Posted by TitleGalCA on 11/2/06 11:24pm
Msg #156985

Downturn of the market in my small county

The word is out....layoffs are to come. I hate this part of my business - young single mothers with no seniority losing their jobs; those that don't arrive at 6:30 am and work until 6 pm fearful, and those old faithfuls that are quite sure they aren't at risk...but are they?

It's a very scary time. Now that I'm in this county (and not in the subdivision saturated areas of south Souther California that was my home for 20 years) I'm looking around and seeing fright. I'm not used to that - fright. I've not experienced this before, as I have nothing to do with the resale/refi aspect of my business, but am an expert in subdivision. This county is new to booming subdivision and I was happy to help them get off the ground in that regard.

Now that I watch the resale/refi aspect of a title company go through the fear of down sizing, it is no fun at all. Subdivision is also not entirely safe but as most of our department staff are specialists...it would be unwise to cut corners in expertise and specialties as inevitably, the market will once again turn.

I know you (notaries) all have your primary interest in resale/refi, and so probably can't appreciate my feelings. The TC is ruthless and harsh when it comes to those employees. For all of you that have beefs with them for procedure, late docs, non-communication....etc? Count those as the good times. They were busy and so were you, and even with all the lack of perfection - you were all working. Look back and don't be so quick to slam the TC for minor imperfections, even tho they made your job a bit more difficult. It made you better as notaries.

I hope you remain busy, even though your TC friends *might* be let go. It affects you as well as the TC. Let's all agree to cut the petty sh*t and hang together to get through the rough times? Far more productive, and let's face it....the hard times are when the true friendships and alliances are born, forged with difficulty. Seems that those relationships born of difficulty and survival make the best partners, don't you agree?

Don't go away, but market yourselves. And for those who have contacts? Better stay close. It can all change in an instant.

Reply by Ndwa on 11/2/06 11:41pm
Msg #156989

Just when you thought you it made where every single EO of an escrow office will call you for every signing available, then only to found they were all replaced overnight. Just when an EO you knew was mentioned here in appreciation for helping a notary collect from a deadbeat get fired for few days later for sticking her nose in someone else business.

EO/TC are your friends. They will remember you where ever they go.

Keep the chin up and don't "drop that smile", TG.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 11/3/06 12:56am
Msg #156994

Aaaaw....Andy

They truly are your friends. I have so many EO gals that I play Bunko with, gossip with, eat lunch with...and their notaries? They are FIERCE about them....."I will only let Jane Doe do my signings, she is the best and no mistakes"!

Because of that, I just sort of have to laugh at the NNA newsletter headline yesterday..."TITLE COMPANIES MAKE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!" After pouring over the newsletter I just have to ask....Uh...where was the "OFFICIAL" announcement? I guess it missed the actual press date on that newsletter.

Did anyone else find where the "OFFICIAL" consensus of all those title companies was? Just curious. I did search high and low.

Local companies use their favorite notaries! So...local notaries...take heart. The big machine won't gobble up everyone.

So sweet of you to mention the smile-dropping....seems all week I was so aware of the condition of my Mug, ever where I went. That smile is so important, isn't it? Too bad I'm just now realizing it, as a result of a comment by a 18 yr old in line at Rite Aid. That, for me, was a very special moment in my old age, and working on changing that.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/3/06 9:15am
Msg #157015

Business Ups and Downs

I'm sorry to hear about the problems within your part of this industry TC, I know what's it's like to look at others and "hope it's not them" as well as hoping it's not you either. Makes for a great deal of conflict within your heart. I came to this job from the automotive industry and as Renee can tell you there are lots of things happening in her state tied directly to the high cost of oil and the Big 3 shutting things down. This directly effects the mortgage industry because without income thousands are losing their homes. Banks are in the business of selling, not becoming a "landlord". We never tie another's downsizing to ourselves until the wolf is at the door but it's a huge game of dominoes and no one remains untouched. At the risk of sounding political, the more jobs that are exported, the less capital remains here at home. I used to think it would never happen to me, "used to" being the buzz words. This is one of the reasons so many of our children have elected to "move back home with Mom and Dad" because they didn't think it would happen to them either. Things are changing on the home front and IMHO no industry, no job is safe today. The American Dream is slowly disappearing.

Reply by Poppy on 11/3/06 9:56am
Msg #157029

Keep your spirits up TG... I guess we all have a story or

two to tell about job loss... No matter how you wrap it up it still stinks... My husband was in the trucking industry for over 20 years and lost his business because of outsourcing... He was so depressed he literal stayed on the couch for six months. It was awful to see him like that.
I'll be thinking about and praying for you and your co-workers... Best Wishes! LaRay