Posted by cawest/PA on 5/17/12 12:52pm
Msg #421110

very simple question

My husband is at the edge of accepting an offer in Northern Florida (Jacksonville area) and of course that means moving. Right now I have a comfortable income from closings but looking at the stats it appears that Florida has plenty of Notaries ... should I go on and get my commission there or just redirect myself in a different field? The convenience of the job for me as been : able to schedule when I wanted to work and with children it has it's advantages not to do the 8-5 job and freedom of going to visit my family overseas when they needed me ... the kids are growen but the family is till overseas and mom getting older she needs me a bit more often that she use to an she is adament about not moving to the US.

Reply by NJDiva on 5/17/12 1:23pm
Msg #421120

um, er, echem...weeeeeeell, if I were in that area and tryin

to maintain my client base, I can assure you I wouldn't be offering the opportunity to have to be surrounded by yet more competition. So with that said, how would anyone be able to answer that with any kind of zest or be readily forthcoming..lol???

Just sayin! lol

For those coming to North Jersey, I can tell you right now, you absolutely want to consider another line of work or another form of income...tee hee

Just sayin...lmao

Reply by NJDiva on 5/17/12 1:50pm
Msg #421126

Good point Mar! n/m

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 5/17/12 2:03pm
Msg #421128

Re: um, er, echem...weeeeeeell, if I were in that area and tryin

I would think the clients you have now would use you in Jacksonville, talk to them ask how the business is in the area. Florida was hit very hard with home values plummeting but seem to be stablizing. Do your homework.

Reply by MW/VA on 5/17/12 1:39pm
Msg #421123

There are several notaries that have relocated & tried

to set up shop in a new area. FL is a different market from the NE, and you might ask some of your regular clients how much business you might expect in that market. Good luck on the move!

Reply by Paul2_FL on 5/17/12 2:01pm
Msg #421127

It would appear that you are very happy doing this kind of work that allows you the freedom to do the things you want to do. Moving to Florida only means that you may (at the onset) not do as well as you are doing currently. However, you have a huge leg up on any new notaries that are starting out. You have a) experience and b) a client base from which to work from. Doesn't get any better than that!

Reply by Lee/AR on 5/17/12 3:05pm
Msg #421138

As one who has made an across a few states move...

It doesn't go easy....and this was before the big boom & before tons of competition arrived.
1. Competition was not a problem then, but it is something for you to check out now.
2. The fees that worked very well in WI, did NOT translate well to my new state of AR... not even close. (Basically, the difference was quality/type of roads & huge difference in 'travel time'.) Worked nearly for free on the first signing (which took about 6 weeks to get to...kept getting calls for previous state) and then spent days figuring out the new area so that wouldn't happen again.
3. Many (most) both TC & SS that I worked with in WI didn't have anything in AR.
4. Spent much time finding new clients.
5. Even tho' I had little competition in my new state, and the boom was starting, and I'd notified everyone of the move, it still took 6 months to get everyone in the loop.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/17/12 3:38pm
Msg #421144

Did you try running a search of your potential

zip code? That may help you determine the competition you face.

Jacksonville is a biiiiiig city - I'd wager the notary population there is relatively dense. But, ya never know unless you try.

Good luck.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/17/12 4:55pm
Msg #421156

Veery big city....

I ran a search and I'm seeing all the premier members scattered. It really will depend on where you will be based.

Military bases there, good for the transient GNW. Personally, I don't see clearly with my crystal ball but I know I would take the chance....but I have SS $$'s and you have DH working already. Can you hold on while you get going? I think communication with CofC to discover demographics and business atmosphere might be in order, plus other research. Use that stamp at $10 a pop....market, market, market. Join some meet-ups now that suit your interests, etc. Let people know you are on your way.

Just generating random thoughts for you C

Reply by cawest/PA on 5/17/12 5:00pm
Msg #421158

Re: Veery big city....

Did the search as well and trying to see where I should locate myself in that area Not that the thought of a milder climat bothers me I still want to work. Have been calling around today and will work more on it tomorrow and see for a strong martketing approach.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/17/12 5:04pm
Msg #421159

Re: Veery big city....

I used mid-city zip code search - no premier members in the middle - almost located in a U-shape. I don't feel it is overly populated. Good grief, LindaH got a call to go to Jax recently and she's 2 hours away.....maybe they can read, but....

Look at the map though to see that spread.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/17/12 5:09pm
Msg #421160

Jacksonville is in 2 counties too - at least 2, maybe 3

I sent C a p/m....be very careful where you move to...research the area closely and carefully

And the best of luck to you!

Reply by jba/fl on 5/17/12 5:15pm
Msg #421161

Good for the PM.... n/m

Reply by cawest/PA on 5/17/12 4:58pm
Msg #421157

Re: Did you try running a search of your potential

Called a few clients today and they seem positive ... but I agree tat the population of notaries is dense there ... but as some said I have established a reputation with some so I might be lucky ... argh decisions decisions

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 5/17/12 6:43pm
Msg #421175

6+ years ago I moved from CA to AZ

My CA customers found me on the numbers site starting about 8 months before I moved. (I had to reserve a spot that was available). I was very lucky in that I didn't miss a beat. I filed my paperwork with the AZ SOS, the day I closed. My commission arrived 3 days after we moved in!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/18/12 10:25am
Msg #421225

There are a couple of major TCs in Jax

A suggestion...perhaps get a gig with one of the local TCs while re-building your IC NSA biz?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/18/12 10:29am
Msg #421227

Alos, there is another income stream for notaries in FL

You may want to consider performing weddings as a notary, as you are working towards getting your clientele to use you in Jax.
Wedding officiant business (IMO) can be quite lucrative, and I know several NSAs who perform weddings in addition to the loans signings.

Reply by MonicaFL on 5/18/12 11:13am
Msg #421237

Well, I lived in Jacksonville for about 30 years and yes, it is a BIG city BUT, it isn't in more than one county. Jacksonville is located in DUVAL county then you have Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs and Middleburg that are all located in CLAY county and to the West you have Baker County and a little further south you have St. Johns' County. Of course you could notarize in any county in the State but these are just some of the counties surrounding Jacksonville/Duval County. If I were you I would definitely get a commission in Florida - But be sure you list your new zip code with Notary Rotary and any other forum you belong to. I also get calls from people to do GNW because they went online somewhere and input the zip code and walaa there I was. Once you get there you can check a map that has zip codes and see which ones you want to accept assignments from. Oh and yes, I do officiate at a LOT of weddings. Good luck in your new adventure.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/18/12 2:48pm
Msg #421257

Monica, I'm going to have to differ with you here

We just had service done on someone in Jacksonville - his address was Jacksonville but he was in Clay County.

What a mess trying to straighten THAT out and get a process server to get it right!!