What are the questions I should ask before saying YES to the job?

Let's talk about being confident before you go to the job site.  I mean "Know Before You Go"

There has been a small uptick in Loan Signing appointments and for some of us, it has been a minute since we got these calls.  It is not enough to get the call, we need to accept the right jobs for our business, and feel confident we will get paid after it is completed. 

As a notary, I thrive on handling assignments that are efficient and lead to successful outcomes. One of the keys to achieving this is knowing potential pitfalls before I even step out the door. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the essential questions to ask before your notary signing, tailored to different types of services.  If you have others, I would love you to share with me!

Real Estate Closings: The Essential Questions

When it comes to real estate closings, I typically ask a series of questions twice—first for the hiring party and then for the signers.

Questions for the Hiring Party:

1. When is the appointment?
   Knowing the timing helps me fit it into my calendar.
2. Where is the appointment?
   This ensures the location is within my territory. Outside of my area, could be ok if open to negotiating.
3. Are the documents ready?
   I need to know if I have enough time to print and prepare, so I am on time and allowing for any additional appointments.
4. Could there be a language barrier? Except CO and AZ, where interpreters are allowed and there are administrative rules on handling that, when you live in a state where having a language barrier is an issue, you want to make sure to verify they speak your language, so you do not waste printing and driving to a failed appointment.
5. What type of package is it?
   Is it a refinance, purchase, VA loan, sellers, reverse mortgage, or HELOC? This helps me determine the appropriate fee based on package size for printing costs ad table time costs and my predetermined revenue requirements.
6.  Are all signers expected to be there? Are there more than 2 signers? Typical assignments are 1-2 signers, when there will be more, especially for more than 1 document, this adds table time and cost for you.  If this is a split signing there could be more than 1 signer on the documents, but you are only handling 1 of them and another notary will handle the other signer.
7. Are scan backs required? Are they required immediately following? This helps me determine extra time requirements and if I must take care of it before I can go to another appointment. This impacts how close I can book the next appointment and is extra time spent on that assignment.
8. What do I need to give you to get paid? For new clients, do they need a W9, is there an agreement to sign. (be sure to read any agreement for exclusivity clause), do you need a separate invoice? Uploaded, with the package? What are your payment terms?  30, 60 90 days?  You want to know how long you will wait for your money.  And if you accept knowing, then wait for it, do not follow up before the expected day.
9. What is my fee?
   I suggest you present your fee first after summarizing the scope of work required and then announcing the fee.  Then allow for them to negotiate to you if they are not in agreement.  Remember you are the business owner, you are an important part of the process and likely the only people the signers see in person.  You can make the signing ceremony smooth and confident.
10. What number can I call back if the confirmation doesn’t arrive? Sometimes that email doesn’t come, it went to spam or they didn’t write it down correctly, so you want a way to contact the hiring party to ask for a resend and or confirm they still have the assignment open, as sometimes it cancels or moves and they do not tell you.

The other question that is important is for you.  Do you have a way to organize this information so that you are efficient and thorough in asking?  I use an intake sheet for each assignment to ask and record the answers which documents what we agreed to during the call.  You can make your own or get a done for you at www.Notaryallies.com  This can then be attached to the email confirmation for your records later, when no one remembers what was supposed to happen.

My next email will focus on the questions for the callers/signers directly whether real estate closings or other types of specialty work. Remember, if you need further guidance, I'm here to help.

If you would like live coaching like this for your Real estate closings or other specialty work, come to www.coachmelaura.com to sign up for Laura's Inner Circle.  We meet every Saturday morning via zoom  8am PT and it is free. 

Always at your service,

Laura

www.coachmelaura.com/real
www.notarycoach.com/lbp (Laura Biewer Presents)
www.calendly.com/biewer (free strategy calls)