Posted by KimTOR on 12/30/09 1:39am
Msg #316070

Advice? New NSA Here

I'm so happy to find a forum for notaries where people are actually talking! I've heard some news about the NSA where I did my NSA training. Seemed pretty thorough however I'm hearing they have some inaccuracies? I am very interested in being an NSA and was hoping this training would help me to achieve this. I have been a notary for a year and other then purchasing my own home I do not have experience with loan documents. Other then trying to get a hard to find job with title or escrow companies is there another way for me to learn more about how to accurately performing signings. I want to make sure I am well educated so I can go in professionally and have no fears or concerns that I missed anything.

What is your advice?

Thank you for taking your time to read and respond to this.

Reply by KimTOR on 12/30/09 2:38am
Msg #316071

Just wanted to say this forum is very helpful. I've found some older posts which answer a lot of my questions but still welcome feedback.

I noticed with a lot of newbies people ask why they got into this. Well I have worked in the insurance industry for several years. I know what it's like to work with the public signing important documents, I know what it's like to deal with difficult people so I'm not being blindsided by thinking I'm going to waltz right into this business and start making a bunch of money without heartache or irritation. I enjoy the idea of doing something that is professional and where I can be my own boss. I like that I can set my own hours even if it means I'm on call 24/7 with 5 of my 7 appointments canceling last minute. I run several small businesses from clothing design, website design and professional musician so although I am treating this with the up most respect that it deserves I also realize that this economy is slow especially for the notary signing agent and have several side jobs as to not depend on any one to pull through with a steady income but rather the lot of them will hopefully bring in what I need to survive.

I look forward to networking more with everyone here and wish you all the best in the coming year.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/30/09 8:08am
Msg #316082

this is not a "this is what we pay" business; it is a "what I charge" business" just as any other business you have, you set the rates. Yes, there are 'accepted standards', but ultimately, the business owner sets their own personal standards to achieve (altogether now, everyone) profit. It is not a nasty word, it is what we should have thought about first while deciding what to do: what will bring me the best return for what I want to put into it?

Some would have you believe that the sky is falling; some will refute that.

I think you have the diversification part down pat...pretty good you are thinking survival skills while entering a new field that is crumbling for many who have been around many years. Those many are thinking about 'what to do now' and have diversified as well. This is the big reason those entering our playground, our work related water cooler, hear that question. I notice Renee jumped right in with practical advice, sensible directions causing me to pause and take a hard look at what you said.

My grandkids are in the practice of calling me "oh, great wise one" with much reverence attached, but I do not wish that appendage here.....I have been known to be apologizing for my misstatements, bad interpretations, and plain stupidity from time to time as well as poor grammAr and funny spellings. (Seeing how often ad nauseam is misspelled makes some people want to throw up. ) My thick skin serves me well as this is not the place to come for rote sugar-coated cheerleading. Dissecting microscopes are brought out here repeatedly, with some looking at the head, others looking at the leg, arm or tail, thus exhibiting getting off track or hijacked but eventually we get it right and ofttimes find consensus on minute detail. We also apply/supply scorn and kleenex and crying towels.

Keeping all this in mind, esp. the money part, I join others in welcoming you to our little community. I wish you success for your efforts. I like your attitude and purposefullness and feel it will take you far, esp. now that Renee has pointed you in the right direction. Read and heed, continue to question after you have exhausted your searches and/or something is unclear. Make sure your profile - your personal advertising space - is saying why someone should hire you - keep tweaking it till you find that perfect voice. Look at others profiles, but don't copy anyones - find ideas to spark yours in your voice.

Good luck to you, and Happy New Years!

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/30/09 9:44am
Msg #316091

Loved the "dissecting microscopes..." LOL n/m

Reply by Jim/AL on 12/30/09 10:57am
Msg #316095

KimTOR, you are following advice already and that is to

be commended. Thanks for not just coming in and asking for help. You explained where you are coming from and where you are going.

I think you are starting off better than most.

Good luck, I think you will do great. Let me know if I can help.
Jim

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 12/30/09 6:26am
Msg #316075

Our collective advice - read collective thread #33325

Contains FAR more than anyone could teach you in a day or weekend seminar, and it's free. It's quite extensive (it's where we stash all the '33325' worthy posts). As you read, if you come across something you want to expound on, try the "Search" feature and see what that brings up. Over the years, there's not much you won't find expounded upon.

Best wishes for your New Year & New Career. =)

Reply by Notarysigner on 12/30/09 10:47am
Msg #316093

Re: Our collective advice - read collective thread #33325

Maybe NotRot could add a tab on the menu bar Read first before posting for information..the above mentioned message would be first. IMO

Reply by KimTOR on 12/31/09 1:28am
Msg #316194

Re: Our collective advice - read collective thread #33325

I agree that would be a great idea! I had to read through quite a few threads before I found out #1 there was a search feature and #2 about the "magic" thread that answers many of my questions about the basics. The search feature rocks. So much to read and so little time!

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/30/09 9:28am
Msg #316090

Are you really in (the default state) Alaska? n/m

Reply by KimTOR on 12/31/09 1:32am
Msg #316195

Re: Are you really in (the default state) Alaska?

Was that directed at me? My profile says exactly where I'm located and no reference to Alaska.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/31/09 2:54am
Msg #316200

Re: Are you really in (the default state) Alaska?

Whenever someone posts on this board, the state they are from shows up next to their "name" after "Posted by". Yours still shows up as "AK", which is the default. I always automatically log in, so if we need to be logged in to post these days (I think that became necessary a good while back), that may be how that's determined. If that's the case, there may be a field that you didn't complete in your profile. It's a good idea to do that. Since so very much about our business is state-specific, it helps a great deal to other posters who reply to you to know what state you are from. You'll get much better info that way.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/31/09 6:49am
Msg #316207

In addition to what Janet said...

Since you didn't link your name to your post we can't see your profile so we have to rely on what we CAN see - which is KimTOR of AK has posted.