Posted by Anita Posluszny on 8/27/13 4:40pm
Msg #482226

Business

Just wondering how everyone's business is. Mine has fallen off tremendously.

Reply by 101livescan on 8/27/13 5:15pm
Msg #482238

This is the second month of sluggishness in the biz since 2008 for me! Interest rates are up, housing shortage exists in many cities, limiting purchase and sale transactions. Some areas are still vital, however, with layoffs of LOs, processors, etc., in the tens of thousands, across the US, things are not likely to change here any time soon.

Put your marketing hat on...time to beat the bushes for the best clients.

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 8/27/13 5:56pm
Msg #482259

Recovery - Not Happening Right Now

Things are sluggish throughout most of the nation right now. And will continue to be that way until we have a recovery in the job market. Many people are still working for the same wages since 2008. For some it is even less. With interest rates going up, it is eliminating the pool of home buyers or even those who can refinance because they don't have the income levels that they need to qualify for loans.

Then throw in ObamaCare and it just gets worse. Disposable incomes will go down even more in order to afford the health care system that is coming our way. We now have friends who were put to part time vs full time jobs. The employer thought they could sidestep the health care mandates only to find out that they will have to provide healthcare for part time employees also. So now they are looking at making their employees independent contractors to avoid the extra costs. Which as independent contractors we know the added burden we have with owning our own businesses.

It is going to take some time for the waters to clear and see just where people stand. Give it time. People in the financing industry and housing industry are saying the same things. We are probably in for another ride. I keep hoping they are wrong, but it sure is looking like it is coming.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/28/13 4:56pm
Msg #482397

Re: Recovery - Not Happening Right Now

Perhaps an even bigger factor to the current economic slowdown (which no one seems to be talking about) is the sequester which has taken a big, indiscriminate chunk out of the economy across the board. Add to that the looming possibility of a government shutdown, if no agreement is reached regarding an extension of the debt limit in a couple of months. If that happens, it will have an enormous impact on interest rates and many other elements of the economy. (Not something I really care to contemplate...)

I think it's just too convenient to blame everything on Obamacare, although any change of that magnitude is bound to require an adjustment period. Personally, I can't wait for it to go into effect, since it looks like it will be saving me about $300 a month on my insurance premiums. (And who knows, maybe I'll qualify for a rebate on top of that, if business continues in the direction it's going... jk... I don't plan to let that happen.)

I'll leave it at that to hopefully prevent having to move over to JP.

Reply by AngelaV/CA on 8/27/13 11:49pm
Msg #482313

I've been pretty busy this month, but the majority of my work is general notary.

Reply by bfrank14 on 8/28/13 2:14pm
Msg #482377

This has been the worst month i have had in a long time