Working?

I am extremly curious. I am hearing horror stories from every state! Is business that bad and how are you surviving? And have you diverted to other fields? Bankruptcy, Home Inspectors, Legal services etc. Let us know!!!

Basic Reasoning!

In the past few months work has become extremely perplexing. I have witnessed other notaries/signing agents shuting down and taking what they call “real jobs”. I have seen small settlement services and title agencies fall prey to the mortgage crunch and shut their doors. It all has been very hard to watch and sobering. Some have vowed to come back and others have given up and moved on.
A few years ago this field was known only to those in this type of work. Most notaries in PA were and still are title clerks for AAA, messenger services, and banks, etc. Then came changes in the banking arena and refinance law, and following close behind…the refinance boom. Next came national based organizations telling us we could make hundreds even thousands of dollars more doing “witness closings” in this boom. They would teach us, supply us and encourage us. And viola a new “at home business” craze was born! There was no telling how many “signing agents” the business world needed! Our numbers increased drastically. Many entered the field through seminars, conventions, online courses and many more avenues, all offered by national organizations. And most of them became extremely successful.
In the meantime our state based organization here in PA was telling us that there was no need for this extra training. As notaries we could this. It did not require special training and certification. This job was just another facet of notarization. Some heeded that advice and went out on their own. Some had great success also.
Over the next few years the national based organizations ranks swelled and increased their revenue ten fold. Every “signing agent” belonged to at least two organizations and some many more. Not to mention the signing services along with the paid notary databases and web advertising sites.
Shortly after the PA based organizations jumped on the band wagon and started providing supplies and advice along with training for this “field”. More people flocked to be trained and take advantage of this booming business. Our ranks grew beyond anyone’s imagination. So much so, that our field was flooded. Signing agents were being churned out at a phenomenal pace.
But in reality the same amount of work was available. There was too many of us! So the fight for business began. Some became extremely cut throat and competitive. Others cut corners and produced bad work. The reputation of signing agents fell to an all time low.
The next hit is the implosion of the financial lenders. Bad loans and unscrupulous brokers, etc. caused shock waves through the financial community and here we are, stuck in the middle.
Sadly now the work has slowed to a stream and most are left out in the cold, shutting down our business at an alarming rate. Organizations have now shifted their focus to the companies and future endeavors like E- Notarization and left us behind. Their support base has shifted from us to bigger fish. So in reality the only ones who benefited from this boom are the organizations themselves. So did we see this coming? Have we done this to ourselves? Or have we had our blinders on and ignored the signs? And if so how did we become so complacent?
Remember in life there is always a natural thinning of the herd and the business world is no exception. So make your business decisions accordingly and try to look down the road. Try to make decisions for the future, and most of all make them without those blinders and emotion.
And this is my last word on organizations!!!! Next ……….Title agents…..trying to shut us down and putting us down. It is time to defend ourselves. Enough is enough!

Paid Notary databases

Right now business is not good for some of us. The mortgage crunch and sub prime lender crash is now having an effect on us. But yet new sites that says they will provide you with all the work you need are popping up right and left. These sites are notary search sites mostly and claim the title agents and settlement services contact them directly and they farm the work out to you for a price. WHAT A CROCK! I get a least two emails a day telling me I will increase my work load and income dramatically if only I pay them 29.95 for one year! Here is my thought on this. If work is slow where am I to get the money for ALL the websites that tell me I MUST sign with them for work. And where are they getting the work? The answer ...they do not have work they are now making money off of us. Pay attention and use common sense here. Our work force is drastically changing, most ma & pa settlement companies are struggling just to stay alive and some have already shut their doors. If you do not have a solid base of clients you are hurting. Even then some of your clients are either witnessing their closings themselves to save money or have none and are desperately trying to stay afloat. Use your head here. This is advertising as it’s best. These are just like the NNA and PAN telling you they can help you earn more through their memberships or training. Think about this!!!!!!!! The only person who can provide you with extra income right now is you. Use your notary commission to the fullest extent. Sell yourself directly. Market yourself; do not count on anyone but yourself. You will go further!

Notaries Public, We Are More Than Signing Agents

Notaries Public, We Are More Than Signing Agents

As Notaries Public we have a lot to offer our societies and communities we live in. That being said, we must also realize the increase of security issues and identity laws causes far too many issues for us in our communities.

One of biggest problem areas we have is within the senior community. The majority of general everyday notary work involves seniors. Health care decisions must be made and financial decisions have to be handled. Most times these documents require notarization.

This issue is most often overlooked until it is too late. They are not addressed until seniors have moved to senior communities or are in health care/assisted living facilities. They have stopped driving years ago and they did not maintain their drivers’ license. And there in lies the problem. Without proper ID how can we accomplish notarization?

I do not know how many times I have had to deny service to someone in a hospital who did not have valid ID. It was not that they did not have it with them, they did not maintain it. Next I see that blank look from the family member who does not understand what to do now. These are obstacles that could have been fixed very easily earlier on, but now it is crunch time and they are stymied.

As Notaries Public, I believe, we should make it our mission to help solve these problems before they surface. We must help the communities we serve to understand the new requirements and eliminate these concerns. We should be spreading the word and reinforcing this information to all seniors, their families or caretakers and the general public.

So why not go to your local senior center and give a talk? Why not contact your local health facilities, i.e. hospitals, nursing centers, etc. and promote the fact that these ID issues need to be addressed before there is an issue. As Notaries Public we must help the communities we serve to understand these new requirements and eliminate the concerns and obstacles of all who need our services.