Posted by vonneycali on 10/5/05 6:43pm
Msg #69066

Fees w/Edocs

A notary company called and wanted me to do a signing tonight @ 8pm. They wanted to send the docs via email, which means I would need to print both the lender's copies and the borrowers copies, and the signing would be in 3 hours. I told them I was available but they quoted me a rate of $65.00 WITH Edoc fee included. I declined because of the fee. Shouldn't the fee be higher for edocs? I usually recieve at least $85.00 for edocs. Perhaps I am being greedy? Feedback anyone... (:

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 7:12pm
Msg #69067

Vonnie, If it is local, quote them no less than $100.00. That's $65 + $35 or $75 + $25. Even if you are new that is a very reasonable price. If it is 40-50 minutes or miles away, I'd quote another $25 - $45 for the drive.

I got a call for 70 miles away recently and they did not have a problem with $200.00 because it was last minute.

Reply by Lisa Bittner on 10/5/05 7:33pm
Msg #69072

70 miles away and late min might of been the reason you received $200.00

If the signing was local (within 10 miles) Voni, then $75.00 to $100.00 is standard with most signing companies.
$65.00 for edocs is not enough but tell them next time they call, " they are close to your fee and ask if they can make it a bit higher,"

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 7:56pm
Msg #69078

Re: Fees w/Edocs - Lisa...

You are right, it was last minute, but 75 miles will cost you $200-250.00 every day depending on the direction it would be...week before last I got $175 for an O/N 65 miles schedule 2 days ahead...I received $150 for 45 miles away last Friday for O/N from a place that used to cap at $65...and if you had signings here you would gladly pay me because it is relative.

Maybe you don't know the rural market in Texas. Rural notaries priced themselves too low and they are no longer in the business.

The volume here is currently not heavy and therefore even the greatest SS/TC scheduler cannot bargain by inferring they will give me all their business if I cut them a break.

To keep in business I have to meet an income of a certain amount each month.

It's really weird, isn't it? Kinda backwards.

Reply by Lisa Bittner on 10/5/05 8:20pm
Msg #69087

Re: Fees w/Edocs - Brenda...

Brenda, actually for 75 miles away you should get $200.00
I agree with you, I do know the areas like you are in.
I gave a CT SA today $200.00 for edocs because it was not a safe area so she has to bring her husband, it was only 15 miles from her home. So I am not against high fees by any means.
I pay more, not just for long drives, but special circumstances too

I do know that if SA's feel that the fee should be the same for a SS and a TC ect. then they should not answer SS phone calls, The fees are different. The SS is trying to turn a profit, the TC is trying to keep fees low.

But Brenda, you are running your business and it works for you. Good job.
But for someone in a more populated area where local is really local, then working for a SS for a signing 5 miles away with edocs. a fee of $75.00-$100.00 might be a good fee to start with.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 8:30pm
Msg #69090

Re: Fees w/Edocs - Brenda...

**Brenda, actually for 75 miles away you should get $200.00**

That's what I thought. I did not understand why you said the one below. Thus my post.

**70 miles away and late min might of been the reason you received $200.00**

Good for you on the special circumstances. Silly me...I thought bad neighborhoods were what made life interesting.

If I won't go into a bad neighborhood without a husband, I dang sure won't take one in there I have to protect and look after. What was she thinking???

I just take my .38 tucked safely away under my square dance skirt and petticoats...secured by duct tape and a few black and red garters from El Chico's.

Ole'!

Reply by Becca_FL on 10/5/05 9:03pm
Msg #69095

Brenda, you're my hero....................n/m

Reply by Anonymous on 10/6/05 11:26am
Msg #69138

Re: Fees w/Edocs - Brenda...

Lisa,

Are you the Lisa Bittner with SoCal Signings? Just curious.

Reply by CarolynCO on 10/6/05 9:12am
Msg #69127

Lisa Bittner writes *If the signing was local (within 10 miles) Voni, then $75.00 to $100.00 is standard with most signing companies.
$65.00 for edocs is not enough but tell them next time they call, " they are close to your fee and ask if they can make it a bit higher,"*

My minimum for e-docs is $100, even if it is across the street. $75 equates to $50 signing and $25 e-docs -- TOO LOW.

As for telling them that they are close to my fee and asking if they can make it a *bit* higher is laughable, IMO. Once they tell me their fee, the ball is now in *my* court and my turn to tell them *my* price at which time they can accept our counter.

Reply by canotarygal on 10/6/05 12:39pm
Msg #69156

My fee in Cal. 125.00 for signing, plus 25.oo for e.docs.( within 20 miles) Your time, toner and paper is money. Good luck

Reply by Ted_MI on 10/5/05 7:35pm
Msg #69074

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......

Hi Brenda,

I agree with you in general terms if the package is a refinance. If it is a HELOC, I think $85 would be a reasonable fee. I would agree though that $65 is not enough.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 7:47pm
Msg #69076

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......

That's Texas talking.

I charge more for a HELOC because I find that the Texas HELOCs which come to me are sub-prime lenders who are trying to skirt around the law. In my town...area...the title companies are not going for it. I refer all the calls first to a local attorney or the title companies. (Remember, we have that venue problem of having to do this in a title co., an atty office or a lender branch.)

These days I am getting assignments where an SS is pushing this deal on through no matter what. I say "I cannot secure the venue!" and then the local TC will fold over and let the signing come on in when the "business" calls them and asks. Then, just to make the notary understand very clearly they don't want the signing take place there, they act like witches because I cannot get Mom, Dad, the ex-s, or all the grown kids, their cousins, etc., who are on the title in and out of there in 30 minutes.

I said all that to explain, a HELOC will cost you $25 more in Brazos County and keep your fingers crossed that the "nice" title company that said okay to letting the notary use one of their rooms will let the notary finish it. I try very HARD not to do lines of credit.

However, I'll go close in house all day long!

Reply by Becca_FL on 10/5/05 9:08pm
Msg #69096

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......

I don't print many HELOCS, do you? Most equity lines are not date sensitive. The Majority of the HELOCS that I do are delivered.

Just curious.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 9:42pm
Msg #69100

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......

Here, I do as many cash outs as I do LOCs...more probably.

To tell you the truth, I have always had the sense that just the LOCs were date sensitive. They are ALWAYS to be signed on a date and time certain here because we have to have the location, I *suppose*.

I have probably done no more than a dozen that were outside of closing "in house." Hugh does quite a few of them because he has the "lender branch" setting. The lenders in my town usually just have the bwrs come in to sign. Maybe Hugh can chime in here.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 9:50pm
Msg #69101

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......however...

Sometimes I do a CA or FL visitor's LOC and it seems like these are not date sensitive and have to be signed within a two day window.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 9:58pm
Msg #69102

Re: Brenda, it may depend ......

**To tell you the truth, I have always had the sense that just the LOCs were date sensitive. They are ALWAYS to be signed on a date and time certain here because we have to have the location, I *suppose*. **

I meant that the LOCs were JUST AS date sensitive.

sorry

(:B)

Reply by John_NorCal on 10/5/05 7:46pm
Msg #69075

Re: Fees w/Edocs...I agree with Brenda

I think $100.00 with e-docs should be the norm. and $200 for a last minute signing 70 miles away, sounds like a bargain to me. Time, talent, materials all have to count for something!

Reply by Lisa Bittner on 10/5/05 11:08pm
Msg #69107

Brenda

When I first began I was doing signings in Compton at 9pm, east LA, South Central.
you know I never had a problem ever!
I met some wonderful people, kind people

But for protection I like your idea better

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/5/05 11:33pm
Msg #69109

Re: Lisa...

Perhaps Compton is a little like W 19th here. I was run to the side of the road by a chase last time I was over there...and it was 1 pm. The bwrs told me to get back across the freeway before 4 or 5 pm. Cowtown Tx is not much like LA, I know.

In either place, I can only feel for the folks that have their neat little homes with their nice little yards. They and their kids are great. Sadly enough many of the street kids are only looking for a place to be and a group to be a part of, just like notaries gather up here...because who else wants to hear about our "boring" little lives. Same for them. They are looking for a place they feel they belong.

I am all for Big Brother / Big Sister and have been honored to serve on a steering committee to get a chapter started in my hometown. In fact, it kind of bothers me that I have not engaged myself into similar local service since I got involved with SA work. Hmmm. Might need to cut back on keeping my number one slot of posting and get back into community service a bit.

Only twice have I have felt a little threatened in my job. Both times the people were refi-ing homes which were quite nice and pricey. In the other types of neighborhoods I have been treated quite respectfully.

Reply by Cari_MO on 10/6/05 7:49am
Msg #69121

John/NorCal I agree. 100.00.

Reply by vonneycali on 10/6/05 2:08pm
Msg #69169

Thanks to all who posted a response.. I am somewhat disappointed in whoever the notary was that took this job for this measly price. I called back to give them a higher quote for the job and was told that another notary took it for 65 dollars!!!! I can't stand when notaries do this because it brings the market down for others. Sigh...

Reply by CarolynCO on 10/6/05 5:25pm
Msg #69193

Re: $65 for E/docs

Vonney,
believe me, the person who accepted this signing is the fool, and you are right -- the one bringing the market down for others.