Posted by Randy Rai on 6/29/12 12:56am
Msg #425008

Notary fees

How many people actually make a decent living doing notary full time...

Reply by Windoe/IL on 6/29/12 12:59am
Msg #425009

I'm only part time and can't answer your question.
I'm just waiting to see the responses you will get for this question.

Reply by MichiganAl on 6/29/12 1:05am
Msg #425011

10 years, full time, only source of income. Doing just fine.

Reply by Roger_OH on 6/29/12 1:06am
Msg #425012

Certainly most of the full-time veteran NSAs here on NotRot do OK.

We've all been around a long time, and although the business has had its ups and downs, I think most would agree that we all enjoy what we do. The endless variety of people and situations we encounter make the job at times challenging, but certainly never dull.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/29/12 7:52am
Msg #425019

Amen, Roger

I have been doing this for over 10 years and it is my only job. Have a small pension that supplements NSA work, but for most of the 10 years I could have lived off this income. Of course, I don't live lavishly and never have, but it makes the mortgage payment, utilities, car expense, food, etc plus my business expense and during good times have enough for modest vacations occasionally as well as trips to see my grandchildren. What more do we need?

But, this job is not for everyone. If you want a well structured life and a set schedule, don't even think about going into this business; you will drive yourself crazy. The life of a NSA must be very fluid if you want to do anything but make pin money. AND you absolutely must like and enjoy being around strangers.

Reply by MW/VA on 6/29/12 8:52am
Msg #425031

I know it varies, but some are doing very well. We're independent contractors, so it's up to us as to how much work we take on & what the rewards are.

Reply by NJDiva on 6/29/12 9:33am
Msg #425047

There are a number of variables to take into account...

First, what is your definition of a decent living? What is your definition of full time? Are you willing to be available 24-7? Or do you only have set hours that you will commit to? How about days? 7 days a week?

Those who make a decent living are flexible. Most are well established. They know their fees, their worth, their expenses and how to make it a "living" if that's what their purpose is.

Personally, I'm not sure that I know what a "decent living" is. I happen to like what some people would call "luxuries" (hence NJDiva). I like to get mani's & pedi's, go shopping, vacation, have a gym membership, be able to contribute to charity, be able to give back to my community, etc. etc.

Would I be able to do all that without my husbands modest income? Hmmmm, maybe not. But it does allow me to "help with the bills" and splurge on the above (hmmm, maybe even more than my husband would like...tee hee.)

I guess to some it may be considered a "decent living."

Reply by Clem/CA on 6/29/12 10:02am
Msg #425053

You in a house or a trailer? You pay rent or you own? You married or single? You have kids or child support? How much credit card debt do you have? How large are your utility bills? Is your car a fuel hog? Do you gamble, drink and party a lot? What is decent to you?

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 6/29/12 12:47pm
Msg #425076

Excellent points, Clem.... n/m

Reply by Buddy Young on 6/29/12 10:19am
Msg #425055

Re: one!!! n/m

Reply by NJDiva on 6/29/12 10:27am
Msg #425057

Huh??? " one!!!" What's that mean Buddy? lol n/m

Reply by Louisiana33 on 6/29/12 10:45am
Msg #425060

There is no way I could do this full time. I have been a notary since 2002. I use the income to supplement my full time income as an accountant. Very few notaries in my area do this full time.

Reply by TheCloser123 on 6/29/12 5:59pm
Msg #425118

I used being a NSA as a supplement to the lack of closings/income when I was a loan officer, as the market tanked. It was a nice little side job...and paid much more back in 2008 then it seems to now.

I left the industry completely for a couple of years, and went back to college. I picked it back up about 4 months ago, and have averaged a decent income the past two months. BUT...I live in a highly populated area, I am willing to work on a moments notice 24/7, and I have a goal of signing up with a minimum of 20 companies per week. That takes time, and diligence. However, the BIGGEST thing to consider at the present moment, the rates are low. Everyone is refinancing. Eventually, the rates will go up...when that happens, you better have a back up plan. Being raised on a farm my philosophy is, make hay while the sun is up.

Readers Digest version, there are many factors to take into consideration...the biggest one being, you will make as much as you are willing to put in time and effort. Hope that helps.

Reply by Cecilia Valencia on 6/29/12 11:23am
Msg #425062

like any other job, it depends on how bad you want to make money. marketing yourself and signing up for more than 100 SS's takes time and putting in the due dilligence. Staying persistance and making yourself avalaible, will get you work. Stay on top of your contacts and do some weekely emailing to those companies you hved signed up for. You can make up to $xxxx per week if you put in the hard work from the start.

Reply by ToniK on 6/29/12 12:27pm
Msg #425071

I do this full time and I have 4 children, separated from my hubby, live in an apartment, no credit card debt, no debt really (paid that all off with tax returns). Able to spend time with my children. I love it.

Now I do supplement with other pt work permitting. Lol but notary work to precedence over all else.

Reply by Sha/CA on 6/29/12 12:35pm
Msg #425073

You all make this job sound lucrative. Come on newbies!! n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/29/12 12:45pm
Msg #425075

OK...can't keep sitting on my hands on this one.

Yes, for some it is a viable income.

For most, it's nothing more than a nice part-time job over which you have very little control...
take what makes sense financially and hope you get more calls this week, but don't depend on it.

Much, if not all, of whatever 'volume' you receive is dependant upon the population in your area...both in 'people' and your competition. Plus, if you're just starting, it can take months (even years...depending on above) until you can build a business that might support your lifestyle.

For me, in a small town/rural area....it is a nice part time job, but I sure couldn't live on what it provides...and, no, I'm not a $65 notary...not by a long shot. But, if I were, the volume just isn't here and I'd be a broke $65 notary in a month or two.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 6/29/12 12:59pm
Msg #425077

Part-Time for me.....

I work full-time at Union Bank, N.A. in the Trust Dept. (Real Estate Assets) I am very familiar with loan docs...
I conduct Notary Signings ibn the evening and on the weekends.
Back in the day (2002 - 2004) part time work was extremely lucrative ($800.00 - 1,600.00 per month {2 - 5 closings)), not so much now.
Health Insurance benefits come with full-time position, along with a salary. (Vacation/Sick pay)
Although I am a Part-Time Signing Agent, I am careful not to step on the toes of other Signing Agents. (I often refer signing requests to other Notaries in the area, James, for instance).
While I do work at Union Bank in San Francisco, I live in the suburbs in a condominium overlooking the bay.
Anyway, currently, part-time works for me and, in CA it would be difficult to be financially fit with conducting signings only.
Lee said it best though..
Have a great day,
Stephanie
...sorry for any typos....

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/29/12 1:09pm
Msg #425078

Need a rommate?

"While I do work at Union Bank in San Francisco, I live in the suburbs in a condominium overlooking the bay."

I'll be quiet, you won't even know I'm there. I'll just be gazing out your windowat the Bay....

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 6/29/12 3:01pm
Msg #425096

Cute..... n/m

Reply by Eve/VA on 6/29/12 1:27pm
Msg #425081

I agree Lee.

I have a full time job and am an NSA part-time.

My fee is on the high side, I pick and chose who I work for and still have to browbeat the majority of companies to pay me (which I find insulting as you-know-what). So to do this full-time as my sole source of income, constantly worrying about whether I can meet my obligations would make me even crazier than I already am.

Now, throw me three or four great companies with high volume and I'm on it.

My hat is off to anyone who can do it full-time.

Reply by Northern Virginia Loan Signing NVLS on 6/29/12 1:55pm
Msg #425084

Re: I agree Lee & Clem

Yes, I would think it prudent to maintain one's "day job," as this work is precisely that: Not always within your control. I've been in the residential lending business a long time and we all know this industry has its "ups and downs," as well.

Yes, it does depend to some degree on how hard you work; but it also may be how sunny it is (or not), whether the groundhog sees its shadow this week, whether someone woke up on the "wrong side" today . . . and a thousand other "triggers" (most of which are emotional).

I'd also add to go along with the other comments about "good" living - which is so subjective in today's "have it all society." If you ENJOY your job, you can be content and happy; and with this outlook, more motivation AND more money tends to follow naturally!

Reply by ToniK on 6/29/12 2:47pm
Msg #425089

Are you implying Im a newbie? n/m

Reply by Q_in_Sac/CA on 6/29/12 2:53pm
Msg #425091

Randy, I believe the "veterans" on this forum answered your question. Their info is helping me to review my goals of being an NSA. I know this will not be a "sprint". Right now, I need to get a "high speed" printer and my E&O insurance. Then market myself/business. So I believe you need to take your time take notes and ask questions.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/29/12 6:18pm
Msg #425126

There you go -some solid advice: "Take your time, take notes

and ask questions.

Let me add: Use the orange search button. Review the thread Msg #33325 for gems to cull. Some is outdated, but you will get that. If there is a question you have, it may have already been answered, so search first, then ask for clarification. Most never mind helping if we can see effort is being expended. That is part of "paying ones dues" and we understand that. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask - I believe we mostly believe this here....we don't want to do your searching, that's all.

Many of us are on the tail end of our careers and don't mind a bit of mentoring; our horses are not so high that we can't be challenged on facts either. We love a good argument....who doesn't when it can advance knowledge.

We sometimes tend to just state facts without sugar-coating; it is not meant to be rude, but to accomplish what is needed swiftly. Our time is our time, but we like to state something to be helpful. Thick skins in business is necessary, but not because we are trying to make you cry. Facts are dry, not meant to be couched in flattering terms with sprays of flowers and butterflies along the edges of the page.

Unfortunately, I am a veteran of many wars (years) and tire easily - you will gain more from the link than from me, so I will stop here....but first, happy reading and good luck to you.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/29/12 7:22pm
Msg #425149

And more "solid advice" here! Great post!! n/m

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 6/29/12 5:30pm
Msg #425111

To answer your question

I do lots of notaries. But I don't think I'm allowed to charge for that, so no, I don't make a decent living doing notaries.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/29/12 5:49pm
Msg #425115

Re: To answer your question

Robert!
I am shocked! I pegged you as a clean cut young man

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 6/29/12 5:50pm
Msg #425116

It was a joke! lol n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/29/12 6:43pm
Msg #425136

Re: It was a joke! lol

I know - hence my smiley face

Reply by jba/fl on 6/29/12 6:26pm
Msg #425128

Really,now? Wow-establishing a different reputation now? LOL n/m

Reply by Deborah Breedlove on 6/30/12 11:07am
Msg #425188

Not full time, but...

If I was trying to depend on having NSA income full time, I'd be broke. I've been in the accounting and tax biz for over 25 years (I'm an Enrolled Agent). Having also been a notary for many years, I started doing NSA work 9 years ago during the off-tax season. Although I work year-round doing bookkeeping, payroll and tax returns for extension filers, it is a lot slower from May to December, so I have more time available for loan signings.

Even then, my time is valuable to me and I don't work for low ball fees. I'd rather do one signing for $125 than two for $65 each. I'd rather spend an evening with my husband than do a $65 signing. Hence, I don't do as many signings per week as a lot of NSAs here. If this was my sole source of income, I may have to change my attitude, but like HisHughness, I'm getting old and set in my ways. That said, the clients I work with know that the job will be done correctly and professionally - no babysitting required. That should be worth a lot, IMO.

To answer your question - I don't know how many are doing this full-time, how many do this to supplement other income such as another job or retirement pension. But I do know that you need to have a back up plan and a nice savings account to carry you through times of drought. Right now we are experiencing very low interest rates, and many of the refis are the same borrowers who refinanced five years ago. Eventually that need will dry up when interest rates start to rise. NSA jobs will be fewer and they'll want to pay even less. Be prepared, and have a Plan B.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/1/12 3:49am
Msg #425263

You didn't say why you asked the question, but if it's because you're considering doing this as a full time occupation, I'd suggest that you might want to ask some different questions that may be more relevant. Here are just a couple of suggestions:

* What are the chances someone entering this field now could make a "decent" living?

* How long might it take to begin getting business?

* How long might it take to get well established?

* What is the long-term outlook for this field?

The answers will vary greatly, depending on your community, your competition, your background, energy level, drive, etc. and even then, they'd just be one person's opinion. But what one person has been able to do may be completely irrelevant to what someone else may be able to do.

Reply by phenom/CA on 7/1/12 1:44pm
Msg #425286

I am full time NSA and have been since I became a Notary Public in 2005. Let me tell you it is not easy. I tried for 3 years, and then went back to work full time. In the meanwhile I never gave up on my training. I always continued to market and establish contacts and sign up for new SS monthly right from this site. Eventually, I was out of a job, when the company I worked for closed its doors in Aug 2011. I decided to put my NSA training skills back in to the full time market and give it my best effort again. With doing the due dilligence and living in Southern CA. Where we are blessed, with alot of people and mortgages that are being refied because of low intrest rates. Homes being purchased by investors and homes that are also selling like crazy in Las Vegas, with the majority of people buying them from CA. I am blessed to be that NSA who gets to get a piece of that business which keeps me full time. Its not a strech to say I make $xxxx a week since I was laid off back in Aug 2011. Also living in a centrally located city like Haciend Heights, CA gives me four counties that I can work in too. And let me tel you tht is my biggest asset to all my contacts.