What are the benefits to becoming a licensed real estate agent in our field? Is anyone licensed that can speak to how it has helped you as a PSA? What are the cons if any? Has it increased/decreased the amount of signings or notifications you receive? If so, by how much?
Has it increased the “preferred” status the Signing Services or Title companies have given you ?
Please tell me how it has come into play at the signing table in both positive and negative manners.
It certainly can’t hurt to have a real estate license. It’s a ton of work to get one, it’s kind of costly and you’ll probably want to sell houses after you earn your license. I don’t think it helps your notary work. I’m a very busy notary and I do just fine without one. Just my opinion.
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Having a realtor license IMO doesn’t help you as a notary. You can’t notarize any transaction you are involved in as a realtor. And I’ve signed with some realtors who didn’t have a clue. And one of the shortest notary careers was a friend of mine who was a retired loan officer. He couldn’t believe he wasn’t going to get paid $300 for every signing.
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Hear! Hear! 
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@reoqueenbee As you have developed comprehensive experiential knowledge in the Real Estate market, would you take a moment to ‘weigh-in’ on this query please?
Thank You
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I have been a licensed real estste agent (Realtor is an association, not a license) for 41 years. Yes, it is expensive to get and maintain the license. I started being a notary during the refi boom in 2001, when a titie rep offered me part time work. I was able to go to homes and businesses for those who did not come to the title company. Traveling notaries were less common then. I got back in the notary business during covid when the need increased as i was now semi retired from selling homes. Our real estate market had decreased to about 1/3 of the previos volume and title companies downsized. Computers and home printers had made home document processing possible.
The main benefit of having a real estate license, is that i am familiar with terminnology and the documents. I has also worked a short time as a lian processor. That, however, Is a skill that any good notary can, and should, develop without getting a real estate license. A good notary does not need a real estate license.
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CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
Per Google AI:
"What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor?
AI Overview
The primary difference is that a Realtor is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and adheres to its strict Code of Ethics, while a real estate agent is simply a licensed professional authorized to help clients buy, sell, or lease property. All Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors."
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The answer to your question is No! Title companies will reach out to you either by referral or 3rd party signing companies which I don’t register myself or business with them to do signings. REL has nothing to do with your skills as a Notary. Believe me every notary you do gets a feed back and the feedback will determine if you get more work especially from title companies.
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There was a time before the 6 figure guy appeared on the scene, where my main (mobile notary) competition was failing real estate agents. Now it’s mostly house husbands and wives looking for a reason to get themselves out of the house.
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I appreciate the experience and insights shared on this topic. A friend that is an agent offered me work, and offered to pay for my license. I had considered how the knowledge I possibly could gain would benefit me in the loan signing world as I have no desire to change professions. I was struggling to see any benefit except understanding terminology better possibly. I am grateful for the thoughtful and detailed information shared with me. It has solidified my decision to decline his offer, as I only see it as something that would just be a time vampire that would leach valuable loan signing availability from me . I am still pleased if he would like to continue to share my information but do not want to take advantage of his generosity nor waste his money . @ewing_joe that 6 figure guy grates on my nerves and I mean no disrespect to his protegés or those that find his training valuable . I think your assessment is very accurate. @reoqueenbee Thank you for sharing your first hand experience , it is very helpful and informative. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me how it intertwines in your real life.
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I am currently not a holder of a real estate agent license. I did explore the possibility of obtaining one in the past; however, after undergoing a thorough and careful consideration of all the factors involved, the substantial upfront costs associated with the licensing process, coupled with the significant and substantial time commitment required to successfully complete the necessary coursework and demanding examinations, ultimately led me to reconsider my initial interest in pursuing that particular career path. In fact, it is worth noting that Amrock had previously extended an offer to me towards being an sponsor the expenses related to both the coursework and testing that are needed to become a licensed loan originator. While I do believe that possessing either of these professional licenses could potentially offer considerable advantages within our industry, my current status as a commissioned Notary Public does introduce some potential concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, and the simultaneous utilization of such licenses could, in certain specific circumstances, be legally deemed unlawful. For these reasons, instead of pursuing licensure as either a real estate agent or a loan originator, I have instead chosen to focus my efforts on developing other, alternative, and residual income streams, all in an effort to effectively diversify my overall revenue base, which, in turn, has allowed me to largely eliminate or, at the very least, minimize any potential conflicts of interest that could arise. I am currently a licensed life,health, and annuity insurance agent. In conclusion, while having a real estate license can indeed be a great asset, it is absolutely essential that one fully knows and understands how to navigate the specific situation that they are in.
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very valuable insight @cfletcher thank you
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Caveat Emptor
Hail Caesar!
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I am deceased omg you’re funny 
You’re deceased? Do you have a ghost writer or what?
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I do indeed, haunting the forum 
I agree with Bobby- CA. I have a RE License, but it does not help with Notary. Two different things. I do both Sale Homes and Notary.
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Dont waste your money being a Realtor costs like $1500 just for classes, exams, fees they make you pay and you have to sign right away with a Real estate company, you don’t get to keep your license it goes to the company you work for. Plus you cant notarized for anything you work on. its against the law.
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