Posted by Carla McCall on 5/28/09 10:06am
Msg #290162

I just got certified for Florida

I was wondering what some good signing agencies would be to look into as I start my business. Any recomendations?

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/28/09 10:12am
Msg #290164

U need to do your own homework. Look on signing central that the best way.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/28/09 10:43am
Msg #290168

Am I living in the twilight zone?

Very little work in the Jax area for even the most seasoned of signing agents, and apparently
there are newbies sprouting up everywhere.
No offense, but this is not the time for a career change TO the signing agent biz.
There just isn't much work to go around, except through the low-balling signing agencies.

Reply by ME/NJ on 5/28/09 11:19am
Msg #290170

Re: Now that you're certified the truck load of money should

come anyday now. Just wait for it..j/k

Reply by jba/fl on 5/28/09 11:29am
Msg #290173

Certified for what? n/m

Reply by John/CT on 5/28/09 11:38am
Msg #290174

And, by whom? n/m

Reply by John/CT on 5/28/09 11:39am
Msg #290175

To do what? n/m

Reply by PAW on 5/28/09 12:50pm
Msg #290187

Second that! For what? Does FL need something special? n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 5/28/09 11:46am
Msg #290178

I don't know whether to offer congratulations or sympathies. I have a hunch you got "sold" on the pitch by the NNA. The mortgage business is in as deep as recession as anything else--maybe more so. As many have already said, the most experienced & seasoned agents are struggling to survive. IMO you did not pick a good field to get into at the moment. Please do not further hurt the business by accepting cheap signings.

Reply by davidK/CA on 5/28/09 1:01pm
Msg #290189

In other words, don't quit your day job...

It couldn't be a worse time to join the NSA profession, no mater what you have been told (actually been " sold" by those "make BIG Money as a Notary Public" education folks.

I'm sorry you invested the money into becoming "Certified", but cut your losses now while they are relatively small. Unless you have some super special "in" with a title company or lender that will virtually guarantee you steady and profitable work I suggest you hang your framed Commission on the wall where it will look pretty and very important and forget about trying to compete with those NSAs who were there before you in the good old days and remain active today with their contacts and experience and marketing skills.

You are not the first, nor will you be the last to be taken in by the self-serving XYZ and others like them. There are lots of "make money" scams out there. If it's too good to be true, it usually isn't. This is one of them. Becoming a successful NSA isn't easy. In this case you have a very long and steep hill to climb to achieve any success.

Good luck. You will need lots of it.

Reply by davidK/CA on 5/28/09 1:04pm
Msg #290190

Re: In other words, don't quit your day job...

I don't know how that smiley face got into my message above. Must have been XYZ reading my message looking for a lawsuit.

Reply by GA/Atty on 5/28/09 1:44pm
Msg #290192

Use the Signing Central section to identify good companies. n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/28/09 1:58pm
Msg #290195

Use SC as your starting guide and..

when I first started I contacted companies 3 stars or above...and read, read, read the reviews and discussions on them before you contact them. And I'll say again - believe those who have gone before you...

For starters you need to complete your profile - with "No Comments on File" many companies looking for a notary/signing agent will move along seeing that...

Not sure what your level of experience is with loan signings (but knowing your age I can guess it's little or none) but as has been said this is not the best time to jump into this business - unless you have an *in* somewhere - but I'm thinking if you did you wouldn't be posting here asking how to get business.

I'd say if you're determined to do this then your best bet is to take some college courses in business management and, possibly, real estate law to help you understand the ins and outs of not only loan signings but how to successfully establish and maintain a business. Possibly get a job at a title company or real estate law firm (if they're hiring) to help you get some hands on experience with the documents and procedures.

Good Luck with whatever you do..

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/28/09 2:21pm
Msg #290201

Almost forgot....

I'd recommend buying a copy of TSR Training Guide which is available here - it's an invaluable resource for all your signing questions....MHO

Reply by Karen Riley on 5/28/09 2:25pm
Msg #290202

Yes I do agree that right now is the worst time to get into this business. But being a Fla. notary, which I am also, you have the unique opportunity to perform weddings. Do a little background checking on performing weddings in Fl, then put an ad on craigslist. I do more weddings than signings, and they pay just as much if not better, the people are always in a better mood than people signing loans, and it usually takes less time. Win Win for Fla. notaries.

Reply by Mary Shafer on 5/29/09 9:57am
Msg #290284

Carla, I can't believe everyone’s replies were so rude. I wish you all the luck in the world to make this as successful as you can. Don't let them get you down. What gives them the right to think just because they were doing if before you makes it not right for you to become a SA. They need to remember they were once in your shoes!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/29/09 10:11am
Msg #290292

Mary,...IMO you just don't get it

"What gives them the right to think just because they were doing if before you makes it not right for you to become a SA"

It isn't about her having the right to become an SA...it's about VETERANS who are leaving because the business isn't there....whole different ball of wax.....sorry you think that honesty about the business climate equates to rudeness...

Reply by Mary Shafer on 5/29/09 11:36am
Msg #290314

Linda, I do understand

She was only asking for an answer to her question, not a lecture to question, the poor girl was probably in tears. IMO I don't think the responses where very nice. When I read the responses I felt like they said get out, you don't have any right to try this business we were here first.

I think the response could have been a little more supportive. Yes others on this site may have many years of experience behind them and business is slow, it is slow for everyone in business not just the notary business, and I think she should have been given the courtesy and respect any veteran would have expected to a question asked.

IMHO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/30/09 4:25am
Msg #290482

Re: Linda, I do understand

What you understand is apparently something different from what Linda and several of the rest of us understand. I didn't infer anything about Carla's age from her post (or am I missing something?) but I did infer that she hadn't done her homework on the most basic level and didn't make the effort to even try to find the answer to her question on her own. If she had tried even a little bit, she would have found abundant information available here.

Some of us have who have been on this board for many years have seen similar questions posed here in a gazillion different ways over the years. And it boils down to wanting to take the easy way out. It's not too different from asking "Please send me your client list." Conversely, we have seen some others who are new to this business come to this board saying "I have done this, this, this and that, but..." and they then ask a specific question that clearly shows they have made an effort on their own. They aren't trying to ride on someone else's coattails, they just need a clarification or a small assist. THOSE people have been warmly welcomed and DO receive the courtesy and respect they have EARNED by their efforts. It doesn't just come automatically by virtue of being a NP or having passed some exam.

As for the responses not being nice, well this is a board for "Professional Notaries". [See the logo at the top.] People here are grown-ups. I think she received some very candid, honest answers, for the most part. This business is not for the faint of heart - especially these days. Also, most of us genuinely hate to see people being taken in by the infamous "XYZ" company (and others), potentially wasting their money. If someone is committed to making a go of this business, they will learn from the comments and do it anyway. Sugar coating the reality isn't doing anyone a favor. It takes a thick skin sometimes to handle the most useful criticism and it takes a thick skin to make it in this business in the current difficult economy.

I remember getting wire-brushed by someone here long ago about something I posted - and it was some of the best advice I ever got! If these comments send someone into tears and out of the business, then we just did them a huge favor, 'cause they never would have made it and would have wasted tons of time and money. If it causes them to get tough and determined, then that's a good thing, too.

im(ns?)ho

Reply by MW/VA on 5/29/09 2:23pm
Msg #290343

It was really not the intention to slam her or bring her to tears. We are trying not to lead her "down the garden path". By seeing she posted as "certified" we know where that is coming from. There has been a lot of discussion lately about the XYZ organization that is creating a new crop of notaries to replace the ones that are wise to them & don't renew.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/30/09 4:19pm
Msg #290528

"There has been a lot of discussion lately about the XYZ organization that is creating a new crop of notaries to replace the ones that are wise to them & don't renew. "

Not just those either - they continue to 'certify' everywhere almost monthly in some places (cities), far exceeding the amount of work available in almost any destination. Do you really think they are or have any sort of mandate to produce these certified people?

They are a 'for profit' organization which means also they are only looking out for the bottom line - theirs. Not any of those that they train. Evidence of their help: go to NotRot and get their people to help you. Where is their help? only to your (plural) pocketbook.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/30/09 4:22pm
Msg #290529

Also: Re: I just got certified for Florida

If one is reduced to tears it should be because they spent tons of money for something that will do them no good. Also, tears because of truthfulness indicates that one does not have a thick enough skin to bounce and one just splats when things happen.