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Posted by Anonymous on 8/29/05 10:37am
Msg #62390

Trying to become signing agent in FL, need HELP!!!

I am trying to make signing my only income to get me through college by way of home-based office, but I have no idea where to start. I heard about doing this through a coworker at my old job and she loved it, but I don't have any way to contact her anymore. I have tried to research as much as I could online and in various books and articles, but the basic facts are spread few and far between. I have taken my notary test online and sent it out to a bonding agency, I should be recieving it within a few days, if not today, but I dont' know what the next steps are. I really would appreciate any help w/ Prices,how to get your name out there, what I need to do, etc. !
Thanks very much,
KristinFL

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/29/05 10:51am
Msg #62399

Kristin
Where in Florida are you located?
Be aware that Florida is saturated with signing agents, some areas more than others - especially over on the west coast (I am on the east coast - and it is saturated in some areas here),
I doubt you will be able to make signings your only income.

But before you even think about doing signings you should seriously consider doing some regular notarizations first and becoming really familiar with Florida notary laws. The governors manual is an excellent reference.
When did you send your test "certificate" into the bonding agency? It does take a while to get the actual commission? I think it took a couple of months for mine to come through - although that was several years ago. But it also took a couple of months for me to get my renewal, luckily I sent in the application a few months before my last commission expired. The delay is probably due to the number of applicants for notary commissions.

You will also need to make yourself familiar with the various loan documents you will be handling. And although Florida does not require E&O insurance, I strongly suggest you purchase the maximum you can get. You will be bonded, but the bond only protects the general public. If you make a mistake that results in your bond being paid out, then you will have to repay the amount of the bond back to the bond company, plus you could also be sued by the "victim".
This is not something to be entered in lightly.

If you click on the link to my profile, my contact information is there, and I will be happy to speak with you and answer any questions I can.

Reply by FLKristin on 8/29/05 12:11pm
Msg #62434

Thanks so much for responding. After I posted this I read all the comments about the new people, yikes! I don't want to get rich quick or get there easy, I just needed some advice from some real people. I sent my paperwork out a little over a week ago, but I paid for the rush delivery. I used the website that was recommended by my coworker and she got hers in about 10 days, so hopefully I'll have the same luck. I also did get the E&O insurance, I believe it was $30,000 dollars worth. I am in the Orlando area, so I will probably have alot of the saturation problems that I've heard about, I am just hoping that because of so much growth in this area at the same time, it won't be too saturated to get any work. I am entering into it knowing that I'm not going to get rich doing this, I just want to have some kind of part-time income while I get through school. What do you think? Am I being realistic in my thinking or no?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/29/05 12:34pm
Msg #62438

Orlando is one of the saturated areas.
The problem is with the saturatation, the "refi boom" is about over, (sure, people are still going to refi, but not as many as when the interest rates were lower), so there is not really as much work as there used to be. And companies call their "favourite" signing agents first.
In Orlando there are at least 150 signing agents, and at least 550 covering Orange county.
So that should give you an idea of the saturation.

Reply by CinSignsNY on 8/29/05 10:52am
Msg #62400

Have you used the orange search button at the top of the page? Use a few key words, such as Florida, fees, signing agent, etc. Also read msg #33325 and the threads following it (using the orange search button). You could also, go to the top and push the first button and read all of the messages to present. Good luck, happy reading/researching!!!

Reply by Barry Silver on 8/29/05 11:32am
Msg #62422

Please feel free to click on my link, and I will be happy to assist you as well. Sylvia has given you excellent advice here. Please make your knowledge second to none to increase your success.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/29/05 1:52pm
Msg #62459

Barry:
How did you set up the fingerprinting service?? where can I go to find more information about it?
TIA

Reply by Barry Silver on 8/30/05 5:57pm
Msg #62692

www.integritynotary.com