Posted by chucke/fl on 2/10/10 10:35pm
Msg #322341

State of the Business?

For me this year has gotten off to a very, very slow start. Has anyone else experience the same? Is this just a Florida thing?, or is this the demise of this business?

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/10/10 10:47pm
Msg #322343

Considering...

The economy is trashed, interest rates are low with no takers, unemployment is not getting better, the housing market is dead, 1 out of 7.5 mortgages are in default...but we're building a railroad in Florida.... oh, yeah, there's climate change, too~~
What's your Plan B?

Reply by Alz on 2/10/10 10:50pm
Msg #322344

IMO....It is not the demise of the business...

As with any industry, change is evitable. Therefore, one must be flexible and able to adapt. Perhaps the key is having an arsenal of various skills and abilities to survive. Again, this IMHO empowers you.

Reply by Les_CO on 2/10/10 11:08pm
Msg #322349

Re: IMO....It is not the demise of the business...

I LOVE your attitude..Alz!
But….. I’ve got to go with Lee.
This business is changing….and NOT for the better.
Fewer Title Companies….All that view “remote closings’ as a profit center.
More deadbeat SS’s
More part-timer NSA’s….the good ones…are doing something different, or have other jobs.
More Absolutely Totally Clueless Notaries that give us all a bad name.
If you think it’s bad now wait until interest rates go up, property values go down, and half of the lenders, and title companies that are still here go away….

Reply by Alz on 2/10/10 11:37pm
Msg #322352

Thanks....my motto is "I am a surviver"

Ten years ago....it was the DOT COMs...same players different game. This too shall pass.

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/10/10 11:57pm
Msg #322354

Re: Thanks....my motto is "I am a surviver"

Agree, Alz, this, too, shall pass. Problem is that the boom created a HUGE pool of notaries to handle the HUGE volume. Prior to 2000, this was not a viable full-time job--not even close. If we return to pre-boom (in other words, "normal') volume, everyone had better have a Plan B.
Couple that with the ever-decreasing fees and you've got a perfect storm on the horizon.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/11/10 12:10am
Msg #322355

Re: Thanks....my motto is "I am a surviver"

I consider myself a survivor, too, but I don't necessarily agree with "This too shall pass" depending on how you mean it. I don't think things will ever go back to the way they were, but the business will continue in some form or another. The key to continued "survivorship" IMO is to stay flexible and to change along with the current trends.

Right now, for many of us, that means diversifying and developing new streams of income and/or taking new approaches to finding business. That's exactly what I think most title and ss companies are trying to do. Unfortunately, many of them are trying to do it at on our backs and at our expense. Anyone who tries to continue with "business as usual" may find themselves among those who are out of business by attrition. jmho.

Reply by Alz on 2/11/10 4:18am
Msg #322370

"Business as usual" is no longer acceptable... n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/10/10 10:58pm
Msg #322347

<<<For me this year has gotten off to a very, very slow start. Has anyone else experience the same? Is this just a Florida thing?, or is this the demise of this business?>>>

I don't believe it's state specific or region specific. James, aka notarysigner completed 44 signings for January while I've only completed one this year. He lives in Northern CA and I live in Southern CA. He happens to be at the right place at the right time. On the plus side for me, I've done a few final loan mods - cash from borrowers, signings other than mortgage refi's and a LOT of general notary work......to include $85 cash yesterday and $90 cash today. A mortgage broker I network with at a breakfast meeting this past Tuesday said there's much in the pipeline and on the way.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/10/10 11:35pm
Msg #322351

Transition. From a flawed "boom" mind-set to

a slow, careful growth.

Regulation is the transitional thing. The Too Big To Fail Thieves are quaking in their yachts; stocks are squishy; the People are Hurting; and change can't come fast enough. The Opposition is still strong, but inexorably failing America.

The job loss wormhole has been strangled almost shut. The Recovery Act is producing jobs. The People want to work. Yet, the Banks find reasons not to lend to entrepreneurs and established small businesses. And lack of affordable HealthCare is bankrupting more families every minute.

Personally, and I see others on the board are finding the lull beneficial to family time. Belts tighten, budgets adjust, and other streams of income opportunities and marketing strategies are frequently presented right here on this board.

America won't fail, despite the efforts of the Loyal Opposition. Because opposing efforts to fix what's broken won't fly with everyman American, when it's all said and done. Or so an old woman believes.

The sky doesn't actually fall, it just can be presented that way to people who use bad times to promote the status quo.

The Too Big To Fail Fat Cats need regulating, and we Consumers need OUR powerful Government to make sure there's a level playing field.

It's not a political thing, it's an American Survival thing. Who are we and how do we conduct our Commerce? Honestly, or Bubble-isticly. We all know bubbles eventually burst.

If there are still Borrowers, whether dealing with nation-wide lenders and title companies, or borrowers with old-fashioned local lenders and title companies, we will either survive by living on less, and/or developing our talents and creating augmenting streams of income.

In my area, which is a rural wide-net, I can see the 'remote closer' role being a sweet accomodation for busy borrowers - even for local title companies. A partnership, if you will.

The Mobile Notary has become a very appreciated service for both metropolitan and rural borrowers. Locals have fewer issues with on-site appointments.

My prediction? Time to re-evaluate cash-flow. Adjust the Budget. Plan for your income needs.

The business is still there.

Reply by 101livescan on 2/11/10 12:56am
Msg #322363

Re: Transition. From a flawed "boom" mind-set to

I could not have said this better myself. Long live the KING! of hard work, ingenuity, common sense and stability, both emotional and physical. We're going to have to dig in with our heals and fight hard to stay on top, or somewhere near the top.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/11/10 1:51am
Msg #322367

For me, the 'top' has shrunk: I don't need as much

anymore, and I want even less. [I wonder if the fact that I've shrunk too is a factor. <yukyukyuk.>]

For instance, I just saw my all-time favorite baseball hero, Willie Mays tonight talking about his incredible life in a brief interview. Wow. I'm a San Francisco girl, and when as a teenager, I found out Mr. Mays was denied purchasing a house in St Francis Heights, I wept.

So happy to see him after all these years, still a baseball hero through and through - and way higher than St Francis Heights.

Reply by jba/fl on 2/10/10 11:50pm
Msg #322353

I'm not dead in the water

but I am paddling more...LOL. Slow beyond belief with signings though....turning down so many low ballers and companies on their way out. Afraid to do much with new companies, or those I've been signed up with for some time that are now showing new stripes to us all.

I would much rather be on the water than under...so am doing my best (and freezing!) What is with this FL weather anyway? The climate has changd too much - hardest winter we've had in many, many years.

Reply by Notarysigner on 2/11/10 1:19am
Msg #322365

I haven't been doing this that long but I have definitely observes a trend relating to companies with work to offer. I have only worked for a few (four) signing companies) on a regular basis and even they have changed. My bread a butter now sends on an average four a month now. One company I hadn't heard from in four -five months suddenly has be buying a tank of gas every other day!
Interest rates are down and nobody's buying as previously mentioned (Les) and the new HUD restrictions have lenders searching for a new way to count ( I understand they're fined $XX) for each error discovered through auditing. I don't currently have in expectations since I'm new so I'm kinda hanging in there like the rest of you. My luck with signing has poured over into Feb (12 so far this month) and my general notary work is increasing by leaps and bounds as a result of my association with a senior citizens center and long term care facilities. No one cares to patronize them and they aren't very mobile. I use it as an opportunity to see/learn what's up because soon, I may be moving in.
Keep on trucking I would say, I've worked for 37 years before retiring and a lot of changes in everything has happened. Remember when people use to see how many bodies could fit in a telephone booth? What's a telephone booth?

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/11/10 3:22am
Msg #322369

Telephone Booth: Where Kent Clark changed into

Superman.

We make our own opportunities, no?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/11/10 2:03pm
Msg #322426

Wasn't that Clark Kent?? Not Kent Clark???

I'm more familiar with Batman than Superman

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/11/10 2:21pm
Msg #322429

Well, yes. Hmm. Kent, Clark perhaps? n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/11/10 4:54am
Msg #322371

Excellent article: 10 Mistakes NOT to make in recession

The article is written by Grant Cardone, titled "10 Mistakes in a Recession" - here is just an outline of the article (link is at the bottom):

"Recessions cause the economy to contract and make it more difficult for people to do business. While it may be a normal reaction to contract at this time it only guarantees that you will be smaller when this is all over.

These are the biggest mistakes individuals and companies can make at this time:

1) People become focused on the problem not the solution.
2) Respond with contraction by contracting.
3) Under-estimate the level of activity required.
4) Lower Pricing.
5) Depend on old strategies for handling new environment.
6) Go into agreement with the masses.
7) Over-qualify clients.
8) Surround yourself with others that are focused on problems.
9) Being reasonable-This is not a time to be reasonable but unreasonable
10) Lack of training

No matter what industry you are in now is the time to EXPAND not contract! Let others get lost in the bad news and elect to get smaller. Now is your moment to expand and grab market share by disagreeing with the responses of those you compete. Your competitors are weak and broken, most unprepared and unwilling to do what it takes to get the job done and most of them doing little more than complaining and responding to economic contraction by contracting. Train your people now to expand and conquer into the market by taking advantage of the mistakes your competitors are making." -Grant Cardone

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cardone/10-mistakes-made-during-r_b_446099.html

Reply by Alz on 2/11/10 5:09am
Msg #322372

Indeed it is an excellent article. Thanks... n/m

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 2/11/10 5:17am
Msg #322373

This is the time to think FORWARD not BACKWARD

I'm marketing, marketing, marketing. In fact most every day that I'm not doing closings or even between closings I'm exploring and marketing.

Reply by EHarp/MO on 2/11/10 9:57am
Msg #322384

Re: Excellent article: Right on!

Thank you!

Reply by MW/VA on 2/11/10 10:33am
Msg #322389

Re: Excellent article: 10 Mistakes NOT to make in recession

Thanks, Renee. I'm seeing that this forum is going the way of #8 a lot lately.

Reply by SharonMN on 2/11/10 10:38am
Msg #322391

My business has been better than it's been in 2.5 years! I wonder if some notaries in my area have dropped out - due to a change in the way commissions were issued/dated in MN a few years back, a large portion of MN notary commissions expired in bulk on 1/31/2010, and maybe some people did not renew.

Reply by Kat/Fl on 2/11/10 11:09am
Msg #322394

Hang in there Chucke. We are getting hit hard in every direction but in comparison I personally say much better than 2008 & 2009 in general in Florida for experienced full time signers. Hopefully we can each find a way to supplement but remember to put nothing before the real meat and potatoes and I am a strong believer that this too shall pass as noted by others. Keep the faith. I also have the wedding/photography business and believe me we are not doing any weddings on the beach lately nobody is coming the tourists are not getting hitched!
And yeah wth is going on with the temperature here in FL? BURRR...
Keep smiling everyone and we'll pull each other through this storm.
The Kat

Reply by Riley/FL on 2/11/10 4:20pm
Msg #322443

4 closings so far this month. 17 last month. Working on getting more general notary work in between. Last year was pretty good, though. I don't get it. All that stimulis money and things are only getting worse!

Reply by Laura_V on 2/11/10 7:18pm
Msg #322470

I'm tired.

I'm hoping the Olympics will give me a break here in WA.

But I've been marketing on the web like crazy this week so I hope not a complete break.

One gal is coming to me Sunday from north of Vancouver. So she will drive through Vancouver, thru the Olympic Oval city then thru a tunnel. She thinks an extra 30 minutes will do it. I told her "let's just make it 11ish and phone me after the tunnel." oh dear

Reply by jba/fl on 2/11/10 7:48pm
Msg #322475

Re: I'm tired.

I keep waiting for you te let us know you are feeling better - perhaps the Olympics will give you some resting and catching up time.

I'm so jealous of your position next to the world stage for the next couple of weeks - though I guess the traffic might be snarled somewhat. What excitement must be in the air! Now Laura - if some kind man wants to take you to the figure skating venue, wave to us all - I know I'll be watching for the lady waving her pug! LOL.

Get some rest - stay on top of your game.

Reply by Laura_V on 2/12/10 2:26am
Msg #322527

the lady waving her pug! n/m

Reply by Laura_V on 2/12/10 2:37am
Msg #322529

ooops

Sorry. Fingers sometimes go Walk About on their own.

I'm still not over this ^&%@ H1N1. Had to spend most of today in bed. Now I'm so rested, I can't sleep despite 9mg melatonin, etc. Annoying.

The problem is I am super allergic to my little dream town. I live in woods with deer and bunnies coming through almost daily. Love it and I laugh hard every day.

But I have my eye on some nice condos in a low-pollen, low-mold part of town. (This part of the Pacific Northwest has 50% humidity in the summer and 100% in the winter.)

My new doctor keeping tweaking my allergy meds and I am finally starting to feel more like I did in Oct. I may just have to live at the Olympics to get well. I hear the Russian athlete spotted at the hardware store a few days ago is particularly handsome.

I'm hoping and not hoping I will be slow enough to start packing the rest of the month.

But this week, if I was not notarizing or juggling something, I was posting my usual stuff plus keywords like Olympic attendees welcome, 2010, etc, all over CraigsList, ActiveRain, etc. The hook: I can process stuff here that would take months in Canada. Different systems.

btw- Last October or so, HotFrog.com suddenly got hot. Lots of my clients find me there now because it consistently puts me on page 1 of Google. So leapfr - never mind. I hate silly puns.

Thanks for asking about my health, j. Very sweet.

Reply by Laura_V on 2/12/10 2:47am
Msg #322530

"traffic might be snarled"

"traffic might be snarled"

Oh, yes.

The radio said last week that usually between 100K and 150K ride public transportation in the area on workdays.

The number is expected to be over one million. I'm 12 or something miles south of the Olympic Oval.

That doesn't count the number of people in cars trying to get to public transportation. With this many people at an international event (think bad guys and violent protestors) they have had to close lots of bridges, thoroughfares, etc. Security needs to keep the numbers of roads down and thin them so they can keep an eye on everything.

The faces at my border crossing have almost all changed. New, young faces here. The oldies are all at the big Peach Arch crossing. The line ups during construction in the summer were five hours. US side going south didn't finish and it's still a mess. I don't even want to think about how many hours. Most ppl will try to cross at 3am if they can. Prob a 4 hour wait then. Holey moley, crikey, and mama mia!

I had to turn off the radios today. Just plain worn out from working hard and being wound up to a fever pitch. The TV would have put me into a coma.