Posted by Kathryn on 3/8/11 10:06pm
Msg #375553

Work in Florida

Would anyone in Florida care to comment on whether you have adequate work there and the possibility of someone starting new there? I am an experienced closer but am thinking of moving back to Fla. near my Best friend.
Thanks.

Reply by jba/fl on 3/8/11 10:45pm
Msg #375555

Florida's pretty big - which part? without knowing though - bring a skill set with you besides this one. I'm semi-retired, not by choice, in Central FL and I am not the only one. There are many of us starting to remake our work lives doing something else.

Reply by F2F/FL on 3/9/11 7:32am
Msg #375564

Well I came to Florida from CA and was going to work from home, but have had to take a part time job outside my home to make ends meet. SW Florida is pretty slow right now, not sure about the other area's. Good Luck but I wouldn't count on a whole lot of work like before.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 3/9/11 7:31am
Msg #375563

Florida has over 420,000 notaries....

more than any other state.

Do yourself a favor. If you choose to move to Florida, find something else to do other than notary work. There are notaries on every corner, most of whom don't have a clue what they are doing, and from what I understand signing agent work is becoming increasingly nonexistent.

Reply by Jim/AL on 3/9/11 10:18am
Msg #375573

Re: Florida has over 420,000 notaries... Really 1 in 44 ppl

are FL notaries? That is huge if true.

How many in CA?

Reply by Larry/IL on 3/9/11 10:21am
Msg #375575

I thought the same, Florida NEEDS some good notaries! n/m

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 3/9/11 11:17am
Msg #375589

It's true. n/m

Reply by Larry/IL on 3/9/11 10:20am
Msg #375574

Kathryn,

I do not live in Florida and could have predicted the responses you are receiving. Might I suggest you read through several posts and profiles from notaries that live in Florida. Perhaps then private message or email the notaries that consistently seem to be credible, HELPFUL to fellow notaries, and usually post with professional etiquette. Trust me when I say it will not take much reading to lead you in the right direction. While they will not jeopardize their income stream, I know they will discuss generalities, trends and ideas for work in Florida.

I know this because I have contemplated moving to Florida for the last couple of years. I have had some great conversations with Florida notaries that easy sustain full time income.

Consider your current and future demographics. For example where I currently live, there are approximately 8 million people. Last I checked, the Tampa area did not have even 1 million. If you already have title companies that work with you, they still will work with you and might be glad you are moving, especially if most notaries in Florida don't know what here doing, as alleged in one of the responses your original post received. Just let all your contacts know your moving and staying in the business. If you have good contacts, a good work ethic and skills, it may move you up the Florida notary list the minute you land.

Good Luck! I wish I was ready to give up the demographic I have here and make the move to Florida as well.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/9/11 10:48am
Msg #375582

I responded to her in p/m but said essentially

the same thing - don't hang her hat on notary and loan signing work - I told her if she has a second profession she can fall back on she may want to look to that while setting up as a notary. The area she's looking at has over 2 million people - but it's very dense, population wise and is very saturated with notaries - it's also one of the more expensive areas to live (all things considered without giving any particulars away) - and I know that area is very well covered from a notarial point of view.

I disagree that the companies that use her will follow her - they may wish to, but if they have an established relationship in the area they will more than likely stick with that notary they've worked with - unless, of course, Kathryn is willing to work for peanuts and seriously undercut everyone else in the area - then where does she win there?

Lots of other info I have about this that I won't discuss here which led to my response to her -Kathryn, good luck and happiness with whatever you decide to do...

Reply by Mike Goodey on 3/9/11 11:33am
Msg #375592

Re: I responded to her in p/m but said essentially

There are more than 700,000 notaries in California...talk about one on every corner...it's like the ABC stores in Hawaii...how do they make any $$$?

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 3/9/11 11:37am
Msg #375593

There is nowhere near 700k notaries in California

Marian just posted that they are down to 177,000. We have 420,000, the most of any state.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/9/11 11:41am
Msg #375598

Robert...where did you get that 420k number? curious.. n/m

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 3/9/11 11:59am
Msg #375601

Came directly from the Dept of State n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/9/11 11:39am
Msg #375594

If you'll recall, Robert posted not so long ago

that Walgreen's is now offering notary services... now I realize this may not include loan signings (but who knows) but the point is it's still notary work being taken away from the notary trying to eke out a living...

So we have UPS, most pack-n-ship stores (the one near me charges $5 - we can charge up to $10 in FL), and now .... WALGREEN's... next up, convenience stores and roadside fruitstands.

I'll hush now

Reply by jba/fl on 3/9/11 12:10pm
Msg #375604

Re: I responded to her in p/m but said essentially

No - she told me in a PM she was looking at Mt. Dora/Tavares area, which is Lake County. Inland, sparsely populated. Lots of seniors. Ask Monica - that is her area. I do Lake Co. IF I am going to be in the area for fun and games as it is some of the best kayaking in the state.

@Larry: I'm going to take umbrage to your remarks of "I do not live in Florida and could have predicted the responses you are receiving. Might I suggest you read through several posts and profiles from notaries that live in Florida. Perhaps then private message or email the notaries that consistently seem to be credible, HELPFUL to fellow notaries, and usually post with professional etiquette." then "Last I checked, the Tampa area did not have even 1 million."

Tampa area has well over 1 million, so I don't know when you last checked, but your figs are off as well as your grating response about those that responded, which included me. I cannot see for the life of me how you interpreted my response or any of the others to be negative. OK - none of us jumped for joy, but none of us were disparaging either except to point out that business is not as good as in other parts of the country. If people tell you so, then they are lying to you, or puffing their activities. Let's be realistic with Kathryn - let's not tell her the XYZ mantra and get her hopes up falsely. She asked a serious question and deserves to be treated thusly. I think all of us painted the correct picture. If you come to FL you need to bring your job with you - our unemployment rate is higher than other parts of the country as well.

Reply by Larry/IL on 3/9/11 12:52pm
Msg #375610

Re: I responded to her in p/m but said essentially

If you feel offended by the help I offered Kathryn, I apologize. My comments were not directed to you or anyone in particular.

I am sure Kathryn would be better served by researching who she may want to ask for comments on work in Florida and in private! Many times responses to the OP are useless and not of much help. Advice and opinions vary widely and are relative, as is the population of a certain area.

I was only pointing out that demographics play a big part. If Kathryn currently lives in a a less populated area, has good connections, work ethic and skills, she might actually do better with the move. If the statement that half of all notaries in Florida don't have a clue is true, she would at least have no trouble marketing herself as better than half of all notaries. Some of the contacts I have have told me if I decided to move, I would be moved to the top of their list immediately.

I would argue that work relationships and how one presents them self has everything to do with how others might consider that individual for future work.

I usually do not respond too much after making initial posts but wanted to apologize if anyone felt offended. That being said, I will not see any point in commenting further.