Blog by Denise O'Dell, Real Estate Agent/Notary

Good News for Notary Signing Agents

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:44:40 -0700

Good news for Notary Signing Agents! There may be an increased demand for Notary Signing Agent services because of the new Obama Administration package of incentives to the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The new program encourages banks and investors to offer permanent reductions in principal for people who owe more than their homes are worth.

Banks and title companies will rely upon Notary Signing Agents to handle the notarizations for these transactions. The greatest demand will likely be in Arizona, California, Florida and Illinois where the delinquency rates are much higher than other states.

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Taste of the Town Coming to Santa Clarita, California

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:16:43 -0700

"Taste of the Town" will be in Santa Clarita on Sunday, May 2, 1-5 p.m. Over 30 local restaurants and caterers will be serving all the food you can eat, all the wine and beer you can drink, plus there will be live entertainment and a silent auction. It's a great way to spend an afternoon and all for a good cause!

General Admission is $50 per person ($60 at the door). Ticket prices are per person, all inclusive food and drink.

Proceeds will be donated to the Child & Family Center. For more information go to http://www.childfamilycenter.org/subsite2.html

Hope to see you there!

~Denise O'Dell

Lower Credit Scores for Hurting Homeowners?

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:54:56 -0700

If things aren't bad enough, now homeowners who sign up for the government's mortgage assistance program may end up with lower credit scores -- as much as 100 points!

Borrowers who are facing a default and making their payments on time are finding out later that their credit score is lower; and it's worse for those who applied and then determined ineligible for the Obama program.

Notary Journal Record Keeping

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:13:58 -0800

As a Notary Signing Agent I have performed a lot of loan signings over the past 7 years. Loan document packages can contain sometimes up to 5-10 documents that need to be notarized by each borrower. Thus, I have used ditto marks and diagonal lines in my Notary Journal. I was actually taught by the National Notary Association that this was acceptable. The NNA is now saying that "California Notaries should no longer follow this practice." In a recent article, the NNA states:

"When completing multiple notarizations for the same signer - a common occurrence for mortgages and other real estate-related transactions, for example - Notaries commonly use ditto marks to repeat the same information on successive lines in their journals, and they often draw a diagonal line across the signature spaces so the signer only has to sign the journal once.

But that should not be a practice for Notaries in the Golden State. The Secretary's clarification reads: 'Government Code Section 8206 requires that the Notary Public's journal include all the information for ‘each official act.' Therefore, each act would include the date, time, type of each official act, character of the instrument, signature, type of identifcation and thumbprint (if applicable) on a separate line for each act.'"

Does this mean every signer must also place their thumbprint next to their signature on each and every line? I can't wait to see what kind of response I get from signers when they have to sign their name multiple times after just signing, dating and initialing an entire loan document package consisting of approximately 100 pages.

I better stock up on notary journals and thumbprinters now because this will take up a lot of space! I'll be going through journals like nobody's business. Journals and thumbprinters aren't cheap either.

The difference between a Settlement Agent and a Notary Signing Agent

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:12:43 -0800

Do you know the difference between a "Settlement Agent" and a "Notary Signing Agent?" According to the National Notary Association, lenders are implementing new rules because some Notary Signing Agents are costing them money and putting their transactions at risk. Eventually NSAs could be faced with all kinds of new rules and regulations.

For example, a Notary Signing Agents should not sign the HUD-1 Settlement Statement under the line that reads "Settlement Agent." Notary Signing Agents are not "Settlement Agents," and do not have authority to sign documents as a Settlement Agent. Settlement Agents are licensed representatives or employees of title companies who finalize loan closings.

If you have a concern or question during a loan signing, always call the company who hired you.

Denise O'Dell, NNA Certified & Background Screened Notary Signing Agent

WARNING!! Never Drive in the Rain with your Cruise Control On

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:10:43 -0800

According to a highway patrolman, if you are driving in the rain with the cruise control on and your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car may accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane.

This warning should be listed on the driver's seat sun visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY (along with the airbag warning).

I'm glad I heard about this because I drive with my cruise control all the time to drive a safe speed, but never knew that it should be used only when the pavement is dry.

Tell all your friends. This could save lives!

Believe in Miracles!

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:45:10 -0800

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of "The Plain Dealer," Cleveland, Ohio:

"1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

5. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

6. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

7. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

8. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

9. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

10. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind..

11. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

12. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

13. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

14. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

15. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

16. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

17. Frame every 20 so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

18. Always choose life.

19. Forgive everyone everything.

20. What other people think of you is none of your business.

21. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

22. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

23. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

24. Believe in miracles.

25. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

26. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

27. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

28. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

29. Get outside every day.. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

30. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

32. The best is yet to come.

33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34. Yield.

35. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

You Can!

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:20:49 -0800

If You Believe You Can, You Can

If you think you are beaten--you are.

If you think you dare not--you don't.

If you want to win but think you can't,

It is almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose--you've lost.

For out in the world we find

That success begins with a fellow's will;

It's all in the state of mind.

Be a Winner, not a Quitter!

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:22:59 -0700

The last 5 years in real estate have been pretty discouraging to say the least. In the beginning I was so excited. I did the work, put in the time, spent a whole lot of money, and put a lot of energy into my career as a real estate agent. I felt like I was a climbing mountain only to slide back down.

When the real estate market started to go downhill, I began focusing on my small business as a Mobile Notary/Loan Document Signing Agent. I do have bills to pay as does everyone else.

I seriously thought about giving up on being a real estate agent. Even being a landlord has been challenging the past few years because of the drop in rental values.

However, after a lot of consideration, I decided to renew my real estate license again for another 4 years. I am not giving up! I am not a quitter!

News from All Over the World

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:50:54 -0700

This is one of the most interesting and helpful sites I have ever seen. You can see newspaper headlines from all over the world. The Newseum displays these daily newspaper front pages in their original, unedited form. Some front pages may contain material that is objectionable to some visitors. Viewer discretion is advised.

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/

Just put your mouse on a city and the newspaper headlines pop up. Double click and the page gets larger.

This site changes everyday with the publication of new editions of the paper.

Marketing Tips for Notaries

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:17:02 -0700

One of the best ways to increase your notary business is to advertise, advertise, advertise! Get your name out there as much as possible.

Add your profile on major notary directories such as notaryrotary.com and 123notary.com. You can also use traditional forms of advertising (i.e. handing out business cards, cold calls, etc.) and having your own website definitely helps too.

Much success to all!

URGENT: ASSEMBLY BILL 442 AND CALIFORNIA NOTARIES

Sun, 03 May 2009 18:27:25 -0700

Assembly Bill 442 is before the Senate and would add the Mexican Matricula Consular card to the list of acceptable documents notaries can use to identify people who need documents notarized.

California State law already allows a Mexican driver's license or passport to be used as acceptable forms of ID for notarizations (the preferred method).

The National Notary Association is concerned that this new law will expose California Notaries to unnecessary risk and are urgently asking for our support.

NOTE: The bill could be up for vote in the Senate this next week so it's important to call or email your state Senator's office as soon as possible.

To look up your state Senator, click on the link below and enter your address:

http://www.192.234.213.69/smapsearch/framepage.asp

Notarizations at Prisons and Detention Centers

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:48:44 -0700

In addition to the $10 per signature a mobile notary charges to notarize a document at a California jail, prison or detention center, mobile notaries also charge additional fees for their services, such as travel fees, wait time, parking, etc.

At Pitchess Detention Centerin Castaic, California, notaries and attorneys are allowed to visit 7 days a week.. If the inmate's valid photo identification (such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, etc.) is available for the notary to examine, a notarization can be done during a weekday for a lot less.

If the inmate's photo ID is NOT available, two credible witnesses may be used.** The witnesses must have an ID and be able to positively identify the inmate. They will be required to sign the notary journal. The witnesses will have to go into the facility with the notary on the weekend and wait in a long line for approximatley 3-4 hours. Of course, this will be more costly. Note: The two witnesses who may be used cannot have an interest in the transaction nor can they be named in the document being notarized.

** For marrying an inmate in Los Angeles County, the County Recorder's must see an original, valid photo ID for ALL parties. This includes the inmate and the other party to be married, as well as that of the wedding officiant.

New Pen that Can Record as you Write

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:59:10 -0700

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here, but it seemed like a good place. I recently heard there is now a writing pen with a 2 GB camera or microphone built into it that is able to record other voices in a room as you are writing. It can be used to record memos at a meeting, etc. This is the first I've heard of anything like this and I'm not exactly sure how it works. Does anyone know about this new writing device?

With all this new technology, it would be great if someone came up with a writing tool for people who are unable to speak. I know of someone with a physical disability where they can hear but they can't speak. I can only understand her through sign language. She can write, but can't read. It would be wonderful if there were a pen with some type of device built into it and as she was writing, it could speak for her. It would have to have the ability to understand what she was writing (or starting to write as with text messaging). Does anyone know of such a device?

New Writing Device

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:55:34 -0700

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here, but it seemed like a good place to start. I recently heard there is now a writing pen with a 2 GB camera or microphone built into it that is able to record other voices in a room. Apparently, it can be used to record memos at a meeting, etc. This is the first I've heard of anything like this and I'm not exactly sure how it works. Does anyone know about this new writing device?

New Mileage Rates

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:11:51 -0700

The IRS has recently changed the standard mileage rate write-off for miles driven from July 1 through December 31, 2008 Due to Gasoline price increases.

Via Cindy Bryant~Houston's Home Staging & Home Stagers By Redesign Etc.~RESA~ASHSR (Redesign Etc., Inc.-Houston, TX (Texas)):

The IRS has recently changed the standard mileage rate write-off for miles driven from July 1 through December 31, 2008 Due to Gasoline price increases.

Purpose             Rates (1/1-6/30/08)         Rates (7/1-12/31/08)

Business            50.5 cents                              58.5 cents

Medical               50.5 cents                              58.5 cents

Moving                19 cents                                  27 cents

Charitable          14 cents                                  14 cents

Visit Redesign Etc. for Full-Service Professional Home Staging in the Greater Houston and Galveston area.

Contact Cindy Bryant for a Home Consultation Today!

Ventura, California from a Hilltop

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:47:43 -0700

What a great idea to add a Photography Group. I really love taking photos and some day would like to take a photography class. This is a photo I took from a hilltop looking down at a beach in Ventura, California. I hope you like it.

VERBAL CEREMONY FOR NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:00:26 -0700

Assuring a signer whose signature is being acknowledged understands the document and is signing the document willingly is an essential function of a notary taking an acknowledgment.

It was recommended by the American Society of Notaries that notaries should perform a verbal ceremony for either an ACKNOWLEDGMENT or oath/affirmation (JURAT). "Acknowledged" means a notary heard the client reply "yes" or "I do" (or other similar words) to questions posed during the notarization. "Sworn to or affirmed" means the notary "performed a verbal ceremony for an oath or affirmation and heard the client reply in the affirmative as to the truthfulness of the document.

Are Hands-Free Devices Safer?

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:14:55 -0700

You will be sure to get a laugh out of this one! By now everyone should be well aware of the new cell phone law in California. There have certainly been enough blogss on the subject. This video is so funny I had to share it. Enjoy and please..... Drive safe!

Check out this very funny video! http://break.com/index/hands-free-safe-drivers.html

Denise O'Dell, Notary Public/Loan Signer/REALTOR
Cell: 661.993.4245
Toll Free: 1.800.418.0057
Email: info@santaclaritamobilenotary.com
www.santaclaritamobilenotary.com

ARE HANDS-FREE DEVICES SAFER?

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:02:09 -0700

Even if your state hasn't implemented a law regarding the use of cell phones while driving, you'll be sure to get a laugh out of this one! Everyone should know about the new law in California by nowwhich became effective 7/1/08. There have certainly been enough blogs on the subject. This video is hilarious and I wanted to share it. Enjoy and please..... Drive safely!

Hands Free Safe Drivers - Watch more free videos

WARNING RE CELL PHONES AND SMARTPHONES

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:25:01 -0700

Since so many of us use these devices on a daily basis, I thought I'd pass this info along. It's from a Wells Fargo Bank newsletter:

"Cell phones and smartphones are now being increasingly used to spread viruses and steal personal information.

One key sign you're opening yourself up to a virus is the receipt of a multimedia message (MMS) with a compelling header from a sender you don't recognize. Once you open the message, the sender can install malware on your phone that can freeze your screen, corrupt the information stored on your phone (e.g., "eat" your contact lists) and even send your personal information to other users and download premium services you never asked for, like dialers and tunes, from your service provider. The virus can also send a malicious MMS to all the contacts in your phone book and to any bluetooth or other wireless service-enabled mobile phone.

Bluetooth-enabled phones in particular can be attacked and hacked in several ways. "Bluejacking," for example, allows someone to send you a message up to 248 characters long without permission. "Bluesnarfing" exploits security holes in certain phone models to obtain personal information from your phone and "bluebugging" lets a scammer place and execute files on your phone.

If you want to stop these threats to your cell phone or smartphone, start by asking your provider what they're doing to keep your information and data-anything transmitted on their servers-safe. You can also take steps to protect yourself. Antivirus solutions are available for your cell phone or smartphone from a number of security experts."

HOW TO GET FREE HEADSETS FOR YOUR CELL PHONES

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:22:21 -0700

Want to know how you can get a free headset for your cell phone? With the new cell phone law in effect as of 7/1/08, you'll need one in California! Check out http://www.freeheadset.org/home.php. They have some decent headsets that you can buy for free (yes you heard that right!) and some good deals on more high-end versions. A colleague of mine recently bought one for a total of $3.97 (shipping only). Can't beat that!

I look forward to being a part of this group!

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:13:57 -0700

Thanks for the invite and I look forward to reading everyone's posts and comments. It should be a great place for notaries to network and I'll be glad to contribute whatever I can!

YAHOO OFFERS NEW YMAIL & ROCKETMAIL ADDRESSES

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:27:21 -0700

Last week, Yahoo started offering free e-mail accounts under two new designations in an effort to attract Web surfers. You can now get new email addresses under the domains of "ymail" and "rocketmail." I already got a couple (i.e. xxxx@ymail.com. You can get more than one too ... for free!) To learn more about it read the fully story at http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080619/tec_yahoo_mail.html

Notarizing for Hearing Impaired

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:25:05 -0700

If a signer has a hearing impairment, can you still notarize a document for them?

Answer: Yes. However, no third-party interpreter may be used because they may misrepresent information. The notary may use sign language, write or type notes in order to directly communicate with the signer, and the signer must physically appear before the notary.