Posted by Jennifer Maxted on 3/22/07 3:40pm
Msg #181410

Info on Going National, HELP

If anyone has information on going National with my signing company please let me know. I have a mobile notary signing company and am wanting to take it National. What advice does anyone have for me. I already have a relationship with a large title company.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/22/07 4:27pm
Msg #181418

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but if you're starting a national SS there are three things you need to know - 1) find competent notaries and build a network (this site is a good starting point), 2) pay your notaries fairly, and 3) pay them on time. If you do 2 and 3, you'll have plenty of people willing to work for you. After that - it's all marketing on your part...

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 3/22/07 4:34pm
Msg #181420

I would say to do the same as you did marketing yourself locally, just on a larger scale, don't lowball yourself when contacting the title companies you want to do business with.
I agree with the other poster on this message. Treat your notaries fairly and you will have a good selection of EXPERIENCED signing agents that your clients will love! Pay a fair fee, anymore, most experienced notaries won't lower their fee just because it's a SS calling instead of title.
With the market the way it is right now, it's going to be an uphill climb for you.
I, personally, don't care for SS's, there are very few I'll even work for, and those are the ones that pay me 100+ per closing, w/o faxbacks and handholding. They treat me with respect and in turn, I respect them.
Good Luck on your venture!

Reply by Les_CO on 3/22/07 5:18pm
Msg #181429

First you need a list of qualified notary signing agents in every county in every state (except attorney states, in which case you need a list of attorneys that do signings) in the US. Then you can offer your services to nationwide title companies. Then you need a list of natiowide title companies, and lenders that may require your services. Then an interactive web site. The knowledge involved to do this, some schedulers that are articulate, have English as a first language, are patient, and know all the in's and out's of remote loan closings/signings(about 10 years in the title business will help.) The capital to pay your expensis, and notaries for at least two months (without getting paid from your customers) and about a years worth of grocery money under the bed.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/22/07 6:25pm
Msg #181435

Well said Les

You need to be able to guarantee your signing agents work to the title company. Also to have the capital as Les said, you need to pay your signing agents regardless if the borrowers sign or not. If the signing agent goes to the borrowers and sits down with them they deserve to be paid whether the title company pays you or not.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/22/07 10:31pm
Msg #181486

All of the above, plus, cut checks every two weeks, like

clockwork, (made easy by QuickBooksPro,) and you will grow your business and your reputation. First and foremost, as already pointed out above, you must have Working Capital. If your cash flow isn't comfortably adequate, you're going to have a hard row to hoe, IMHO. You need to back up the credit you extend, because the people extending you credit didn't take on your risk of getting stiffed.

Screening/developing your network of NSAs, and multi-state compliances? Insurances? Laundry list of issues, so get the best advice, refine Business Plan.

And, if you aren't using a good internet delivery system for confirmations, doc delivery, completion, etc., (in other words are a PITA to take jobs from,) well, think of it like NSAs are Mama, and when Mama ain't happy, *nobody's* happy. As SylviaFL said, pay for no-signs. You negotiate that payment from your clients, because right's right, and wrong ain't.

Cash flow, systems, administration, legal, and that's before you open the Nationwide door.

One last thing: it could take its time, or it could take right off - but good products in a competitive market don't go un-noticed; so prepare for growth. At some point, many businesses reach that threshold where they have to get either smaller or larger. Time to evaluate the Business Plan, and make good decisions.



Best of luck, and cheers!
Susie