I have decided that I will no longer even bid on loan closings unless they meet a certain standard (my standard). I have noticed that the pay for the assignments being offered lately is getting lower and lower. (If you accept the assignment and then try to negotiate, they say you accepted it for this pay; if you wait and find out that there are 20 notarizations and 175 pages and try to negotiate, they say you should have asked for more $$ when you accepted it.) Tired of playing this game. I will only bid on ones that recognize my worth. My paper, toner and time will not be given away. I am much happier doing property surveys and vehicle inspections which many times give me 21 days to complete. I get paid faster and don’t have to haggle. I do work for Sandcastle Field Services, WeGoLook, Groundworks and JMI Reports, they keep me pretty busy, but not too busy that I can’t control my own schedule. Nothing to print, no scanbacks. So, all you notaries out there who are fueling this disrespect from title companies, I wish you well. Anyone old enough to remember this saying back in the day? “Save the bones for Henry Jones, cause he don’t eat no meat”. I’m not Henry Jones and I don’t want no bones. Ha Ha! LOL! Y’all have a blessed day.
I can’t stand the Sand Castle website and they don’t pay anything. You have to do a lot at $20 each to make any money so I’m glad someone makes money off them.
The solution towards taking control and making life easier, occurs by divesting our dependency from the mortgage industry as our sole source of revenue. In 2025, I joined a referral program offering living trust enrollment paying $150 per enrollment. Now I will be in position to earn a referral fee and general notary work too. That’s going to be a game changer for my business. Now, I only take loan signings assignment paying my listed fee schedule.
For me, making life easier is exactly what I conveyed. My life is mine…your life is yours. Congrats on your accomplishments.
They pay me more than $20 (perhaps because that’s what I expect from them)…some of these title companies don’t pay anything either for the amount of work they ask (you’re doing all the work, buying paper and toner, printing docs, scanbacks, dropoff at FedEx or UPS). I print out a letter, place in it an envelope, tape it to the door or hand deliver, take a few pics. Can do eight in a few hours on my time, combined with the other companies I mentioned…I am satisfied. That’s what you seem to be missing…my time/my schedule. Works for me.
I wasn’t trying to be judgmental. Sorry if it seemed that way.
Correction, (disrespect) from signing services.
Are you saying you are getting a commission for referring someone to get a living trust and then notarizing their papers? Im confused.
Hi Jennifer, Please allow me to clarify things and bear with me on my long explanation. For instance, as a life insurance agent, I must be licensed to sell insurance products. When an insurance product is sold, I earn a commission. As an independent contractor, I can refer people to this company that offer a service assisting people with putting a living trust. For that referral the company pays me a referral fee. I felt it’s important to make the distinction between “commission and referral fee”. I am not part of the process of assisting or selling a service towards placing a living trusts for anyone. So I am not advising, counseling, or practicing / acting as an lawyer. Back to my story on how all this happened, when I was performing loan signings assignments, sometimes people would ask questions. Like do I know anyone that perform estate planning. One day a Notary Public colleague told me about Bill Soroka training course on becoming a certified notary delivery agent. I enrolled into his course and learned about this niche market. So through my market research, I found this business and was able to establish a working relationship. That’s why I love being an entrepreneur it allows me to see market trends. I enjoy being able to pivot and make shifts in my business. It’s so true, that “word of mouth” is a valuable resource.
If you dont quality the job by asking fee …type of signing …scan back… how can u quote?
I wish the newbies would finally understand they’re being used.
Dont believe the. It gets your foot in the door"" or youre inexperienced…so you get lower fees. Etc. Etc.
If u cant make $50 per hour including printing… prepping …drive time EACH way… And sign time then add scan time …and another round trip to drop.
You arent making $ dont forget…you need to make a profit .pay gas paper ink insurance wear and tear on the car …clothing…
Some people think $30 is enough for a loan mod …ONLY IF ITS ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOU.MAYBE. …i get $75. To $125. Depending on distance.
Good luck
I agree with everything you say; however, you fail to recognise the larger contingent of notaries that don’t do this activity for a living. Signing service marketers have identified this huge group of workers and are profiting from them. Who would’ve loved to hand the kids over to the breadwinner to spend a few hours “doing a notary”?
I haven’t failed to recognize them…my answer didnt include them.
I am one of them… someone asked if we would renew our commission in this environment…unless I’m confusing the posts…
My answer was to that thread…joe im only a notary a relatively short period compared to decades.
My carrer was not defined by being a notary …or real estate…title etc…
. However my business experience has certainly helped me understand the outrageous behavior and practices of this industry.
I feel sorry for people trying to feed a family and pay bills in this environment…As it stands now . Where I am …my direct clients still pay me well.or fairly,but im not taking alot of work from the signing platforms or Companies …they aren’t paying and I’m not in a desperate need to take low fees .
Anybody who needs to take those fees. Rwalky should find another way to make a living…these companies arent giving a damn.