Posted by oldhippie_IL on 4/13/11 10:52am
Msg #379600

Who else is slow? n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/13/11 10:54am
Msg #379601

Who isn't? n/m

Reply by MobileZ71 on 4/13/11 11:04am
Msg #379604

3 weeks, no closings, no requests... this is a record for me

One of my accounts have many files to be closed, but a few have been canceled and the rest just waiting. I'm guessing there will be more title companies closing down, like Titleserv http://www.newsday.com/business/titleserv-shuts-down-without-explanation-1.2813023

Reply by Frank/NC on 4/13/11 11:15am
Msg #379606

Re: 3 weeks, no closings, no requests... this is a record for me

This is the third week without even a call. What is going on in this industry?

Reply by nunu on 4/13/11 11:28am
Msg #379609

Re: Who isn't?

i am really pretty busy, i have 5 today, did 4 yesterday and rest of week is good too. must be my lucky week/

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/13/11 1:32pm
Msg #379630

Re: Who isn't?

Business is highly geographical these days. Glad you are keeping busy. Enjoy it.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 4/13/11 1:34pm
Msg #379632

Re: Who isn't?

1 month, nothing, zilch, zip, nada.

Reply by ME/NJ on 4/13/11 11:25am
Msg #379608

Monday was the only day I had a closings this month

Looks like it's back to the old mid,EOM and last day for work. Future news does not look good. So glad I stopped this full time years ago.

If you count on this to live better look for another job.

Reply by Eva75Eva on 4/13/11 12:18pm
Msg #379613

Re: Who else is slow?

Rather new to this business but am feeling disillusioned about promises to be able to make a decent living working at this. By decent I mean not rich but at least able to make ends meet and dare I say be comfortable? Two signings a week does not pay the rent, not to mention $4 a gallon for gas to print and move these docs around. Phone is dead. I know I won't be able to hold on much longer. What is going on? Somebody throw me a lifeline!

Reply by Frank/NC on 4/13/11 12:43pm
Msg #379616

Re: Who else is slow?

Most of those "promises" are made by the NNA. Unfortunately, many of the newer people in this field have been disillusioned by the NNA and the propaganda they do. If all the newer people or those desiring to enter this field would listen and read the comments by some very experienced people who post here, they would not enter this field on a full time basis expecting to pay their bills and as you say, "live comfortably". It does cost a decent amount of money that you have to invest in this business in terms of printers, advertising, paper and so on. However, I just don'[t think it is money spent wisely, at least right now and possibly never in the future. Many here have been in this business quite a few years and have made some very good contacts. The problem is if there is no business, the contacts don't matter. Sorry for presenting it in this manner but right now there is nothing happening for most of us.

Reply by NewPhoenix on 4/13/11 12:45pm
Msg #379617

Who else is slow?

Don't be disillusioned, this is NOT the time to go into this business. Not as in expecting a full time live-on-it income from this alone. I'd be curious as to who sold you on that idea. When I went into this years ago I did get my initial "training cost" back in the first few months. I had one signing last week and a few this week but they are mostly little $50 local applications. Don't wait to expand your income possibilities!

Reply by Retsing on 4/13/11 1:02pm
Msg #379621

Re: Who else is slow?

Slow for me in VA too. I did 4 so far and have 2 this week but that's it. Two calls from 3 new folks which was promising. We'll see about payment.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 4/13/11 1:18pm
Msg #379625

Sorry that you got suckered into the "get rich quick" scheme

The "creating" of signing agents is a money-making industry. As in, money being made by those who "create" the signing agents, not by the actual signing agents themselves.

You'll quickly realize that there is very little work to go around. And with gas prices what they are, I would suggest finding a career that doesn't require use of a vehicle. (Office job, for example)

Reply by Les_CO on 4/13/11 2:23pm
Msg #379645

Re: Sorry that you got suckered into the "get rich quick" scheme

I don’t know about you, but I sort of miss those infomercials on how to get rich in Real Estate overnight, with no money down. You know the ones swimming pools, limousines, yachts; pretty girls…maybe the NNA should try that tactic? If so…. I’m available (to be on the yacht) to attest to the BIG money to be made, at home and in your spare time.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 4/13/11 6:09pm
Msg #379678

Robert, while I respect your knowledge and professionalism

as a Notary , and the fact that you are free (within notrot rules) to post as you please,
your offering advice and commentary regarding the NSA biz, sort of reminds me of the old joke regarding The Pope commenting on birth control...
"He no playa the game, he no maka the rules."

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 4/13/11 1:16pm
Msg #379624

I don't do signings, but...

I am slow on weddings. April is usually the start of the "busy season" for weddings, but I have gotten very few calls. I've done only 16 general notarizations so far in April and one small wedding in my office. Aside from that, nada.

So maybe it isn't just signings. I think everyone is moving slower these days. Could be a number of things... spring break... allergies... losing momentum as we approach summer. I'm going on a vacation at the end of this month, and I feel like everything is moving in slow motion lately. Maybe its just me.

Reply by janCA on 4/13/11 4:45pm
Msg #379665

Tax day, April 15th. n/m

Reply by John Tennant on 4/13/11 5:55pm
Msg #379676

Re: Tax day, April 15th.

This year, April 18th.

Reply by ikando on 4/13/11 5:00pm
Msg #379671

Re: I don't do signings, but...

Since my husband is a tax accountant, and I know several on this forum are also in the tax field, I have a feeling that next week, after taxes are filed, things will pick up. People will start looking at their houses instead of their paperwork, and decide they want to "do something". The interest rates are still not that bad. Refis will start up again.

We just need to hang in there. And I'm not lowering my rates to accommodate the lack of fees the ss are charging their clients. I know what I need for my professional services, and I expect to receive it.

In the meantime, and going forward, I'll continue advertising and doing general notarial work.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 4/14/11 8:09am
Msg #379724

Thought my rate increase scared TCs/SSs off.

Although sad to hear most everyone else is also experiencing a dormant stage, it's comforting to realize that my fee increase in Jan to cover increased expenses probably wasn't the cause of the phone not ringing this past month. Had my busiest Jan and Feb ever. Hope it picks up again. Will hang in there, but this is definitely not the field to get into right now (if ever) if you're relying on the income, either as a sole income or a supplemental income.