Posted by maureen on 6/21/04 5:30pm
Msg #3300

considering signing agents as a new career

I am just considering becoming a signing agent and I am not sure what
my first step would be. I am interested in any advice you have the time
to give.

Reply by sa on 6/22/04 5:45pm
Msg #3349

we hope you don't do it

Sorry to be negative, Maureen, but the National Notary Association has trained so many signing agents that there is hardly a county in the US that has enough work for the notaries already there.

My county only has around 6 notary signing agents and there is not enough work to go around.

Please don't take it personally. Your idea of becoming a NSA is similar to someone asking for advice on opening a coffee shop in downtown Seattle where there is already a coffee shop (or two or three) on every corner.

Reply by AnoninNJ on 6/22/04 7:06pm
Msg #3359

Re: we hope you don't do it

sa,
What are you saying? Are you suggesting that there are too many signing agents? If so, what evidence do you have to support that? I'm just curious.

Reply by sa on 6/22/04 8:50pm
Msg #3361

Yep, there are way too many signing agents

There are several ways you can verify that your area already has more NSAs than it can use:

*Look at how many NSAs are within 15 miles of your zip code in the databases of the National Notary Association (www.SigningAgent.com) and 123notary. In some metropolitan areas there are hundreds of certified NSAs within a 5 mile radius.

*Visit your local title company and lender offices. Ask if they use outside notaries for their loan signings. If they say yes, ask if they would hire YOU once you have the training, certification, and a year of experience. Almost all will tell you that they have a pool of notaries already that they adore and are very loyal to. Veteran NSAs have earned that loyalty through lots of hard work.

*Find some local NSAs and ask them how busy they are. I marketed myself hard for a long time to become THE first-called notary in my rural area (1 hour driving radius) and yet I only get around $2,000 a month in work. The top title companies nationwide love me and pay me a good amount per job. There just isn't enough work here even though there are only around a dozen NSAs in my area. I could probably get another $300 a month if I said yes to all the $50 SS calls I get. And yes, I am available seven days a week.

I have 2 good NSA friends in New Jersey. They work very hard and have tons of education and experience. It took each of them time and hard work to get to a full-time income. Each has a BA degree from a tough college plus a background in business management work. One friend covers ALL of NJ. The other covers half of it.

I have heard from other new NSAs in NJ that they register with 100+ signing services and still only get a few calls a month. I have spoken with a few of these ladies and they are nice, smart people.

My NJ friends tell me the NJ title companies do NOT give out work to outside NSAs. Just like my area. My friends hate the NJ title companies for this reason. When title companies do not give work to notaries that means we are cut out of the purchase market. We can only serve the refinance market.

Sorry for the bad news, but it is better to hear how hard it is to make it BEFORE committing yourself to spending significant time and money on training and equipment.

Reply by sa on 6/22/04 8:56pm
Msg #3362

400+ NSAs in New Jersey

I just checked the National Notary Assoc database. There are over 400 NSAs in New Jersey. Over 2/3 are certified by the NNA.

Reply by Newbee on 6/22/04 7:10pm
Msg #3360

I just became a signing agent 2 weeks ago. Don't get me wrong I had to go through about a 3 month process to become one. First I took the NNA's Ace the Notary Exam course. Then, I took the test, passed, and went through the whole process of becoming commissioned in my state. It took about 3 months from when I started. During the waiting period I took their Notary Signing Agent course. I also took their test to become a Certified Notary Signing Agent. I thought it was a good idea since I have no experience and I could kind of use that certification to get started.

I believe that if you have the enthusiasm and desire to go out there and market yourself that you can become successful. Also, you can't give up hope when you are turned down. You just have to dust yourself off and keep going.

I just went out today to a couple of places around my neighborhood and even though some of them didn't have a need for Signing Agents they would refer me to people who would and even told me to give their name.

Reply by Stephanie on 6/22/04 11:22pm
Msg #3367

Great attitude Newbee.
Good luck with your new endeavor - develop a good reputation for yourself.
With each signing give over 100%.
Be patient though - it takes time to build a business in this industry.
Hang in there.

Reply by Newbee on 6/22/04 11:58pm
Msg #3372

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I read sa's reply and I felt so sad. I'm in California and I know that Notaries are a dime a dozen but after 2 bad experiences with NSA's with my loans (one not checking to see if our name was spelled correctly therefore making us correct and initial every page that had our name spelled incorrectly, then the lender made him come back with a fresh set of loan documents and we had to sign them all over again the second one was the notary who showed up announced 28 hours late to our signing appointment and blamed everyone but himself) I thought I just might have something to offer and that would be good customer service.

Thanks again! You made my day. Ü

Reply by Stephanie on 6/23/04 11:37pm
Msg #3442

I'm in California as well; while many cities in Californa are saturated with Signing Agents, do not be discouraged.
I believe if you develop your reputation as a Signing Agent with integrity and consideration for all involved, being etremely meticulous with details, you may shine and receive assignments.
As you explained with the bad experiences you had,notall Signing Agents take pride in their work. So, do not be discouraged by what others may say, or each Signing Agent helped in causing over-saturation.

Reply by Roger/OH on 6/23/04 11:47am
Msg #3396

For Maureen & Newbee

As noted, part of the equation is how saturated your area may already be
with signing agents, as NNA keeps cranking them out with misleading ads
on making big money with no experience. I would say NNA recruits SAs, but from the errors I read about on the boards, would not say they necessarily train them well. Another factor is your commitment to marketing yourself to the many companies you'll find listed on sites like this, GoMobileNotary.com, 50statenotary.com, and others. Newbee, certification can come in handy later on, but without experience in all the various nuances and types of signing situations, the certification by itself is not worth a hill of beans. I'm a strong advocate that SAs should not be permitted to take a certification test until they have a minimum of 25 signings under their belt. Your enthusiasm is commendable though, and hang in there. See my comments on the "Full Time Notary work" thread a few pages down for some more SA realities. Would also suggest looking into membership in The Signing Registry, once you have the 12 signings they require for membership. A very professional group of SAs, a respected certification program, large company list, and they'll even hook you up with a mentor. Finally, remember you are a NOTARY first, and that responsibility
as a public official of your state supersedes ANYTHING you may ever be asked to do as a signing agent.

Reply by Maureen on 6/23/04 7:24pm
Msg #3415

Re: For Maureen & Newbee

Reply by maureen on 6/23/04 7:29pm
Msg #3416

Thank you

Thank you all for your very informative advice. It looks like I have alot of
researching to do before I make any decisions. Thanks again

Reply by LSA Realty Solutions on 12/16/06 8:33pm
Msg #166358

Thank you for your enthusiasm and encouragement. I am a new SA and anxious to receive my first assignment. I am confident that this endeavor will be worthwhile. New Jersey is saturated, this is true but I feel that with proper marketing it could definitely work. Good Luck to all who are new and to those who are making it work!

D in New Jersey