Starting A Loan Signing Business
Good choice. But before you jump into it, there are some things you should know. While there are a lot of get-rich-quick-schemes and pyramid work-from-home schemes disguised as consultation work, private individuals really can start their own home business as a notary public and earn quite a bit with only a few simple steps.
First and foremost, don't become discouraged. It's important to study the ways to become a Notary Public in your state before you take any further steps. Some states require that you take a class and pass a test while other states appoint their notaries. How your state does it will have a large impact on your planning.
Do Your Homework
After you've looked into becoming a notary public, now you need to learn how to become a notary public loan signing agent. First and foremost, as a standard notary, you can make around $25 to $50 an hour. That means you can make $250 to $500 a week just by working 1 or 2 hours a day, five days a week.
If you are just a mobile notary public, state-mandated fees will restrict how much you can make. While there is a demand for mobile notaries, the income potential isn't that great. However, as a loan document-signing agent, you are guaranteed to make $50 per job.
Do the Research
Loan document signing agents are not going to want to share their experiences or their knowledge. Cut them a break, this is a competitive business and with the demand high and the supply low, they are worried about competition coming in and taking their jobs. However, there are classes both online and in-class designed to help those interested in becoming a notary public. Other classes focus on mobile notary work and other courses fill in the blanks on what a person needs to know to become a loan document-signing agent.
How to Get Started
There are so many articles out there telling people what to do, but not how to do it. Here are some simple guidelines you can follow to help you research and explore your opportunities as a loan document-signing agent.
- Check online websites for the Secretary of State of your state -- order a copy of the notary public handbook
- Research online or offline classes that can help prepare you for notary certification tests
- Study the public handbook
- Obey the state's policy for getting your notary commission (some states just require that you take an oath and sign a piece of paper)
- Get a Business License
- If a test is required, wait for notification that you have passed it
- Order the Notary seal, journal, fingerprint ink, notary bond, errors and omissions insurance, and other business necessities
- Contact title companies, lending institutions, and signing companies to alert them to the new notary and document loan signing agent in town
- Accept and go on some jobs
- Keep detailed records of your jobs and transactions
That's just the tip of the iceberg. You will learn much more through trial and error and through any classes you may take. While the job as a mobile notary or loan document signing agent may not be for everyone, the enterprising mom should certainly be able to put this advice to good use.