I have been thinking alot about the real estate market and my notary signing agent business. I know many people in my area that have gotten out of it and had to get different jobs. I have turned down many signings in the past week because they only want to pay me $75 which included e-docs. Why is it the signing agent has to reap the loss as the prices of gas, paper, etc. increase. We are one of the most important parts to the loan; as we are the last contact they have before the loan actually happens.  We do all the printing, driving, etc. and we are now being asked to cut our cost by $50. My time is more precious than that.

I took time to figure out my wage if I took the job 27 miles from my home for a standard refinance; including all my fees, mileage, and time. I would make less than $12 per hour. How is that fair! I just wish all the other notaries out there agreed with me and we all charged the same! Then, The mortgage companies, title companies, and signing companies would have to pay a certain fee or they couldn't find a notary to do the job. 

I can guarantee when you take a job for a lesser amount, you can see on the HUD the signing company or title company isn't taking a hit! It just chaps my hide to hear the same sob story from these companies that are trying to hire me that they can't pay my fee..... 

Well, I guess I won't work for them! Or, when they can't find anyone they will call me back. Especially when they realize how good I am!!! 

I got a signing about two weeks prior to the closing date from a title company very close to my home. Good communication and they kept me up to date on the signing itself. I was rather excited that I was going to be working with a great company. I find out the Friday before that my docs are being overnighted, so my fee was more than average since I didn't have to worry about docs. I get the package and see there is just a small pile. Wow, I think to myself, this is going to be a quick signing. As I get my notarizations logged, I notice that  documents are printed on both sides.

Trying to keep it straight at the table was a little uneasy, for me, as I had notarizations on both, it was printed upside down on the second page- it was just very sloppy and unprofessional. If you ask me! I am unsure if the Deed will even record if it is printed in this fashion. There were two documents that had "Borrower Copy" on one side and the other was "Lender Copy." How do you decipher which on you send back and then where is the borrowers? It wasn't anything they needed, so I told them if they wanted a copy, I could e-mail them a copy. They didn't want it; lucky me.

I finish the signing, apologize for the confusion- and head home. I just keep thinking how sloppy that is- regardless if they are trying to save trees (LOL!) I also wonder how some of these Title Companies can stay affloat if they do business this way.

I do this as a side job to keep me occupied and have adult interaction since I am at home with the kids all day long. I absolutely love my job and will continue to do this as the work is out there. I am bad for allowing my payments to sit on my books for months and months, some even longer than 6.  I have now realized, that more than not, my payments are not coming because the company doesn't have a W-9 on file. What an easy fix..... I now send an invoice to the hiring company and even though it isn't requested, I send a W-9 along with it. So far, my current months have been paid and paid promptly. It is an extra step, but it may save others from the problems of collections if they do the same.

I have had many calls lately on Power of Attorney. I travel to homes to noratize the document and make it easy for those elderly people that can't drive or get around as easy. I also have been asked about where to get the forms. Office Depot, Office Max, any office supply store has the legal forms for Medical and Financial Power of Attorney~ Those you could pay a bundle for.  

http://www.legacywriter.com  You can enter your state and get the information that applies to the state at hand. It is very thorough and professional.

I thought I would pass this along~ It is very good and for a small fee, you can download the form or have it mailed to you. It may be easier than running around to other stores or paying for an attorney to draw one up.

 

Michele Madison http://nebraska1notary.com

Nebraska's #1 Notary Services

My only recommendation to you if you plan on doing this long term is getting a website! I have gotten many calls lately for notarizing POA's for their parents. I also have many calls for notaries on the weekend when the banks are closed. They come to my home and I make a few bucks! I am in a good location and have gotten my name high on google, so that helps! I am so glad that I got a website when I first started and that I can advertise myself without really advertising! IT is a must for every notary out there that is in the loan signing business! I would do a lot of research with the company you plan to get a site with~ Free isn't always good!  And know your domain company..... Knowledge is power~

If you know of anyone that would be interested in purchasing a personal copier, I have one that is for sale. I purchased this last year and never used it. I hate for it to be sitting in my closet. It is a PC-160 Canon portable copier. Works awesome and would be even better if I needed to use it. I also have extra toner for it as well. I am asking $100 obo as I purchased it for $159 plus $45 for the toner. It is an excellent deal! So, if you know anyone or you are looking for one yourself, give ma a hollar. I ship fed-ex so shipping charges are no more than $15, including insurance.  Pass the word!!! Thanks, Michele

Well I can definitely tell there is a large increase for refinancing in the Omaha/Metro area. I have been busier than ever and can't seem to get myself organized quick enough. I am inputting all information on my small business program, but I Still feel there is something I am missing. Is there anything out there that is more straight forward for inputting all my financial information? I want to be ahead of the game so I don't have to spend endless hours getting ready for tax season next year. Any input would be appreciated!! Thanks in advance, Michele

This is from my friend..

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

The Westroads Mall in Omaha re-opened today and, at 9 :00 a. m., I went
there for my daily walk.   Here is what I found:

 

....Mall administrators handing out candy canes at every outside entrance to
the mall as they said "Thank you for coming today."

 

....Free coffee and cookies set-up in the food court and all servers saying,
"Thank you for coming today".

 

....Many, many security guards were walking and milling around.  I heard
that they had come from all over the mid-west on their day off from another
full-time job to provide comfort and reassurance.

 

....Every store/mall employee had a candy cane waiting for them when they
arrived....tied to each candy cane was the note, "Thank you for coming to
work and have a comforting, happy day".

 

....The two inside entrances from the mall to Von Maur had their gates down
and the gates were covered with tasteful white drapes, but all lights were
on.....it would have been very creepy if there had been no lights.    Von
Maur management had beautiful wreaths at each entrance with a tribute letter
to Wednesday's victims.  Many Red Cross volunteers had large tables set-up
in front of the two mall entrances complete with lots of paper, crayons,
pens, scissors, and tape for visitors to make snowflakes, with or without
messages and tape on the gated entrances.  The significance of the
snowflakes was written in a poem....life is as fragile as a snowflake and
can be taken away from us so quickly.

 

....Many, many stuffed animals, bouquets and tribute cards were being left
at all entrances to Von Maur.

 

....Other Red Cross volunteers, who were not busy with the snowflakes, plus
Salvation Army staff and grief counselors were milling around the crowds at
the two Von Maur entrances.  People knelt or stood in front of the entrances
obviously saying a prayer, there were many tears, and many hugs between
complete strangers.

 

....By the time I could finally tear myself away (a good hour after my
walk), there were snowflakes being taped down the halls, the mall was
packed, it was much quieter than normal, no one seemed in a hurry, and
everyone seemed to greet passers by with at least a nod.

 

I have shared with many of you the wonderful way we were treated by the
people in three countries when we were in Europe during 9/11.  Today I saw
the same tenderness and compassion in the hearts of our fellow citizens in
Omaha....it was touching and beautiful!

 

The word is being spread about watching the news for the date of Von Maur's
re-opening.   If you are able, please meet by the steps at the outside South
entrance 15 minutes before the opening of this beautiful store.  All
employees and management have been affected very deeply and need our
support, if even just for a few minutes.

 

God Bless the wonderful people of Omaha. 

I actually have tons of them, but this one just hit me in a big way. I always think of ways to market my business but don't want to hand out the same things everyone else does. Everyone likes to get candy or gift baskets, but my pocket book doesn't allow for a ton of that. I also tried the post card thing, which was a flop in my area. So, as I sit and start recording my future appointments- I am thinking to myself....SELF. Everyone could use a monthly planner and what a great gift idea for this Christmas.What a great way to market, knowing they will use this all year round. And what a great way to get rid of all your business pens that are sitting around- they will need something to write in the planner with!  

I have found a site that is very reasonable and depending on how many gifts you want to buy- you can't beat the prices. U.S Diary sells them and they are way cheaper than the Office Supply stores, and they are personalized.

I am ordering my supply soon- I hope it drums up more business! and makes my current customers know that I appreciate the business they send me!  Maybe include special notes on certain months to show more of a personalization and how much you care!

Hopefully this will help others out as well! It is always a tough thing to think of ideas for gifts that also include business marketing.

Whether you are taking a break or a mini vacation, DON'T forget your phone!  I took a small trip up to Galena, Illinois last week and remembered the phone. I didn't want to miss out on any important phone calls. Well, went on a small trip to Dubuque for a riverboat ride and where do you think my phone was? Yes, in the hotel! I missed two calls for future assignments. Of coarse, by the time I called back, the job was already filled.

Word of advice---ATTACH IT TO YOUR HIP! 

I will from now on remember that the call can happen at any given time or place. Never leave home without it!