Posted by Alta Schuck on 12/20/07 5:25pm
Msg #227091

Trying to get started

I am a new notary and certified signing agent. I am trying to get started as a mobile signing agent but I am running into problems because I have no experience yet. I was called for one signing and completed the task. However, I was stiffed by the company who hired me and unfortunately, that is their reputation, which I wasn't aware of at the time. I accepted the job to gain some experience. I felt very comfortable that I had completed the signing with no problems. Now that I have joined this group, I have hopes of getting more requests. What is the best way to get my name out there? Should I pick some companies with good reputations and see if they will give me a chance? I am doing this so I will have something to do after retirement so at the moment, I want to do evenings and weekend closings. Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated.

Reply by docs1954CA on 12/20/07 5:32pm
Msg #227093

As others will advise you..

Use the orange search button and type in the key words, such as "dead beat signing companies", getting started, etc.You will have to spend alot of time reading here to gain what will be needed to hopefully succeed in this business.No guarantee you will, as we are all struggling to survive the "mortgage meltdown".

By the way, who stiffed you? SOX, Signatures Plus?

Reply by Alta Schuck on 12/20/07 5:37pm
Msg #227096

Re: As others will advise you..

The Final Step LLC. After looking at their ratings, it seems to be their pattern.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 12/20/07 5:33pm
Msg #227094

You picked the worst time to become a signing agent......

work is slow for the majority of people. If you have no experience, I doubt anyone reputable will call on your for services at this point and time.

Read the messages on this board from start to finish. Most questions you may have will probably be answered by reading the past messages. Other then that, good luck! You're gonna need it.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 12/20/07 5:39pm
Msg #227097

Re: You picked the worst time to become a signing agent......

Your best bet is to walk in to the title companies near your home, maybe someone will give you a chance. There are a lot of experienced agents out there without work.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/20/07 9:04pm
Msg #227121

Re: You picked the worst time to become a signing agent......

I have to disagree. The people at title companies will eat your lunch unless you have experience. Besides, for many of them these days, we are there competition. I was in an office today (not escrow, but RE related field) and noticed flyers from an escrow person who was advertising to do loan signings...

When you are experienced and know what you are doing, then is the time to market to title/escrow companies, imo.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 12/20/07 5:37pm
Msg #227095

I hate to tell you, Alta

But the NNA has pulled the wool over your eyes.
There are few and far between signings, and there really is no need for new signing agents.
But, if I were you, I would read post 33325 and sign up with as many signing agencies as there are in signing central.
Best of luck to you during these lean times!

Reply by Alta Schuck on 12/20/07 5:40pm
Msg #227098

Re: I hate to tell you, Alta

I know the timing is not the greatest. Thank goodness I have a full time job right now and don't need to rely on this. I just wanted to find something to prepare myself when I retire in four years but I guess I have plenty of time now to gain the experience slowly.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/20/07 6:17pm
Msg #227105

Re: I hate to tell you, Alta

Alta
I am also in Palm Bay When I started there were only 2 signing agents in the whole county.
Now there are over 100 in Palm Bay.

While you are waiting to retire try and do some regular notarizations. You really need some experience as a notary. Take out an ad in The Little Paper (I think it is still around)

Reply by jba/fl on 12/20/07 7:28pm
Msg #227114

Re: I hate to tell you, Alta

Alta, one other thing that no one has mentioned so far, but you will see it as you are reading other posts. Many new people take lower fees, lower than the norm, and you need to find a price point that is not just competitive, but not undercutting severely so that everyone will hate you. Don't become a low-baller just to get business. YOu will see that in today's messages about newbie's doing this, and what happens is that you will attract the wrong companies who will never raise your price as your experience goes up plus you will put yourself out of business before you even get started and on a good roll.

Good luck - the timing is just awful right now.

Reply by Steven Pearce on 12/20/07 10:02pm
Msg #227127

You are doing fine.

Hang in there bud. I myself am tired of reading all these negative posts from people who complain to shoot down the newbies. I'm getting quite a few refinances during this so called 'meltdown'. Seems like all the folks who did the interest only loans are now scrambling to get refi's while I just bought 5 more reams of laser printer paper.

This can actually be a good time for us because the banks don't want to get stuck with the houses, so they are starting to be more helpful with modifications and refis.

Complete your profile here and on the NNA, and NEVER EVER pay for a site to list you, there are too many free ones out there. Most of my work has come from here and the NNA website.

I choose to celebrate that the thorn bush has roses.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/20/07 10:21pm
Msg #227128

"I just bought 5 more reams of laser printer paper." hmmmm

"I choose to celebrate that the thorn bush has roses." Consummate optimist! That's nice.


I went throught 2 reams today...can't afford to buy 5 at a time.

Let me guess: rural area, non-saturated w/XYZ grads being pumped out every 3 mos. from local 'big bucks' seminars. 'nuff said.

Reply by Nomad/OR on 12/20/07 11:40pm
Msg #227131

Re: "I just bought 5 more reams of laser printer paper." h

....yep, rural area saturated with 'professionals' full of themselves.

so I get the work.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/20/07 11:20pm
Msg #227129

Re: You are doing fine.

Your advise is: "and NEVER EVER pay for a site to list you," then why are you paying the NNA? A company that does anything to line their own coffers at the expense of the notary's they claim to represent.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/20/07 11:22pm
Msg #227130

Re: meant "represent" n/m

Reply by Nomad/OR on 12/20/07 11:50pm
Msg #227132

Re: You are doing fine.

I pay the NNA and Notary Rotary for the links to research for companies.

What did NNA do to you to make you so bitter? I've received nothing but good service and jobs.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/20/07 11:52pm
Msg #227134

Re: You are doing fine.

Use the orange search key and read all about it..............

Reply by Nomad/OR on 12/21/07 12:05am
Msg #227135

Re: You are doing fine.

couldn't find yours.

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/21/07 12:48am
Msg #227136

DESKTOP: Read btwn the lines of the NNA grad ..... n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 12/21/07 8:29am
Msg #227161

Re: DESKTOP: Read btwn the lines of the NNA grad .....

Already figured that out, that's why I told them to use the "orange" serch key on the NNA. After reading the posts if they don't understand that the NNA isn't their friend and will compromise their notary business if there's a buck in it for the NNA, it's not my problem. Do you remember the song "The Backstabbers" from the 70's? That should be the theme song for the NNA, JMHO.

I just thought it was strange that he was telling a newbie not to pay to get listed in a database, and then lists the NNA (we all know he's paid to be in their database) which isn't free, it appears as though he doesn't follow his own advise.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/21/07 1:50am
Msg #227141

Re: You are doing fine.

"I myself am tired of reading all these negative posts from people who complain to shoot down the newbies. I'm getting quite a few refinances during this so called 'meltdown'."

Yep, you're onto us alright. The real estate loan market is actually still thriving, we're all just making up meltdown stories to shoot down the newbies.

I'd write more, but I"m too busy silkscreening "$" onto little cloth sacks. I just go through them like toilet paper these days.

Reply by Demore on 12/21/07 2:31am
Msg #227143

Re: You are doing fine.

Hi! Steven,

Wow! I appreciate you being positive and encourage others. People like you make a difference in other people lives. Your attitude is distinct and professional. Like you, I like to encourage people. Your comments are true and it is good that you add something to allow newbie to be part of the loan signing.

You have my admiration and respect. So mote it be!

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/07 6:27am
Msg #227147

Steven, It is The Man keeping the Newbie down.

**I just bought 5 more reams of laser printer paper.**

When things were what the long-timers consider going well, we bought our legal size paper by the case...or more like we bought paper by the caseS. A purchase of five reams does not indicate high ol' times. Buying five reams at a time means you are earning pocket change, not an income.

Ignore me though...like CaliNotary said, really, the complaints about the slow-down are part of an organized propaganda compaign...a conspiracy...consider these comments straight from "The Man" who is all about keeping the newbie down.

Dream on, Steven. Send some of that fairy dust and a nice long straw to Texas. While things are showing a little bit of rising activity, if you have a heart and a clue you won't instill high hopes where cautious optimism is a more in order for the day.

Reply by sue_pa on 12/21/07 6:52am
Msg #227148

Re: Steven, It is The Man keeping the Newbie down.

...or more like we bought paper by the caseS...

a sign of the times. I usually purchased 10 cases of each - depending on sales price limits. Had 3 back up toner cartridges (mine prints 10000 pages), 2 cell phones, dedicated fax line plus computer fax, 2 printers ...

Friday I purchased 3 cases of each size paper, still have the 3 back up toners, down to 1 cell phone for the past 1.5 years, got rid of the dedicated fax line, extra printer is in the box in the closet ...

Off I go - 6 appts. today but without a broad established customer base ...

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 12/21/07 8:32am
Msg #227162

Re: Steven, It is The Man keeping the Newbie down.

Yes, I remember those days of buying paper by the cases - EVERY MONTH. I still buy it by the cases (letter) and the case (legal) about every 2 - 3 months. There is a story there if you will only read it. I used to do in a DAY what I'm now thankful to do in a WEEK!

This board used to be very active with people that made a very good living at this profession, then the XYZ started churning out NSA's by the 100's in every major city in the country. The supply was increasing 10 fold while the demand was melting like snow in a warm rain. A great many have had to seek outside employment just to hold on and those of us who are still doing this full time have really shrunk our style of living. Welcome to our world. Sorry it is not as the picture was painted for you.

PS Only a fool contributes money to speed along his demise.

Reply by desktopfull on 12/21/07 9:55am
Msg #227188

Great PS.......LOL.........go over his head though....... n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 12/20/07 6:29pm
Msg #227106

Non-Loan Work

Hi Alta,

I agree with the earlier reponses to your post. I would like to add that it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to market yourself as a mobile notary to the general public. Laura Vestenan is a member on this site and she sells a book on this subject. It has a lot of good ideas. If you search the internet for Professional Notary you'll find her in Washington. I'm getting more calls from Borrowers directly asking me to close their loans for them. Good luck!

Reply by HudsonBayCA on 12/20/07 7:51pm
Msg #227115

On the bright side . . .

My first year as a newbie, I worked for only one company (you have to find one who is willing to work with you and show you the ropes when you mess up). My company was a Mom and Pop signing agency and they paid me "newbie" prices because that is all they could afford. I helped build up their revenue and they paid me a little more later on. That doesn't mean I didn't make mistakes but eventually I worked it out and Mom and Pop made some money. Then I started to branch out and marketed myself to 250 companies. I don't work for all of them all at once but I have a good clientele base.

I was the other signing agencies "clean up" woman where I went out and fixed mistakes that other more professional notaries public made. Then as my reputation grew, I got more and more business. Now it is slow again, and I am working solely on my reputation as a professional notary public. I have "back up" money so it is okay for now.

You have back up money so my advice to you is "market, market, market" and see where you land. . . on your feet or out the door.

The mortgage and escrow companies laughed at me and showed me the door when I tried to get on their notary public database because I had no experience. Ten years later, when I do work for mortgage or escrow companies, I ask for top dollar.

Reply by Alta Schuck on 12/21/07 6:54am
Msg #227149

Input appreciated

WOW! Such a diverse list of responses. Some very cut throat and I understand that if this is your living. I simply want to learn the business and learn from my mistakes because I know I will make them.....just as you all have, I am sure. My intent is not to take away any jobs from anyone but to pick up a couple of jobs a week in the evening now and when I retire in a couple of years, do a few more a week to keep my head above water. I have had two careers in my life, this will not be my third. However, whatever jobs I have the opportunity to do, I want do it right and within the appropriate fee scale so I don't low ball and hurt the rest of you. I have been doing regular notary signings for my place of work to gain experience. All of your suggestions on how to break into this, especially on a part time level, have been good ideas and very much appreciated. Perhaps one of you might sometime be too busy to accept every job that comes your way in the southern Brevard or northern Indian River Counties in FL and would consider passing the job to me - with the company's permission of course. I am still learning the protocal in all of this.

Again, thank you all for your input now and any more to come. Trust me, I am not a threat to any of you. Good luck and have a great holiday.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/21/07 7:18am
Msg #227152

Re: Input appreciated

"My intent is not to take away any jobs from anyone"

Sorry Alta, but all newbies say this and they may mean it, but that is what happens.
I don't worry as I no longer do the signings personally as I have a successful signing company.
If you want to contact me after the holidays and get together with me I will be happy to help you in what way I can.

Reply by Alta Schuck on 12/21/07 7:42am
Msg #227153

Re: Input appreciated

Sylvia,

I would greatly appreciate getting together with you after the holidays and thank you for your willingness to help.

I hope that I can seperate myself from the other newbies if that is what they do. I pride myself on my integrity and very much believe in working together when possible. Call me idealistic but that is what gets me through. I don't want to be associated with those you refer to in your response.

Thanks again and I will be in touch.

Have a very happy holiday.

Penny - that is what everyone calls me but Alta is my legal and "commissioned" name.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/21/07 9:58am
Msg #227192

Re: Input appreciated

"My intent is not to take away any jobs from anyone but to pick up a couple of jobs a week in the evening"

But you WILL be taking jobs away from from others that are professional NSAs and count on this job to feed their children.

"I want do it right and within the appropriate fee scale so I don't low ball and hurt the rest of you."

Very noble of you, but how can you command a respectable fee with absolutely no experience?

"Perhaps one of you might sometime be too busy to accept every job that comes your way in the southern Brevard or northern Indian River Counties in FL and would consider passing the job to me "

Never in a million years would I refer a client to a n NSA with no experience...you must be dreaming?

I'm curious, how did you find out about this profession and what made you decide it would be a good fit for you?

Reply by Alta Schuck on 12/22/07 9:48am
Msg #227377

Re: Input appreciated

It is obvious that you and many others have forgotten what it was like when you first started out. I am sorry you have such an attitude and hope you don't convey that when you out doing a signing.

Whether this is a fit for me or not remains to be seen. But you never know until you try.

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/27/07 9:26am
Msg #227753

Re: Input appreciated

>>>It is obvious that you and many others have forgotten what it was like when you first started out.<<<

No, Alta, you are incorrect. I was in this business BEFORE I went out on my own and I knew how the business worked, what my role was and what was expected of me as an NSA/mobile closer. I, unlike you, didn't get a flyer in the mail and decide I wanted a new career or a new pin money gig because the NNA made it sound so simple and easy.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 12/22/07 4:57pm
Msg #227444

Catch 22

I understand what you're saying and agree with most of it, but it all ultimately comes down to this in a tight market:

You shouldn't be doing this job unless you have experience - but you can't get experience until you've actually done this job.

Reply by Kathleen Bowman on 12/27/07 1:10am
Msg #227742

Re: Input appreciated

Lady you can stand to lighten up. You're giving out of staters the idea that Floridians are insensitive to others' feelings. Lighten up and quit inhaling so much sea salt.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/27/07 7:32am
Msg #227749

Re: Input appreciated

Kathleen, You're snarking all over the place. Does that really help? Going back for months? Looking for ugly things to say about posters?

Go back to MySpace...what you are doing here is just mean-spirited.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=87438913

Reply by Becca_FL on 12/27/07 9:34am
Msg #227754

Re: Input appreciated

>>>Lady you can stand to lighten up. You're giving out of staters the idea that Floridians are insensitive to others' feelings. Lighten up and quit inhaling so much sea salt.<<<

Now that is about the stupidest thing I've seen written here in a long time....You must be a friend of FlaskMac. Go back to crochet club and my space.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/07 10:31am
Msg #227198

Re: Input appreciated

"Some very cut throat and I understand that if this is your living...Trust me, I am not a threat to any of you."

Trust ME...the concern is not for "any of us" it is concern for people who read this board and who may be about to give up other income to become "successful" signing agents when the mortgage industry isn't exactly the most lucrative field to launch a new business in....from our perspective.

Reply by Gary_CA on 12/21/07 11:00am
Msg #227205

As long as you're "gaining some experience"

Gain some experience collecting too... it ain't a business if you don't get paid.

Make them sunny beaches pay up... you don't need a lawyer or to give up 1/3 to a collection agency either... you just gotta know one thing.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak

Reply by Ernest__CT on 12/21/07 11:13am
Msg #227215

Amen! n/m