Posted by Joeycaps on 8/14/11 7:10pm
Msg #393623

Beware newbies, NNA is a rip-off

Stay away from them. When I became a signing agent in 2000. I got hooked up with them, they are way overpriced, and I was foolish enough to buy their book on becoming certified, I paid over 70 dollars for the book back then plus they wanted another 40 or so to takr the test. If you can read and write you dont need their course. My 5th grade nephew read the book and said this was simple. I was pissed I threw away over 70 dollars for the book. Newbies you will be hit with all kinds of NNA propaganda. I have closed over 2500 loan docs. Its simple. go over the docs when you get them, highlight all areas where they have to initial or sign and have them do it. I never notarize in the home, I wait till they sign give them their copy then go to a local coffe shop and notarize there. then either fax back required docs to signing service or drop them in the ups or fed ex drop box. I just moved to Chico so Im looking for new signing services and NNA is hitting me up like crazy. Any notary supplies they sell can be found cheaper most other places. Just passing on some helpful advice I wish was given to me. Good Luck.

Reply by meganPA on 8/14/11 7:46pm
Msg #393627

I would not be happy if a notary signing agent came to my home and did not notarize my signature in front of me. Why wouldn't you notarize the docs in front of them??? Many companies I work for would not be OK with this.

Reply by HisHughness on 8/14/11 7:55pm
Msg #393630

***I would not be happy if a notary signing agent came to my home and did not notarize my signature in front of me.***

I do not normally notarize during a signing, and my experience is that the borrowers appreciate that; it expedites the process. It also gives me another opportunity to check my work as I go through and notarize. The issue has never arisen with any of the lenders/TCs I work with, and I frankly doubt that they would care; they just want their documents done property.

There is no requirement I know of in Texas that notarizations be completed in situ, though the Secretary of State will tell you that is the better practice.

Reply by meganPA on 8/14/11 11:14pm
Msg #393653

Expedite the signing? LOL... It probably takes a whole 15 seconds to stamp and sign if your acknowledgement/jurat is pre-filled. If it isn't, it probably takes less than one minute. I just feel that if you are hired to notarize documents (in addition to whatever other hat(s) you may be wearing), it should be done in the presence of the signers. But, hey... that's just me.

Reply by desktopfull on 8/14/11 11:43pm
Msg #393659

I don't find notarizing afterward a good practice. I had to go resign a couple because their original notary didn't notarize at the table. She had an accident on the way home which incapacitated her and I was asked to go get the docs and send them in and had to notify the company that the notarizations weren't done. She had broken her arm and couldn't sign them or fill them out and the whole signing had to be done again.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/15/11 4:52am
Msg #393665

Besides the fact it's illegal in FL - notarizations are to

be completed at the table in front of the signers at the time of the signing.

This example you cite, DTF, is a prime example why, too.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/15/11 7:14am
Msg #393667

Re: Besides the fact it's illegal in FL - notarizations are to

I remember one signing agent I used to do a signing. She did not notarize at the table, she
did the notarizations when she got home. Unfortunately the one she did for me was on a Friday night. When she got home she realized her seal must have fallen out of her briefcase at the borrowers home. She called them, but they had already left for a weekend vacation.

She called me, saying she wouldn't be able to return the docs back on time as she had to wait for the borrowers to return so she could go retrieve her seal.

Needless to say I never used that notary again.
Notarizations must be completed in front of the signers at the time of signing as Linda aptly points out.

And on the "certifications" - as a signing service owner I never set any store in those certifications! It did not signify that the signing agent was more competent than those who hadn't paid for certification from the NNA.
I well remember, as many of you who have been around here for years, newly certified signing agents coming on here and announcing they were just certified and now what do they do! They had very basic questions which someone allegedly certified should know in order to be certified.

Reply by desktopfull on 8/15/11 10:06am
Msg #393673

Re: Besides the fact it's illegal in FL - notarizations are to

It's easy to pass an open book test.

Reply by CorpJen on 8/15/11 10:04am
Msg #393672

Not notarizing at the closing and saving this for later opens the door for oversight. When a notary does not take the time to go over every page to be sure it is signed, or witnessed or notarized is opening doors for multiple errors. Some notaries feel that this practice saves time. There is no room for "short cuts" in something so critical for efficiency. Do it right the first time

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/14/11 8:04pm
Msg #393633

My understanding is that the NNA is just a regular business - a FOR PROFIT outfit owned by a regular family - don't know if any in this family owned business are even Notaries themselves.

I repeat: A FOR PROFIT - FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/14/11 8:43pm
Msg #393640

They are honestly!

Reply by topflyt on 8/14/11 9:46pm
Msg #393647

AND, you don't have to be certified by them...I'm a certified loan signing agent certified by a company other than NNA...but I am a member...only because it looks good on my business card.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/14/11 11:41pm
Msg #393657

Eeeewwww. Not on my business card. jmho,adr*


*Just my humble opinion, all due respect.

Reply by desktopfull on 8/14/11 11:44pm
Msg #393660

I agree. n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 8/15/11 12:14am
Msg #393662

FWIW: Harry has asked...

...that NNA not be referred to by name negatively on NotRot. It just isn't worth the hassle for him. I think we should respect his wishes.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/15/11 7:09pm
Msg #393748

Yeah, I'm not comfortable with this thread, either. n/m

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/15/11 10:25am
Msg #393676

Again, another personal business choice.... n/m

Reply by BossLadyMD on 8/15/11 10:47am
Msg #393680

NNA is not the only game in town :) n/m

Reply by SuperNotary on 8/26/11 11:29pm
Msg #395236

So is 1.2.3.Notary...

Paid the fee to try it. No calls in months. I find out my listing comes up 10th when you search my zip code. The problem with that is I am the only one listed in my zip code. Emailed the owner Jeremy. Big mistake, this neanderthal was rude and disrespectful. He also refused to refund my money and put a complaint up on my profile when I protested. Turns out he wants you to spend more to be closer to the top of the list. 1.2.3.Notary is a total rip off, don't waste your time or money.