Posted by Ndwa on 5/18/06 4:48am
Msg #120643

If you start low, you'll stay low

I had a good talk with another SA the other day who had been in the business longer than I am. To my astonishment, she has no direct contact with any TC/Lender except one that never met my fee. She didn't know better b/c she did what her mentor told her from the beginning. Surprisingly enough, she recently fount that her mentor is no longer in business due to unprofitability. This SA has since learn, but is having a hard time with client such as NationDirect where they're not willing to raise their fee.

I learned that it holds true to what many of us have said here. Lowball companies may offer volume and they will keep the low pay SA busy enough for us to profit from the high payers. I assumed they have kept her so busy that she didn't have the time to market or research other opportunities, and that she's feeling the effect of the decline in business.

There are only about 200 SA around the 30 miles radius I cover, but competition is fierce b/c I have not been able to find anyone willing to network/cooperate to pass on my overflow (ie. jury duty in Aug'05). This SA will get my referral as she's heading in the right (fee) direction.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/18/06 8:21am
Msg #120655

Re: If you start low, you'll stay low - Very interesting

If all I had was low-paying clients I would not be able to justify my existence at this level. However, I do believe the south will rise again in signings as rev morts take off. I started "specializing" or boning up on that that a year ago.

It's really slow for an NSA in Tx...let's see...at $50 x 5 signings = $250. At $60 = $300 - At $75 x 5 = $375 at my avg level...

Just a lull type of month at the slow rate of five...for the sake of the DOJ, no, I am not suggesting this is my fee, however, do some math...
1 at $75 = $75
3 at $150 = $450
1 at $175 = $175

$700.00 is decent for part-time income and worth keeping the signing agent doors open until rev morts get more popular. Add $300-$500 to that in other little 20 minute notary jobs and I'm satisfied.

Put weekly inspections (thank you MargaretFL & LawrenceOK) into it and it's much more worth my time. I have few bills and this is pretty nice to tide me over for now working part-time.

If I had been low-balling myself I would not even consider this worth keeping a nail job/pedicure for.

Speaking of work...must get onto that place. 9:00 - mid afternoon ...can't beat that with a stick.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/18/06 8:24am
Msg #120656

Re: If you start low, you'll stay low - correction

At $75 x 5 = $375 >>>at my avg level...<<<

<<<meant to put that under "do some math">>>

Just a lull type of month at the slow rate of five...for the sake of the DOJ, no, I am not suggesting this is my fee, however, do some math...
1 at $75 = $75
3 at $150 = $450
1 at $175 = $175