Posted by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 12:06pm
Msg #402376

Signing Agent 101

Good Morning, all!
I don't post a whole lot, but I do read the board every day faithfully. It seems like there are a lot of people trying to break into loan signings, asking for advice, et cetera. I honestly didn't even know there was such a thing as an NSA until after I received my commission and got my first call a few weeks later. It was then that I really started looking into it, and I did take a class that prepared me just-a-little for the actual job.
I am new, I am still learning, and I learn more every day by reading this board often and taking from the experience of others. Being new, I don't feel like I have much of a leg to stand on as I am still gaining knowledge and experience, but I would like to offer one tiny suggestion to others seeking to become signing agents. I think it would serve each new notary well to really know the rules and laws backwards and forwards, and get some real-life general notary experience before becoming a signing agent. At least in California (not sure about all the other states), we have to take an exam to become a notary. But just because you know all the right answers to the questions doesn't mean you'll be able to apply that knowledge in unique situations right away. Loan documents are very important, and executing all the required notarial acts correctly is critical. There is a lot to remember when it comes to this line of work, and there is usually a certain level of stress involved in a loan signing. Trying to remember everything you've learned and studied on top of dealing with loan packages, status calls, stressed-out borrowers etc. isn't easy, especially if you're a new notary with not a lot of GNW experience.
It is my sincere hope that nobody takes this the wrong way, as me being arrogant or purporting to be an expert, which I definitely am not. I just thought a little insight from one new notary to another might be helpful to people who are just starting out and reading this forum for tips and advice. Any feedback or comments are welcome, and thanks to all for sharing your stories and experiences. I have found value in 99% of the discussions I've read on this board, and apply a lot of it every day as I gain experience.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/1/11 12:17pm
Msg #402379

As one newbie to another, you have done a remarkable job of outlining why one should do things in a certain manner. You have a nice profile, realistic, and don't appear to be taken with yourself.

I like your attitude and willingness to tackle this profession sensibly. I wish you great success. I also wish that you continue to learn daily, even 5 years down the road. None of us knows everything, no matter how we bluster, huff and puff. I also think it keeps us young and fresh gaining new knowledge all the time.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/1/11 12:57pm
Msg #402384

You're a newbie? :) n/m

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 1:01pm
Msg #402387

Re: You're a newbie? YES n/m

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 1:09pm
Msg #402390

Sorry Marian, thought you meant me. :) n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 11/1/11 3:16pm
Msg #402408

Re: You're a newbie? :)

No, but read it with the punctuation....Priscilla wrote as one newbie to another...

I really wondered if anyone would misinterpret that, then decided that most would know that I am not new, except with new haircut, new grandchild, new kayak, etc.

C'est la vie!

Reply by Frank/NC on 11/1/11 12:23pm
Msg #402381

Priscilla, in my opinion you have just hit the nail on the head. I don't think that most anyone who subscribes to this board has any problem with someone else coming into this field. As you know, there are millions of dollars in transactions that we handle and the fact that someone advertises themselves as "professional signing agent" and then asks the most basic of questions surely indicates that this person is doing more to hurt this profession than they realize. The fact is that we all want to keep our pricing structure at a point where we cannot only justify the fees we ask for but also ask for additional fees based upon professional performance and our expertise. However, when the SS or TC does not get professionalism, they don't pay for it. Not to say that there aren't companies we call low ballers that only require 98.6 out there, but the professionals, once again, for the most part, stay away from them. I think it all boils down to, we all know what we are worth. Stay in there and learn every piece of paper you handle and read everything you can and no matter whether business is slow or not, everything you do as a notary or signing agent will be professional.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/1/11 12:56pm
Msg #402383

"At least in California (not sure about all the other states), we have to take an exam to become a notary. But just because you know all the right answers to the questions doesn't mean you'll be able to apply that knowledge in unique situations right away."

Passing the exam doesn't mean you know all the answers, either. You only have to have 70% to pass... and many of us can testify to the fact that there are a LOT of Notaries in California who managed to get their commission and don't have ANY idea about what they're doing.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 1:06pm
Msg #402389

You're right about 70%....

....and there were probably 5 people taking the test when I did that were on their 4th and 5th tries.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 11/1/11 1:26pm
Msg #402395

Re: You're right about 70%....

Good to know there's someone up in Ridgecrest. I'm probably one of the closest to you (I'm in CalCity). I'm called up there all the time!

And yeah... when I took the exam, over half the room were people who were people retaking the test. So sad.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 1:38pm
Msg #402396

Re: You're right about 70%....

Some months, there are no calls, and some months I get so many I have to turn them away. It's really hit or miss in this area, because it's so isolated. I only do this part-time, and I'm glad I didn't quit my job when I got commissioned; there's just not enough of this work to go around here. However, I honestly didn't expect as much work as I get sometimes.
As I was taking the exam, I wondered if California puts a limit on how many times you can take the notary exam before they just cut you off. Right now, you can take it once a month, if I'm not mistaken. Some people aren't good test-takers, but I'd think after 5 times of failing it, you'd either figure it just wasn't for you, or you'd reevaluate the way you study.

Reply by Buddy Young on 11/1/11 5:43pm
Msg #402429

Re: You're right about 70%....

And the training never stops.

All the study and tests you can take will never cover all the unusuall situations.

Reply by garland/CA on 11/1/11 1:09pm
Msg #402391

very nice web site! n/m

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/1/11 1:14pm
Msg #402393

Why thank you! Still a work-in-progress. n/m

Reply by CJ on 11/1/11 11:33pm
Msg #402454

You really DO have to know the notary laws inside and out.

If you are at a signing, and it is late, and everyone else has gone home for the night, and the borrowers throw you a curve ball, you MUST know what to do. Borrowers, loan officers brokers and even attorneys don't know OUR rules. So many times borrowers say to me things like,

"My real name on my driver's license is Corina, but since I ALWAYS sign my legal documents "Cookie", so that's why it is on the vesting. EVERYONE knows me as Cookie".
"It shouldn't matter if my license expired last month, it's still me".
"Grandma does not drive any more, so that is why we never got her driver's license renewed all those years ago".
"Why should I have to give you a thumbprint? I don't like your company's policy about thumbprints".
"We bought the house before we were married, that's why the vesting doesn't match my license. Can't I just show you my marriage certificate?"
"Why can't you accept my Social Security Card for ID? It's got my name and number on it"
"My birth certificate will work for ID, won't it?
"If the docs are dated for tomorrow, can't we just all put tomorrow's date on it?"
"The [lawyer / broker / loan officer] told me that it didn't matter what my license said and they said YOU should accept it".
"You want me to call my neighbors on the phone and have them come over to sign your book and swear that it's me??? That's ridiculous! I'm not going to do that. It's none of their business! The last notary accpected this for ID and you should too!"
"The last notary was an idiot and made us call the neighbors just because the license didn't match. Can you believe how ridiculous that is?
"What do you think: is this a good loan or not?".
"This paper does not make any sense. Do you think I should sign it?"
"I'm here to help my father with this signing. I am going to translate for you".
"Since you are here, I need something else notarized too. I need a notarized letter. Can you write it for me?"

I have heard ALL of these things. When they happen, you need to KNOW what to do. If you don't know, you could not only lose your job, you could be fined BIG time AND go to jail. I do know what to do, but I always have my handbook with me just in case (usually to show the borrowers that I am not making up the rules). The borrowers have no idea the legal pressure you are under, and they just want you to look the other way and notarize it for them. They don't care if you ruin your life and go to jail, as long as they get their loan signed, so what about you.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 11/2/11 10:03am
Msg #402485

Re: You really DO have to know the notary laws inside and out.

I agree with everything you said. It's important to really know what you're doing as a notary before you complicate it with loan signing. There is a whole new set of rules when you bring loan documents into it.
I have actually had regular notary clients that were harder to deal with than borrowers. A lot of borrowers already know what's coming, they know it's going to take a while, etc. I get a lot of people that are uneasy with the oath portion of a jurat. "What do you mean, I have to swear/affirm this is true? What happens if it's not? Do I really have to swear/affirm an oath?" Yes, you most certainly do, because if I don't administer it, I get fined and most likely lose my commission. You better believe I'm not putting myself on the line for you. I actually had someone cancel an appointment because they found out they'd have to submit to an oath. I also get a lot of people who don't want to show their ID or sign my journal, or even personally appear (mostly coworkers who are trying to take advantage of my title). Sorry, coworker and potential customer, I require the same things of you that I require of people I don't know from Adam.
There is a lot of potential for corruption being a notary; you have to be strong and stay true to the laws and rules that govern your office. It took me a very long time to compose my original post, because I put a lot of thought into it. You need to have a good foundation as a notary public first, before you start adding loan signing into it, because there are very serious financial liabilities at stake. You HAVE to know what you're doing first, or you're going to cause borrowers, not least of all yourself, a lot of harm if you don't.