Posted by Anonymous on 6/11/06 7:24am
Msg #125222

A job anyone can do LOL

http://www.hillsorient.com/articles/2005/05/068.html

Reply by Kelly M Robertson on 6/11/06 7:48am
Msg #125226

You can tell by reading the article that the author is a Signing Agent himself. I've heard another very experienced LSA here in California state that he feels a monkey could do our job if there wasn't the concern over the monkey crapping in the customer's chair. He then goes further by saying that it's the time-honored Role of Notary Public that requires the aptitude for attention-to-detail, professionalism, courtesy and integrity.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 9:51am
Msg #125231

Can I...

Diagnose a black eye?
Surmise that a car's got a flat tire?
Read a pre-printed prescription saying to dispense 30 Tylenol #3 QID (4 times daily) and type a lable.
Determine if a kid is nearsighted?
Change a wax seal on a commode?
Use WYSIWYG to make a web page?
Sew a straight line?
Change out a hard drive?
Make fried chicken?

Yes to all those things!

I know how to do each one of those without much assistance, except for lifting the commode--need assistance on that.

If I know how to do all these things am I a doctor, a mechanic, a pharmacist, an opthamologist, a plumber, a webmaster, a tailor, a computer engineer, a gourmet chef?

No...and neither does "sign, sign, sign," and click, click, click, fax, and drop make a signing agent.

Nice little article. I'll bet every person who has spent a dime on education or materials feels pretty stupid about right now. Don't feel stupid!

He's just generating information to get website hits. Niche marketing of his Google Ads. Lots of that on the internet. I recently wrote about how I do some of that. Unfortunately, the internet makes us all "experts" in whatever we choose to undertake writing about.

Reply by Erin C. Wall Signature Services on 6/11/06 7:27pm
Msg #125303

ROTFLMAO!! Commode lid help!! BWAHAHA!! Bravo!!! n/m

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 6/11/06 7:55pm
Msg #125313

Re: A job anyone can do LOL- Yep changed the wax ring on a

toilet many times in this life.....I'm a good plumber with toilets anyway, Jill of all trades.....

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 8:05pm
Msg #125315

Re: A job anyone can do LOL- Yep changed the wax ring on a

You can do it yourself for $15.00 (Ring and a six pack of beer) or you can pay $150 to a plumber....but, if there is a leak in my kitchen, I am calling someone who KNOWS their business.

Then, when they get there, I will say, "Hi, I know how to replace wax seals, so...now I want to be a plumber like you. Would you please show me how to do everything you do, tell me how to get started...for free...and let me take over this area?"

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 10:30am
Msg #125238

I have to agree with the author. There is really nothing to it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 10:43am
Msg #125239

Anon, you are correct 69.233.170.240

For you, there is nothing to it.


Next.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 10:45am
Msg #125241

And, if there is nothing to it...

You've got it whipped. You don't need to read this triva...so why are you here?

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 10:56am
Msg #125243

Re: And, if there is nothing to it...

Brenda,anyone can become a notary public. I am here and I am still trying to understand what all the fuss about being a notary/signing agent is really all about. As the author was saying, as a signing agent you do not have to explain anything to the signer other than which form it is that they are signing. If you cannot figure out where and which forms requires signatures,then you have to re-evaluate your capabilities. An escrow officer who does these signings in house ONLY REQUIRES A HIGH SHCOOL DIPLOMA!!See what I mean, very little education is required to be a notary public?/signing agent.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 11:25am
Msg #125245

Re: And, if there is nothing to it...

You said that you agree with the author and there is nothing to it.

Again, you are wasting your valuable time here.

Don't concern yourself with what all the fuss is about. Who cares? Just get out there and get busy. Don't look back or be bogged down by all this trivia.

BTW, "you have it whipped," in this instance means you understand it, you need no further instruction; go do it and do not concern yourself with further learning.

In Texas, you can become a notary public if you have the fee. You can become a signing agent if you call yourself one. Here there is no official designation or certification that will allow you to do it or keep you from it.

So, Anon 69.233.170.240, the fuss you wonder about is a tempest in a teapot of notaries who are not nearly as bright as you and who have a problem with wanting to do whatever they do well and to receive a fair fee for the job they do.

All the rest of us must be misled by some insane sense of pride in, or duty to making an honest living by doing the job well...maybe by a sense of satisfaction in understanding what will get us called again, or by the challenge of knowing we know what we know. Apparently, we are walking around in the dark and do not realize it's easy as pie and we are making it hard on ourselves.

You should give it no more thought. (I am not even sure that being an escrow agent even really requires high school. Not sure about the high school requirements for that of a Texas Notary Public. I think you just have to be over 18.)

There's nothing here for you to concern yourself with further...unless you're just bored. If so, welcome aboard.

Reply by John_NorCal on 6/11/06 11:40am
Msg #125246

Re: And, if there is nothing to it...

While this job is not rocket science, there is a certain amount of knowledge and above all a great deal of common sense that is required. I was a notary public long before I became a signing agent, matter of fact I'm still a notary public first. I don't agree that just "anyone" can do this job, if that were true, why do you hear of so many horror stories of signings that have gone bad?

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 11:52am
Msg #125247

John, John, John...

You are trying to reason with a troll. Probably one of the ones who used to post hateful on the other board and no longer can be a jackass over there. I don't buy it that a person who can write as well as this poster can cannot see that while it is not rocket science, it takes experience with the industry to faciliate it smoothly.

Why is the lawyer I work with charging $2xx to $4xx? He was taking them for $100 a year ago as he said it sounded really easy. Then, it began to be pretty complicated and gotta-get-it-right to the lender's specs etc.

He went up. $100 for 30 minutes? Hardly. He figured that out.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 12:03pm
Msg #125248

Re: John, John, John...

Brenda, I am surprised that someone who claims to be professional act an respond the way you do. Calling people names? You response say a lot about who you are. Nowhere in your response could you prove that what I stated is incorrect. Which leaves me to believe that if you cannot prove them wrong,go ahead and insult them. I consider myself to be educated and open to others opinions, thus will not stoop to your level.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 12:58pm
Msg #125257

Anon 69.233.170.240

Yeah I did say troll and jackass. If the shoe does not fit, I am sorry.

If the shoe does fit, however, we'd like to see you in the wig, too.

I claim this:

I am the way I post. Whether or not that's professional or adequately responsive remains in the eye of the beholder.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 6/11/06 3:50pm
Msg #125281

Re: Anon 69.233.170.240

Anon,
You are the same Anon that was bashing people in another thread on 6/7, in regards to being selfish for not helping someone cheat on a test! If you are such an intelligent person, why would you think feel a person needs to have the answers handed to them.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 4:54pm
Msg #125284

Re: Anon 69.233.170.240 - Calibrenda

Something does not match.

Anon69 said it was selfish, among other things, not to give out test answers. Yet, today it is revealed that Anon69's opinion is that there is "nothing to this - become a notary and go for it."

Okay...so, that must mean Anon69 *could* have give the test answers to the other anon but did not choose to help his fellow anon. What's that about?

Oh my goodness, watching "As the Anon Turns" is like the interest rates question...perhaps BlueInk can explain this one. Prof. BlueInk told us "There's the interest rate the LO quotes and then there's the one on the note."

Waiting for the Prof's answer on this one.

Reply by Brenda/CA on 6/11/06 6:41pm
Msg #125298

Re: Anon 69.233.170.240 - Calibrenda

"You are absolutely right Brenda/Tx" Anon69 seems to contradict him/her self from one statement to another. Perhaps Anon69 was trying to get the test answers for a monkey, I wonder why Anon69 did not simply give the answer, instead of bashing everyone else for not doing so. My opinion is that as intelligent as Anon69 claims to be he/she could not answer the question!

Reply by John_NorCal on 6/11/06 12:10pm
Msg #125249

Re: And, if there is nothing to it... Looking further....

I read Msg #125054 and wonder can just anyone do signings?

Yes and no. Just as there is a right way and a wrong way to do any job, anyone can do signings. Question is do you want it done the right way or the wrong way?

Reply by Tina_MA on 6/11/06 5:38pm
Msg #125288

Re: And, if there is nothing to it...

>>>An escrow officer who does these signings in house ONLY REQUIRES A HIGH SHCOOL DIPLOMA<<<

The phrase "in house" means that the person you're talking about is in an office with many people, who are well versed in the loan process. Should the borrowers have any questions, the escrow officer (with the high school diploma) can obtain immediate assistance from his or her co-workers, merely by giving a shout.

Signing Agents that travel to the borrowers' home, need to know exactly what the docs are, and be able to explain them intelligently to the borrower. There usually is no support available should one have additional questions, which is why it is imperative that the Signing Agent have knowledge of the docs.

Thank goodness I'm in an attorney state, it keeps all the "high school diploma" Notaries, with no knowledge of loans, from being Signing Agents.

Reply by DogmongerCA on 6/12/06 8:36am
Msg #125360

Perhaps you should be flexing that GED

You are the same poster who was this very same forum last week trying to get posters to answer the most BASIC of all SS test questions, and then scolding them for not helping you cheat yourself and your potential clients. Maybe you should do a handful of signings before you start preaching to the choir on how easy it is.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 10:58am
Msg #125244

Re: And, if there is nothing to it...

I'm sorry, forgive my ignorance,but what does being whipped mean? Is that some sort of slang? Thanks in advance for enlightening me.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/11/06 12:52pm
Msg #125255

Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

In Maryland, we have some real trolls. I have found a few to be listed on this website that are in my area.
You must be a licensed to do closings here but a few are not and still doing them.
You must pay the fees and take the credit classes.
I have a real big "beef" with the Maryland Insurance Administration right now. I and 2 other LTP's here are complaining that if they are not going to punish the notaries that are not licensed then what is the point of being in compliance with the state any way.
A friend of mine that is licensed called one of the notaries listed in our area and said she was a title company looking for someone to do a closing. The notary stated that she was not licensed but was staying busy and hasn't been caught yet. (Let me have this girl in a dark alley for 2 minutes)
As far as knowing what you are doing....I do not care what anyone says, you must explain the docs to a borrower. You have to go over the HUD, NOTE, TIL and RTC. You better know what each one of these docs are. If you do not know what you are talking about, the borrower will not feel comfortable about the whole signing unless they are in the loan business and the title company will not use you if you do not know what a hud is.

I think that all states should require the notaries to be licensed title producers or attorneys.

Reply by patricia on 6/11/06 1:49pm
Msg #125263

Re: Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

This is really true, the notary must be able to explain documents to the borrower, I hear complaints from borrowers about notaries who could not answer the simplest questions, such as when is my first payment due? can I set up autopay? Much less for the note, HUD etc. etc.
Some notaries are going out and handing documents to borrower and then sitting in another room with a head-set on listening to music.

Reply by ZLee_Califia on 6/11/06 2:01pm
Msg #125264

To: Anons: Similar to Politicians:

Some read, educate themselves about their job duties, do their homework, know the issues; organize their thoughts; while others sit back and let others read to them, tell them what their duties are, tell them their version of the issues; and, by their ineptitude, invariably drag the rest of the populace down the same ignorant path.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/11/06 2:06pm
Msg #125265

Re: Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

I had one on Friday, the husband walked out after about 10 minutes of signing to help a friend "jumpstart" his car. Good Gosh!!! He said he'd be back. Never asked me what my schedule was or if I had a problem with it. Nevermind, I don't have 3 children or another signing to go to.
Get this...she then said "Can't I sign his name?" I said "No, I can't do that." She then told me that her husband was late the last time they refinanced and the notary let her sign his name to everything. Who in the hel* do these notaries think they are? In know what they are, I just can't say it on this site. This business is the most unorganized bunch of mess. No one monitors these people and that is just STUPID.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 2:14pm
Msg #125267

Re: Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

Okay Loretta - the anon policeman will tell you that you are being unprofessional in your response.

This is the kind of notary who does as they please...it's nothing to it. Nothing to learn, point and sign, collect the check.

It's very depressing when you realize these people are there.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 2:18pm
Msg #125268

Re: Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

Brenda,by reading the comments that is being made(some by you),gives me a much better understanding as to why some 'professionals' out there mess up signings. It is quite obvious that they lack brain power and commen sense. Only idiotic thinkers are capable of writing some of these comments.

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/11/06 2:45pm
Msg #125269

Love the hypocrisy

In one post anon writes
"I consider myself to be educated and open to others opinions, thus will not stoop to your level"

then follows it in the same thread with
"Only idiotic thinkers are capable of writing some of these comments."

It's amazing how quickly those who are most horrified by the "name calling" on this forum resort to name calling themselves. And it shows that anon is just a blowhard who clearly doesn't mean a thing he or she says.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 3:33pm
Msg #125277

Re: Love the hypocrisy - Just a troll...

I know trolls need love, too, but I am still thinking about beaters and old trucks. If that makes me unprofessional, then send me the T-shirt. I will proudly wear it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 3:27pm
Msg #125275

Re: Don't think I posted in right place but...My 2 cents...

I think you should not give these professionals (or non-professionals like me) a second thought and you should press on with the next item on your task list. You do what you want.


You always try to make me cry. Now I am. So there. Satisfied?

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 3:38pm
Msg #125280

anon - just out of curiousity - which comments are you

taking into consideration. I think everyone here has been playing pretty nice, except for me. Don't tar these fine people with my brush!

If you don't like that I said you should wear the wig, I'll take it back.

>>>>Brenda,by reading the comments that is being made(some by you),gives me a much better understanding as to why some 'professionals' out there mess up signings. It is quite obvious that they lack brain power and commen sense. Only idiotic thinkers are capable of writing some of these comments.<<<

Reply by GF_CA on 6/11/06 5:54pm
Msg #125293

anon which part of San Jose' are you? n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 6/11/06 3:18pm
Msg #125272

Tell that to the borrower that is about

to lose their home or rate lock because of a "Doh" Notary. If we get enough "Doh" Notaries out there, we can say bye-bye to our profession because all loans will be closed in the title offices and/or lawyers offices.

I really don't want to work for a lawyer again.

Reply by eboughey on 6/11/06 5:27pm
Msg #125285

Re: Tell that to the borrower that is about

Right on the money Becca.. Borrowers pay the price for the notary who doesn't know what they're doing.

I personally don't find the signing agent position to be difficult, but I certainly don't feel it is a drop in the bucket job that anyone can do. The actual signing may take an hour but there is a lot more that goes into it.

You have to know how to print the documents properly (know other formats)
You have to understand the docs you just printed to know if you have everything required.
You have to be able to deal with all types of personalities.
You have to know what each document is to describe it (not explain it)
You have to know what documents need to be notarized (even if they don't have notarial wording like survey affidavits are sometimes lacking)
You have to recheck all your paperwork for dates/names/initials missing
You have to make sure the agency/company is contacted after the signing
You have to put it all together, make up the shipping label and send it off


All this might not be difficult, but you have to be organized, know state notary law, and most importantly, you MUST have the papers signed properly.

Adding all this together takes more that an hour too! So you're really not getting that lump fee. Add in gas, toner, paper and time to the equation.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 6/11/06 5:35pm
Msg #125286

I've been reading this thread with a smile...hehehe...

sheesh, unreal! Hang in there Ms. Brenda, you always bring a smile to my face. But I do want to comment on eboughey's reply...I beg to differ...slightly. I believe that first and foremost the ultimate, most important issue is knowing your state's rules. Without that knowledge you're a loose cannon. And I ONLY notarize those docs that have a certificate, I wouldn't think to notarize something that in my mind "I always do" (with the exception of the DOT, lender would get a call on that one). Too many lenders, too many want too many different things...no certificate, we'll press right along. That's my thoughts for the day...working hard at staying cool...it's a b-b-q here today!

Reply by Janlee_MI on 6/11/06 5:46pm
Msg #125291

This job takes common sense. And not everyone has common

sense. Also you need to remember that you are dealing with people lifes. You are dealing with the largest investment in most peoples life.

I can tell you that I have been contacted by several title companies and SS companies because people make so many mistakes that the need to be redone.

Reply by Janlee_MI on 6/11/06 5:49pm
Msg #125292

I would say Brenda TX has alot of Common Sense. But Annon I

am not sure?

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/11/06 6:10pm
Msg #125295

Anon... I mean this in the sweetest way...

... it is painfully obvious that you have no experience.

And since you have no expereince, you stated it yourself, how exactly are you qualified to give an opinion on any of this?

My husband thinks that my job as a mother is a walk in the park, and hey, on the surface maybe it is. However, if I leave him for a day, I come home to a dirty house, dirty dishes and dirty kids who probably learned a new dirty word that day.

Not everything is as simple as it appears. And even though what we do is not rocket science, nobody ever said it was, it is not something that just anybody can do well. And how do you know if you are doing it well? You are working within the limits of the law and you have happy signers, happy LO's and happy TC's that remember who you are and the great job you did. A signing? Yeah OK what about it? A profitable, growing signing agent business... well that's where we separate the men from the boys.

In this business, jumping to conclusions about anything... a client, an unfamiliar loan or situation, a borrower's mood or reaction to you... can be disasterous. If you become an SA, that's one habit you are going to want to break.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 6:46pm
Msg #125300

Re: Anon... I mean this in the sweetest way...

Hi everyone this is anon69 again.Just a little advise from a very wise person.Make the rest of your day a great one!!!

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 7:53pm
Msg #125309

Re: Anon... I mean this in the sweetest way...Anon69

Do you perhaps own or work for a San Jose signing service? Just a thought...it's a game some of the immature overworked schedulers play when they are bored.

Good signing service owners have no time for this kind of putzing around.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/11/06 7:55pm
Msg #125312

Don't you mean advice?

I would never be so insolent to declare myself wise, but a diploma somewhere says I'm educated.

Advise is a VERB, advice is a NOUN.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 6/11/06 8:00pm
Msg #125314

Re: Don't you mean advice? Angelina in all fairness

I myself make these kind of typos all the time, one often clearly knows the difference and the correct usage but in a rush and on a board.....it's ok, not that I'm defending 69 but you know what I mean....

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/11/06 8:17pm
Msg #125317

Re: Don't you mean advice? LKA... are you kidding?

I think the 'fairness' defense is a little out of place here. Do you EVER see me ragging on spelling errors and typos? NO, you don't. I see typos on here all the time! I do them myself. I specifically posted THIS TIME for a reason! Read the post that I replied to and maybe you will understand why.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 6/11/06 10:44pm
Msg #125335

Re: Don't you mean advice? LKA... are you kidding? Sorry I

should not have butted in without reading all, my mistake....And no I have never seen you rag on anyone for spelling errors....

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/11/06 11:45pm
Msg #125342

Re: Don't you mean advice? LKA... are you kidding? Sorry I

OK... I guess you are forgiven. Since I'm the queen of jumping to conclusions I guess I'll give you a pass... just ONE! No more than ONE! My small mind can't count higher than ONE!

j/k... have a super night! I'm off to an emergency appointment. I have to go fix a screw up that some monkey did ealier. The paperwork was for Wells Fargo and they had the NObS on the DOT and nothing else. So the monkey signed just as printed and did not have the spouse sign the RTC, TIL or the Title/Escrow Docs. What a good little monkey! He followed the little black lines like a pro!

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 8:05pm
Msg #125316

Re: Don't you mean advice?

Small things will never stop bothering small minds. Please forgive my arrogance.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 9:06pm
Msg #125320

Re: Don't you mean advice? Anon69 - We've heard enough

about you, if you don't mind. People are way too focused on you.

It was fun for awhile, but for now, I prefer to talk about me.

I am going to start another thread where I can be the star.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/11/06 9:28pm
Msg #125324

Re: Don't you mean advice? Anon69 - We've heard enough

Come on Brenda, can I have him (anon, must be a male) for just 5 minutes. I could volunteer my husband (a very talented UFC fighter), he could visit with him and an aerosol can, if you know what I mean.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 9:38pm
Msg #125326

Loretta: Anon69 - We've heard enough

Okay...go ahead and take him. I just realized I am way too low on legal paper and I have to run to Wal-mart for the $5 ream...too late for Sam's. When I get back, this board better have my problems in their scope.

J/k...I hope people know that. LOL...I always tell Titlegal, "Now, let's talk about what's really important--ME. *I'm* the star."

My friends know that it's just a joke and the I deal with some of the rampant narcissism in my day to day life dealing with those close loved ones I cannot pick like I do my good friends.

I am not so sure about that aerosol can, but it's very interesting. Oh yes...I cannot wait for THAT sequel on Anon69.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/11/06 9:58pm
Msg #125329

Re: Loretta: Anon69 - We've heard enough

If my husband had not made a pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, I would not be up this late.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/11/06 11:12pm
Msg #125337

Re: Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee

One of my favourites!! There is nearly always a pot of JBM on!
Somewhere I have a bag of unroasted JBM coffee beans, got to find it and get them roasted.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/06 11:15pm
Msg #125338

Re: Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee

Mine too!

Not a tea drinker Sylvia? I had you pegged for an English Lady still having tea!

In the summer I try to cut the coffee and jazz up with ice tea. I make a big pitcher and then boil a couple of Earl Grey bags to add to it. When I serve it people always wonder why it's so different and good. I love the bergamot (sp?).

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/12/06 6:04am
Msg #125351

Re: Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee - Brenda

I am a tea drinker Brenda. I also love a cup of JMB coffee.
Earl Grey is my favourite too. I bought one of those "Tea Drop" tea machines the other week and put loose Earl Grey in it. I also bought a packet of Crumpets on Saturday, so I can have a cup of tea with a crumpet in the afternoon.
I cannot drink Iced Tea (YUCK!!!), but will drink Iced Coffee with some flavouring, sugar and half and half in it.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/11/06 9:24pm
Msg #125322

Re: Don't you mean advice?

Spell check....Ahhhhhh....what a wonderful invention.
Were you saying it as a noun or a verb, anon?

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 9:50pm
Msg #125328

Re: Don't you mean advice?

You guys obviously read my last message. I said small things will cease to bother small minds!!
Get it now?

Reply by Anonymous on 6/11/06 9:59pm
Msg #125330

Re: Don't you mean advice?

Oh no! I forgot the never!Now do you guys get it?

Reply by Jahari Davis on 6/12/06 10:16am
Msg #125378

Ok, I gotta ask....am I being Punk'd? n/m