People need to know certain powerful entities keep Signing Agents stuck underpaid since 2008’s industry collapse along with disrespect for their work. Not only do these entities keep pay around $85-$125 but they expect more of SA’s time filling out information on their databases that’s a genuine skill given free to them against SA’s will.
— No longer are SA’s sent the docs overnight by FedEx prepared by the title or escrow companies with flag stickers or post its.
— Prior to the real estate collapse in 2008, Signing Agents made hoards of money as much as $400 a day (not me). Greedy entities later came in to reduce SA’s incomes dramatically.
— Notaries accepted these changes in 2008 but NOT to the further losses in SA services by ignoring inflation the past 15 years!
— The entities benefited from agencies rather than SA’s so the focus was on their comfort and profits over SA’s. Notaries were stripped of per notary stamp payments allowing a depressing wage of overhead costs for materials like paper and printing costs for instance.
— I noted cruelty from certain agencies that one would actually investigate my signing due to its agent’s mistakes she dumped on me as her scapegoat.
— In 15 years there’s been no forced inflation based changes in SA fees the agencies could care less about. Yet the Title and escrow companies have profited on higher home prices more than ever!
—- I’ve noted agencies I used in 2010 have kept their SA fees the same at ($85-125). Inflation is completely overlooked in the process. I’ve even seen $65 fees to drive to wealthy Tiburon from San Francisco for a purchase a couple years ago! This is a form of slavery!
This is a greedy industry that treats SA’s with tremendous disrespect for our time, knowledge and labor. Whatever changes were applied after the collapse wasn’t good for SA’s as being just another slap in the face.
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I am conducting a survey at a notary cafe regarding notary services. The question is simple: Is being a notary your primary source of income? Please answer with a yes or no.
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Hi Cheryl ~ I’m in WA State but when you mentioned Tiburon used to know the area well. I was born Berkeley CA and raised my children when they were younger in Marin / Sonoma Counties. Once upon a tme Tiburon had a thrift store where all the rich people donated items ~ fun place to shop. Cost of living, traffic, housing has all increased and those making low ball offers really don’t care. Continue to give them the keyboard denial finger. 
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No one is forced to remain a loan signing agent.
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My wife prefers that I take loan signings no matter how low the pay. she likes the fact that it keeps me occupied for hours. general notary work on the other hand is a 5-10 minute drive .15 minutes in front of the client. I’m paid on the spot, then I come homewith nothing else to do but wait for the phone to ring again.
No. Replies won’t send unless the message contains at least 20 characters
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No. Used to be primary, but not for last 3 years and is still needed income.
No! At 88 years old, my Social Security is first, followed by IRS retirement, followed by VA Disability. Sence Covid, it has been a long slide, down-hill. Now Adobe Acrobat just started charging $299.00 a year for scanning. May just quit!
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yes, lots of miles on my car Thank God for Toyota 
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No. I’m no longer handling NSA requests, for the many reasons many of my colleagues have stated. The profit margin is too thin. Notary services are value added services for my existing Tax and Legal clientele.
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It is currently my only source of income. However, I am desperately seeking something else. I blame the 6 figure notary guy… he flooded the market and they are bottoming out prices.
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Totally agree with dmpigford.
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Loan Signings are no longer my primary source. In fact over the last 6 months I have transitioned away from them almost 100%.
I agree with the poster that said, “I blame the 6-figure guy”. On average, the offers made to me do not cover my base expenses. One fact that has not been touched on recently is the debate as to how one obtains their clients. When I started, most of my clients came directly from title agencies, lenders or real estate agents directly, along with a mix of attorneys. Now, as an example, all 1st American, Stewart and Fidelity clients MUST use an approved signing service to schedule a loan signing. The individual branches cannot schedule directly with the LSA. One particular large title company is now mandating RON for all of their signings, as they pay a $25.00 flat fee for any signing.
Our business model has fundamentally changed, and it is to our detriment.
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No, it’s not my primary source of income.
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There are many reasons why people do what they do. In my previous lifetime I owned my own software company, which gave me a good living for a many, many years. A confluence of events forced my retirement from that industry but it had served me well. I had to find something else to keep me occupied and get me out of the house. While refinancing my own house, I watched the notary signing agent do her job and decided that “I can do that”. I’m still doing it today, 10 years later.
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No! I could not exist on just Notary payments alone.
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Well you’re keeping fees low for the rest showing you’re willing to slave because you have nothing better to do apparently.
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Funny after over 10,000 loan signings in 27 years “slavery” never crossed my mind.
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You know what they say about assumptions.
