Posted by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 11:27am
Msg #175214

Need advice on...

Hey everyone, I'm a new notary in Texas and I also want to work as a signing agent. First off I was told that in Texas you don't make enough money to work this job as a full time job. Can anyone comment on this? If you live in TX can you tell me how busy you are and how often work slows down? Also is it worth to pay to get certified as a signing agent or can I find the information that I will need to know elsewhere? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/11/07 11:56am
Msg #175217

did you post this previously? n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/11/07 12:22pm
Msg #175220

You already asked this on the 7th, and got a response from Brenda. Why ask again when it has already been responded to?

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/11/07 2:19pm
Msg #175230

i had recognized the name and question... she

must want us to do her work...

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/07 3:04pm
Msg #175235

Re: i had recognized the name and question... she

There is only one real way to figure out how much work you have a shot at in Texas and I have already mentioned that to Elizabeth in my post on the 7th. I can't blame her for not wanting to hear what I believe is the truth.

If she doesn't understand how to gauge the amount of work readily available to her or how to gauge her competition, it doesn't matter what anyone says, or what she thinks, or what anyone thinks.

Failure to do real investigation of the business and depending on chatroom opinions....well....we all know what that means....you may be passing up a great opportunity or you may be hearing the song of the sirens who just want to get your money into their pockets by selling you a lot of "how to do this" stuff.

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 3:42pm
Msg #175239

Re: i had recognized the name and question... she

I have totally taken your advise into consideration. You are the only one that responded and I was trying to get more imput on my question.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/07 3:56pm
Msg #175241

Re: i had recognized the name and question... she

Elizabeth, If you read this forum you will realize there are not very many people in Texas posting on it. There's a reason for that. It's not because of a lack of agents in Texas, it is because this is not big business in Texas.

It really does depend on where you are, how many loans are originated there and how many signing agents are in your area. You need to search out how many are in your area doing what you aspire to do.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 2/11/07 5:16pm
Msg #175249

It isn't just TX

Work is way down all over the country. If you have any questions, just pick up any newspaper and read all the articles about new homes sales tanking, forclosures at record highs, interest rates up (at least from what they were several years ago), etc. ALL of these greatly impact our business. This is an extremely difficult time to try and break into this business no matter where you are located. Our friends at XYZ have conducted seminars in all the major cities touting BIG EASY MONEY to be made as a signing agent. Therefore you have an ever increasing pool of signing agents chasing an ever diminishing pie called loan signings. I consider it a good week if I now do in one week the number of signings I did 3 - 4 years ago in a good DAY! And there was another seminar here in the Detroit area in January. Fees have been depressed so now it takes more signings to gross the amounts that were made just a few years ago due to the new influx of signing agents who are willing to take little or no profit just to try and recoup the money they have expended thus far. Needless to say, they don't usually last very long in this business because the bottom line is not there for the effort and costs (computer, laser printer, cell phone, fax machine, car expense and the biggie GASOLINE). But only you can really decide factoring in all the information given to you.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/07 5:27pm
Msg #175251

Re: It isn't just TX -

I would like to know if any state thinks this is a good time to get into this business. I am going to make a separate thread.

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 7:52pm
Msg #175279

Re: It isn't just TX

Thanks for the info Dorothy. I have all of the equiptment I need and really wanted to do this full time but even if I have to keep a full time job and am able to make extra money doing this on the side, I'll be happy. I am actually going to college and as you know, anything income helps.

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 3:34pm
Msg #175238

Re: i had recognized the name and question... she

For your information I'm not trying to get anyone do the work for me. In case you hadn't noticed that's exactly what I'm doing here. Trying get as much information as I can!

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 3:32pm
Msg #175237

It would only be wise to see what other people have to say. Why only take one persons word for it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/07 4:07pm
Msg #175242

Re: Need advice on... To be fair, Elizabeth:

Here's one for you...someone who doesn't post but who wrote to me directly.

**Hi Brenda!

I read your reply on the Notary Forum and you stated that Texas is not a very good state to get work in. I am just curious.....what city do you live in? I don't have a problem in getting work. The only problem I get sometimes is a few companies here and there that are slow pays.**

This person is in Bexar County. If that's where you are you could take this third hand info and get started. Notice, they did not realize all they'd have to do to figure out where I am is to click on my link to find out where I am.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/11/07 4:14pm
Msg #175243

Elizabeth
You will find that when someone asks a question and received a good answer (as you did when you asked previously) then others will refrain from responding, as they probably don't have anything more to add. This is probably why you only got a response from Brenda.
Brenda's word on this forum is like gold

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 7:57pm
Msg #175281

Actually, the question I posted on the 7th was the first time I have ever posted anything. Again, I am trying to get as much information as I can.

Reply by Leon_CO on 2/11/07 12:49pm
Msg #175223

** Also is it worth to pay to get certified as a signing agent or can I find the information that I will need to know elsewhere? **
-------------------------------------------------------

Elizabeth, yes, you can find the information elsewhere.

There is an excellent training manual that you can use to learn about loan signings. It's the Signing Registry Training Guide, by Kathy Poston. You can actually order it here, through Notary Rotary. Click on the 'Notary Supplies' tab. That will not only teach you about the loan documents, but also about the signing agent business. All you need to know is in that manual.

It's really difficult to say if it's worth it or not to become certified. For one thing, it all depends on which certification you're considering. There are actually a few. You can get work as a notary signing agent without becoming certified. There are some companies that are require a background check, but not certification. And a few of them conduct their own background check, at no cost.

Feel free to email or send a message. Certification, background checks, etc. is a complex issue.

Good luck.

Reply by sandi/WA on 2/11/07 2:35pm
Msg #175232

Leon, great response! n/m

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 3:31pm
Msg #175236

Thanks for your kind reply. This helps!

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/11/07 4:50pm
Msg #175246

you need to use the orange search button
you need to read as many posting as possible
than you ask questions... otherwise it can appear that you want it given to you w/o doing any beginning digging for information

and yes Brenda is one of the NR people who always has the most and best info

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/07 5:15pm
Msg #175248

Re: Need advice on...thanks for the vote Zee & Sylvia

I truly wish I had better and brighter info to give Elizabeth.

This is the downside of the refi boom. The fizzle...the last call for alcohol. Texas lending laws are not NSA friendly. This was even stated once in an NNA newsletter...probably in early '05 if someone wants to go looking for it.

Reply by ZeeCA on 2/11/07 5:21pm
Msg #175250

Re: Need advice on...thanks for the vote Zee & Sylvia

I had read about that in Texas somewhere previously but do not remember where....

btw, I am reading thru yr book and it is really a great collection of information... THANKS!

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 8:07pm
Msg #175287

Re: Need advice on...thanks for the vote Zee & Sylvia

I don't doubt anything you have said. I have copied and saved your comments in a word document for my notes. Thanks for everything.

Reply by Elizabeth Vasquez on 2/11/07 8:05pm
Msg #175285

I have done lots of research on the internet and on have read previous messages posted on this website. Actually the message I posted has been the last of my research. I didn't know people were going to be so cold and rude. Others, like Leon were super nice. I didn't expect to be shot down and acused of being lazy the you did to me.

Reply by christiSocal on 2/11/07 10:41pm
Msg #175302

Re: Need advice on... n/m