Posted by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 2:04pm
Msg #209804

New to this as of 15 minutes ago

I have just takent he online course for the signing agent. I am not sure but it lookedd as though I just have the people sign the documents without having to explain the document to them. Is this correct? I am afraid I will mess this up. If anyone can give me some pointers I would appreciate it. I currently work for the governement providing homes to low income and deal with all of the forms and I have to explain the entire closing papers then notarize each form. Please help.

Reply by FlBrit on 9/7/07 2:07pm
Msg #209805

Re: Nice name....

that's the name of my website.....

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/7/07 2:42pm
Msg #209814

That's funny. I couldn't find Emerald Coast Notary ...

... when I Googled that name. Google doesn't have your Site listed within the first four Pages of results.

The original Poster should rethink her use of the name "Emerald Coast Notary" since sombody else has that Web Site name already established.

The person who owns Emerald Coast Notary . Com needs to pay for help getting the Site known. At one fast glance at the Home Page it is obvious why....

Reply by FlBrit on 9/7/07 2:50pm
Msg #209819

Re: Ouch n/m

Reply by DebbieT on 9/7/07 3:27pm
Msg #209830

Re: That's funny. I couldn't find Emerald Coast Notary ...

I googled it and she IS the first one listed. It shows her name but it is her website.

Reply by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 3:51pm
Msg #209838

Re: That's funny. I couldn't find Emerald Coast Notary ...

I haven't finished designing the website. I had to take my baby to the hospital and will continue to work on it tonight.

Reply by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 3:43pm
Msg #209836

Re: Nice name....

I'm sorry but when I went to emeraldcoastnotary.net they said the domain was available.

Reply by FlBrit on 9/7/07 5:04pm
Msg #209852

Re: You are correct

My website is the .com

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/7/07 4:24pm
Msg #209843

Re: Nice name....

That is why I paid for the domains Floridamobilenotary.com, Floridamobilenotary.net and Floridamobilenotary.org

Haven't got a website at the moment, took down the one I had. Need to think about getting one up again.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/7/07 2:13pm
Msg #209806

I am so sorry, Candy, an online course will just not do in this business. You must have not read up on the business as far as the money aspect of it. Subprime loans are gone and so is our business. Most of us are looking for full time jobs elsewhere. Not only is the market to blame but so is the NNA in promoting this as a good business that will make you wealty.

Type in "newbie" after you click on the orange "search" button. Good luck to you.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/7/07 2:14pm
Msg #209808

Keep and appreciate that full time job you have. There is so much more to this business that I couldn't explain it all. It is more than "point and sign".

Reply by BetsyMI on 9/7/07 2:49pm
Msg #209818

Somehow you learned really quick how to post a question here, but never figured out how to first get a feel for the forum and read just three or four posts down from yours about what everyone is doing to supplement their income from this industry, which has fallen off the charts. People are having to LEAVE this industry because they can't make a go of it with the money coming in (or not coming in) from doing signings, not coming INTO this industry.

Sorry to say this is not the time to get into this business. You'll find that you'll go months without a call if you've just started. Good luck to you.

Reply by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 3:39pm
Msg #209833

I understand that everyone is having a hard time surviving in this industry and that was not my question. I have a full time job that pays very well and I am not leaving it I am simply trying to get some extra money as a single mom to help take care of my extremely sick infant.

Reply by FlBrit on 9/7/07 5:07pm
Msg #209854

Re: You live less than 3 mls from me

Give me a shout if you like.

Reply by CaliNotary on 9/7/07 7:40pm
Msg #209873

Re: You live less than 3 mls from me

You're offering to help somebody who lives less than 3 miles from you? It's a nice sentiment, but a horrible business move. Now is not the time for us to be charitable in helping others enter the industry, especially when they're competing for the exact same jobs you are.

Reply by FlBrit on 9/8/07 10:57am
Msg #209917

Re: Thanks to my FL Network

I have solid business contacts to make it thru these rough times. She just might not understand the expectations of lenders/title/signing companies in this business and think it's just that easy to jump on in at the worst time. Her money and time might be better spent on her child and not into a business venture.

Reply by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 3:37pm
Msg #209832

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your suggestions.

Reply by MelissaCT on 9/7/07 2:59pm
Msg #209824

Re: Are you the person listed

by the same name as working at the WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL as a planning technician? If so, you may be thinking this will be great pocket change, but the reality is that it is a business, with competition, taxes and real expenses.

Reply by Emerald Coast Notary - Candy Weiser on 9/7/07 3:42pm
Msg #209834

Re: Are you the person listed

Yes I am the person and i understand that it is very hard to survive in this business but I am determined to do my best and see where it gets me.

Reply by Charm_AL on 9/7/07 4:02pm
Msg #209840

Re: Are you the person listed

Candy, you got a bunch of 'unloading' by the 'old-timers that aren't making it as a full time career anymore. Feel free to e-m or pm me, and good luck.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/7/07 4:39pm
Msg #209847

Re: Are you the person listed...Charm_AL...

not very charming today. I am not an ol timer. I am a 36 year old mother of 3 children, doing this full time for 11 years. I wouldn't waste my time or money trying to be certified online. I also wouldn't want to roll the dice on spending it on e&o and becoming listed on sites, the way the market is right now.

I feel really bad for the new signing agent. She was probably promised the moon. I would rather spend more time with my sick child then wasting more money getting in on this dried up business. Then again, she may be in an area that has a limited amount of notaries. I would be sure to help her out then. If she lives near you in Alabama, maybe you can take her around and train her. JMHO

Reply by Charm_AL on 9/7/07 5:50pm
Msg #209859

Re: Are you the person listed...Charm_AL...wow

Loretta, I did not accuse YOU of being an old timer, in fact I'm 10 years older than you! I, as well as many others are are this for a long time, hence, the old-timer phrase. I'm sorry you took what I tried to convey, the way you did. Everyone has a right to choose their own career and to introduce themselves to this forum like we did.
I do this as well, full time with 4 kids and a LOT of bills including two college tutions. Have a wonderful weekend.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 9/7/07 4:43pm
Msg #209848

Re: Are you the person listed

and I know she lives in FL, so don't try it.

Reply by ScottMN on 9/7/07 4:03pm
Msg #209841

O/T-I hope things turn around for your little one.

As a fairly new father of a 16 month old, I can understand how difficult and expensive things are for you right now. My thoughts and prayers out to you and your family.

Reply by CJ on 9/7/07 4:27pm
Msg #209844

Things are tough here too.

I can't imagine having a full time job and trying to do this "on the side". We get calls all hours of the day, borrowers say they want to sign at a convienet time, but then switch dates or times to a bad time. Loan officers say that the docs were not sent out on time, so now they are emailing them, then the docs are late, and you have to reschedule the time for later.

That was when things were good. Right now we are all sitting at home trying to figure out what to do now that the phone stopped ringning. All the loan officiers, brokers, and real esate agents who are out of work are flooding the market with more notaries thinking that somehow we are still working. It is good that you have gumption and will power, but that won't make the phone ring. We all had gumption, will power, and steady clients.

I put a thread up this morning asking notaries if this is their full time job, or do they have another source of income. (I put it up because I was fishing for ideas myself, as well as wondering if anyone is in as bad a spot as I was. They all are.) If you read that, you will see how even the "full time" people are hurting. Last year I averaged 70 a month. But this week, I have had only two calls. The reason is (as far as I can tell) the interest rates have climbed higher, so everyone who wanted to re-finance got it taken care of these last few years when rates were down. I signed a lot of sub-prime loans, and I secretly thought, "Well, there are a lot of 3 year pre-payment penalies out there, so at least I have job secuirty for the next three years." But they are all foreclosing.

We are like rats on the Titanic. This has been our livlihoods for years, and now there is no work. But we can't go to unemployment, becuase we are all self-employed.

(And it it not point-and-sign. All the borrowers do expect you to explain everthing to them. They think you are with the loan company, and they think you personally know their loan. And usually, the work is when all the loan people have gone home, and it is up to you to solve the problems.) And if they don't sign, you usually get paid half fee, even if you were there for an hour while they read everything.

I am sorry about your baby. Being a notary is not the path to riches right now. I wish I had a solution for you.

Reply by Todd/OH on 9/7/07 7:01pm
Msg #209869

What poor timing to become a notary signing agent - and hope

I suggest you do some praying - the rest of us are. So sorry you were sold a bill of goods.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/8/07 2:31pm
Msg #209934

Lest anyone think I was heartless, ...

... I used Private Reply to make suggestions for her Web Site, and wished her luck.

Reply by FlBrit on 9/8/07 4:39pm
Msg #209949

Re: Ernest...you weren't

I needed advice and what you gave me was wonderful suggestions and how I can improve that site! Thank you....

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/8/07 6:39pm
Msg #209955

You're welcome! Glad you took it as CONSTRUCTIVE! n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/8/07 10:28pm
Msg #209983

Candy - Sending Healing Thoughts out to your baby, and

applaudingy our resolve.

Despite the gloom and doom, there is always room for the stalwart and true. I would surmise that this is not the only spoon you have in the 'medical expenses' pot, and if you can glean some coins in this stew for your little one, horray for you!

No one ever has a total 'corner of the market" because Capitalism reigns. And those who know their craft and charge accordingly will survive.

But, I believe it is first and foremost a 'People Business.' So, value yourself, and stir carefully.

And, I think you know this: It's not a tiara, it's a notary stamp with common sense.

All the best,
Susie