Gaytan

Search in ZIP Code: 93101

My name is Jasmine Gaytan. I am a Bi-Lingual (Spanish/English) Certified Loan Signing Agent. I offer a professional service based on extensive training and over 15 years experience in confidential client services. Check out my website to see a list of my qualifications contact me for all your notary needs. Serving the Tri-Counties San Luis Obispo,Santa Barbara and Ventura.
 This profile was last updated on 7/18/2013 4:41:00 PM.
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Additional languages: Spanish


Ligia Cocolo

Search in ZIP Code: 93110

former Real Estate agent for 9 years in L.A. - NNA mobile certified agent with Background - Screened Notary signing agent certificate. foreign languages : Spanish - Italian
 This profile was last updated on 11/20/2013 6:34:00 PM.
 Does Fingerprinting: Yes
 Has Laser Printer: Yes
 Additional languages: Spanish



 
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