Posted by Breezy_in_CA on 2/21/12 11:45pm
Msg #412571
Signing Agent 102
I read Signing Agent 101 and was pleased to see that Priscilla so eloquently described the situation for newbies. As positive as her responses were, I am wondering, what can we newbies DO to make the best beginning to our new role?
I received the NSA certification immediately after the notary class to give myself more options. I quickly learned I was in over my head. I WANT to learn more, I am dedicated to becoming a skilled notary/NSA.
This is the first notary discussion board I've dived into and am wondering what actions I need to take to avoid becoming the embarrassment people fear in this public office role.
Any specific sites/books/classes/etc. I should reference? (Other than the CA handbook, that's a given). I am hoping to team up with a real estate agent who can help me learn more about loan docs. Other suggestions? How can I best prepare myself other than memorizing all I can from the handbook?
I greatly appreciate your effort, time, and willingness to assist me with getting a good knowledge base for this very important role. I want to serve and do it happily and with confidence. Thank you.
| Reply by Buddy Young on 2/22/12 9:44am
Msg #412600
The best training and information available any where in the world is to be found here on Not Rot's talk forum.
Start at the begining and read every post. Over the years almost every possible subject or problem has been discussed and resolved.
| Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 2/22/12 10:35am
Msg #412609
1. Know your State's Notary Laws.
Always follow Notary Law.
2. When you receive an assignment, follow directions from assigning entity, as long as you are following California notary Law.
3. Be courteous and friendly to the borrowers.
4. Once you complete a signing, do not leave until you have checked the documents to be sure it is complete (signers have signed, dated, initialed where they should - not sigs are missed. Be sure that all docs that you notarized have your signature and seal.
It's easier to correct any errors while you are still with the borrowers.
5.As Buddy suggested, read this board. There are many helpful messages on this board.
Reading these messages will, hopefully assist with instilling confidence in you.
6.Once you successfully cvomplete a couple of signings, you will feel more confident.
Good luck.
Stephanie
| Reply by Priscilla Witman on 2/22/12 12:46pm
Msg #412626
Thank you for the kind words and taking my post to heart. I thought I would really offend some, but it was my honest observation that a Notary has to be grounded in GNW before they dive into loan signings. I stepped back from loan signings because I worried I was going to really screw one up in my inexperience and haste. I do a lot of different kinds of GNW, and I feel a lot more comfortable now. I only take an occasional signing lately (got a lot of other business coming in for other things) and only when I know I'm not going to be rushed in any way. I've been a Notary for almost a year, but there is just some stuff you don't learn from the handbook, from memorization, or from the experience of others. That said...you MUST KNOW AND ABIDE BY STATE GUIDELINES. I get a lot of "can you do it just this once", "do you really need my ID, you know me", and "but the form says NO OTHER format will be accepted". My rationale? Customers didn't commission me. They didn't pay my bond, buy my supplies, pay for my business license, and they sure won't pay for a lawyer if I mess up. I answer ultimately to the CA SOS, and I am governed by state guidelines and laws. You have to have a good foundation in GNW. You have to be comfortable saying no when you need to (when someone doesn't present a proper request, something is illegal, etc). You have to know your laws like the back of your hand. That only comes with time and your own experience.
Good luck to you! Read these posts daily. There is so much good information here. 
| Reply by Jillian Hinrichs on 2/22/12 1:34pm
Msg #412633
Take courses offered on these websites! And Join Linked-In!
This is the best advice I can offer to newbies.
1) To learn how to be a professional notary and avoid lawsuits caused by ignorance of the law - take The Empowered notary course at NotaryPower.com.
2) To learn how to be a professional signing agent (not just a point and sign agent) - take the 2 courses offered at Notary2Pro.com.
I too am just starting out, but after finishing the Notary2Pro courses I can now handle the majority of issues that arise during or before a signing. I will be starting the other course soon. I know both of the women who own these websites and they are doing all they can to help us be the best that we can be.
3) Also, joined Linked-In (how I met the 2 women) and then join all the larger notary groups within it. The advice you find within these groups plus within this forum is invaluable. Read the discussions daily, or catch up if you can't do that whenever you have the time.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/22/12 10:25pm
Msg #412671
Re: Take courses offered on these websites! And Join Linked-In!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'm going to add something I've said here many times: be very careful about what you read on these forums and who you listen to. There are all too many who are "often wrong, never in doubt". A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous and just because someone states something emphatically that appears to make sense, doesn't mean they're right or that it's good advice. I think this is particularly true on some of the LinkedIn groups, where I've seen a lot of the blind leading the blind.
Over time, though, you can get a pretty good idea of who has been around for a while AND who really knows what they're talking about. (Occasionally, one doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with the other... )
| Reply by NJDiva on 2/22/12 1:50pm
Msg #412636
Some may not want to see this and I'm not being
pessimistic by any means. First thing you want to do is go on to the "Find a Notary" tab and put your zip code in to see how many NSA's are in your area.
Some area's are so inundated that, even though you may have been led to believe there is "plenty of work to go around", it is not as easy as that (false advertising???? How much did you pay for that philosophy?) I'm not sure how much you have already invested, but rather than jump right in expecting to immediately make this a lucrative business, you will need to take into consideration a number of factors...
Some of them are listed in the other recent posts but another main factor to consider is that it takes quite a while to get established enough to make this a viable business. It took me a good two+ years. Also, keep in mind, there is most likely already a number of established and well qualified NSA's surrounding you.
The question is, are you ready to make an investment that may not (in my opinion probably WON'T) reap the monetary recuperation of those out of pocket expenses, let alone garner any profit for a pretty lengthy amount of time (1-2 years)?
I have nothing to gain or lose by sharing my experience, because of course the above is only my honest opinion and experience, as you are not in my demographic vicinity.
Many people would agree with me whether they want to admit it on here or not.
Again, I don't mean to be a Donna Downer (sorry for any Donna's on the board), but you should be aware of the factors involved and not have expectations that may be difficult to achieve.
| Reply by NJDiva on 2/22/12 2:00pm
Msg #412637
oops, I should have added...
But if you do decide to pursue the business, I wish you the very best. Keep trying to learn as much as you possibly can. After 7 years in the business, I STILL take courses and try to continue bettering myself.
Be polite, professional and gracious and it will get you a long way in this business.
Good luck my dear.
Warmly,
Cheryl
| Reply by Les_CO on 2/22/12 2:53pm
Msg #412648
Re: oops, I should have added...
And if I may add…. Be exact, accurate, and meticulous. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to do this job, but one must do it in an unhurried and meticulous fashion. Before you leave the signing table, make sure you check EVERY page for all required signatures/initials/notarizations/dates/and venue. (It also helps to be able to follow instructions) The MOST difficult part of this job IMO is learning for whom to work. (There are a LOT of bad guys out there. JMO
| Reply by NJDiva on 2/22/12 2:56pm
Msg #412650
Amen Les! n/m
| Reply by Bear900/CA on 2/23/12 1:39am
Msg #412693
<<I am hoping to team up with a real estate agent who can help me learn more about loan docs. >>
I think your first choice to connect with Notary Rotary is an excellent start. Some great information here and I understand your commitment to partner with someone in the industry. I would recommend a qualified notary signing agent or loan originator rather than a real estate sales agent as they have different roles and therefore different sets of knowledge.
You might ask, “How can I make such connections, and how can I know that who I am talking to is an expert in their field?”
Just about every trade has an association. Guess what? So do mortgage professionals. While the associations will often dabble in all sorts of topics not related to notary signings you get to mix with some of the industry’s elite. Find someone you’re comfortable with and ask away.
You can join for one year and make some life-long connections. It’s fairly inexpensive. You can also just attend one or two of their chapter events and look for someone to connect with. You will have the added benefit of getting “the feel” for what is going on in this quick-changing business, for instance the soon to be combined TIL and GFE, what states will be beta-testing these and starting when? You can fast-track yourself in your signing business.
Since you are in CA, visit the C.A.M.P (California Association of Mortgage Professionals) website and locate the chapter in your area for events they are putting on. You don’t have to be a loan originator. Attend and get connected. You might also make some signing connections. Sometimes events are held at title companies for free. Tada! Get on their mailing list.
http://www.ca-amp.org/
Subscribe to the following video blogs that will give you a constant heads up to changes in the loan business. Ask, “How might these changes affect my signing activities?” Knowing the question is important to finding the right answers.
http://tbwsdailyshow.com/
http://www.brokerknowledge.com/blog/video-blog/
While your goal is to become a signing expert not a loan origination expert, expanding your knowledge in the field by asking the right people the right questions will help you be more confident.
Best!
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