I agree Jan. I just took a quick look at my records for this year so far. Excluding GNW and any assignments with extras (like RM signings, 2nd pkg, etc.), and even with how slow business has been, I'd need more than one hand to count files that paid $150 and above - and most of them were above. These were all from out of state title companies or attorney offices that handle closings. And going back just one month, I saw 4 or 5 signings at $200, at least one from an out of state company. This, of course, is just a portion of my business, but these are modest numbers. I know others are doing much better than this - in this current market! Point being, like Jan said, "they are out there"...
Having said that, some of it may be because of higher cost of living here. Also, I AM seeing signs again that even some good signing services are starting to compete for title co business on price. Trying to maintain a decent fee level is always a tough call when the industry is in a downward cycle and may involve a delicate balancing act. But I feel it's very important for us to maintain some perspective when we're being bombarded (mostly from clients wanting us to work for less...) by various voices that keep telling us what the "going rate" is these days...
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