Posted by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 2:51pm
Msg #394513

Flame suit on! Notary fees by state. n/m

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/22/11 2:53pm
Msg #394514

Re: Flame suit on! Huh??? n/m

Reply by NJDiva on 8/22/11 2:54pm
Msg #394516

lol...that was my line Stephanie...thought the same thing... n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 2:57pm
Msg #394520

YOU ARE SOOOOOO BAD! n/m

Reply by Alz on 8/22/11 3:20pm
Msg #394529

Sorry, my torch is on the blink today. n/m

Reply by Les_CO on 8/22/11 5:46pm
Msg #394569

Colorado $5 n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 2:56pm
Msg #394519

hit wrong button-continued...

Often there are discussions about low-ball fees and those accepting them. While we all hate to see this happening we need to realize that the amount we can charge varies by state.

In California we can charge up to Ten Dollars per signature. In Tenn, $5.00 while in ILL only $1.00

So for example a loan signing with 6 items to notarize based on what we can charge would go like this.

California, $60.00......
Tenn, $30.00 and Ill, $6.00.

If the offer for NSA work was 80.00 for example, who would most likely consider that a low-ball fee? Yes California most likely.

However, our expenses for getting the job done are more equally matched then the max fees we can charge. That is what we should be using to gauge whether or not someone is a low-baller or offering low-ball signings to people across this country. Not just the dollar amount. Maybe SS/TC don't even know we are allowed to charge defferent amounts......NOT.

Reply by CJ/Alaska on 8/22/11 3:04pm
Msg #394522

Re: hit wrong button-continued...

They don't seem to realize, its not just 'what we can charge' per Notarization..
Its also - a VA loan pkg thats over 160 pages plus 160 copy pages.. All that paper and ink.
And if I have to drive 45 min one way, that's an hour and a half road time, plus an hour and a half or more at the table, depending on the borrowers.. and If I have to ask them to produce any docs or forms the title company or signing service still needs, Ugh! It can turn into a 3-4 hour chunk of my day.. for less than 3 figures? With gas @ $3.72 a gallon (its actually come Down!) - No way..
Why is it that Appraisers, Brokers and Escrow people don't get told how much they should cut THEIR professional fees??

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/23/11 1:25am
Msg #394603

Re: hit wrong button-continued...

Can't comment on brokers and escrow people, but appraisers are dealing with a lot of the same things we are.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/22/11 3:05pm
Msg #394523

I am in AZ ($2/sig)....

I consider that a low ball fee. I consider my time and mileage as well.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 3:08pm
Msg #394524

What the $2.00? you still have expenses n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/22/11 3:10pm
Msg #394526

Re: What the $2.00? you still have expenses

Of course i have expenses! I just said that $80 is a low ball fee.

Reply by SharonMN on 8/22/11 3:54pm
Msg #394534

I'm in MN where I can charge $1...

So the amount of notary fees really has nothing to do with what I charge. I don't care if there is one notarization in the package or 20. My charges are based mainly on how much time I will need to devote to the assignment from beginning to end. Even if I were in CA, I'd probably charge more or less the same amount. There's no rule that says you have to charge $10 per notarization in CA.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/22/11 3:54pm
Msg #394535

I don't care how you cut it, where you are or how much

you can charge for your notary fees in your state - ANYONE doing loan signings for $45-$55-$65 is lowballing....period.

Take the fee, deduct ALL expenses - and I mean ALL expenses - deduct from that 25-30% for taxes and I dare you to show me a profit above minimum wage on a $45 closing - ALL things considered.

Can't be done. And you did forget one major factor IMO - expertise - what the notary brings to the table counts for something.

MHO

Reply by jba/fl on 8/22/11 3:57pm
Msg #394536

Alrighty! n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/22/11 5:13pm
Msg #394555

You got it, Linda!

This is only relevant if you're contracting for notary services - and I'm not. I am a contract closer, and of course I am also a notary as a necessary condition.

I don't care how many notarizations are in a pkg, or even IF there are any at all. I am charging for my knowledge & expertise, level of customer service, time and expenses. The notarizations are part/parcel of the whole of my services.

I still have to know as much, work as hard and pay almost the same expenses regardless of how many notarizations there are/are not, how many miles I drive, how many pages I print, etc. I keep it simple - one flat fee for each type of transaction to any place I'm willing to drive to, period. I don't discount for "only 10 pages" and I don't charge extra for way too many pages. 10 miles, 30 miles - if I go there, I'll do it, travel is included. Whatever is needed, I will do and I will do it well and I will be there on time - and I expect to be paid for all of that.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/22/11 5:27pm
Msg #394562

So do you, Renee!

One piece of paper 35 miles is the same as a package at 35 miles. Same time on the road, same expenses (essentially) same work ethic all equals my fee. For that, you get my complete and utter attention, whatever needs to be done.

If there are any discounts to be given, I will do the giving if I am so inclined.

Time.is.money.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 6:39pm
Msg #394572

To Linda, Jba and Reneek

Please do not respond to my post like this one with you experience, personal knowledge and intelligence. It is meant for those who are Notary Republics! LOL

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/22/11 4:40pm
Msg #394548

Understand - we don't generally know how many docs will

require notarization when called with an assignment.
It all "comes out in the wash", so to speak. (4 on one assignment, 7 on another, maybe more)
It's kind of a "crap shoot".

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/22/11 7:03pm
Msg #394574

Re: Understand - we don't generally know how many docs will

Last week I had a loan pkg with 18 notarizations!
Today I had one with 16!
Oy vey!

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 7:15pm
Msg #394576

Re: Understand - we don't generally know how many docs will

I bet you it was a va loan. It has been my experience that you can determine how many. For example I always ask, "how many borrower?" So right off I know there is going to be the deed, signature affidavits, compliance agreements, Occupancy affidavit and maybe trust Docs. 8 - 10.

Scheduler who can answer these questions is a bonus because it means they already have the Docs. hehe.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/22/11 8:19pm
Msg #394580

Yes, both were VA loans! n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 8:26pm
Msg #394581

Re: Yes, both were VA loans!

Okay, you gotta start learning this stuff so we know what's the right fee to charge...thanks for answering.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/22/11 5:42pm
Msg #394568

Yahoo!!..flames knee high! I was only

making lite of criticizing low-ballers, the definition there of.There are some who can make the same profit I do working for $80.00; because their expenses and the amount they can charge are less....That is all I was saying.

I didn't feel the heat, so thanks for your wonderful, valued responses and stay the way you are.

For those People using someone's elses cars, printers, paper, ink jet printers, gas cards and not paying your taxes, please let me know how you're doing next year this time.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 8/22/11 11:49pm
Msg #394599

Add in Il for notarial certs, for quit claim deeds, cook

county property, we can charge a whopping $25.00! BUT we have to file the notarial form if not hired by a third party, such as a SS or TC.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/23/11 12:13pm
Msg #394640

I'm confused by this whole thread. Were you asking for

states fees set for general notary work, or what people are charging for loan signings?
Two entirely different issues.