Posted by Annette Erickson on 4/25/12 10:57am
Msg #418835

Newbie too

Hey guys I have a question about being new at closing and such. I've been a Notary for over 10 years and just last year took the Mobile Notary class. I'm advertising all over and getting calls however, when I tell them that I have never done a closing and this would be my first one they refuse to give me the job. I'm also to scared to lie and just go into it not fulling knowing what to expect/do. Any suggestions on how to get over this hurdle? I'm prepared to pull out of the Mobile end and just offer my Notary signatures. Please help this newbie get going. I also met with a Mortgage Company who was very nice and took my card but then never called me to do anything for them. I feel like this is a great opportunity to make some money but don' t know how to gain the experience I guess they really desire.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/25/12 11:07am
Msg #418836

NEWBIES: A good post to start with is message #

33325

Lots of good advice in this thread!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/25/12 11:13am
Msg #418839

Re: Newbie too...my question(s)

Do you have any real estate/mortgage closing experience? If not, have you taken any loan signing courses that will help you become familiar with closing documents?

"I feel like this is a great opportunity to make some money..." - curious what you base this on? Did someone tell you this? Depending on your area it may not be that great considering the state of the real estate market these days.

The best suggestion I can give you to overcome the "hurdle" is market market market and train train train...study study study...

Reply by dutchcloser on 4/25/12 11:28am
Msg #418843

Re: Newbie too...my question(s)

I agree Linda. The "newbies questions" on how to get started has gotten old!

Reply by Riley/FL on 4/25/12 12:38pm
Msg #418851

Re: Newbie too...my question(s)

Like any other business, you first have to spend some money. Mostly on marketing, but also printers, paper, toner, E&O insurance, and various supplies. Figure around $600-$1000 in start up costs.

VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW..... If you do not have any prior experience in the real estate or mortgage fields, it will take an average of 2 years to build up a client base and begin making a profit.

Reply by Beverly Brady on 4/25/12 12:55pm
Msg #418854

Re: Newbie too...my question(s)

Everyone here was a 'newbie' at one time. Nobody started out knowing everything. Thanks for the link though, that was thoughtful.

Reply by JPH13/MO on 4/25/12 3:08pm
Msg #418868

Great training

Notary2Pro.com. Take all 3 courses offered and then stop letting them know you are new. The owner of that site is willing to help you with any questions you may have once you get your first set of docs printed out, she is awesome. I also semi-recommend the NNA signing agent course since it gives you a book that was helpful at first and also comes with a background check which a lot of companies now want you to have. NNA has a pretty bad rep on this site, but you have to start someplace. I agree that they pump out way too many new people and that their training does NOT provide you with the knowledge you need to be a signing agent, but that is where I started and it did help, as in it helped me to realize I still did not know enough to do a signing. I then took the other 3 courses I mention above and have been doing a lot of signings ever since.

Reply by MW/VA on 4/25/12 4:08pm
Msg #418877

Re: Great training

I wouldn't agree with that recommendation for NNA. Many of us learned that they're out to get our money & that's about it. There's good training available, and a good training manual available right here on NR.
The biz is very tough right now, and I'm guessing it's going to be even harder to get started. Many seasoned & experienced notaries are leaving the biz because of lower fees being offered. Don't sell yourself or the industry short by accepting the low fees. Good luck. :-)

Reply by jba/fl on 4/25/12 5:13pm
Msg #418885

Jillian - never a good idea to advertise another business at

the place that offers that same service. Just not right.

Reply by JPH13/MO on 4/26/12 5:35am
Msg #418958

I honestly had no idea training available on NR

or I would have done a PM about the other training. When I came to this site I bought all the things I needed and have a Premier membership, but did not notice training. Won't do that again. Sorry Harry!

Reply by Annette Erickson on 4/26/12 10:09am
Msg #418969

Re: Newbie too...my question(s)

I don't have RE or Mortg experience but I did take the course in becoming a mobile notary. However, that course didn't really go into what really would be required at a closing. It's scary to "not" say i haven't done a closing when someone calls because I don't want to show up for that closing not knowing what to do. As for my signature and stamp I get that, but whatever else is required on any other pages I really don't know! Guess I really have to find more classes. Thanks