NNA got it right this time: “From corporate job to Notary business owner: How to develop the right mindset for success” (It’s a jungle out there!) 
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Sorry but it still blows my mind that title companies seem to have no problem sharing a signer’s 1003 with mostly poorly educated, basically un-vetted total strangers. The proven fact that they rely on third-party actors to provide these sometimes questionable notaries usually based on an internet auction where the lowest bidder is frequently chosen is insane.
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You forgot to mention ‘underpaid’ 
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I understand what you’re saying, but what requirements should a notary have to be able to view a borrower’s 1003? Supposedly, the background check that we’re all required to do annually covers that.
Joe do you ever say anything positive about anyone?
In view of these remarks, I wonder who, in the long chain of people that handle a borrower’s critically private and personal information, is sufficiently educated and skilled in the field of real estate loan financing; is thoroughly “vetted”; not to mention, proficient and adept at notarial duties; and, lastly, willing to accept less-than-warranted compensation (“lowest bidder” fees), all of which results in a “third party actor (i.e., the NOTARY) acceptable enough to even do this job. The criteria listed here is dubious, at best, and reliance on any of the foregoing factors is equally so. Success, in the end, yields from applied competence, pride in one’s work and ultimate acceptance of a finished product by all the parties concerned. Anything more is wishful thinking.
I solved this issue a long time ago when I started. I don’t read the 1003. It’s none of my business what someone makes or has in the bank. I don’t care if a signer can afford their transaction, that’s not my concern either. Most issues like this wouldn’t be issues if notaries simply stayed in their own lane. The 1003 is not my business. Getting it signed and/or initialed is my only interest.
It’s possible I veered from this idealistic position with the 22 year old pro baseball player who paid for a home 50% down on a ten year note with hefty payments and I found myself unreasonably curious as to what a youngster in the minors was getting paid by an MBLA team. I quickly discovered he was getting paid enough.
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Two totally unrelated items that have always fascinated me: 1. The fee we charge comes back to the Lender 2. as a small percentage of the interest/profit Lender gets with the very first mortgage payment. Just something to ponder.
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Read my comments again, Bobby. The third-party actor I referred to is now in charge of the vetting process and, in return, is taking most of the notary’s fee. The concept worked in the notaries favor for years until the Text Message lottery became the hiring partys go to method of assigning notaries.
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I get it, Joe. My remarks are aligned with yours, neither contradictory nor complimentary. Just observational.
I do understand the need for signing services. Their most important role is vetting notaries, but at what cost? Can that measly $250 notary fee cover all the expenses of running a signing service? Obviously, it’s not enough, and who’s suffering? Experienced professional notary signing agents. Sadly, it’s the new notaries that are paying their bills.
Signing services do have a value to Title companies. Makes their lives much easier. BUT, who vets or regulates them? Nobody. If we need background checks and vetting, so do they! I think there should be some standards to being able to open an SS. Like, maybe being able tio pay the notary within 10 - 30 days/max.
I have a question Earl. Who treats there workers better, an ■■■■■■ service or a hiring party?
Depends on who is doing the hiring.