Oversaturation of the Loan Signing Agent Business

Beginner's Questions
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January, 2025
A Deceptive Cycle

In recent years, the loan signing agent business has seen an influx of hopeful entrepreneurs eager to break into what is often portrayed as a lucrative industry. However, the reality is that this field has become significantly oversaturated. This article aims to shed light on the factors contributing to this saturation and the underlying motives of those promoting courses to enter the industry.

The Appeal of the Loan Signing Agent Business

At first glance, the loan signing agent business seems like an attractive venture. With promises of high earnings, flexible work hours, and the opportunity to be your own boss, it’s no wonder that many are drawn to it. Courses and seminars flood the internet, each promising to equip you with the skills and certifications needed to thrive. But beneath the surface, the reality is quite different.

Oversaturation: The Harsh Reality

The influx of new agents entering the market has created a fiercely competitive environment. The demand for loan signing agents has not kept pace with the growing number of practitioners. As a result, many find themselves struggling to secure assignments, let alone achieve the high earnings touted by course sellers.

The Hidden Agenda of Course Sellers

An important aspect to consider is the dual role played by many proponents of loan signing agent courses. These individuals are often also hiring parties within the industry. It’s to their benefit to continually draw new people into the field. Why? Because they can then encourage these new agents to accept low-paying assignments, thus keeping their own businesses profitable.

The cycle is clear: course sellers lure in new agents with promises of prosperity, knowing full well that the oversaturation will drive down fees. They profit from the course fees and also benefit from the availability of agents willing to work for lower pay.

The Impact on New Agents

For those new to the industry, the impact can be disheartening. After investing time and money into courses and certifications, many find that the market is too crowded for them to achieve their financial goals. The low fees they are forced to accept make it challenging to recoup their initial investment, let alone build a sustainable career.

Conclusion

The loan signing agent business is a prime example of how oversaturation and deceptive marketing can lead to a challenging and often unrewarding experience for new entrants. Before investing in courses and certifications, it’s crucial for prospective agents to thoroughly research the industry and consider the long-term viability of their career choice.

In essence, while the allure of the loan signing agent business is strong, it’s essential to approach it with a critical eye and an understanding of the broader market dynamics at play.

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As a professional signing agent [PSA] who has provided these services for nearly two decades, I’m in complete agreement with the “Article” as written above with particular emphasis on the following:

  • “Courses and seminars flood the internet, each promising . . . the reality is quite different.”

Concur :100: percent.

  • “a fiercely competitive environment.”

Concur :100: percent. Definitively NOT a dramatic overstatement, in fact, it’s an understatement . . . It’s cutthroat.

  • “course sellers lure in new agents with promises of prosperity, knowing full well that the oversaturation will drive down fees”

Concur :100: percent. Ergo, here are the revealed ulterior motives!

  • “For those new to the industry, the impact can be disheartening.”

Concur :100: percent.

  • “oversaturation and deceptive marketing”

Concur :100: percent.

I’ve long been an advocate to my fellow Notary Cafe members (AKA fellow Business Owners) to perform their own Research PRIOR to launching a business within this sector & to vet those who are offering “advice” or “mentoring” to determine their motives in doing so . . .

The old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” would certainly apply in this instance.

Caveat Venditor

:swan:

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These agencies use this new blood method for the purpose to keep notary payment fees low. The industry is willing to take new notaries to phase out the experienced better paid notaries. That’s the way it’s been since 2008. The industry was really good up until 2008 when notary fees crashed and has not gotten much better since.

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I wish I had known this before spending 1K total on courses, bonds and commission.

But this article is spot on and exactly what ive experienced since I got started in November.

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I wrote about this over two years ago, Arichter is a much better writer than I. My research and conclusion motivated me to focus on my other ventures. I still get notifications and ask myself ‘how is it possible to earn a minimal living closing loans and GNW?’.

The only thing I can add it the phenomena of Toxic Positivity (
occurs when encouraging statements are expected to minimize or eliminate painful emotions, creating pressure to be unrealistically optimistic without considering the circumstances [realistic] of the situation*) emphasis mine.

Those expressing TP often dismiss any pragmatic view that this business produces sufficient income for a business to survive. Eventually those who fall into TP will eventually end up disillusioned and disappointed.

Arichter, thanks for your balanced and well written thoughts.

*Toxic Positivity | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

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I agree. I started my NSA business at the end of 2007. Some companies that I worked for then are trying to pay the same fee today 18 years later. It’s very frustrating. What I object to more is the “jump to respond” signing requests. If you’re not first to respond, you don’t get any business.

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I feel for you. We did the same thing, opening a separate charge account to put about $2K on it, then making $100 dollars a month payment, hoping that we had enough money each month to pay it. Especially as the rates went up. I now personally advocate for all of these people that want to start their business, to start with RESEARCH, create your budget & business plan, learn your potential marketing tools, etc.
My new phrase is: “Let your GNW pay for your next goal.”

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Yes. I now drive for Uber. Did a signing 3 weeks ago; no payment and no response to my inquiry.

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Your link and comments about ‘Toxic Positivity’ are an excellent addition to my post.
Wish we could get both to go viral due to other comments in this thread about wishing they’d known the truth before chasing this rainbow.

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Hear! Hear! Excellent article.

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You’ll most likely get paid at 30 - 45 days. With Uber pay is more reliable and seems to be profitable with a lot less equipment required.

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I’ve been in this business since 2015 and can tell you for a fact that fees have been stagnant or have even been lowered since then. I challenge anyone to name one other industry where this is the case. The only time there was a slight spike upward was in 2020-2021 when Covid was in play and many notaries stayed on the sidelines.

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I’m totally in agreement. I started with NNA, and I continue my education with NNA.

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Agree. Even when pay is considered by most to be good, it’s actually less than it was 25 years ago. Definitely due to oversaturation/supply/demand.& the click-quick-if-you-want-work technology geared to maximize hiring party’s share.

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I agree with this article. There was an instance where I was working with a title, and they told me to decrease my fees or they would not be able to offer me assignments. I refuse to discount my fees, and I mentioned that I would consider increasing my fees to align with the cost of living. That being said, I refuse to continue to work with that organization and I rejected assignments. It is necessary for people to value our work and work ethic. We are going into homes of strangers and dealing with their personalities, as we attempt to communicate the instructions provided by the lender to notarize their documents to have things finalized. We are doing work with people in the industry that don’t consider to cost of doing business to generate a profit and secure a healthy living. These people are willing to work for pennies on the dollar just to secure an assignment and not considering gas, supplies, and delivery. This field has changed drastically.

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@inkiebr Concur :100: percent with your perspective. Thank You :heart_eyes:

:swan:

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Thank you. :smile: I really appreciate your support.

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I agree with you and when you mentioned that there are companies that count on beginners and their lack of doing research before investing in the training programs. People don’t realize that they are being sold to by a salesperson. That person’s role is to try and pitch new students so they can stay in business. That being said, they make money off of people unwilling to do the research. Buyer Beware!!!

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@inkiebr You’re Welcome! :tada: This is a topic I touch on regularly & delineate in the thread Guideline of how to Create a custom-tailored Schedule of Fees for professional services provided. :white_check_mark:

Best Wishes

:swan:

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This is very helpful for those in need. I have a B.S. Degree a in Business as one of my degrees. I also have a PHD, I was using this as lunch money. :smile: Make it a great day.