Mortgage Loan Trends - Jan 2008

Thankfully, my loan signing business has picked up these last two months. I hope this trend continues but I have noticed some differences amongst these batch of refinancers.

1. High income earners - $80,000 a year and up
2. More single women refinancing their loans
   
3. Loan signings in affluent area

I do not know if these trends are nationwide, or just what I have been experiencing, but this would seem to reflect the stricter requirements now imposed by banks to refinance. So the more money you earn and the higher your credit score the more likely you will be able to get a loan in 2008.

In A Notary Public We Trust

I am often amazed at how much trust people put in me because I am a Notary Public. I have had a husband leave his baby in the room while he went out to the car to get his identification (I could tell his wife was not too happy with this one when she walked into the room but who could blame her), credit cards and check books have been left in my presence, and clients have been more than willingly to pay me for my notary services even before the notarization has been completed.

This bold level of trust shows two things: 1) most people are naturally very trusting and 2) the general public puts their trust in you because as a notary you are an officer of the state who has been entrusted with great responsibility.

It is quite an honor to be so highly esteemed and I do everything possible to maintain this trust.

Should You Tip Your Local Notary?

Like most webmasters I am able to view statistics on visitors to my notary blog. One of the statistics provides me with the string of keywords visitors use to reach my site.

An interesting set of keywords that were used recently was "do you tip a notary public" and "how much to tip a notary" so I thought, "hmm, this would make a good blog."

I feel that notarizing documents is a service, and just like in a restaurant you tip for good service. Especially, if you have contracted for mobile notary services and the notary has traveled to you at a late hour or has accommodated a last minute request.

In some states a notary can only charge $2 per signature or their travel fee is limited by state laws so tipping an extra $5 or $10 I am sure would be appreciated.


Related posts:

Do You Need A Mobile Notary?
Mobile Notary - Traveling From Here to There

Internet Funny Cartoons

A few good laughs. TGIF!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Notaries - Supplement Your Income

This post was inspired by Barbara Linker, a San Diego Notary. Recently she blogged about how she increased her income by adding additional services to her business.

During the real estate boom many notaries were able to make a comfortable living as a Loan Signing Agent. As thousands of people refinanced their homes, thousands of notaries were required to notarize their loans. Notaries all over the country traveled to people's home to conveniently notarize their loan in the comfort of their home.

Now that the real estate market has slowed many are experiencing a decrease in their business. Whereas previously some were working full-time notarizing 20 to 30 loans a month, now they are surprised to notarize 10.

The reality is that never before was being a notary considered a career option. The real estate industry is the only thing that made notarizing documents a full-time job. So if you are a notary or are thinking about becoming one it would be smart to consider what other service you can market along with notary services.

A few good careers that complement notary work are paralegal, tax preparation, travel agent, or becoming a bail bondsman.

Be sure to investigate all of your options and I wish you the best!

Successful Notary Tip #1 - Answer Your Phone

As a notary, your cell phone is your lifeline to receiving new business. If you do not answer your phone then the caller is likely to hang up and dial the next notary on the list.

Because our cell phones are so important to our notary business, I am often shocked at how many notaries do not answer their phones.

I recently had a gentlemen tell me that he was surprised to get a live person when I answered my phone. He had tried several other notaries and I was the only one that actually answered his call.

Great customer service not only sets you apart but it also guarantees repeat business. One way to deliver great customer service is make sure your phone is always in ear shot so that you can easily answer your phone.

Even with the best intentions there are times when you are going to miss a call. I have found it extremely helpful to ask in my voicemail greeting that the caller "leave a message as I am able to return most phone calls within 15 minutes."

Being a notary requires that you are available at a moments notice so be sure always keep and answer your cell phone!

Related post - Clarify, Clarify! Before Your Notary Appointment

New Series - Sucessful Notary Tips

This series, Successful Notary Tips, will be devoted to ideas to set you apart from the average notary, in other words ideas to bring you more business.

Feel free to share ideas that have worked for you.

Attn: California State Employees

• Are you taking advantage of all the benefits available to you?
  

• Is your family financially secure in the event of a medical emergency?

• Are you able to cover your expenses if you are unable to work due to an accident or illness?

If you answered no to any of these questions, then you will want to take advantage of the benefits available through a California state fraternal association.

Supplemental benefits are offered to help insure the health and wealth of your family when you need it the most.

The California fraternal association is open to all state employees and is in no way affiliated with any collective bargaining union. It is a state employee fraternal association which sponsors good will and harmonious relations with all sectors within state service.

Benefits of membership:

• Access to benefits through Aflac, the #1 supplemental benefit carrier in the U.S.

• Access to life insurance products through New York Life.

Aflac policies are:

1. Portable - policies go with you where ever you go
2. Sick Leave – does not need to be exhausted before benefits begin
3. Catastrophic Time Bank – does not need to be used before benefits begin
4. No Elimination Period – for accident benefit
5. Claims Approval – is not based on decision of Board of Trustees
6. Wellness Benefit – annual benefit offered
7. Supplemental Dental & Eye Insurance – available

For more information contact:

LaShon James-Major, Benefits Representative

CA Insurance License No. #0E49611

(562) 682-9504

l_james_major [@] us.aflac.com

www.aflac.com

The Basics of Supplmental Health Insurance

Protect your families financial future

Preparing Your Living Trust or Will Is A Must

It is unfortunate how often as a notary you are called to notarize a will or living trust for an individual that is on their death bed. It makes for a very sad situation when your client is someone that is dying and you are called to notarize their last wishes.

This familiar scenario illustrates how important it is to begin your estate planning process before an emergency arises. Very few of us want to think about our death but if you have assets that you want to transfer as painlessly as possible to your heirs, then it is VERY important that you take the time to prepare a living trust or will.

It only takes a $100,000 in assets to send your heirs to probate court, which is a notoriously long and costly process. It took over a year to resolve the probate case that resulted from my husband's father's death. Going through probate is something I would not want to wish on anyone.

Preparing your will or living trust can be prepared in a cost effective manner using the expert services at LegalZoom.com. Start your estate planning before the need arises.

Click on the link below for more information.

Related posts - Affordable Legal Alternative - Legal Zoom

Clarify, Clarify! Before the Notary Appointment

Today, I learned an important lesson, the importance of clarifying your statements when a client calls for a potential notarization.

A lady called me inquiring about notarizing her documents. I informed her that the notary would be $10 per signature but she heard $10 per person.

At the time I did not think it was a big deal because she stated that the notary would just consist of a couple of documents and I figured that I would clarify any misunderstandings before I started the notarization. Let's just say that was not the best idea...

It turned out that the notarization was for a couple that was purchasing a timeshare in Las Vegas and the documents needed a total of six signatures! On previous occasions when I encountered similar situations this has never been a problem because the client understood and we proceeded with the notarization.

This time the client did not want to proceed even after I explained to him that $10 per signature was what any California notary would charge.

Fortunately, I only walked around the corner to meet the clients but I was not too happy and I learned an important lesson about ALWAYS clarifying your fees before you meet with a client.

Motivational, Inspirational Quotes

These are a few quotes that will inspire me this year:


"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."

John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)
35th President of the United States

"Champions are made from something deep inside - a desire, a dream, and a vision."
Muhammad Ali (1942 - )
American boxing champion

"The worth of a life is not determined by a single failure or a solitary success."
Kevin Kline (1947- )
American actor as in "The Emperor's Club (2002)

"Just go out there and do what you have to do."
Martina Navratilova (1956 - )
Czechoslovakian-born tennis champion

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
Hall of Fame baseball player

Hilarious Cute Kid Videos

Two videos that will crack you up. You gotta love kids!

Ask a Notary a Question...

• Are you someone that needs a document notarized?
• Are you considering becoming a notary?
• Are you a notary looking for help getting started?
  

Well, if any of the above questions sound like you I'm here to help. Drop me an e-mail with your question and I'll be happy to answer.

Click above or type

lashon [@] thedocdiva.com

Mobile Notary - Traveling From Here to There

The wonderful thing about being a mobile notary public is that you get to travel from location to location and from city to city meeting great people and notarizing a variety of documents.

During my four year tenure as a notary I have traveled thousands miles and I have met hundreds of people. Whether I am performing a loan signing, providing Apostille services, or notarizing a one page document(ex. grant deed) it is a pleasure to encounter such variety.

My coverage area is Southern California, particularly Los Angeles & Orange County. Below are a few of the cities I travel to as a mobile notary:

Long Beach, Signal Hill, Wilmington, San Pedro, Carson, Lakewood, Harbor City, Seal Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Surfside, Lomita, Los Alamitos, Sunset Beach, Bellflower, Aramount, Artesia, Gardena, Cypress, Rancho Palos Verdes, Compton, Palos Verdes Peninsula, La Palma, Cerritos, Lynwood, Torrance, Stanton, Westminster, South Gate, Lawndale, Midway City, Lawndale, Norwalk, Redondo Beach, Anaheim, Hermosa Beach, Hawthorne, Santa Fe Springs, Downey, Buena Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, La Mirada, Maywood, Huntington Park, Manhattan Beach, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, El Segundo, Pico Rivera, Inglewood

If you are in need of professional notarial services please do not hesitate to give The Document Diva a call at 562-314-4319.

(photo link)

Mortgage Loan Officers - Customer Service 101

"The only foundation of real business is service."

Henry Ford (1863-1947)
American industrialist, inventor

Correct me if I'm wrong, but mortgage loan officers stand to make a pretty sizable commission when their loans fund so why do many deliver such poor customer service?

One simple thing that can make a difference between a client signing and not signing their loan documents is the ability to get their questions answered in a timely manner.

The Notary Signing Agent may be the only person the borrowers meet in person during the loan qualification process. We are neutral parties in the transaction; we represent neither the lender nor the loan officer. If a borrower has a question we are allowed to answer the "what" but not the "why" so that is why it's so important that borrowers are able to get their questions answered once they are at the signing table.

Below are two real life examples:

Scenario#1 - How the process should go:

I arrive at the borrower's home with loan documents in hand. The loan officer has spoken with the borrower prior to my arrival. He has answered all of the borrower's questions so that when I arrive the borrower is comfortable with signing the loan documents and I am out of there in less than an hour.

Scenario #2 - How the process should not go:

I arrive at the borrower's home with loan documents in hand. The borrowers are a very nice elderly couple attempting to refinance a home that will be purchased by their daughter in six months. The borrowers are completely unhappy because they have been going through this process for three months and this is the second time a notary has been out to their home.

The first set of documents had a higher percentage rate than they were quoted, included a prepayment penalty (which wasn't going to work since the daughter was going to be refinancing the property in her name in six months), had a mysterious $100 fee for local officials, and to top it all off their loan officer is hardly available and doesn't return phone calls.

Now this new set of loan documents again has errors, and as usual they are unable to get in contact with their loan officer. When they spoke with him last night he said he would be in the office by 9:30 a.m. but it was now 10 a.m. and he was no where to be found, so let's just say they were a little upset.

The borrowers are not willing to sign and they can't speak with their loan officer so there is nothing left for me to do. I tell them it was a pleasure meeting them and I'm out the door. I get a call about an hour later from the borrowers who have finally spoken with someone who could put them at ease so they are ready to sign. I will have to make a return trip later today.

---

Scenario #2 is an ordeal that could have easily been avoided. In my experience if the borrowers are able to get their questions answered and made to feel comfortable then things will go smoothly.

I think the above quote from Henry Ford aptly states what we as real estate professionals should be striving to deliver. Quality customer service is what our businesses should be based on to guarantee repeat business and referrals.

End of Year Notary Review

Gratefully, I'm here to welcome in another year; today is the first day of 2008. Thanks to the declining mortgage industry, 2007 was full of financial ups and downs. I started the year performing at least ten loan signings a month but by August I was happy to do one a month. All was not lost though because December brought an increase in business.

In December, I completed six loan signings for LSI and ServiceLink, several Apostilles going to India, and three loan signings from a mortgage company in Oklahoma that had a client in Long Beach who was purchasing investment property in Tulsa.

All of this notary work led to closing 2007 on a high note. I hope this is a good sign for my notary business in 2008.