Posted by MDNotary on 6/17/05 2:26pm
Msg #45572

SA Stories

Hi All,

I was just wondering if a few of you could post your stories about how you got into this business. Particularly those who maybe came from a regular 9-5 and now do this fulltime.

Sherri

Reply by BLE on 6/17/05 2:34pm
Msg #45579

I come from a family of mortgage people! I have a degree in Criminal Justice and used to work as an investigator for a DA's office before my husband was transferred and I had to leave that job. My sister owns a SS in NC and finally talked me into it. When I decided to go to law school it seemed like the perfect option.

Reply by Candy on 6/17/05 2:36pm
Msg #45580

I wish I could do this full time but I just don't make enough money. It's very slow for me. I am a former bank teller.

Reply by MDNotary on 6/17/05 2:48pm
Msg #45585

Do you find your own clients mostly or do you work with different SS's?

Reply by anonymous on 6/17/05 2:53pm
Msg #45587

I have been doing this for a short time, but long enough to know you can't expect this to be a full time job in the beginning.This is a very different scenario then a stereotypical "full time job".You get many last minute calls, when you maybe already have other commitments relating to family,dinner hour, whatever.But you have to basicaly be the one to decide how to coordinate everything in your life and then at the drop of a hat print out docs and run out do a signing.Before I became a notary,I worked in my families' business. So, if I needed a day off or I was sick, I still got paid.If I was occasionaly late, it didn't matter.But now, it's only me, and I find that the hardest part.I have to make each decision w/no coworker around to ask a question.I pretty much take it one day at a time and even though the beginning was very frustrating(waiting for calls)it will happen, and you will find your business working itself upwards.Just know that there are lot's of us out there that are fairly new and it is a PROCESS!

Reply by anonymous on 6/17/05 2:40pm
Msg #45581

I do it on a limited basis, I have a fulltime job but absolutely love the work. It might be a wonderful fulltime job but I'm one who prefers a steady paycheck, benefits etc. I manage a grant funded program within a school district, enjoy that job also and look forward to retiring from it within the next few years perhaps.

Reply by MDNotary on 6/17/05 2:48pm
Msg #45583

Very interesting! I too have a fulltime job right how and am very interested in this work. I would like to start par time then build my clientele up because I am in school and also model so the flexibility would be great!

Reply by new on 6/17/05 2:51pm
Msg #45586

My sister is in the Mortgage/Title industry. I gave up my corporate job to become a domestic goddess (stay-a-home mom) and raise 3 beautiful angels FT. I soon started looking into making PT income and my sister mentioned this biz a couple of years ago. I just recently got certified and commissioned and have yet to do my first loan signing.

Reply by FL-Signaway on 6/17/05 2:59pm
Msg #45590

When I got into this business I owned and operated a pet store, one of my costumers and his family kept telling me to do what he did it would be perfect for me. (they bought three dogs from me and became very good friends). After a few years into the pet business, I threw my hands up as I was tired of sinking my money into something and working my behind off just to be able to pay my employees, what did I have to show for it? A house full of pets and a store full of them too. And no vacation in years. (when you take care of 300+ animals it is a 24/7 366 days a year, OK it was only 365 days but I promise you it felt like extra days. So I shut my doors and had my friend teach me to be a SA. Since I have been doing this I have had a handful of vacations, a bank full of cash, and am able to be there for my kids things they do and I maybe work 20 hours a week verses the 80+ hours a week I used to work. I am in Heaven!!!!!

Reply by FL-Signaway on 6/17/05 3:07pm
Msg #45595

One other thing

I am also married and my husbands job provides us with health insurance. If I were single, I might have hesitated at diving head first into this while giving up everything else I knew. If your the main one responsible for the bills, I would suggest starting out part-time and building the business before giving up that steady paycheck. Eventually you'll get to where the checks come steady.

Reply by kynotary on 6/17/05 3:12pm
Msg #45597

I am a Real Estate Associate Appraiser and wanted to fill the slow periods with loan closings and it has been very interesting indeed. I really like the work and meeting all the wonderful people that we get to meet and I already had everything I needed including my notary commission, DSL, High Speed Laser Printer and 3 back up printers, efax, cell phone, so the only thing that I really needed was the E&O insurance and a couple of small items, but I also went and took a couple of classes and got Certified by NNA to better educate myself, but probably the best education that I have received is right here on this board. I am so thankful that I found this board and thankful to all of you who makes it all possible!!!

Reply by BP/WV on 6/17/05 3:37pm
Msg #45606

Sherri - Email me please. I was a SA in MD previoulsy before moving. [e-mail address]

Reply by Brijoe_WA on 6/17/05 4:07pm
Msg #45620

I was a loan officer for 6 yrs, I started doing signings because being commission only I had alot of freedom to do this as well. It was easy money as I already knew my way around the docs. This was a good way to supplement my income. That company closed there office in my town after I was there for 4 yrs. Went through a few mortgage companies after the closure and decided I was sick of the mortgage origination business. I didnt want to hold the borrowers hands anymore, and put up with the cut throte garbage that goes along with it. With my mortygage contacts I had and the years I had put in doing this part time allowed me to go full time doing signings. I dont regret it at all.

Reply by Well, I have been.... on 6/17/05 7:14pm
Msg #45680

doing this full time for over 6 years now in So CA. Since the NNA started their "Earn Big Bucks" Seminars, & now other Companies (i.e. notaryclasses.com etc.) have jumped on the bandwagon, my business is now back to ZERO. The only ones making the BIG BUCKS in my opinion are the teachers/owners of these businesses! Fees have dropped drastically here. There are thousands of Signing Agents in all Counties of CA. More Title/Escrow/Lender Companies are either using Signing Services that pay $60 or less or they are paying SS Fees & keeping the profit for themselves. Lots of SA's are willing to work for less because they are not full time, may do this as a "hobby", or just want some "pin money". Lots of SA part-timers may also have full time jobs too, & they use their Employers computers, printers, phone, & time so they can do signings at night. They do not have the same expenses that a full timer has so they can accept less money for the same job. Too many SS & other Companies are getting away with paying $30 - $45 for overnight docs & $65 - $75 for E-Docs BECAUSE they have NO PROBLEM finding a SA to accept the job! See all of Candy's posts to verify this if you doubt me! It's so sad!

Reply by Anonymous on 6/17/05 9:36pm
Msg #45720

I thought you were in AZ. Perhaps you need to check your stories.....