Posted by Elizabeth_CA on 7/13/04 8:52pm
Msg #4359

fees for no experience

I'm just starting out in the Sacramento area of Northern California and would like to know if the following fees, etc. are reasonable. I'm trying to set up my profile with Notary Rotary. And I have searched the past messages and don't know the location of some of the authors.

Standard fee - $50
Standard drive - 20 miles
Cost/mile extra - $1.25
Edocs charge - $50
Copy cost/pkg - included in Edocs charge
Fax back cost - $2.00/page

Thanks in advance.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 9:04pm
Msg #4360

Those are excellent for starting out. BUT - don't charge for faxbacks unless there are a lot of pages to fax back, and then I wouldn't charge $2 per page. Mostly fax backs are a courtesy (even though they can be a PITA)

Oh - and I would put edocs charge (includes borrowers copies) $50

Then if you ever have to make another copy of the package for any reason (one title company does require after the signing you make a complete copy of the signed package and send one set to them and one set to the lender) then you can add a $25 charge for those copies.

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 7/13/04 10:37pm
Msg #4361

Thanks Sylvia - that was very helpful.

Does this matter in my pricing - I have no signing experience but I was a realtor and am familiar with some of the loan documents. Also, I took a Certified Loan Signing Specialist Course offered by the California School of Notary Public making me a Certified Loan Signer.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 10:53pm
Msg #4362

Your fees are in line with what other "newbies" are charging - even some experienced ones.
I would keep those fees for about 6 months to a year, and then give yourself a raise, when you will have had more experience with loan signings. Plus more experience with notary work.
We are Notaries Public first and Loan Signing Agents second.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but there are a lot of Certified Signing Agents out there, that have little experience with loan signings, they took a course, took a test and became certified. But they are making mistakes! (We are all human and prone to making mistakes), so just being certified doesn't mean a whole lot really. In 4 years I have never been asked if I was Certified, it isn't high on the list of questions that companies ask.

Experience is what counts. Some companies are only using signing agents with 2 years experience.

Just stick with those fees until you have more experience.

I don;t know where in CA you are, but there are get togethers for CA signing agents - I know there is a North get together and a South get together. If you tell me where you are maybe I can get you more details on the appropriate get together. They seem to be well attended and those that attend say they are enjoyable and very worth while.

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 7/13/04 11:28pm
Msg #4363

Thanks Sylvia for your input.

I live in Elk Grove, near Sacramento in Northern California, approximately 120 miles east of San Francisco.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 11:45pm
Msg #4366

Elizabeth
E-mail me at [e-mail address] and I will put you in touch with one of the ladies who organize the North Cal luncheons, so she can fill you in and let you knowwhen the next one is.

(I am heading for bed now, it is after 12:30 here on the East coast, so need to get some sleep) But e-mail me and I will take care of it in the morning.

Reply by derf4me on 7/14/04 5:52pm
Msg #4418

In case you are reading this for the first time, Sylvia meant [e-mail address]. :-)

Thanks Sylvia!!!

Reply by Christie Costello on 7/14/04 1:04am
Msg #4368

Sylvia,

If you don't mind, I would love to get info on get-togethers for So Cal NSA's. If you do not want to post it here, please email me at [e-mail address].

Thanks in advance!

Reply by calipat on 7/14/04 2:00am
Msg #4370

I would also like info on SoCal's NSA get togethers...email at [e-mail address]. Or post on board. Thanks

Reply by Anonymous on 7/14/04 6:14am
Msg #4375

Sylvia- I was just reviewing yesterdays discussion board- you said there are CA area get togethers on both sides of the continent- I'm a new Notary here in North Florida and sure would appreciate this info. also.( E-mail [e-mail address].) And Sylvia since joining Rotary Notary- about a month ago- I have read these discussion boards- and you and many other wonderful agents, are simply great- its like being one student and having many mentors -providing so much helpful education- and really some very humorous bits and pieces as well.(referring to the Texas chatter a day or so ago) A heartfelt " Thankyou " to every one that inputs into this Discussion Board)

Reply by Sandra from Orlando, Fl on 7/14/04 5:29pm
Msg #4412

Hi everyone, I was reading these posts, I am also a new signing agent and I would also like to learn more about the get togethers in this side of the states. Thank you for the information about the fees.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/14/04 5:44pm
Msg #4416

Sandra
Please e-mail me. Paul (PAW Notary services) and myself try and arrange get togethers here.
E-mail me and we can keep you in the loop when we arrange the next one. We did try for Bok towers a couple of months ago, but it fell through. The last one we had was at a winery

E-mail me
[e-mail address]

(Make sure you use bellsouth.net and not bellsouth.com)

Reply by Stephanie/CA on 7/14/04 5:51pm
Msg #4417

Re: fees for no experience - Syliva

Hi
Although I do attend the luncheon/workshops in Northern CA, I think it would be quite the experience to attend one with you and Paul. I would almost be willing to travel to FL to attend your luncheon/workshop.

Both of you are so knowledgeable in this industry, I would love to spend some time with both of you.

Stephanie

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/14/04 7:37pm
Msg #4426

Re: fees for no experience - Syliva

Stephanie
You would be most welcome

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/14/04 7:21am
Msg #4376

Get togethers

Those that need info on the get-togethers, please e-mail me
[e-mail address]

The reason I am not posting the info to the board is I don't want to give the e-mail addresses of the organizers without without their express permission. I am sure they won't mind, but I would feel more comfortable if you e-mailed me.

"Anonymous" on the get togethers in Florida, e-mail me. Paul (PAW notary) and myself arrange some of the get togethers here and I can keep you on the "loop" when we have another one.

Reply by Cynthia on 7/14/04 4:45pm
Msg #4407

Sylvia,
Could you forward the info for the So Calif. meetups? How can I find out the where and when?

Reply by RoadRunner on 7/14/04 6:06am
Msg #4374

Hi Elizabeth,

I think you are well prepared than others (like me) just start out. I work mainly with first time buyers when I did real estate. Most of my clients let me deal directly with the lender (loan officer) for them because I can knock some $ off the fees for referal, and I never missed a closing. Thats all the experience I have.

Good luck

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 7/14/04 10:31am
Msg #4379

Hi Roadrunner,
Thanks for responding. You're lucky you got your foot in the door - I'm still knocking on the door. I contacted the loan officer who refinanced my home but she hasn't returned my call. I have a day job so it's kinda hard to market after work when title companies and banks are closed. I will have to take a couple of days off and market myself to these companies. Eventually, I want to work directly with title companies and lending institutions. Actually, I'm thinking of becoming a loan officer. It seems like an exciting job and I love playing with numbers.

Have a great day.