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crtowles
California
553 Posts |
 Posted - 06/04/2010 : 11:16:55 AM
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Personally, I do pretty well. I do not do signing service work any longer because of all the hassles involved. (low pay, slow pay, no pay etc) This is not to say that there are no good companies out their I just prefer to work straight with title, escrow, etc). It just more profitable and less problems when dealing direct with them. There are fewer loans to close but the money that these companies pay make up the difference. I charge even today 150.00 plus a print fee. And still get it. There are less closings for me having cut out the signing services but more money in less time and expense. Also, living in the heart of Los Angeles, I am fortunate to be surrounded by many companies that need the service of the traveling notary. So I have my standard fee of 50.00 plus 10.00 per signature. So with a little marketing on your part can have some great results.
Carmen |
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Conniek
Oregon
78 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2010 : 1:02:48 PM
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I can say if you live in a small metro area, it is very hard if not impossible to make the $$ being reported here. So, if you live in a small metro area, never see the bucks that an established or a link to enough business for an agency. It is a "clique-Notary group" for the most part....if you can get into one. I asked one agency to put me into their Notary call list and was told they only use one Notary for their signings! Thats great if you have the "inside contact." If you are like me, you do not belong to the right clique. So, I am not on the top of any agency but do a very small clientel. I am ok where I am...not in the big arena but there when the need comes. Have a great 2010!
ConnieK's Oregon Mobile Notary |
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vince
Kansas
324 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2010 : 08:15:27 AM
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Interesting comment regarding the number of hours worked Diana. I spent many years working for a company where employees were paid for at least an eight hour workday, but expected to account for a minimum of 60% of time working on client accounts. A work office environment often times has large advantages compared to this, perhaps not the pay, but the overall package.
But, how many times do we hear, "You are getting paid how much for conducting this closing?" or "Wow, you spend only an hour with me and made how much?" It's worse when a notary that charges $125 for a closing may actually believe they will be making $100,000 a year. Perhaps that helps explain the initial enthusiasm that many have to be followed by slow realization and eventual moving on to something else. |
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DianaNotary
California
171 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2010 : 09:50:16 AM
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I totally agree with Shannon from California. Nowadays is hard to make a living if you are a Notary Public. I think for most full time notaries out there – the best part [ AND THE WORST PART ] of this business is that – YOU ALWAYS ARE GOING TO HAVE FREE TIME! So, it is a good idea to add additional services to the Notary business (process service, fingerprinting as well as other specialized services such as tax prep, translations, paralegal…….) Of course, if ideally a Notary would be guaranteed busy 8 hours a day, it doesn’t make sense to do anything else besides Notary Public.
http://www.DianaNotary.com |
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DianaNotary
California
171 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2010 : 09:42:03 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Shannon
Full time (but NOW includes: Notary, Messenger, Process Server, Occupancy inspection) at about 5k/mo. This is in sharp contrast to 1 and 1/2 years ago when I made that and more each week for only notary/messenger. Not less than five major accounts of mine folded and closed their doors forever.
Claudia, my experience was just like yours...April gave me alot of hope that business was returning but May has been terrible! (UGH!)
"A Quick Note"
www.aquicknote.net
Now Providing "Service of Process" in Orange County, CA
I totally agree with Shannon from California. Nowadays is hard to make a living if you are a Notary Public. I think for most full time notaries out there – the best part [ AND THE WORST PART ] of this business is that – YOU ALWAYS ARE GOING TO HAVE FREE TIME! So, it is a good idea to add additional services to the Notary business (process service, fingerprinting as well as other specialized services such as tax prep, translations, paralegal…….) Of course, if ideally a Notary would be guaranteed busy 8 hours a day, it doesn’t make sense to do anything else besides Notary Public. 
http://www.DianaNotary.com |
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Lee-AR
Arkansas
678 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2009 : 7:47:16 PM
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I second Renee's opinion for all the same reasons. Wish it weren't so, but believe it is. In addition to everything else, many people have lost their jobs, too.
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Renee
Michigan
549 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2009 : 11:52:52 AM
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In short, no. Just my opinion, of course.
Interest rates are low, but underwriting requirements are high and values are low. Like many before me have said - the 'boom' is over, as it was a consequence of things that aren't likely to EVER be repeated. |
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n/a
Florida
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2009 : 09:33:53 AM
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Does anyone out there think business will start to boom with interest rates being very low and probably going lower.
Andrea
Andrea Wolfe |
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n/a
4 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2008 : 1:04:42 PM
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i have a question if any one can help me. how do i start a title service in west virginia?
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venturanotary
California
13 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2008 : 09:25:59 AM
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In December of 2006 I grossed $3,500, my best month ever since I started a year earlier. I had high hopes. 2007 was bringing in apx. $2,000 gross/month. 2008 has dropped to $1,500 or $1,600 most months, but like those below, May was horrible! Only $700! June has started out OK so far.
I am a stay at home mom with a son in preschool 2 days a week. But, for daytime signings I have a support system that allows me to take jobs. I am willing to work full time, but the industry is only giving me part time work! But, I have to say, at $1,500/month, I feel like I hardly work!!! The customers still in business seem to be the ones that paid better and my average signing has increased.
I am lucky to be married and can rely on his income as well during these slow times (although he is self employed as well!). I just figure I will ride out the dip and spend more time raising my son! It is all good!!! |
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kandy1099
Pennsylvania
121 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2008 : 12:00:19 PM
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I have been closing loans part-time for about 5 years, and decided to go full-time last summer. Things started out really slow and pick-up each month, leveling me out about $2000 (gross).
I had my best month ever in March with a gross of $4200... but plumaged in April and even less in May.
I hope things start to pick up or I may consider working midnights and closing loans during the day to cover bills. I have two little ones and have to think of them first. |
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cnaylor
California
32 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2008 : 5:57:58 PM
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This should be my first ever 6 digit year, however like several below, my (notary work) net is about $1k per month this year.... that said, thats in pocket, not outstanding/billed.
Like others, I'm available 24/7. 75% of my work (these days) is mobile, not RE loans, but I have taken on "outside work" to pay the bills, and have several others "covering" for me when I'm unavailable. (No different than when times were good, and appts made me unavailable.)
Taking care of my notary / escrow clients when they have needs is #1.5, feeding my wife & kids is #1. I haven't given up...I'm just diversifying.
Craig/CA |
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thensley
Kentucky
32 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2008 : 5:14:05 PM
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I log every closing I complete, along with the milage, and on a given month I will gross between $1800-3000. I began doing closings on a part time basis 6 years ago and 1 year ago went full time (just in time for the market to take a plunge!!). I look forward to the market improving so that I can truly see what my income potential can be! I also market my services in spare time, it's the best way to increase business, except for doing an excellent job and getting referrals.
Trina Hensley |
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Shannon
California
360 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 08:09:14 AM
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Full time (but NOW includes: Notary, Messenger, Process Server, Occupancy inspection) at about 5k/mo. This is in sharp contrast to 1 and 1/2 years ago when I made that and more each week for only notary/messenger. Not less than five major accounts of mine folded and closed their doors forever.
Claudia, my experience was just like yours...April gave me alot of hope that business was returning but May has been terrible! (UGH!)
"A Quick Note"
www.aquicknote.net
Now Providing "Service of Process" in Orange County, CA |
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dsullivan
Indiana
14 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2008 : 06:57:46 AM
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I budget $1000 Gross per week. Actual now is about $800. I work this job full time. When I am not busy with closing I am marketing. I must say that 123 has provided a majority of my business. Thanks!
Signed right, the first time. |
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claudia
Texas
54 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2008 : 4:39:54 PM
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| It is tough. The toughest part is that you cannot be sure you will get a signing from month to month. The month of April was pretty good for me but the month of May has been bad. Any one else feeling the same? |
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jbelmont
California
3106 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 10:27:14 PM
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| I appreciate the good feedback here, but are these figures for part time work or occassional work? |
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Lkemp
Arizona
13 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2008 : 4:57:37 PM
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I live in RURAL Arizona so volume is much lower here than Phoenix for exaple. Business is much slower than they used to be. I must travel further and beg for travel fees. Last year I was making $1000-1500 per month now I am lucky to make $500. I have picked up substitute teaching to supplement my income. Housing here is awful...I have worked 24/7 until Jan 08 then work around my teaching jobs....I was forced. Hopefully things will pick up. May has been better.
LDK |
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lildeb1951
Arizona
32 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2008 : 4:48:56 PM
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| Since Jan 2008 I have averaged $2500 gross a reduction of 50 - 60%. Title companies, lenders, and signing co's I work for have all reduced their print fees and some have reduced their signing fee by $5-10. Occasionally get extra for gas when needed but frequently get put on hold while they search for another notary who will say "yes" to their lower fee. The cost for toner, paper and gas has increased along with the cost to advertise. I keep in contact with the other top 4 notaries in my area (Phoenix/Tucson) and we are all feeling the same crunch, trying to respect fee integrity and get jobs. Officially, the Phoenix housing area is in a recession and we just experienced another drop in appraised values which equals no equity for cash out refinances and upside down mortgages reducing refi's. Trying to hold on but as a single wage earner it doesn't look promising. |
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dionaea
Tennessee
21 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2008 : 08:07:57 AM
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Remember too that the notaries making high monthly incomes were typically doing this full time and living in well-populated areas where there were a lot of closings and generally working directly with title companies. Once an SS is involved, the same fee that the notary would normally receive is instead paid to the SS, and the SS takes a slice of it, leaving less for the notary.
Now I've working with many SS and enjoy working with most of them, so this is not a criticism of SS, just pointing out the monetary consequences of working with an SS between the notary and the title company.
I am full time, available 24/7, but my area is rural, so there are fewer signings to distribute among the mobile notaries here. |
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dionaea
Tennessee
21 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2008 : 08:01:19 AM
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| It varies from month to month. I stick with my standard fees every month, no matter how busy or how slow it might be. Most months average $1,500 to $2,000 - BUT that is GROSS, not net. Remember, you have a ton of expenses to deduct from that fee for paper, toner, office supplies, phone, cell phone, gas, wear and tear/depreciation on equipment and vehicle, taxes, etc. |
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vince
Kansas
324 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2008 : 09:36:18 AM
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| Bones67, assuming that is gross income (rather than net), how many closings per month average are you doing to get the $1,000 to $1,200? Are you trying to do this full time? How many days were you busy all day? Just curious. |
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bones67
Washington
30 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2008 : 5:47:35 PM
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| I have been making $l,000 to 1200 per month for the past 3 months. I'm hoping things will pick up before too much longer. |
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jbelmont
California
3106 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2008 : 03:32:12 AM
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| In the peak of the loan business, many notaries were making six digit incomes if they had good contacts and worked hard. These days, business is tight. What are part time notaries making per month these days? What are full time notaries making if they are able to continue being full time? Maybe this topic is too depressing to discuss, but lets give it a try. Things will get better as all markets are cyclical. |
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Question 20 - What are notaries making?
