Posted by Karen_NH on 8/30/06 9:31am
Msg #142083

Newbie, 2nd signing tonight

When do you stop being nervous when you go to a signing? I got my first signing last month and have my 2nd tonight through the same title co. I think my biggest hang up right now is being able to tell the client what each paper is (this isn't the same as explaining the loan which is illegal for someone not a lawyer, right?). At my first actually the loan officer was there (thank goodness) and was helping out with that part. I was pretty much witnessing signatures and notarizing.

I'm primarily targeting title companies right now since I don't have a laser printer yet and my thoughts on that are I really should have that before I start signing up with agencies (they seem to want to know what kind of laser printer you have for your profile). I'm hoping to get one in the next couple weeks.

I got the Just Point and Sign Sidekick from Victoria Rivera which has been quite helpful and I'm studying the NNA's NSA book to take my certification test soon. Is there some other training that I should think about doing/getting? Here in NH there is no formal classroom training for notaries so thats not an option. I did get to shadow a couple loans first but actually I don't think it really helped that much.


Karen_NH

Reply by Pamela on 8/30/06 9:57am
Msg #142093

Karen, Re: Newbie, 2nd signing tonight

Good morning Karen,

Please e-mail me.

Also, if interested, I can refer you to several
mentors.

Pam

[e-mail address]

Reply by MelissaCT on 8/30/06 10:07am
Msg #142096

Re: Title companies

tend to be MUCH less forgiving for errors. There are some signing services that do (regularly) overnight docs, in fact when I first started, I didn't do my first edoc signing for several months. Title companies do quite a few edocs now, too, so don't let the lack of laser printer stop you from signing up with agencies. Just type non in the application for now, you can always update your profile later when you do get set up with edoc capabilities.

Read msg 33325, also. There's a wealth of information there & it's a good place to start in understanding the documents you're presenting as well as your role in the transaction.

Click on BrendaTx's profile & check out the link to her ebook, very good information in a great layout & it's FREE!!

Reply by SueW/Tn on 8/30/06 10:10am
Msg #142102

Melissa's advice is right on 150%!!! n/m

Reply by jojodatura on 8/30/06 11:05am
Msg #142125

Re: Melissa's advice is right on 150%!!! I have to agree

I find signing for SS more comfortable because you are just with the clients in their home. I agree that the title companies are a lot less forgiving, even rude in my area. The more you are familiar with the documents the better you will feel. Experience is the best teacher. Good luck!

Reply by Val/NH on 8/30/06 12:04pm
Msg #142151

Hi Karen,

What part of NH are you in? Email me if you'd like- [e-mail address]. I'll try to answer any specific questions you may have. I'm in Londonderry.

Reply by Russell on 8/30/06 12:17pm
Msg #142158

UPDATE

Got a call just before 12pm they cancelled the closing, didn't have it all together I guess. My husband is a loan officer for a local small brokerage and he was able to explain that's not that uncommon especially if they didn't have it ready by 12pm then they'd likely call it off/postpone.

Thanks for all the friendly advice, I do plan to contact a couple of you. I'm very interested it talking with others about biz.

I had signed up with a couple agencies but after a few with the space to put in laserprinter model I gave in, think I will start signing up with a couple more.

Thanks again
Karen

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 8/30/06 12:43pm
Msg #142172

Re: UPDATE

Karen, don't know how to break this to you gently, but if you want to get work, you MUST sign up with between 200 - 300 SS. To be a success in this business, you will need to spend every waking hour working on this business. Between reading this board (and several others that are very good) and signing up for business, you should be spending at least 40 hours a week on this business. For every hour less that you spend, it will just mean that many more weeks without work. You will see sometimes on this board comments to some of the regular posters that they must not have any work because they spend all day on this board. Not true, they are VERY successful because they are on this board so much of the time. They are probably like me and keep Not Rot open, but minimized all day long and every time I have a few minutes break (or while docs are printing), I'm back on here, reading and learning and I'm assuming they are doing pretty much the same thing. Read this board consistantly, regularly and religiously; there is a WEALTH of information available here for FREE! Also, remember that there is no such thing and starting a business at no cost. You MUST spend money to make money. Buy the very best equipment you can possibly afford, it will come back to you.

Reply by Diga2Lin/FL on 8/30/06 1:25pm
Msg #142192

Re: UPDATE

Just said the same to my husband yesterday - I'm on this board almost all day reading and catching up!!..Glad to know there's nothing wrong with me!!

Honestly - this board was a great help in keeping me from being nervous about signings. Lots of helpful info on here helped me be prepared for the questions from the signing services and how to respond to them (and barter with them) regarding fees.

If you don't recognize the docs I'd strongly suggest buying any one of the many books out there containing sample loan closing docs - they're very helpful and give tips on understanding the purpose of each doc.

In the meantime, relax and good luck!!

Reply by Karen_NH on 8/30/06 2:32pm
Msg #142218

40 hrs a week versus Part time

Sure I want to be successful and in time I will be signed up with quite a few agencies but I do not plan to be on my computer 40hr a week at least not right now. I have 3 children at home to raise as well as juggling this as well as my other part time job bringing in a steady although not grand $1000/mo as a school bus driver so that I don't have to pay the outragious fees for daycare.

I refuse to believe that every successful Signing Agent started out at 150% speed and I for one plan to take the slower approach and still become successful. It just might take me a bit longer but I accept that.

Honestly I've been on this board for a couple months on and off and I know for certain its not all biz related, there is plenty of water cooler time here too.

I like the sincere folks here that want talk about how a signing when, best or worst equipment, best/worst SS's, and I think its a great resource for us newbies to get the real picture but I don't think we ALL need the bull in the china shop responses either.

Reply by Diga2Lin/FL on 8/30/06 3:03pm
Msg #142238

Re: 40 hrs a week versus Part time...I'm with you

Karen - we moved here when my husband retired from the Post Office after 30 years - I worked full time in CT - now just looking to continue a bit of what I did there but part time - want to take the time to smell the roses now.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 8/30/06 9:29pm
Msg #142384

Re: 40 hrs a week versus Part time

Karen, I'm sorry, I thought from your original post that you were seeking advice on how to become successful in this business; I didn't realize that you were approaching this as a "hobby" or a way to make some pin money.

You may refuse to believe that every successful Signing Agent started out at 150% speed, but I do believe that if you did a survey of the ones who are successful in this business you would quickly discover that they did spend almost every waking hour (at least in the very beginning) on working to establish their business. I can tell you that when I started in this business almost five years ago, long before the NNA started their "get rich quick" seminars and interest rates were at the lowest they've been in over 60 years, it still was not easy to break into this business and get established with Signing Services. And yes, I worked even more than 40 hours a week, but this is the third business I've started from scratch so I knew what it was going to take, effort wise, to make it in this business. My goal was to earn my old "full time" income within one year. I did it in 8 months. Of course, I'm my sole support so I didn't have a lot of options. Necessity is a very strong motivating force. Anyone who is going into this business at this time with the overabundance of existing notaries, coupled with the decline in home sales, rising interest rates, falling appraisal values, and thinks that they will be able to get companies calling them by only signing up on a free board are going to be sadly disappointed.

Again, I guess it all depends on your definition of "successful". It can range anywhere from hoping to make enough money to afford dinner and a movie once a month with the hubby to making a full time living. It is your decision which end of the spectrum you want to be on or even somewhere in the middle.

You may not like all of the "water cooler" talk that is posted on this board. And, yes, sometimes I do feel that it is carried to an extreme. However, even in the midst of some of the runaway topics, a gem is lurking. If you don't feel the need for any of the OT subjects, just pass right on by. But just like working in an office setting, sometimes the OT subjects give you an insight into the people posting. Also, for those of us who live alone and work alone, this is our work social life, just like chatting at the water cooler or the copy room. There are some on this board who post regularly that I have chatted with on the phone or exchanged emails with. Some I only read their posts, but still feel as though I know them even if I wouldn't recognize them if they walked into the room.

I'm not sure exactly what you meant by "I don't think we ALL need the bull in the china shop responses either". Some people here, will post only what they think you want to hear and not necessarily what you need to hear. And sometimes what you need to hear will not be sugar coated. That does not invalidate the message just because you don't like the presentation. Read each message for it's content and not for its verbiage.

Reply by Diga2Lin/FL on 8/31/06 7:41am
Msg #142459

Re: 40 hrs a week versus Part time

I agree with most of your post Dorothy..and I admire those who can successfully market themselves and work themselves into a highly successful business - however there's a difference between what you referred to as "hobby" or a way to make some pin money" and supplementing the monthly income. I know that's what I'm attempting to do and unless I read it wrong I think that's what Karen was doing.

I respect all those who do this full time and I'd expect no less in return just because I choose to do this part time.