Posted by Storm on 8/18/05 1:13pm
Msg #59920

Notary Signing Agent- realistic view

Hello all. I am currently considering becoming a NSA to supplement my families income. I have questions and am hoping to receive some great answers here. First I'd like to say that I believe there is always more to something than meets the eye and would like to know if it's really as easy as I hear to learn what needs to be known to become an NSA. I know there is lots of training material on the net available, but what I'm wondering is once one gets out there and is face to face with the actual work what can one expect versus what one might be led to believe it will be like from book learning?

I know different areas of the country will affect the amount of business an NSA can expect to obtain, but using an average figure, just how much work can one actually expect? Is the work steady? What about the pay, I'm sure it varies also, but compared to other part time work is NSA pay considered good? Average? Excellent?

I am prepared to study for as long as it takes to learn what needs to be known, but what I'm wondering is what is considered average length of time to study for something like this? I've been led to believe it should take about 1-3 months. Does this sound about right? Are there other avenues of study other than what's offered online?

Do new NSA's have a harder time getting work? Are there ways to promote yourself and your business other than things like NNA membership listings and such?

Sorry to be throwing so many questions out there, but I'd really like to get a realistic view on this career field. For any long time NSA's, would you be willing to tell your story of what it was like for you when you first started out? Any things that you can share such as, if I had known then what I know now type of situations?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing from you!
Storm

Reply by Peg on 8/18/05 1:25pm
Msg #59925

Hi Storm,

Some things they didnt tell me and maybe still wont tell you. I found that a reliable CAR, Printer, Cell Phone and (babysitter at a moments notice) are handy! almost a requirement on all of these. oh ya and a fax machine and a good internet connection.

other stuff i learned. You have to put yourself out there. like any business it wont come knockin on your door. (maybe a little but not a lot!)

Most signings are at night, i get about two or three a week during the day.

Most Singings are last minute (now you have to define last minute for yourself) Last minute for me is less than 1 days notice. I would prefer to know ahead of time but most of the time I get calls that say .. hmm can you do one in two hours?

In respect to your Printer (it helps to have one that has two trays, no paper swapping that way, however when I first started I did not do e-docs, everything was via ups to me and back again.

There is so very much to learn and most of it I obtained by doing. ( i learn best that way anyway) if there is anything else I can help you out with, just let me know. [e-mail address]

One last thought, if you go throught with this, reseach each company you do work for. dont be scared to ask and speak your mind and stay strong. most folks in the industry are good folks and i would NOT trade my job for the world.

best of luck to you hun.

Peg

Reply by Joe_PA on 8/18/05 1:25pm
Msg #59927

Do a search on article 33325 (click on the orange search button). Very good info on this article. I used some of the tips that were given.

Reply by Storm on 8/18/05 1:55pm
Msg #59933

Thank you so much Peg and Joe! I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can! :-)

Reply by Art_MD on 8/18/05 2:00pm
Msg #59934

Re: Storm - What state ?

What state you are in will have a great influence on work available. Will get more info.

Sign on as Storm-xx where xx is your state abbreviation.

Art

Reply by Lydia Esther/Fl on 8/18/05 2:06pm
Msg #59937

Welcome

All I can tell you is that I have been a Real Estate closer for almost 30 years and I can tell you that this Forum is the Best that you can find . Super nice and helpful people , not counting the knowledge !!!

If I can be of any assistance
[e-mail address]

Reply by Storm-In on 8/18/05 3:38pm
Msg #59964

Re: Welcome

Wow, you guys are great. I'm in northwestern Indiana about 2 hours outside of Chicago. I'm thinking the market here will be somewhat good seeing as how I'm in a pretty populated area. I just finished ordering my application/E&O/bond/stamp/journal and things and will be looking into some online training now. I see there is alot of info on this forum. I'm about to read the article Joe suggested and am open to suggestions for other articles here that may have been beneficial to any of you. Once again thanks for the help, and keep the suggestions coming!

Reply by Bonnie/CO on 8/18/05 4:02pm
Msg #59976

Re: Welcome

Also, be ready to REALLY market yourself, pay attn to what's being said on the boards and which companies are DUDS (no-pay). I found the actual training to be a no-brainer, but don't know if that's because I was a paralegal for a real estate lawyer for so long or what. I spent a good 2 weeks at first living on the internet, researching and signing up with companies. Here my balance between day/night signings is about equal. You have to be real flexible and when the calls come in, don't let them try to bully you into taking a rock bottom fee, and some will try...Don't fall into the trap of thinking you'll make tons of money doing this. The most i've ever made in a months time is 7000.00 and that was extremely rare! Most months around here I do good to do 2-3000. for a 30 day period. I know it's my choice the hours I choose to work, I've gone out at 5:30 am, and even had 1 at 1:00 am. So you have to decide what hours you will work. I would suggest, please don't cream me for this, that you might want to keep your day job while doing this. It all depends on your situation. I apologize if this sounds really blunt, but such is the nature of this business. I wish you well and sending wishes for lots of luck in this venture!

Reply by Storm-In on 8/18/05 4:20pm
Msg #59992

Re: Welcome

Actually Bonnie, thank you for being so straightforward. I don't want to go into anything with blinders on, so be as real as you can for me. I'm not planning on making a ton of money with this, I'm hoping for a couple of hundred a month in the beggining, and if I do better than that I'll consider myself lucky. I figure with the right training (thorough training), patience and perseverance maybe someday I'll be able to make a name for myself in this area.

Thank you for your well wishes!

Reply by Bonnie/CO on 8/18/05 4:50pm
Msg #60007

Re: Welcome

You're welcome! With the kind of attitude towards this that you seem to have, I think you're gonna do just fine in the line of work! I do believe that the SS's and the TC's do discuss the notaries that they use, and once you start getting your reputation built with them things will go a lot smoother! You'll be turning work away at some point!

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/18/05 5:08pm
Msg #60022

Re: Welcome

Hey Bonnie, I am a paralegal too and plan to keep my day job until I can get going as a signing agent. Since you are also in Colorado, I was wondering if you see alot of after 5:00pm jobs come your way?

Thanks.

Reply by Bonnie/CO on 8/18/05 11:52pm
Msg #60123

Amy...

Quite a few. I live in southern colorado and serve 9 counties...seems to be lots of REFI going on here and TONS of new construction. Where are you located? Drop me a line at my email
[e-mail address]

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/18/05 5:12pm
Msg #60025

Bonnie

please see re: Welcome post above.

Reply by Nd_WA on 8/18/05 4:55pm
Msg #60014

I spent almost a month doing research, reading all post here and on different boards, then made a decision with the info I gathered. To become an NSA you must look at it as starting your own small business where you need initial investment, plans, and strategies to build a successful business. You either go for it or not, the in between decision will only be a distraction and barrier to move forward.

If you are really serious about making it a long-term profession then invest in the right equipments, pay for the learning it required, put your name out there by listing with reputable services. This could mean big monetary commitment.

During my early days, I managed to gather enough info from other SA here to create a chart for bench marking and an idea on my how business grew. If interested, shoot me an email ([e-mail address]).

Reply by Roger/OH on 8/18/05 8:25pm
Msg #60059

Hey Storm...

Please email me at [e-mail address]. I can provide you some important information you will want to factor into your decision.