Posted by Calnotary on 5/17/08 10:50am
Msg #247695

I think is time to leave...

Last week not a single call. One loan closed in the whole month.
Are you planning on leaving this? I am. Something has to change in order to change my decision.

Reply by Calnotary on 5/17/08 11:14am
Msg #247696

Re: I think it is time to leave...sorry! n/m

Reply by Carmi/CA on 5/17/08 11:21am
Msg #247697

I am thinking the same thing.

Only three so far this month. My comm expires March of next year and so I have to start the renewal process in August. That'll cost me about $1000. I don't think it'll be worth it if things will continue to be this slow. I am planning on getting a job but not until September. School is almost out and I'd rather spend the summer with my kids before going back in the workplace.

Reply by CF on 5/17/08 12:51pm
Msg #247700

Been looking for a job for over 6 mos.

MI's job market is just as bad as the real estate market. All I get calls for is "straight comission sales" or less than $30K per year. I really hope that something turns around soon. Last month was decent....this month I have had only 8 orders. We all need luck at this point. I am marketing my a$$ off- every day- same response...."I am the one traveling to keep my job at this title company" that is for local business. National business is hit or miss- and most want to low ball.

I pray for all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by lindetteh_PA on 5/17/08 1:06pm
Msg #247702

Re: Been looking for a job for over 6 mos.

Me to! I have a degree in Health Administration and I am only getting calls for entry level positions paying less than 35k lucky for me when times were good I invested in some real estate, and that is doing well. I'm at the point were Im going to look into going back to school for my Masters its scary because I know some people who have a masters degree and they are either making under 40k or unemployed all together.

I Pray for all of us also!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by CF on 5/17/08 1:20pm
Msg #247704

Re: Been looking for a job for over 6 mos.

Yes, I have a degree to....and over 8 years in sales and marketing and when you add in another 5 years of this (which really is sales and marketing) then that is 13 years of expereince...it is really sad. I have considered getting a 2nd bachelors in nursing- that I know will provide me with a solid career.( decent $$$- not great) Sacrey to think that I may go back to school and add on all of those education expenses to make less $$$ than I used to in the corporate world 5 years ago. Tossing around getting my MBA too- we will see. At leaset here in MI we have top notch education....and a lot of the universities are competing for MA students and offering full on-line degrees. So that may be an option!!!

Reply by Kate/CA on 5/17/08 1:27pm
Msg #247706

Re: Been looking for a job for over 6 mos.

That may be a wise decision. I did a sign for a nurse last month, I could believe it, she made $147,000.00 last year. She worked at a hospital and worked a lot of over time. I was looking at her W-2 from the hospital.

Reply by christiSocal on 5/17/08 3:01pm
Msg #247713

Why so much?

I renewed last year at a fraction of that. Check out NR's class, just as good (If not better) than others and much less expensive. Same with their supplies...
With that said, I'm also looking for part time work. I wish bills would slow down as much as this biz has!

Reply by Carmen/123 on 5/17/08 4:58pm
Msg #247718

Re: Why so much?

That is exactly what I was thinking christi. I just renewed my commission and spent about 1/2 of that.

C

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 5/17/08 6:28pm
Msg #247721

Re: More like $150.00

$39.00 for online certificate from NR
$40.00 application fee
$71.00 rolling fee for live scan to DOJ and FBI
Am I missing something? Sounds like somebody got ripped off.

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 5/17/08 6:36pm
Msg #247723

Re: $10.00 for passport photo n/m

Reply by chucke/fl on 5/17/08 6:59pm
Msg #247725

Florida Notaries

I was wondering if the notaries in Florida feel the same way. I know the market is bad and the lenders are being very strict, but I am hoping and praying that this will turn around. However, I feel the business will be somewhat different when it does. Those who were used to making almost 6 figures will be a thing of the past, especially since there are some out there who will work for a fraction of what we were used to getting. But those of us that can wait it out might be able to make a decent living again, I am praying.

Reply by ME/NJ on 5/17/08 7:31pm
Msg #247727

2006 was a 6 figure year 2007 39K

I think if I do the same for 2008 I will call that lucky. I have had my resume out for 6 months too. Had 3 decent interviews and made it to the final 2 on one.

With a newborn and the slow down I save about 1000/month on daycare. Daycare around here can run 1200-1600/month so factor in baby sitter fees for the month I save alot of money being home.

There are only a handful of people who still do this fulltime in my area and TCs have trouble finding folks during daytime hours by me.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/17/08 9:47pm
Msg #247732

Re: Florida Notaries

It doesn't cost as much to renew your commission in Florida. So it is worth renewing your commission if it is due to expire.

I didn't become a notary to do loan signings, when I became a notary I hadn't heard of loan signing work.
I am renewing my commission this year.

Reply by Maureen Lazar on 5/18/08 9:37am
Msg #247759

Re: Florida Notaries

Here in so. California things had come to a screeching halt also. BUT... things are starting to pick up.
With interest rates fluctuating people have locked in some great rates. Of my 18 this much I would say that 11 have been for purchases. I have taken an early morning job at my sons school. They pay app. 12 per hour it is only for 2 hours but it leaves the rest of my day after 9:00am open for my Notary marketing and signings. For those of you that have elementary age kids check out the school for a few hours a day. You still get their time off and they need subs. I will sub in the afternoon on some days that I have nothing scheduled. Keep your heads up and things will start coming round.

Reply by Carmi/CA on 5/17/08 7:47pm
Msg #247728

Sorry, forgot to mention that I also need to purchase

E & O insurance. $100K coverage for 4 years is $468 here in NR. That's how I came up with $1000. If the prices you all mentioned will still be the same in August, then that's good news for me. It'll cost me about $700. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Reply by Margaret_FL on 5/18/08 7:41am
Msg #247746

Re: Sorry, forgot to mention that I also need to purchase

You can purchase your E & O 1 year at a time, I did.

Reply by Carmi/CA on 5/18/08 10:56am
Msg #247766

I know but I'll save a lot if I purchase one that is good

four years. 1 year is $156 and 4 years is $468. That's a savings of $156!

Reply by Carmen R Towles on 5/17/08 10:35pm
Msg #247733

Re: More like $150.00

I think you forgot a few things.

Bond
E and O
Stamps (I have two plus an embosser)
Oath at county clerk

Study materials and journal if tou needed them



Carmen




If you goet a higher E and O Policy beside the 15,000 that can match your bond

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/17/08 10:41pm
Msg #247734

Re: More like $150.00

There's the bond, (and, at the very least, $15,000 of E&O insurance if you're smart), the fee for filing an oath, and a new stamp. It's likely closer to $200 minimum, but even if you pop for $100,000 E&O insurance, it should be considerably less than $1,000.

I just got my new commission a couple of days ago and today my mailbox was jammed full of all the promos for bond, insurance, etc. I've always found it more economical to avoid the package deals, since I make my own certificates and I buy most of my other supplies from here. As a Premier Member, it's a heck of a deal!

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 5/17/08 10:49pm
Msg #247735

Re: More like $150.00

You are right Carmen/123. Including the bond, stamp, $100,000 E and O insurance (one year), and a few other supplies may bring the renewal cost to about the $400.00/$500.00 range.

Reply by Maureen E. Robinson on 5/17/08 11:09pm
Msg #247736

Re: More like $150.00

I do not think that i would have jumped into this line of work 9 years ago if I had had this type of fees.
I feel badly for most the people who got sucked into the NNA"s get rich quick program. Some however have listened and learned and made their own luck
The rest of you were told by someof the golden oldies--don't quit your day job, don't depend on this. We had a nice couple of year and hopfully will again--but please have aback-up source of income.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 5/18/08 7:48am
Msg #247747

I have been getting steady work from a title company for about a year. I was in Atlanta this past Friday for my daughter's grauation and made arrangements to have lunch with the scheduler. I was impressed with the huge office building and they took up the whole 7th floor. She took me around to introduce me to all the workers. No lack of work there. It as so good to put a face with the voice that I have been talking to for over a year.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 5/18/08 7:55am
Msg #247748

I have tried a few part-time jobs but most were unflexible and I was unable to answer my phone while working. I found a sales rep job last month and it is perfect. It is 30 hours a week for $11.00 a hour plus mileage at .31. I have to visit 15 stores a week, most of which I can do 5 a day and be done before noon and be done with my store visits in 3 days. I do not have to visit on certain days or a certain time so if I stop work to do a signing I can visit the store another time. At least I have a steady paycheck to pay my bills. I also get reimbured for my cell phone. I love it because I am a people person.

Reply by Lee/AR on 5/18/08 8:16am
Msg #247750

An almost Perfect Storm...

Falling housing prices, more realistic appraisals, short sales, all-time low interest rates, higher unemployment, lenders pulling out of certain markets, more ex-LOs entering field, NNA still pushing this, attempted lowering of fees, increase in cost of everything = nothing good for a couple of years, at least. What would make it a Perfect Storm is a rise in interest rates.

Reply by ME/NJ on 5/18/08 12:00pm
Msg #247770

Re: An almost Perfect Storm...

I think you're correct a perfect storm. Interest rates will go back up again with runaway inflation, the goverment is doing everything they can to put a postive spin on things. People with money have turn there investing toward commodities now and boy are we going to pay till that bubble burst.

Now would be a good time to invest in builders (ie Toll brothers) get the stock cheap and hold it.

It will be 2-3 more years of this and alot of sad stories to follow.