I accepted an assignment for $85 today, something I haven’t done before this year or even last year. My only reason for accepting the assignment, I thought the assignment was located very close to my location. The loan package I received contained a total of 145 pages, and the lender wanted two printed copies. After reviewing the digital package, I realized this job would take approximately 3 to 4 hours, including printing, preparation, travel time, and the time spent at the signing table.
I sent the hiring SOS a message to adjust the fee to $135, and it was still on the low side. The hiring company wrote back saying they couldn’t agree with my counteroffer and that the job may be reassigned. I truly dodged a bullet here, as I don’t know what I was thinking when I accepted that assignment. I was probably just “bored,” because I’ve spent the last week completing the educational courses for my insurance certifications and getting certified as an anti-money laundering professional. Getting bored and making assumptions can be costly for me. I better get busy, so that experience doesn’t happen again.
“Spankin’ brand new” (as you posted in another thread) and you can make this demand?? Good luck with that. Perhaps your market will support that but many will not, especially when one is new to the signing business. Honestly, your tax business is probably more lucrative.
JMO.’
P.S. I started in this business in Florida in 2006 - 125-135 pages, sometimes 145-150 were standard. 145 pages is probably a treat to most nowadays, based on what I’m reading here and elsewhere.
You are not following. I guess YOU would find the price fully acceptable. I get it. Everyone has their price point. I am EXPERIENCE enough to know that gaining experience has a financial value. And for certain experiences I am more than willing to take an economic loss. That understanding comes with experience. I understand.
In county I’d probably do for $100. But no one would get $200. There is a regional ceiling on fees, experience is knowing what it is. 145 pages is pretty normal these days.
Yesterday I got a package late and it was 227 pages it included an appraisal I did get a bump for the page count but the killer was the signer already received the appraisal on email. I could have left it out of their package if I knew that and saved 40 pages.
But also yesterday was 17 pages that took 15 minutes. So it balanced the day.
I’ve done that! And I love the…“well it might get reassigned”. My response or thought is…Not soon enough! I’m not here to do you favors at my expense. I’m still getting offers to go to a town that’s 1-1/2 hour one-way (3 hours travel) for refi’s, 2 copies and they are offering $35.00. Are these companies serious? Are people accepting these offers? Why? SMH
Companies are paying $200 for loan signing assignments with even less printing, shorter mileage, and less labor. Signing agents should ask for higher fees. Asking for a higher fee may lead to losing a few jobs. However, I rather make more money working less assignments. After having a discussion with my savior, he told me to be patient. I lost that assignment, but I got another assignment that pay $250. scheduled for tomorrow. Well some people may think, I could had earned $335 by taking both orders. Consider the value of time and operating costs, by working both assignments. My operation costs will be greater, used more time, and my net earnings average would have decreased. The first assignment, I would have net around an estimate $10.50 per hour in earnings. Obliviously, the second assignment will generate a higher net profit after all other deductions. Like @cryman.notary stated, “I’ve done that!” and been there before. I have learned to be more selective about the companies I work for and don’t chase after every assignment.
We’ve discussed before - location, location. I am full time at this. I know what I need to earn and I do. I think many new notaries come to the forum and believe they can command the higher fees out of the gate. It doesn’t work like that where I am. That’s why we get 20 pages of instructions and everything is a scan. If you’re getting $200 for every signing that’s great. In my region, I’d never work. We do things differently you and I. It’s not something to argue about. It just is. What works for one isn’t always the right plan for someone else in a different part of the country. Companies who know me and prefer my work call me and pay the higher fees. Companies relying on the AI in a platform are getting what they get and the quality of work shows that. Notaries should be realistic. That’s my opinion. Doesn’t make me wrong. I’m pleased that you’re pleased with how your rules for your business work out. I think in my rural Eastern WA area - I’m realistic. So I work more than most.
I’m in FL too as @cfletcher is…but his location and mine could not be any more different. His area can command that…my area??? Not so much. People around me don’t even want to pay the $10 notarization fee.
@cfletcherCongratulations! Truly, this is one of the most difficult ‘lessons’ to successfully complete within this business sector.
As I often express on the Notary Cafe forum threads it’s all about Training, Certification, & location, Location, LOCATION! Review referenced posts that follow:
I don’t know which companies you’re referring to that pay $200 for an average-size refi, but I can pretty much tell you that it’s not any signing service. Maybe if you’re contracting directly with title companies…
@steves11 - It was a company acting as the settlement agent for another company known as the Loan Factory. Please recall I did mentioned not every company pays so well. When find those companies that do, grab onto them…
@johnsonps306 - you are being nice. “That’s why we get 20 pages of instructions and everything is a scan.” @johnsonps306 – You’re being nice. “That’s why we get 20 pages of instructions, and everything’s a scan.” The real reason is due to an increase in mistakes being made in the loan packages. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ll probably do so again. But the percentage of mistakes I make is so low that I’m able to maintain high-quality ratings with companies. As for getting paid higher fees, it’s not about location so much as it is about removing the dependence on loan signings for revenue.. I have made mistakes and probably will do so again. But my percentage is so low that I am able to maintain a high quality ratings with companies. As for being able to get paid higher fees, it’s not about “location” so much as it is about removing the dependence on loan signings for revenue. Of course this is just my opinion, which will not buy you a cup of coffee. Now if you want my signature, it’s going to cost…LoL
I’ve got one company that pays $150-$175 through a signing service. When I see orders from them pop up, I jump on them. Unfortunately, most of them are outside of my travel range for signings. I’m not going to have fuel cost eat up all of the profit.
Sorry to hear their greed is unstoppable. Signing agents made huge amounts of profits prior to the 2008 real estate collapse. The industry kept low rates ever since. The $85 is nonsense in 2025. An insult!
They used to provide $85 as a common fee for newbies in 2010. Since 15 years ago there’s been significant inflation and more expensive materials like paper. These agencies make more money over time keeping their fees low. It means the industry is geared to reward agencies at the expense of notaries.
In 2021 an agency offered me $65 to do a purchase in Tiburon across the San Francisco bridge. They were rude and very nasty about my suggesting the fee wasn’t sufficient.
The agencies with data bases require notaries fill in info for each job also taking up notary’s time. The escrow or title companies used to send the signing package to notaries as well prepped with tags and post it notes from the escrow of title company! Now notaries do everything!
The lower pay assignments are not paying your operating cost. Where will they be when you buy ink, toner, paper, printers, computer, vehicle, insurance, vehicle maintenance? I’ll tell you where…looking for some other naive notary to do it for the cost of a bread crumb. Stay true to yourself. You don’t need to overcharge but doing it for nothing…absolutely no!
Truly, this is one of the most difficult ‘lessons’ to successfully complete within this business sector.