Understanding Loan Signing Fees: A Bigger Picture 
When you look at a $250,000 mortgage, the lender may collect $2,500–$5,000 in origination fees, plus thousands more over the life of the loan. That means each loan can be worth $5,000+ to the lending side.
By comparison, a loan signing agent (LSA) might earn $250 for handling the same transaction — which equals just 0.001% of the loan amount.
With the growth of Remote Online Notarization (RON), you may see offers for $15 signings (especially HELOCs). On the surface, it sounds simple: “just 15 minutes.” But it’s important to remember:
That fee still has to cover your time, preparation, platform costs, insurance, and expertise.
Accepting very low fees can make it difficult to sustain your business long-term.
Key takeaway for new LSAs:
Understanding how revenue flows in the real estate and lending world helps you put your value in perspective. You play an important role in safeguarding transactions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Starting out, it’s tempting to accept any offer, but knowing the bigger picture will help you make informed decisions, build a sustainable business, and set fees that reflect the
value you bring.