TexNotary Newsletter

Texas Notaries - Shall we Network?

2006-06-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

http://1netsuites.com/texasnotaries.htm

Just go there and fill out the survey.

Many thanks, BrendaTx

News, Questions, Issues - Feedback solicited

2006-06-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have a question?
Do you want me to post a notice in my newsletter?
Do you want to reach the notaries my newsletter reaches?
Do you have a service you want to tell the notaries about?
Would you like to write an article?

If it fits within my editorial guidelines, I'll gladly publish it for you.
Just use this form and we'll take a look at it.
http://1netsuites.com/newsletter.htm

ANONYMOUS requests will be ignored.

TexNotary Newsletter - 06-10-06

2006-06-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

I could not post this newsletter for some reason - please use the link below to find it.

You can find my newsletters here when the "blogger" is acting up:

http://www.ymlp.com/pubarchive.php?texnotary

2006-06-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

You can always find my
newsletter at
TexNotaryNewsletter.blogspot.com

Dear Readers:

This is an "appreciation" edition. It's only been a few days but I decided to go ahead and share my experiences this week with you. Lot's of new subscribers! As always,
I try not to send out unimportant information. I focus on making money and
saving money for the person who is, like me, the average notary seeking
opportunity to increase their income.

(Thank you to all the new folks who have joined
my mailing list. Just in the last few days over 40 have subscribed!)

This time:

Is there a Problem With
Dmoz.org
Editors?

Loan Document Downloads (Online/Free)

-Regular loans

-Reverse Mortgage Loan Documents

Trip Fees vs. Full Fees

Arizona
Network Meeting - June 25, 2006

Car Sign Marketing Ideas

Off Topic Health & Home (Tried and True)

-Indigestion Cure

-Laundry Cures

-Tea Tree Oil Cures (Sinus, fleas, fungus, lots of things)

-Flea cures

"Revenue Hub" Ideas

-
Google.com
Ads

- Niche Sales and Marketing

- Affiliate Marketing

-------------------------------------------

Is there a Problem with
Dmoz.org
Notary Editors?

Notaries really need to consider this article if they get notary work
from their own website.

Dmoz.org
is the directory that
Google.com
pulls its indexing from. If
you are not in
Dmoz.org
you won't have much of a chance to get found on

Google.com
. However, that does not mean that you will not be found on the other
search engines which are independent of
Dmoz.org
and
Google.com
such as MSN.com
and Yahoo.com. These sites use different criteria to determine popularity.

Dmoz.org
is critical to marketing your site on the internet. Here's why
I think we may have a little problem going on.

The other day I was contacted by a very well-known notary-related
website owner who told me he had spent a ton of money on getting his site
recognized. However, his competitor was beating him out like crazy on

Google.com
.

To help him solve his problem, I ran a link popularity check on

Marketleap.com. It gave him very good placement. This did not make sense.
Finally it hit me. He's got popularity, I wonder where he is on
Dmoz.org
.
I went over to
Dmoz.org
and I checked his website on that site. It was not
there. If a site is not indexed into
Dmoz.org
, it's "sunk" so to speak on

Google.com
.

I wrote him with the results and guess what? He did a little checking
of his own and his major competitor is an editor of the section he chose to go
into in
Dmoz.org
.

A
Dmoz.org
"editor" is a volunteer position. If I have my facts right,
you take up the job and determine whether or not the sites you are putting into
your editorial section is worthy, or just another junk site. I am concerned
that in our notary world we may be getting slighted by
Dmoz.org
editors.

After running into this I felt concern that perhaps there is not a fair
rating method to get into the directory. I checked my own position and found I
had dropped off the face of the earth with

www.Texas-Signing-Agent.com.
My link is no longer in
Dmoz.org
. Both the person I mentioned and myself
have experienced a problem with
Dmoz.org
. I wonder if my problem is similar to
his. Is it possible the section editor has "lost" my link?

Today I wrote a letter in the directory's feedback. I would like to
know what you think about this theory of mine. If you would like to comment,
please send it to brendasblog@gmail.com .

Loan Document Downloads Online

Packet of Loan Documents

Are you new? Do you need to find documents so that you can get familiar
with loan packets?

Here is a link I found while searching what I call "invisible internet"
for information to broker. Download them here.

Reverse Mortgage Loan Documents for Practice

Awhile back I was sent a package of documents from another notary. I
have uploaded them here along with instructions on how to sign them. Enjoy

Trip Fees vs. Full Fees

(If the Borrowers Refuse to Sign)

This is a troublesome subject for me. Many times in the past I have
accepted the possiblity of trip fees. By trip fees, I mean there will not be a
full fee paid if the borrowers do not sign. You usually get a portion of the
fee.

You certainly cannot blame the hiring entity for wanting to put this in
their contract or confirmation, but can we be as pure as the driven snow if the
fee is not paid in full if the borrowers do not sign? I feel that I can, but my
problem is that the Texas Secretary of State has been very clear on what their
rules are on this. I keep a copy of the rules on my website just to know where
they are if I need them. You can see my page of rules right here - I took them
straight from the Texas SOS. Here's the language which I find restrictive.

"...The signature and seal of a Notary
Public do not prove these facts conclusively, but provide prima facie proof
of them, and allow persons in trade and commerce to rely upon the truth and
veracity of the Notary Public as a third party who has no personal interest
in the transaction.

A Notary Public is personally liable for
negligence or fraud in the performance of the duties of the office. The bond
is to insure that the person injured can recover at least $10,000.00, but
this does not protect the Notary Public from personal liability for the full
extent of damages caused by a breach of official duty. In addition to civil
liability, Notaries Public may be subject to criminal prosecution and the
revocation or suspension of their notary public commission by the Secretary
of State's office. ..."

Now, this does not mean if you have a good relationship with a title
company or other hiring company that you cannot go ahead and give them a break
on the backside of a signing gone defunct. However, I feel it's very clear if
you agree to a trip fee that it could be thought of as improper to take a
signing appointment in that case.

Yes, I know, it's been going on for years, but it's a worthwhile thing
to think about. It concerns me enough I am trying to figure out how to
carefully approach our Secretary of State about it so that I may get a ruling on
it.

Seeking
Feedback: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS, PLEASE
WRITE ME AT BRENDASBLOG@GMAIL.COM.
I WILL ONLY PUBLISH YOUR COMMENTS WITH YOUR NAME IF YOU SAY IT IS OKAY.
THANKS!

Arizona Networking Meeting - June 25, 2006

If you are an Arizona notary and have not yet signed
up for the up coming networking meeting taking place on June 25th or would like
to know more, please email jjrundall@cox.net
for a copy of the invitation for details regarding the meeting.

The deadline to RSVP is June 10th and there are currently over 45 notaries
registered to come. Don't miss out!! We have speakers scheduled, door prize give
aways, and so much more!!

Have a great day!!

Jennifer J. Rundall

Your Arizona Mobile Notary

Note from BrendaTx - I have provided
Jennifer with two copies of my Reverse Mortgage Notebooks for door prizes!

Car Sign Marketing Ideas

TRIED AND TRUE - TexNotary
Recommends: In the 06-06-2006 edition of my newsletter, I said that you
could get a Magnetic Sign for your car. Just to keep it real, I wanted to let
you know that I have one of those of my own, it works and here is a picture of
mine. Here is what mine says:

Mobile Notary 979-739-2690

www.TexNotary.com

(Click
here to see it and to view a few ideas of how to use it. I just placed
another order for four from Paul's Notary Mini-Mart myself.)

Purchase it here:

http://www.pawnotary.com/Mini-Mart.htm

The Diversified Revenue Hub

To steal a phrase "profit centers" from Charles Peavey in California,
he has acknowledged that creating streams of income (or in Charles' words, "setting up several profit centers") will keep the change rolling in. However, I
cannot steal his "profit center" phrase completely, so I did a little bit of
thesaurus research and came up with an alternative - I will call profit centers
(Charles' phrase) by a name I like for my own purpose: "The Diversified
Revenue Hub."

As you know, your time is a very valuable thing. You can devote it all
to your signing business and make more money with your time through having your
eggs all in one basket (which might work well for you) or you can venture off
into a few tried and true things which I do to create other income. Small
revenue makers will create small bits of income. Bit by bit small streams of
income from the becomes quite a nice little flow.

We have talked about things in the past such as serving subpoenas,
non-loan work, taking real estate pictures (here's
some of my work) and inspections. For the ones who want to make the
internet spit a little change back at them, consider these things, but FIRST:

I heartily endorse every one of you to take a simple course in FrontPage, or
website creation as soon as you can.

Once you learn how to do simple web pages
you can (1) draw more business by having a page which will advertise your
services, (2) you can actually put Google ads on your site and make a few extra
pennies each day...or maybe even hundreds a month, (4) Consider a niche
marketing site of simple products (5) You can sell affiliate marketing products
from your site.

Google Ads

Google Ads will make you money? Yes, I love them. It took me
months to get a check from
Google.com
, but now, it's coming together rather
nicely. So many people think that I stay on notary boards because I am so in
love with seeing my name on those boards. I'll admit, it's nice to be noticed,
but the truth is I decided a long time ago to begin a step off into affiliate
marketing and publishing my content and other writings. This was something I
was interested in before my notary career took off.

Niche Marketing & Selling
Simple Products

Niche Marketing and selling very simple products will generate a side
income that becomes handy pocket change.

So, how does one get into a niche and market? Well, let me start by
warning you that this rambles a bit, but stay with me and you'll see what I
mean.

The Cornbread Niche - Very Simple Example

"Back in the day" people used to try all kinds of newspaper ads to get
people to send them a few bucks. Those, however, were really scams.

However, there is a type of ad that is run in places where older folks
or dedicated homemakers tend to read and it generates income for people. It's a
recipe ad. I marvel every time I see this diligent man named George tagging his
posts with his Grandmother's Cornbread Recipe. He writes and posts
on several groups and always signs off with his cornbread recipe. He gets
involved in forums where his signature with "Grandmothers" recipe ad brings in a
few bucks every time he posts. It's okay to click on this
one, I will not earn or win from it! It's one of his most recent
posts.

This is one type of "niche" marketing -- very simple. This guy has been
selling this recipe for seven years that I know of. All the dude does is posts
his little cornbread recipe around on the internet for sale. I have also seen
it in magazines for homemakers, the National Enquirer ads and in Opportunity
Magazine. People are buying it or ol' George would not still be
posting
it.

More Complicated Niche Marketing Ideas

Now, for the more sophisticated niche marketer, you learn your hobby
and/or trade really well and write publications about them. "How-to's" are in
and of themselves a niche writing market, but so is any subject you choose to
become an "expert" in and begin to write on it.

Now, as we all know, Victoria Ring has her site which is not actually
the end all site for notaries according to some. (Let me stop and say,
however, all I needed was her book on how to start the business and I got the
concept. It was a great starting place.) However, Victoria Ring is an
excellent example of an entrepreneurial type who researches and writes
"How-to's" about any number of working from home opportunities. Whether
you approve of them or not, she's good at self-publishing and making money from
it.

You do not have to like what she does to realize if
you are a home economics major, you might have a niche to slip into...or if you
love dogs, or birds, or ice skating, comic books, whatever...you can become a
niche marketer of simple publications or even products. Products?
Even without writing? Yes, you can do something called affiliate marketing
and I touch on that below, but first let me get into information brokering.

Information Brokering

One type of niche marketing is a topic I call information brokering. I
am currently writing a book on that. I put it down about six months ago when I
began to move and have not picked it back up because I wanted to start brokering
information again before I began to tell how well you could do at it. It had
been awhile since I had a big hit (the 90's) so I had to wait awhile to "keep
it real and let you know how it would go.

Information Brokering is a good internet business you can work from
home. If you are interested in brokering information With a website, it's
a very simple concept. You can (1) develop information products that people in
your "niche" truly do need or are interested in (2) Sell them from your website
using PayPal.

For instance, I developed a list by researching the 'net which is over

5000 Lenders and Escrow addresses in California.
I sell it for $15.95. It took many hours to produce. However, I sell a few
each week to people who are looking to send out marketing pieces of their own.
Now that I have the list, all I have to do is receive the Paypal.com
payment and then return it by email.

To develop an information brokering bussines, just like when developing
any other business, you have to have a plan. You must set goals, plan, and
set up a simple website. If you want a work from home internet business, you
must have internet presence. If you buy into the idea that you can get rich
overnight you are dreaming.

I have been disclosing some of the kinds of things that I do in my
"spare" time. I will not tell you that I am making a mint at all these things
because I am not. However, I am turning my time into money through easy does
it--baby steps, one step at a time and all that jazz. If you have a
direction and a destination, and if you keep moving a little bit each day,
eventually get will get there.

As I know from experience, you cannot jump up and become an ace notary
signing agent at the top of your craft in Texas, and develop an affiliate
marketing site, plus set up an information brokerage that will rock the world
for you by the end of the month AND do so all at the same time.

However, you can do a little at a time. That's what I do. I blog and I
capture "content." The content I create drives people to my website.

Content

That is a fancy way to say articles, writing, or text, if you will.
Content is the thing that just tickles the fancy of the search engines.

Once I had a lady take a huge piece of content I had just written and
slice it up to Reader's Digest style. While I understood her purpose, it was
wrong for the 'net. The search engines crave to see words and information. The
internet information seeker, product purchaser actually craves to see as much as
they can about the subject. So, toss out concise writing when you consider
working in the internet world of searching and seeking information.
It's different than when you develop your professional website. However,
a word to the wise: If you want your professional notary website to be
noticed by search engines, put lots and lots of content in it. Four pages
will not cut it for great response on
Google.com
.

Affiliate Marketing

What is affiliate marketing? It's an arrangement between you and a
place like Linkshare.com where you (the website publisher) can slip links into
your website which will drive people from your site to a product.

For instance via affiliate marketing you can sell printers, computers,
any number of items. I have links which hook into Overstock.com, and my dear
notary friend, there's not much you cannot find at Overstock.com!

Lots of good stuff notaries need as well as the public at large. If you
want to purchase a great book on this subject, take a look at Jim Martel's
Affiliate Marketing Handbook. And, if you were to decide to purchase it, just be
aware, I will make a percentage from it. This is how affiliate marketing brings
money back to you. Every product you sell from your site will yield a bit of
revenue.

Affiliate marketing online is
a big, big deal and a real way to make money online. I
personally used Jim Martel's techniques for getting search engine recognition
and it's paid off for me. I cannot seem to get into affiliate marketing like I
should because I like to "talk" to the people that read my newsletters and blogs.
With affiliate marketing you need to be more of an article writer.

My main purpose in life is to be independent and to be happy and have
joy. Writing a "conversation" out for you makes me feel good.

Therefore, I am happier making money off of my
Google.com
ads and
writing as a niche marketer with publications I feel good about telling you to
purchase. I won't endorse something if I cannot figuratively look you in the
eye and say, "try it."

There is a world of information at your finger tips on
how to work from home or make money online. Hopefully, I have given you
some ideas on what's out there that I believe is worthwhile to look into.

Just remember, you did not become a great loan signing
notary in two days and the other things are similar. There is not a magic
bullet that will send you soaring over to party with Donald Trump by engraved
invitation.

Off Topic Health & Home

DISCLAIMER - DON'T TRY ANY OF THESE HEALTH AND
HOME REMEDIES ON MY OWN RECOMMENDATION - DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST! USE AT YOUR
OWN RISK.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com recommends:
Do you ever get really bad
indigestion? I was starting to and I began to take a product that I purchase at
Wal-Mart for $6-$7. The brand I take is Rexall, and it's called "Multi-Enzyme
Supplement." I am sold on this like you would not believe. Seriously, if you
get heartburn, pick up a bottle of those and take them according to
instructions. My mom has started taking them also. If you are like me, you'll
find that this will be a cure.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com
recommends: Fels Naptha Soap

Back when our parents were growing up there was a product put out by
dial called Fels Naptha Soap. The Queen of Clean has revived it. Pick up a bar
of it at Kroger's and try applying it to underarm persiration and ring around
the collar. Let it sit before you wash.

If you really like to save money (and have a touch of the "potion maker"
in you) let me send you to a website which has a recipe for making up a great
batch of problem solving soap for your laundry. It's cheap and it has four
ingredients (1) Fels Naptha Soap (2) Washing Soda (3) Borax (4) Water.

I keep this stuff made up and wash with it often. It will make your
whites whiter than they have been in awhile - especially if you add a little
bleach or non-chlorine bleach.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com recommends:
Borax for Men and Boys (Laundry)

I had boys. Sometimes that young "manly" smell does not get out of the
clothes like it should. It will make the house smell like a locker room.

Since I inspect apartments I can always peg the kid who is not getting
his clothes clean. It hits me like thick nostalgia -- I remember my sister
gagging on our vacation to Mexico with me and my boys. (She did not have
boys.) We were riding
around in Cancun with two thirteen year olds "reeking" (to her) even after they
just got out of the shower.

We had left our Borax at home. I made the boys rinse off with a
little borax in water on occasion. It's a natural freshener. Borax (and/or the recipe mentioned above) will eliminate that smell in your
sons' closets and bedrooms. Wash their clothes in it. Always.

Just for good measure sprinkle some borax around
and let it sit in there before you vacuum. You'll be able to enjoy the way the
house smells again when it's really clean. It's only a few bucks to pick this
stuff up. Just try it and you'll remember "fresh" smells so good.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com
recommends: Tea Tree Oil -

I started a new job at the Small Business
Development Center in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Had not been sick
for years, but first rattle out of the box, I had
fever and sinus infection. I was out of my stand-by remedy--my trusty peroxide
for gargling. I spied my Tea
Tree Oil bottle which I used once to kill germs around the windows in my house
where the dogs lay rather than using bleach.

I began to gargle with water laced with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil. I
also inhaled it over a steaming bowl of microwave boiled water. It nipped my
little ailment in the bud within a couple of days. Especially the aromatherapy
part. I would get instant relief from that.

Since then I have begun to use a few teaspoons in my dishwater and my
"fine washables" laundry, items, as well. It kills germs without having to
reach for the clothes staining bleach or running the dishwasher for a few
dishes.

Try a half teaspoon in a quart of water when you shower and rinse off
with it - it gets you
really clean! It kills germs and has been recommended as an alternative to
deodorant.

It also kills fungal infections such as athlete's foot and overactive
candida. Caution - some may be very sensitive to this product. By
the way, I buy mine at
Wal-Mart.

Flea repellant usage - some say that a few drops on the dog collar will repel fleas. Just be
careful how you use it on that notary dog. Make sure they cannot lick it. I personally prefer
Lavender Oil on
my dogs. Turns them into mobile deodorizers and keeps the fleas at bay.

REPORTED TRIED AND TRUE:
Borax for fleas - Haven't tried this for fleas but I hear from Di Ramey, a notary
in in North Texas, that it's a miracle cure for fleas in a house. Put a cup of
borax in a blender and mix it up until it is power. Grab a big old power shaker
or a large salt shaker and shake it well into the carpet. Leave it overnight.
Vacuum up. You'll kill fleas and deodorize your rugs.

GOT A HOME REMEDY THAT'S A TIME AND MONEY SAVER? LET ME KNOW...SEND IT
TO BRENDASBLOG@GMAIL.COM . I'll give you blog space and we'll all learn something
from you! I love trying these things. They work and they are cheaper
by a long shot.

2006-06-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

You can always find my
newsletter at
TexNotaryNewsletter.blogspot.com

Dear Readers:

This is an "appreciation" edition. It's only been a few days but I decided to go ahead and share my
experiences this week with you. Lot's of new subscribers! As always,
I try not to send out unimportant information. I focus on making money and
saving money for the person who is, like me, the average notary seeking
opportunity to increase their income.

(Thank you to all the new folks who have joined
my mailing list. Just in the last few days over 40 have subscribed!)

This time:

Is there a Problem With
Dmoz.org
Editors?

Loan Document Downloads (Online/Free)

-Regular loans

-Reverse Mortgage Loan Documents

Trip Fees vs. Full Fees

Arizona
Network Meeting - June 25, 2006

Car Sign Marketing Ideas

Off Topic Health & Home (Tried and True)

-Indigestion Cure

-Laundry Cures

-Tea Tree Oil Cures (Sinus, fleas, fungus, lots of things)

-Flea cures

"Revenue Hub" Ideas

-
Google.com
Ads

- Niche Sales and Marketing

- Affiliate Marketing

-------------------------------------------

Is there a Problem with
Dmoz.org
Notary Editors?

Notaries really need to consider this article if they get notary work
from their own website.

Dmoz.org
is critical to marketing your site on the internet. Here's why
I think we may have a little problem going on.

I wrote him with the results and guess what? He did a little checking
of his own and his major competitor is an editor of the section he chose to go
into in
Dmoz.org
.

Today I wrote a letter in the directory's feedback. I would like to
know what you think about this theory of mine. If you would like to comment,
please send it to brendasblog@gmail.com .

Loan Document Downloads Online

Packet of Loan Documents

Are you new? Do you need to find documents so that you can get familiar
with loan packets?

Here is a link I found while searching what I call "invisible internet"
for information to broker. Download them here.

Reverse Mortgage Loan Documents for Practice

Awhile back I was sent a package of documents from another notary. I
have uploaded them here along with instructions on how to sign them. Enjoy

Trip Fees vs. Full Fees

(If the Borrowers Refuse to Sign)

"...The signature and seal of a Notary
Public do not prove these facts conclusively, but provide prima facie proof
of them, and allow persons in trade and commerce to rely upon the truth and
veracity of the Notary Public as a third party who has no personal interest
in the transaction.

A Notary Public is personally liable for
negligence or fraud in the performance of the duties of the office. The bond
is to insure that the person injured can recover at least $10,000.00, but
this does not protect the Notary Public from personal liability for the full
extent of damages caused by a breach of official duty. In addition to civil
liability, Notaries Public may be subject to criminal prosecution and the
revocation or suspension of their notary public commission by the Secretary
of State's office. ..."

Seeking
Feedback: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS, PLEASE
WRITE ME AT BRENDASBLOG@GMAIL.COM.
I WILL ONLY PUBLISH YOUR COMMENTS WITH YOUR NAME IF YOU SAY IT IS OKAY.
THANKS!

Arizona Networking Meeting - June 25, 2006

Note from BrendaTx - I have provided
Jennifer with two copies of my Reverse Mortgage Notebooks for door prizes!

Car Sign Marketing Ideas

Mobile Notary 979-739-2690

www.TexNotary.com

(Click
here to see it and to view a few ideas of how to use it. I just placed
another order for four from Paul's Notary Mini-Mart myself.)

Purchase it here:

http://www.pawnotary.com/Mini-Mart.htm

The Diversified Revenue Hub

I heartily endorse every one of you to take a simple course in FrontPage, or
website creation as soon as you can.

Google Ads

Niche Marketing & Selling
Simple Products

Niche Marketing and selling very simple products will generate a side
income that becomes handy pocket change.

So, how does one get into a niche and market? Well, let me start by
warning you that this rambles a bit, but stay with me and you'll see what I
mean.

The Cornbread Niche - Very Simple Example

"Back in the day" people used to try all kinds of newspaper ads to get
people to send them a few bucks. Those, however, were really scams.

More Complicated Niche Marketing Ideas

Information Brokering

However, you can do a little at a time. That's what I do. I blog and I
capture "content." The content I create drives people to my website.

Content

That is a fancy way to say articles, writing, or text, if you will.
Content is the thing that just tickles the fancy of the search engines.

Affiliate Marketing

My main purpose in life is to be independent and to be happy and have
joy. Writing a "conversation" out for you makes me feel good.

Off Topic Health & Home

DISCLAIMER - DON'T TRY ANY OF THESE HEALTH AND
HOME REMEDIES ON MY OWN RECOMMENDATION - DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST! USE AT YOUR
OWN RISK.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com
recommends: Fels Naptha Soap

I keep this stuff made up and wash with it often. It will make your
whites whiter than they have been in awhile - especially if you add a little
bleach or non-chlorine bleach.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com recommends:
Borax for Men and Boys (Laundry)

I had boys. Sometimes that young "manly" smell does not get out of the
clothes like it should. It will make the house smell like a locker room.

TRIED AND TRUE TexNotary.com
recommends: Tea Tree Oil -

Try a half teaspoon in a quart of water when you shower and rinse off
with it - it gets you
really clean! It kills germs and has been recommended as an alternative to
deodorant.

It also kills fungal infections such as athlete's foot and overactive
candida. Caution - some may be very sensitive to this product. By
the way, I buy mine at
Wal-Mart.

The 666 Edition of TexNotary Newsletter

2006-06-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the "666" (06/06/2006)

edition of my TexNotary Newsletter!
Special note: Do not miss the article near the bottom about the rev
mort notary group.

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Putting out a newsletter is not a thing that's
easy to do if you are not getting paid for it, or unless you are
passionate about writing it. I am only passionate about delivering
this publication when there is "real" information to put into it.
Otherwise, it only becomes a form of self-admiration and that's not
exactly what I would like to be known for.

Realizing it's been a long time since the TexNotary Newsletter went
out, I looked deep into my current interests to find something
worthwhile for you guys to read, as well as something that I feel is
worthwhile to write about related to our notary signing agent work,
or to the type of readership I have.

Since the signing business has slowed for many, I decided to share
what I have learned over the past month about how to get more
business.

(Also, please note that the "GREAT VALUE MARKETING ITEMS" which I
recommend in this letter can also be found at the bottom of this
letter.)

Brainstorming for More Business

If you are a signing agent in a state which allows notaries to
collect signatures and act as a
signing agent in the home, there is not going to be a wealth of
refinance loans coming to you
because of the rising interest rate. Perhaps we got a little "fat and
lazy" but now is a good time to double and re-double your marketing.
Without a stream of refinance loan work, right off the top of my
head, I'd say that leaves us with

-purchase/sell transactions

-home improvement loans

-new construction loans

-home equity and lines of credit

-reverse mortgages

-delinquent tax loans

-non-loan work
===============
DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ:

I am certainly no authority, no legal eagle, or much more than just
a gal from Texas who
likes to write about what she thinks she knows.

I am not a lawyer, nor paralegal and I have not even
graduated from college. Okay that being said, let's go on to the
first topic.
===============
For the seasoned notary signing agent, it will not be difficult to
figure out how to get more
of this business. You, like me are already at it.

For the "marketing-impaired" I will briefly
touch on how to get out there and find more business in the
above-noted arenas. Here are some ideas as well as tips on fees, who
to market to, what to watch for and differences.

-purchase/sell transactions
I get these from Bancserv, mostly. I also hear that TitleStream is
also doing a few of these.
I have not gotten one. A purchase/sell without a loan is a tiny
package. Charge what you
would for a 50 document signing. These usually contain about three or
four notarizations. I
Charge $75 for local non-loan purchase/sells. There are barely more
documents than a HUD, a
transferring deed, and sometimes it is done with a power of attorney.

However, friends, if you have a loan attached to these there are a
few noteworthy topics.

(1) There will not be a Notice of Right to Cancel on a purchase/sell
loan.

(2) If there is a construction loan attached to it, you are actually
going to have two packages, a small one (seller) and a large one
which is actually usually a pretty big package for the buyer. There
will be two HUDs in many instances. Get really good with the HUD or
you'll feel very insecure
with a purchase/sell.

(3) Buyer and Seller may want two different times / places - CHARGE
ACCORDINGLY.

(4) Question the hiring entity closely. Do not let them hit you with
two packages and two different appointments. Start with doubling your
base fee, double your edoc fee and add $25 for good measure. That will
be a reasonable fee for your appointment.

-home improvement loans
When I think of home improvement loans, I think of Tony Negrete's
signing service, Negrete's
Notaries. Tony is a good guy, in my opinion, by the way.

Thanks to him, I have done many, many decent paying loans in my area
for swimming
pools. Thanks to those loan packages I have become familiar with home
improvement loans and
builder/contractor paperwork. If you have never done any home
improvement loans, you should
sign up with Tony Negrete at http://www.negretesnotaries.com . If you
are already signed up at
www.notarycafe.com you will not have a problem getting work from
Tony because he uses that
database.

In Texas, a notary cannot do many types of home improvement loans
inside the borrower's home,
however. You should be aware that Texas notaries are limited to such
as new pool loans and new
construction loans unless they have ties with a title company or a
law office, or a branch of
the lender. You cannot close loans for such as new aluminum siding.
The theory behind this is
to keep the predatory lender from accomplishing the feat of attaching
a loan to a unwary
borrower's home and then foreclosing on it.

Find out for yourself what you can and cannot do in your own state
legally before you jump out
there and spend a ton trying to find new business.

For a home improvement loan you should charge a decent base fee, plus
consider there are a few
extra documents. Always charge additional for eDocs.

-new construction loans
I have done new home construction loans for Bancserv and Lenders
First Choice. However, I would
recommend soliciting a few small local builders who are aggressive in
your community. What you
need to know about this is outside of refinance work is to learn your
HUD very well.

-home equity and lines of credit
If you are in Texas, you cannot do these without having the benefit
of using a title company
closing room, or a lawyer's office or a lender's branch. I cannot say
this enough. Texans, do
not listen to a signing service person telling you, "It's okay.
Notaries do it all the time."
Other states will find this to be their mainstay in the next year.

Because of the Texas predicament I have found a lawyer who does these
also. I work as an
extension of his office, so to speak. I quote what he charges and use
his office. I pay him
one-half of my fee on the spot. This is not price-fixing. It is me
recognizing his resource
in the office he has, and him recognizing that I bring business into
his office at a reasonable
rate that way.

-reverse mortgages
I have recently written a book on how I view the closing of a reverse
mortgage. If you would
like to purchase it, please go to my website at
http://www.TexNotary.com ( http://www.TexNotary.com ) and look for
the link.
It is currently $9.95 and is available in "preview form." You can get
more information at the
link on my site. This book will help a "newbie" only after they have
closed a few other loans.

In order to find more reverse mortgages to do, you need to start
using search engines and
entering your city (or surrounding cities) in your area to find the
loan officers to hit up
individiually. I use this marketing piece from time to time, or
create a similar one:
http://www.texas-signing-agent.com/marketing/campaign110905.htm (
http://www.texas-signing-agent.com/marketing/campaign110905.htm ) .

To send out my marketing pieces, I use http://www.ymlp.com (
http://www.ymlp.com ) which is a mailing list manager.

-DELINQUENT TAX LOANS
If you are interested - find companies you might be able to work for
like this: Try searching this out on the search engines "making
property tax loans to businesses and homeowners." I have also heard
these are small packages and take little time to do. Try searching
for companies that offer these. I was called last fall for two and
did not accept because they only pay less than my base. I did not
want to get into a big mess for little money. However, I have since
heard that these may offer several in a day and that the times/days
on them are flexible. I am soliciting companies which do them.
These loans are limited so I am not exposing my targets, but wanted
to put a bug in your ear so you could find some of your own clients.

-non-loan work

TEXNOTARY TRIED AND TRUE MARKETING TECHNIQUES- MAGNETIC CAR SIGNS -
$12.00
If you do not have a mobile notary magnetic car sign you are missing
a ton of business. This
is the best deal going for this type of work if you move your car
around town frequently.
http://pawnotary.com/CarSign.htm - it's around $12.00 and not only is
it useful, it's cute,
too! Be sure to tell them you heard about it from me!

TEXNOTARY TRIED AND TRUE MARKETING TECHNIQUES - BOOK / LAURA VESTANEN
- $10.00
Ms. Laura Vestanen has written a wonderful little book on the
subject. You MUST her book on
non-loan signings. Go to http://www.profesionalnotary.com or email
Laura at
professionalnotary@yahoo.com. Be sure to tell her you heard about it
here.
TEXNOTARY'S FREE TIP - MY BEST PERSONAL TIP ON NON-LOAN WORK is to go
to the places who will
need your services. Tell them you will come for free and do the work
IF they will give you the
name of the company who is sending them the paperwork to be
notarized. Nine times out of ten
you will find yourself being able to quote $25 to $45 for a quick
job. HMMM...THAT'S ABOUT AS CLEAR AS MUD. LET ME TRY THIS AGAIN.

It's a multi-step process. (1) Solicit employment agencies, doctors,
pharmacies, and medical related
industries. You need to prepare a folder with your card and a
fax-the-notary sheet. You can
find "fax-the-notary" sheet to use here - Go here:
http://texnotary.com/notary-rx/index.htm where you will see the
forms I use to make up my folders for soliciting business. (2) Now,
drop those off in a medical building by going door to door. (3) You
get a call or a fax from one of these people. Now, what you do is
find out who wants the job done, pick up the phone, call them, and
ask them if they will pay your fee. 100% OF THE TIME I GET A "YES."
(4) Go do the job, send a bill and get paid.
OTHER INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITY
SUBPOENA SERVICES:I have been serving "professional office"
subpoenas. It's easy work. Seek legal sites to spread your service
information to. I charge the going rate of $45. Usually, I get two in
the same medical office. 20 minutes, $90 - simple.

Real Estate Photographer: I am sending pictures on properties to
realtors as I see their signs out front. I propose to them that I
will go take those pictures for them for a price. It's
good work and I have one steady client. It saves him from having to
go take the pictures
himself.

Inspections: Join Fitalk (Field Inspector Talk at Googlegroups.com)
Once you are a member, you can download a very good set of my notes
on how to get started which will include a zip file of inspection
links, forms you need to get familiar with, training tips and more.
Go to: http://groups.google.com/group/Fitalk - You will need to be
granted access before you can peruse the group's archives. Look for a
post which says "The H Files"
=========================================
:: Great Value Marketing Tools ::

These are very good value marketing tools

5000+ lenders and escrow mailing list
go to http://1netsuites.com ( http://1netsuites.com ) - purchase for
$15.95
From TexNotary/BrendaTx
It will be emailed to you.

MOBILE NOTARY MAGNETIC CAR SIGN
go to http://pawnotary.com/CarSign.htm (
http://pawnotary.com/CarSign.htm ) around $12.00
From PaulFl (aka PAW)

MARKETING NON-LOAN NOTARY SERVICES - purchase for $9.88
go to http://professionalnotary.com ( http://professionalnotary.com )
From LauraV of Washington State

Once you learn this information, you can feel confident to do Reverse
Mortgages. Market yourself!!
MY OWN NOTES IN A REVERSE MORTGAGE NOTEBOOK
go to http://texnotary.com ( http://texnotary.com ) - find the link
- purchase for $9.95
From TexNotary/BrendaTx
It will be emailed to you.
REVERSE MORTGAGE NOTARIES -

Do you do, or are you interested in reverse mortgages? I have a
group set up to start putting together notaries who do rev morts. If
you will join it and help me spread the word, I will send you a
package of docs to help you get more familiar with the docs in a rev
mort package.

Okay - that's a come on. I have a secret mission for the purpose of
this group and it is not to start another notary database. Quite
frankly, I believe rev morts are the next wave. It may be a year, or
five before we are there, nonetheless, I am selfish in this maneuver.
It's to benefit ME by knowing notaries all over the US who do reverse
mortgages and do the RIGHT.

I have had great success with my network efforts at
Texas-Signing-Agent.com. A network of nationwide reverse mortgage
notaries who refers business to the group which will be located at
http://www.reverse-mortgage-notary.com (
http://www.reverse-mortgage-notary.com ) is my next exciting
adventure. The link will not work today. I have just ordered the
site.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT BEING A SIGNING SERVICE. I JUST KNOW THAT
NETWORKING WORKS. IT MAY TAKE AWHILE, BUT WE'LL GET THERE. THE
GOOGLEGROUP I AM ASKING YOU TO JOIN IS JUST A PLACE TO GET STARTED
COLLECTING INFORMATION AND PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED, WILLING TO
LEARN OR ALREADY KNOW THE WAY.

JOIN ME ATHTTP://GROUPS.GOOGLE.COM/GROUP/REVMORTNOTARY (
http://groups.google.com/group/revmortnotary )

You can remove yourself from the mailing list by going to the link at
the bottom of this newsletter.
========================================
Until next time...I remain, your humble notary publisher!

Brenda Tx

January 29, 2006 - Newsletter for Notaries

2006-01-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

Readers, thank you all for indulging me and letting me sneak into your email inbox.

For those outside of Texas, please forgive that I have two Texas issues to discuss this time.

This time:

Do you need to advertise to notaries?
Notary to Notary Selling and Buying

Texas Law and Identity
(Not NNA Handbook and Identity Rules)

Texas HELOC Locations
Follow up to Q&A on 50statenotary.com
regarding Question on HELOC location.

Notary Ezines, Blogs. Newsletters...
You might not know about them all.

How to Get Help Getting Started
Approaching experienced Notaries with
questions

Marketing YOU
Thinking successful thoughts

The Mind is...
(My positive and uppity words this week.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do You Need to Advertise to Notaries?
If you have a product that you think would benefit the notary community, I'd be more than happy to run an ad for you in my newsletter. Put it in the form of a news release and send it. Here's a little tip: Over the past few years, I have noticed that Victoria Ring has been very gracious about running beneficial ads for notaries at no charge. Her newsletter list is probably 30 times as big as mine.

What about Notary to Notary Selling and Buying?

If you want to advertise to notaries and sell your wares, here is a place...The more traffic I can get to my websites, the better. To keep the record straight - - - I am not an exceedingly nice person who does all this stuff for free, you know. I have my motives. I enjoy my blogs and I do this thing with websites because it gives me a place to write where my articles don't have to meet any criteria except for the search engines and me. I sound off and I get things off my chest.

So, I thought I would give links and a little space to people who want to sell their stuff. Maybe like an ebay for notaries. I actually have the structure I need to do classified ads and auctions.

We will just see what interest is generated.
(Disclaimer: Newsletter editor, Brenda Stone, reserves the right to refuse to run ads for any reason.)

Texas Law and Identity - Not NNA Handbook and Identity Rules
(This could apply in similar fashion to other states.)

The question in Texas is: Is the Signer GENUINE?

The question in Texas is not: Does the identification
perfectly match the signer's name in the document?

I fear our Texas notary rules have fallen under the truth-eating Notary Myth and Innuendo Tree. I believe we have rolled out of the light of day and into the dense forest of what SEEMS correct because that's what is in the NNA book.

Well, to me it seems like this is more of the National Notary Association's push to make us all worry that the sky is falling and everyone is out to commit fraud. It stands to reason, if we worry, we spend more on notary products...classes...fraud finding tools...insurance, etc. Think about that while you read this.

What does our Texas Notary Educational Materials say about Identity of the signer?

#1 - It says we cannot use a a credit card to identify the signer. We must use government issued identification. We can use a passport. To wit, "SHOULD A NOTARY PUBLIC RELY ONLY ON A CREDIT CARD IN DETERMINING THE IDENTIFICATION OF A SIGNER?No. If the signer is not personally known by the Notary Public or identified by a credible witness, the Notary Public must use an identification card issued by a governmental agency or a passport issued by the United States to identify the signer. "

#2 - Also our materials say the notary is declaring the notary has seen that the signer is genuine as well as the signature of the person and that we are declaring the reason for signing is genuine. Quoting: "The primary duty of a Notary Public is to show that a disinterested party (the Notary Public) has duly notified the signer of an instrument as to the importance of such document, and the signer of such document has declared that the signer's identity, signature, and reasons for signing such instrument are genuine."

That is it. That's what the law says.

Do you see anything here that says if Julia Ann Perkins is stated on her driver's license to be Julia Smith Perkins that you do not let them sign the document as Julia Ann Perkins.

Only once have a refused based on peculiar identification presented. The woman's name was Tonya Lee Brown on her driver's license. In the documents it was was Tanya Braun Howard. Pretty darn big deviation. In her criminal record it was 27 different other things. No...I did not sign that one.

The law is what we go by. It is printed right out there in third grader's language in our educational materials. We can see it does not say anything about matching the names perfectly...It says we determine if our signer is genuine.

We do not go by what is in the handbook of notary organizations. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. And, because of the handbooks sold by the NNA and other organizations (I suppose) this is being carried a little too far in my very, very humble opinion. I am not practicing law and I am not a lawyer! However, I can read and I do not try to become guided by rules that are not ours.

You need to do what you think is right...however, let me vehemently state, that we are not guided by the NNA. We are not guided by Califorinia or Florida Law. Be careful that you do not overstep your boundaries demanding identification that is necessary in California or Florida.

If the person before you is the person who is stated in the document, I see nothing that says that the middle name or initial has to be stated perfectly so. Is the signer GENUINE? That's our question, by what I see in our rules.

Also, I see that we can use ONE (1) credible witness. It does not take two in Texas.

In my experience working for attorneys I have relied upon them to interpret this for me and they agreed. If the person is the person, then do not hold up a document for perfectly matched identification that will never be produced.

The only thing that says I am Brenda Cher Stone is my birth certificate. Would that do the job to identify me? No. Because it says I am Brenda Cher Smith--it does not say Stone. If I present a Texas Driver's License with Brenda Stone, then that's going to have to be good enough. (Cher's not really my middle name, but I do think I look an awful lot like her, don't you? Okay...it was supposed to be funny, but I digress.)

In closing - rethink where you are getting your information. Is it California rules? Is it Florida Rules? Is it a notary organization that is NOT telling you what the TEXAS law says? I think there is an epidemic of notaries who have not realized that the Texas law is the Texas notary's guide, and furthermore that the NNA's suggested way is either shaped by California law or they have shaped the laws in California. NNA answers do not have ANYTHING to do with the Texas Notary's Questions.

Forget calling the NNA until you have looked at your own TEXAS RULES and materials.

If you still do not know, call the Secretary of State.
Notary Public (512) 463-5705
Write them at this email: notary@sos.state.tx.us
You can Fax them at: (512) 475-2815

For certain, if you work within the laws at the SOS site you cannot go wrong.

The lawmakers in Texas say they make the laws. Friends, they are very serious about it.

I have seen them peer at the NNA with very narrow eyes. I was there when the NNA went before them to ask our lawmakers to rewrite the rules. They did not. Case closed.

It was about education...
The NNA desired to see Texas become a new ground for them to teach and offer classes. I want our notaries to be required to take classes and a test, but I do not want the NNA to teach them.

If only Texas lawmakers would have allowed the notary bill to pass...all of us would be paying $200 each one to four years to get re-commissioned. The NNA hoped to become teachers of TEXAS Notary Law and procedures. The bill that would have caused this to happen FAILED.

I endorsed a suggestion that the State Bar of Texas write a course and Test and administer it for free. Okay...down off the soapbox.

Let's make sure you we follow the TEXAS law about the identity process, NOT the suggested methods by other sources.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notary Ezines, Blogs, Newsletters, Words, Verbiage, Bloviating, Pontificating

AMRNOTARY.COM http://www.monicaroberts.com/
NOTARYCLASSES.com http://www.notaryclasses.com/notaryNews2006.pdf
50StateNotary.com http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/
TexNotary's Newsletter is here http://texnotarynewlsetter.blogspot.com

SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter (OR UNSUBSCRIBE) HERE:
http://www.1netsuites.com/newsletter-notaries-subscribe.htm

Please advise if there are others online that I have missed.
_______________________________________
_________

Comment on the Following Q & A From Ezine (The Notary News) at www.50statenotary.com From their website I have quoted their copyright information. I have a great deal of respect for both Victoria Ring and Victoria Riviera, however, I disagree with the following answer to a question.

Copyright Notice: You may freely publish any articles that appear in The Notary News issues as long as you include our company name (50 State Notary) and provide a link (at the top or bottom of article) to our website at (http://www.50statenotary.com). Also, the article you choose to republish cannot be altered in any way and must appear in its entirety.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTING FROM The Notary News - Issue 110 located here:
http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/issue110.html#questions

Dear Victoria: I have handled several closings recently that required the use of a lawyer or title company's office. I don't understand why they have a requirement to handle the closing at their office because they don't participate in any way. Do you know the purpose behind some loan companies handling closings like this and others, with the same type loan, sending the signing agent to the client's home? It seems to defeat the purpose of having the closing come to them since they are now coming to us. (Patricia in Texas)

I am slipping my answer in (in pink) between the question and the answer given by Victoria Riviera. I did drop Ms. Riviera a line twice but perhaps she did not receive my emails. I am not a nitpicker who wants to split hairs, but this is kind of important.

Texas Notaries can do refinance loans in the home unlike the answer below states. That really disturbed me.

This is not about the type of transaction which was discussed in the answer given.

This is about a HELOC. In Texas, you cannot do a Line of Credit in a home. You must do it in a title company office, law office of a lender's branch.

Rather than belabor the point, I will leave it at this and assure you that HELOCs are why Patricia went to the title company office. They did not participate (as she queried) because they are allowing the notary to have the room as a courtesy.

If this is not done properly, the loan is not perfected. There are penalities for the lender.

If you have questions about this , please contact me at agent@texnotary.com .

To learn the law for yourself on these loans, please go to:

Consumer Credit Commission
http://www.occc.state.tx.us/pages/Legal/Laws/home_eq/interp_set.html

Thomas Law
ttp://www.thomas-law.com/equityloans.html

The following is the answer from Ms. Riviera:
Dear Patricia: Below is the explanation provided from the Texas Finance Code Chapter 39. If an individual is pulling equity out of the house (they always will because they pay their closing costs from the proceeds of the refinance) then it must be done at an attorney's office or title company:
Home solicitation transaction If the buyer of realty is not represented by an attorney, there is no Realtor involved, and the negotiations (sending contract to buyer's home and calling buyer) and contract was made at a place other than a seller's place of business (i.e. at an attorney's office or title company), a cancellation notice will probably be required. Chapter 39, Finance Code, HB 10, 9/1/97. This will save you wear and tear on your vehicle and the cost of fuel so there is a silver lining in the law for you.

END OF Q&A QUOTE FROM WWW.50STATENOTARY.COM ]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
GETTING NON-LOAN WORK
Never forget there is a booklet on this website that is about getting work that is NON-Loan notary work. Laura Vestanen's book - go to www.professionalnotary.com .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Get Help Getting Started -
What you need to know on how to approach experienced notaries to get information. This article is so long, I hung it on my other blog. Click the link above to get there.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketing YOU, too.

Your business is limited by those who are your consumers. You are only limited by how much you will put into finding businesses to start, starting them and growing them.

If you want to give your own potential for starting a business a boost, get a pen and start writing out every problem you encounter during the day. If you have the problem, maybe others do as well. When you find a problem, if you can develop a solution, you might have an invention or a solution on your hands.

Watch your surroundings
I probably should not tell this before I check into it myself, but suppose you are looking at houses. You find one you like and you are thrilled because there is a stand with a flyer on it. The flyer box is empty. Someone needs to keep those full! The condo two doors down is like that. I think in a real estate hot place, you could start a business printing and delivering those little flyers.

Think about every opportunity. Be POSITIVE.
Come up with ideas...make long lists of them.
Keep a list of what you need to get done every day.
Fill your days up and stay busy. The busier you are, the more you will have ideas.

Do not use tired, mundane marketing strategies.
If you do, you are going to sink. Think yourself around the problems of oversaturation and refinance slowdown. Do not, for Pete's sake, do not start going into the red immediately by cutting your price way down. That will not do anything but put you out of business in the red.

If you do not charge enough, you are sunk. If you set a fair price, you may get less business but you will have more free time to find other jobs.

Are you the type who likes to toy around with ideas for businesses?
I am working on some ideas to share that I think will work for work at home type business. If you are interested, please fill out this form. I am considering developing a network of brainstormers. No stinking thinkers allowed!!

You can do whatever you want to do!
It all depends on how much you are willing to do to create a business.

Writing is one talent you should sharpen up a bit....
Writing something I believe will be a sought after skill from now on. Web content (articles) are necessary. If you can write at all, start polishing your skills. Start a blog, practice writing a journal. If you cannot write, consider trying to learn.

Learn to do a little bit of web page building . If you want to work from home and with your computer, you better learn to do some web page building. Don't let those young ones get a tiny bit ahead of you!

===============================================================
Getting more business from a product or service comes in one of four ways.

You increase the number of those who use your type of business.
You increase the rate of purchase.
You retain existing customers.
You acquire new customers.

Use these four statements to brainstorm different ways to develop more business.

MY POSITIVELY AND UPPITY WORDS FOR THIS WEEK :

The Mind is...

Bulletin - Bookmark this Link - 1NetSuites.com

2006-01-15T02:43:00.000-08:00

[This is posted on my newsletter link http://texnotarynewsletter.blogspot.com]

==============================================================
Greetings All!

1NetSuites.com - bookmark it!!

I have recently set up a website with a domain I used for a project a couple of years ago in college. For now, 1NetSuites.com will be the site housing my "Suites for Internet Sources by Brenda Tx." (Have to work that name in there somehow!)

I have not been able to think of a domain name for two new businesses I am working on so I decided to recycle this one for the time being. If I update it, you will be forwarded by this site to the new ones.

You want to bookmark it because this is where you will be able to find information products which I will be offering such as this one:

List of California Escrow Mortgage and Title Businesses
PRICE: $15.95 - 5000+ Records All have company name, address, city state and zip. Many have telephone numbers. Suitably delimited for ease in mail merge. Price is $15.95 and subject to change to $19.95 after introductory period. Compare to other sites which sell similar business leads list for 20 times that amount. If you would like to see a sample of the finished product, you may download a short list here. Once I have received your payment for this product, I will email the list to you.
If you purchase this list, you agree and understand: This list was compiled using internet sources and has not been tested for accuracy or completeness. My lists may or may not be seeded to keep folks "honest." That means there may be a few records which are bogus and will help me track if the list is being resold or given away by those who purchase it. Please do not abuse this resource. The price is set very low so that it is affordable to the those in our industry.

Provided by default in MS-Excel format (*.xls). If you need this in a comma-separated *.csv, or text *.txt format, note it with your payment or send an email to agent@texnotary.com .
Good luck in your notary signing agent business!

To order - go to http://1netsuites.com and look for the big blue box with the list information in it.

================

Mainly, I set this site up so you could find the new information products I develop. The other reason is so I can get all my projects organized! If you visit the new site, you can see that I am a busy beaver and I have several things in the works. My projects and commitments were getting out of control because I needed a place to put them all together rather than having them hanging out everywhere in cyberspace...one on my TexNotary.com site...another wedged into a site I sell webhosting from (1Netcom.net) and I had some of my project work in my affidavit-notary.com site and THE HOST computer went down. I have to bring all of that back together again.

Take care, and let me know what you think of the new site.

Brenda Stone :: TexNotary.com
www.texnotary.com
www.1netsuites.com

Merry Christmas - Marketing Lists - Calling Texans

2005-12-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

In this newsletter:

COLLECTING PAST DUE AMOUNTS

-SAMPLING of MARKETING LISTS
--MERRY CHRISTMAS CALIFORNIANS - A free email list for Reverse Mortgage Lenders
--Reverse Mortgage Lender List - California $15 / 140 records
--Tennessee Title Company List - Tennessee $15 / 800+ records
--California Escrow and Mortgage List - California $15 / 5000 + records

FORUM WISDOM
-NSA Info for Getting Started and More.
-Sick Computer?
-Great Marketing Tip!

TEXANS TAKE NOTE!
-THE TEXAS NSA NETWORK IS NOT A SIGNING SERVICE
-TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR TEXAS NSA NETWORK
-FOR TEXAS NOTARIES WHO HAVE REVERSE MORTGAGE EXPERIENCE

MARKETING TIP - Send a "Lumpy" Package!

PLUS - TWO OF MY OWN MARKETING TIPS...MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

==================================================

COLLECTING PAST DUE AMOUNTS

If business slows up in January, use the time to collect any past due accounts.

In two years I have collected every amount due to me. Once they go past 60 days I take off the kid gloves. Bear in mind I am not an attorney and do not profess to know laws on these things. I use common sense to hit them where it hurts when calling, or emailing and faxing in invoices do not work.

Make sure they have a copy of your W9 by sending a copy of it every time you send them a past due invoice. (This is a tip gained from Austin, Texas, NSA, HisHughness, Hugh Nations [http://www.hishughness.com])

If it is a signing service, warn them at 60 days you are going to go to the title company with your complaint and give them a couple of days to respond with an overnighted check. Then, if no response, go to the title company with your complaint.

If it is a title company, warn them at 60 days you are going to go to the lender with your complaint and give them a couple of days to respond with an overnighted check. Then, if no response, go to the lender with your complaint.

If moving up the ladder does not help, try the vertical route. Look up all the land title associations which your problem company may have ties to. Contact these associations. Send a copy of the letter to the signing service or title company you are not being paid from.

If it is a lender, go to the banking and mortgage banker associations at the state, local and national levels. In Texas, I threaten to send a letter to the Finance Commission of Texas. I have never had to do so at this point.

Once they pay you, consider letting those you complained to know that you got your check.

You may need to consider filing a petition in your local small claims court. This is a very specific route and one you will have to get information on from your local authorities.

These methods should work well for you, but if they do not, at least you have put the word out that the company is a deadbeat.

SAMPLING OF MARKETING LISTS FOR SALE $15.00 EACH

MERRY CHRISTMAS CALIFORNIANS!
MARKETING LIST - 20 CALIFORNIA REVERSE MORTGAGE LENDERS' emails

Are you in California? Do you do reverse mortgages? The list is one have generated from resources on the web. I will only leave this up for a few days so that these people do not get inundated with email from being harvested off of my website. I am using this list as a way to market my new business of list and data brokering.

Developing these lists take time but it is one of those things I do in my spare time
when business is slow. There are about 20 emails below. (only in email version. join the newsletter list and then request it. Go to http://www.ymlp.com/subscribe.php?texnotary to subscribe/unsubscribe.

My entire list for California Reverse Mortgage Lenders is 140 entries long. Out of those there are only 80 with emails. This list sells for $15.00 and comes with the address, name of lender, phone number, and some have faxes and emails. The format you would receive is an excel spreadsheet or a CSV or TXT format. This list is not meant to be ALL inclusive. I have done the research and then put them into a mail merge-useful list.

SEATTLE MORTGAGE COMPANY~aevans@rmoa.com
CAMPBELL FINANCIAL SERVICES~art@campbellfinancial.com
JAYNA INC~atlasvegas@lvcm.com
BARRONS MORTGAGE CORPORATION~barronsmtg@earthlink.net
BENN REALTY SERVICES INC~bennrealtysvcs@aol.com
CALIFORNIA REVERSE MORTGAGE CO~bonnie@careverse.com
ELITE LENDING GROUP INC~bonnie@elite lending group.com
WSB MORTGAGE SERVICES INC~CCIZACH@MGCI.COM
SIERRA COAST MORTGAGE~chartman@pyramid.net
FINANCIAL FREEDOM SENIOR FUNDING CORP~cholt@dancris.com
COMUNITY LENDING INC~chuck.alkire@comunitylending.com
METROPOLITAN HOME MTG INC~cnelson@mthm.com
AMERIFUND FINANCIAL INC~crzmtg@hotmail.com
METROCITIES MORTGAGE LLC~cwight@metrociti.com
DIRECTORS RESIDENTIAL LENDING INC~donique@directorsresidential.com
FINANCIAL FREEDOM SENIOR FUNDING CORP~dwjohnson@financialfreedom.com
REVERSE MORTGAGES OF CA IN~ed@rmofca.com
CARTERET MORTGAGE CORPORATION~ejames@loanproz.net
MOUNTAIN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CO~faselna@usa.net
PACIFIC REVERSE MORTGAGE INC~fh@financial heritage.net
FULLERTON MORTGAGE AND ESCROW~fmec@mortgagetown.com
MERIT FINANCIAL INC~fsamaniego@all-starlending.com
DEL MAR HOME LOANS INC~gary@DelMarHomeLoans.com

This list has not been tested for accuracy, nor has it been qualified as use for receiving unsolicited mail or email. In other words, use this carefully and professionally. Do not burden these people with repetitive emails they do not want. I have found a nice polite email is well received in my email marketing campaigns.

If you want the entire spreadsheet of 140 lenders in California which do Reverse Mortgages, please send $15 to Paypal.com Account bsstone@ureach.com. State the product as California Rev Mort Lenders 140. I will email this back to you asap - hopefully within a few hours.

More lists I have ready to send out / Mail Merge friendly -

700+/- Tennessee Title Companies (Plus 100 +/- more nationwide)
Company -Address - City, State and Zip
No contact name, fax, phone or emails available at this time.
Excel or Text. Price: $15.00 (1.8 cents each)

This list has not been tested for accuracy, nor has it been qualified as use for receiving unsolicited mail or email. In other words, use this carefully and professionally.

ALSO for sale:
5000+ Escrow and Mortage Companies in California
Company
Address
City, State and Zip
Phone (around 25 do not have the phone numbers.) No contact name, fax, phone or emails available at this time.
Price: $15.00 (less than 1/3 of a cent each)

This list has not been tested for accuracy, nor has it been qualified as use for receiving unsolicited mail or email. In other words, use this carefully and professionally.

REGARDING PRICING...Right now I am in the price testing mode. Prices may fluctuate in the future. $15 is my rock bottom price.

FORUM WISDOM

There is a wealth of notary and signing agent information available on public forums. The best public (free) forums are:

NotaryRotary.com http://www.notaryrotary.com
GoMobileNotary.com http://www.gomobilenotary.com
NotaryDepot.com http://www.notarydepot.com

[SigningRegistry.com http://www.signingregistry.info is not a public forum but if you want to network with others in a closed and private environment, this is it. You will also find mentor information and professional NSAs at this site. The BEST of the BEST in NSA handbooks can be purchased here. If you want an all purpose book for learning about being an NSA - this is the place.]

LEARN ABOUT GETTING STARTED - TIPS FROM ESTABLISHED AGENTS
- On NotaryRotary.com http://www.notaryrotary.com there is a thread that will help new agents getting started. It might be beneficial for established agents as well. Go to this site and look for message #33325-read the entire thread. You will find lots of interesting ideas and how to's compiled there. This thread is updated when there are new tips or fresh information posted on NotaryRotary.com.

The following timely topics were also ripped from the messages of these forums:

LEARN ABOUT FIXING SICK COMPUTERS (In light of the Sober.AH Worm attack on computers, these items seem helpful.)

From GoMobileNotary.com http://www.gomobilenotary.com

Charles/Al writes"...I recommend going to www.dslreports.com/security
[ http://www.dslreports.com/security ] and follow the FAQ for "I think my computer may
be infected" It is very thorough and the people there will go out of their way to
help=IF you follow their FAQ....Good Luck!"

From NotaryRotary.com http://www.notaryrotary.com

Mitch/MD writes "Microsoft has made public the Beta site of OneCare, which is intended to be a one step web-browser stop for protection, clean up and tune-up of your Windows-based omputer systems:

http://safety.live.com/

All are free; I've tested and checked them on my own machines this morning and they work fine, though OneCare only works with Internet Explorer."

LEARN A MARKETING TIP -This is an excellent Marketing Tip and one I plan to look into myself.

From NotaryDepot http://www.notarydepot.com

barbaralca writes "...Joined local COC last year - it gives me local exposure, but
I'm not active in it. The best for me is BNI (Business Network Int'l) a worldwide
networking group. You can check it out at http://www.bni.com for your area."

TEXANS TAKE NOTE!

THE TEXAS NSA NETWORK IS NOT A SIGNING SERVICE

Title companies have finally found my network website located at
http://texas-signing-agent.com. They have realized if they hire notaries directly for their jobs they may save money and have more control over the quality of the notaries they hire.

While I do not feel negative toward signing services--I work for the great ones all the time-- I do feel it is only right that I can compete with them for my fees by seeking the same clients they do. I believe the Texas NSA will not survive post-refi boom if they do not engage a little "thinking out of the box" and realizing that $50-$75 is not going to support us in the downturn of the market. Folks, there are ways to get to the better paying clients (lenders and title companies) without splitting our fees with schedulers and signing services.

Some perceive the network as a signing service - NO. IT IS NOT. I provide a resource of qualified notary names. I AM NOT starting a signing service with the notary information I collect for the network. Our network is a personal referal and a friendly marketing endeavor that began with the idea that if I collected a list of great notaries with experience, I
could compete with signing services by having the resources for a title company and
lender to utilize. I began with the website name and by compiling the names of
notaries on my personal website at http://texnotary.com .

TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR TEXAS NSA NETWORK
Texas notaries are invited to send in their information. Even if in the past I told you the region you were interested in was not available, I am working on a way to establish additional spots for NSAs. Especially in larger city MSAs.

YOUR County
Name
Company name if any
your email
your website
City state Zip
xxx-xxx-xxxx Bus
xxx-xxx-xxxx Bus
xxx-xxx-xxxx Fax
Experience: Year ___ / ____+ Signings
Write a sentence or two on your reverse mortgage experience.

FOR TEXAS NOTARIES WHO HAVE REVERSE MORTGAGE EXPERIENCE

If you are a Texas Notary and you have reverse mortgage experience, please contact me to add your name to a list of reverse mortage notaries in Texas which I am preparing.

One place this list will go is to the Texas reverse mortgage banking association's chairman. However, currently, the list is being generated for a client who has recently contacted me about the website of the Texas NSA Network.
(http://www.texas-signing-agent.com ).

Texas is a big place and the new client the Texas NSA Network has recently acquired
has come up short on finding notaries with reverse mortgage experience. They have
been gratified that I have pulled together such an array of notaries with a
background of at least 100 signings or at least one year in the business. As a
result, they would like to hear from all of the qualified notaries in Texas with
reverse mortgage experience. Since my network associates have proven themselves,
they came to me and asked for more.

There is no money involved in putting you name on our group's website, however, When you join this network, first I will qualify you. You will be committing to a couple of things...treating the group's members honorably (no backstabbing!), putting a link on your website back to the network's website. You'll be willing to send the network brochure out as appropriate and you will be marketing each week to five to ten new companies.

If this is something you can commit to and you want to go on the list, I need to know the following about you:

YOUR County
Name
Company name if any
your email
your website
City state Zip
xxx-xxx-xxxx Bus
xxx-xxx-xxxx Bus
xxx-xxx-xxxx Fax
Experience: Year ___ / ____+ Signings
Write a sentence or two on your reverse mortgage experience.

Please email this information to agent@texnotary.com if you are interested in
becoming part of the network.

MARKETING TIPS

Send a "Lumpy" Package!

This really works - I can vouch for it...
From DUCT TAPE MARKETING - http://www.ducttapemarketing.com

ARTICLE - Lumpy Mail Always Gets Opened
http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/newsletters/lumpy-direct-mail.htm
Turn your sales letter into a package and watch your response soar.

BrendaTX Marketing Tips...

Leading Clients to Your Website Websites are not visited unless they have something to offer. Get your clients to come back and visit you often.

Include some worthy information and/or fun stuff on your website that make your clients look at your site and remember it. Figure out things that will generate traffic.

Like what for instance?

Well, last year, I created a full NFL schedule and made it into a *.PDF. Then, I emailed my good schedulers and said: "Hey, just for you, I have added this link to my site!"

At this page I posted my fees for every zip code, city and county I service. At the very top, I listed my services, a link to my contact information, a link to the NFL SCHEDULE. From there, the NFL *.PDF could be downloaded.

I got thank you notes for this little gimmick!

Keep in touch with clients by sending information they want to read, and...

Do these things...

* At every opportunity, MAKE NEWS! * Learn to write a press release-style email

* Create newsworthy EMAILS about you! * Share newsworthy articles

So, how do you go about creating newsy emails they WANT to read?

Here are two examples of ways to keep in touch with email they will pause before deleting

Announce something about your business, PLUS

Give an appreciation discount

If you have been in business for six months - or - if you have completed your 50th signing (100th, 250th, etc.)...

...tell them you are celebrating having done XXX signings over the past XXX months with absolutely ZERO errors. (Of course, if this is not true, do not use this marketing techniques! Wait until you get a flawless record to crow about.) Also, tell them you'll do the next eDoc package for 1/2 price because they kept your business thriving and growing.

SAMPLE OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND DISCOUNT EMAIL

SUBJECT: Success Recognition Award - Value $15.00

This is to announce that TexNotary.com (Brenda Stone) has successfully completed her 200th error-free loan signing thanks to your continuing business.

As a result, the next scheduled assignment from Sally Scheduler, This Company, will be $15.00 off as a courtesy to show appreciation.

As you know, you have been considerate enough to contact me regularly for loan signings. I have been so successful in building my business that I want to show my appreciation in a material way.

The next time you call, I will discount the assignment by $15.00 to show you how valuable YOUR business has been to me.

Just a quick reminder that my main coverage area is:

Brazos County, Bryan & College Station, Texas.
Plus the outlying counties of:

Austin
Grimes
Madison
Milam
Burleson
Leon
Walker
Robertson
Fayette

High Quality, Accurate and Professional Service
eDocs, HP Printer, Fast Cable Download, Full-Time
With much appreciation!

Brenda Stone - TexNotary.com - 877-829-8395

If you have decided to be available on 4th of July, Easter or Christmas, let your clients (or potential clients) know. Write them an email or a fax, and let them see you are a serious business person who will be the one they can count on for vacationing borrowers.

Again, this little trick gets grateful thank you emails from stressed schedulers, and

It has also won me a client who had no idea I existed, and

It has gotten me work I would not have had during the dead holidays, and

I have been able to actually do a job on the 4th
for vacationing Arizona folks!

UNTIL I HAVE SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY TO REPORT AGAIN...

God bless you all and may you have a wonderful holiday.

Sincerely,
Brenda Stone
www.TexNotary.com
www.Texas-Signing-Agent.com

BULLETIN: Texas Title Expo 10-20-05

2005-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

========
TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXNOTARY NEWSLETTER
http://www.texnotary.com/SUBSCRIBE_OR_UNSUBSCRIBE_HERE.htm
========

2nd Annual Texas Title Expo
Profit from the Changing Title Industry!
Thursday, October 20th, 2005
Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel

GET MORE DETAILS HERE:
http://groups.google.com/group/texasnotary
Join the group, read, and leave a message if you want to meet others.

---SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS---

---PRESENTING SPONSOR---
Southern Title Insurance Corporation http://www.southerntitle.com

---GOLD SPONSORS---
Richard P. Bianchi, PC http://www.bianchilaw.com
Guardian Fidelity Title Company http://www.gftitle.com/
Southern American Title http://www.satitle.com

---BRONZE SPONSORS---
Central Tejas Research & Title http://www.centraltejasresearch.com
Comerica Bank http://www.comerica.com

EXHIBITORS

TITLE COMPANIES
Guardian Fidelity Title Company http://www.gftitle.com/
Integrity Title Company http://www.integritytc.com/
Southern American Title Company http://www.satitle.com
Exodus Title Company http://www.exodustitle.com
Reliable Title Company http://www.reliabletitleco.com
First Colony Commonwealth Title http://www.fcctitleco.com
Montgomery County Title http://www.mctitle.com/
New Frontier Title Company http://www.newfrontiertitle.com

ABSTRACTERS & RETRIEVERS
Court Record Research http://www.courtrecords.com
Central Tejas Research & Title Service http://www.centraltejasresearch.com
Residential Services, Inc. http://www.rsidocs.com/
Fox Hunt Research Services http://www.foxhuntland.com/
Courthouse Specialists http://www.courthousespecialists.com
Henderson Abstract Company jthenderson@prodigy.net
Top Results Title Service tiffany_bledsoe96@yahoo.com

ABA (Affiliated Business) PARTNERS
Guardian Fidelity Title Company http://www.gftitle.com/
Southern American Title http://www.satitle.com
Affiliated Title Group http://www.integritytitlerecords.com
Title Management Services jwilliamson@countrytitle.net

DOCUMENT PREPARATION ATTORNEYS
Richard P. Bianchi, P.C. http://www.bianchilaw.com
Brian Carr, P.C. brian@neartowntitle.com

SOFTWARE VENDORS
Land Data Systems http://www.landatasystems.com
SoftPro http://www.softprocorp.com/
Virtual Desktop http://www.virtualdesktopinc.com/
Hall Settlement Systems http://www.hallsystems.com

SIGNING SERVICES
IntegritySigners.com http://www.integritysigners.com

BANKS
Comerica Bank http://www.comerica.com

OTHER SERVICES
White Garrison & Hill, P. C., C.P.A. edhillgalveston@aol.com
JurisTrust.com http://www.JurisTrust.com
CourthouseDirect.com http://www.CourthouseDirect.com
Integrity Title Records http://www.IntegrityTitleRecords.com
Administaff http://www.administaff.com

TEXAS NOTARIES -

IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH OTHERS WHO MAY ATTEND THIS EVENT, PLEASE GO TO
http://groups.google.com/group/texasnotary, JOIN the group, and post a
message.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW GROUP WHICH I SET UP TO GET INFORMATION POSTED FOR
TEXAS. DON'T BE SURPRISED THAT THERE ARE FEW MEMBERS AT THIS POINT.

Brenda Stone

====================================================

Deceptively Well-Crafted Work from Home Scam

2005-09-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Deceptively Well-Crafted Work from Home Scam - Don't fall victim to it.

========
TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXNOTARY NEWSLETTER
http://www.texnotary.com/SUBSCRIBE_OR_UNSUBSCRIBE_HERE.htm
========

Notaries and Field Inspectors:

As some of us see our work leveling off a bit as the holidays approach, this makes us start looking for additional ways to boost our income.

This edition of the TexNotary Newsletter for Notaries is to enlighten you on a work from home scam you may come across.

====
Kudos to my mother for seeing the article about this in her local newspaper, The Facts , published in Clute, Texas. And, kudos to the Facts for publishing the article. Credits and links to the newspaper appear below.

====

My mother loves to keep me up on all the news from home that she thinks is relevant to me. I think this is one of those times I need to pass along a little bit of motherly wisdom.

Mother called me on September 7 and told me of a situation where a woman was arrested in small town, Oyster Creek, Texas which is just 20 miles or so from Mother. Her local newspaper published it. I went to the newspaper's website and found the article at:

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=c5000f82e521903c

The basics are that the woman saw a work from home job at Monster.com and she applied to it. She started working for this company.

Unbeknownst to her, the job that was paying her a commission for handling shipping and forwarding tasks was actually receiving goods purchased with a stolen credit card and sending them on to a foreign company. It has been undetermined whether or not she will be charged with a crime because it does not appear that she knew she was participating in a criminal situation.

I could not find the scam at Monster.com. However, I think I found its twin.

Interestingly enough I had seen something earlier this month that smelled rather hinky to me.

I found it before I heard of the woman in Oyster Creek, Texas. I had marked it on September 1, 2005 just to look into it for my own curiosity.

When I heard of the problem reported by The Facts, I went back and pursued it. The name of the company I had seen was Skyline Company. Now for all I know, I may be exactly WRONG about this company, but the shoe seems to fit, doesn't it? Take a look at this link:

http://www.skylinecompany.net/

(Note: Originally, I was directed to was SkylineCompany.org. That link is not available at this time. I tried the above link and the same exact website appeared that was earlier posted at SkylineCompany.org.)

This link does not exactly say what it does, but it does seem to state it will do something with mail forwarding.

---------
One of the big clues to me that something is amiss is that it states on the website the following:

"To prevent fraud from our employees we have recorded your ip address"

Fraud from their employees? What the heck is that?
---------
The original ad I saw is no longer on Jobs.net. However, by doing a Google search I was able to find the site cached. I have also made a PDF of it in case it gets removed from Google permanently. Email me and I'll send it to you in case it gets removed.

Originally posted here:
http://www.jobs.net/Job.asp?jid=J8F5G373JKXVM4DQ7RV

Cached on Google.com here:
http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:mWYV0yzOckIJ:www.jobs.net/Job.asp%3Fjid%3DJ8F5G373JKXVM4DQ7RV+skyline+pavlov&hl=en

-------------------

Because I am an investigative reporter at heart (Among other things, of course!), I had to take it one step further to see what would transpire. I sent them a vague resume and what I received in response was:

Hello Brenda Stone:

We have examined your resume and considered that you will be a candidate for the any opening vacancy in Skyline team.

You will represent Skyline company in your region.

Free vacancy:

Regional Manager

Your main duty will be to recieve different payments from our private clients and to communicate with them by phone in some cases.
Basicly you'll get 10 % from the sum of each remittance.

* Be able to check your email several times a day
* Be able to respond to emails immediately
* Be able to work overtime if needed
* Be responsible and hard working

NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.

You can earn up to 4500 USD per month.

If you have agree to cooperate with our company and consider yourself as
the worthy employee for our company,fill the personal information on.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
First name:
Last name:
Address:
City:
State:
Postal zip code:
Phone #:
Cell phone#:
Fax#:
Desired Position:
E-mail:

2. Please inform me more information about you:
Your age:
Would you like to work part-time or full-time? :
Tell few words about yourself? :

Also you may visit our website:WWW.SKYLINECOMPANY.ORG

===================

Best regards,
Alexandr Pavlov
Staffing/Management
Group of Skyline Co.
resume@skylinecompany.org

---------------------------------

After I got this reply, I asked them to send me more information about the position. They never did.

One final comment. The phone number listed on the job ad was to the local La Quinta Hotel. No one is there by the name Alexandr Pavlov.

If I learn more about this I will publish it here.

The upshot of all of this is to beware of jobs that are advertised about a mail forwarding service, and freight forwarding services--especially when they indicate you can work from home.

Even if the Skyline Company I have mentioned is not the kind of opportunity I think it is, I think sharing this information is important.

BELOW IS THE ARTICLE FROM THE FACTS: I am sure that since I am not trying to take credit for this information, but only trying to fight fraudulent scams like this one, The Facts will not take issue with me posting their findings here. I am, after all, not a great journalist, just a notary publisher (pun intended) who writes a little newsletter which is not exactly a competing nationwide publication. However, I will advise the publisher and the writer of the article that I posted this information.

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=c5000f82e521903c

OC resident connected to scam

By Lucretia Fernandez
The Facts

Published September 7, 2005

OYSTER CREEK — A 29-year-old Oyster Creek woman who might have been an unwitting middleman in a nationwide Internet scam is cooperating with authorities, police said.

Two counts of credit card fraud against Tabitha Lang are pending at the district attorney’s office, said Deborah Peltier, secretary for District Attorney Jeri Yenne.

“It’s an ongoing investigation and there are several scams around the country of this nature,” said Al Tribble, a special agent with the FBI in Houston.

Lang did not know she was committing fraud, said Oyster Creek Police Chief R.B. Hayes.

She told police she applied for a job she saw advertised on the monster.com Web site that promised her fast cash, a police report states.

The business Lang applied to, Metro Groupe Express Co., e-mailed her business-like paperwork, a report states.

The company said it was based in Buffalo, N.Y., but police have yet to locate the company’s office, said Oyster Creek Sgt. Bob Ekhart.

“It was all done over the Internet,” Ekhart said. “They send people like Lang privacy agreements and they think it’s a valid business.”

The company purchased computers, cameras and laptops with stolen credit card numbers and sent the packages to Lang’s address, a report states. The name on each package Lang received was different.

The company e-mailed Lang out-of-country addresses to put on the packages, and Lang re-addressed the packages and dropped the packages off at the Post Office, Ekhart said.

“Lang said she didn’t know that the company was using stolen credit cards to purchase the items,” Ekhart said.

Lang was arrested more than two weeks ago on two charges of fraud. She posted a $15,000 bond Aug. 23.

Lang could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

She is cooperating with police and has given police paperwork that supports her story, Hayes said.

Lucretia Fernandez covers Oyster Creek for The Facts. Contact her at (979) 237-0150.

The RULE OF 12

2005-07-31T06:21:00.000-07:00

The RULE OF 12

Keep in contact with your prospects on a monthly basis for at least 18 months.

What used to be the Rule of Sevens became the Rule of Nines, and has now become the Rule of Twelves--meaning that it takes an average of 12 contacts to make a sale, but it takes an average of 12 attempts to make one contact.

Then realize that most salespeople quit after four contacts.

Laura Clampitt Douglas
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,275997,00.html

Magic Pill of Marketing

2005-07-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

Marketing is a magic pill. Do not avoid it. Take your marketing medicine and it will become like fortified vitamins for your business's health. So, take it like vitamins. Give your marketing efforts a slot on your schedule. Take the marketing pill faithfully.
--------------
Marketing not only nurtures the business by bringing in new clients and income, it will give the small business owner a shot in the arm which will both boost the confidence level and increase ideas on where to find more business.

The act of marketing your business, and the act of preparing marketing materials will develop the psychological perspectives you need to keep your energy level up. The psychological spin-off from marketing your business will motivate you to persist through difficult days without giving up, even when you feel it is hopeless to continue.

Preparing your marketing materials with your mind fully engaged will be one of the best things you can do for your mental health. It will motivate you to stay the course of your business plan.

Let me explain how this works.

First, let me define the term "marketing piece."

By my definition, a marketing piece is a showcase of that which is you and/or your business. You are what is inside the showcase.

To prepare a showcase, you will not brainstorm to find your ugliest secrets to display. On the contrary. When you market properly, you will fully engage your mind into the task of finding the best of yourself to put in your showcase.

Learning to market effectively will increase more than your client base. Marketing can have a powerful affect on your mind in a very positive way.

By fully submerging myself into my marketing efforts, the difference was made between wishing for success in my business, and walking out the door each day expecting success.

When you learn to embrace the task of marketing, you will reap benefits you cannot imagine.

How does this work? It's simple, really.

Life is so full of the negative that we always focus on what we have not done, or where we fell short. Seldom do we pause to reflect on what we HAVE accomplished.

The act of marketing forces the opposite to happen. In order to promote and sell your business you must pull out all the good things you can think of to tell about yourself.

To develop a great marketing piece, you set aside time to focus on your strengths. This is an unusual thing for the average person to do. However, the fact of marketing is vital to the small business owner's liveliehood. You are forced to put your attention on developing your marketing materials. So, for a block of time, you will focus on the positive aspects of your business and your life. For that entire period, What you will NOT do is make lists of your shortcomings. You will not list your pending divorce, your late Amex bill, or your speeding ticket while outlining the marketing piece you are about to prepare.

You will not become more intimidated about your business because you are focusing on your lack of experience. You will not highlight that your computer skills are lacking, and you will not repeatedly bring attention to the fact that you have had a cold lingering around for a month.

On the contrary, for a few fine moments you will force yourself to seek words that express the good things about your business, and you will carefully inventory your abilities and your strengths.

In fact, you may not know your strengths and you will be forced to find those--this will be a tremendous boost along your path toward success.
With your full focus on positive thinking, you are taking the Magic Pill of Marketing.

As a result of this routine business task, you will be rewarded with something so good that it seems like magic or medicine. It is amazing to me that it has such a positive effect on my outlook.

You may not be able to get all you want to do accomplished in one session. Plan to inventory what you have to offer in your first session. That will be an encouraging exercise. Now, for the second session, do a personal resume. From your strength inventory you can fill out your resume nicely. You will be able to sell your personal side easier. Once you are done, you will build on that for your business.

In your third session, you will do your business brochure. In all three sessions, you have been moving toward a vital business goal's completion.

You have done something important to the survival of your business.

If you are unable to work on your marketing materials for a period you are not comfortable with, do this to keep you focused. Read the following at least once a day:
-----
During the marketing material development process, you will consciously and actively make a very serious advance in preparation of decent marketing materials. You will sit down and you will concentrate on positive things about yourself. You will key in on your successes, you highlight your strengths, and you will minimize your shortcomings.

When you do this with the full engagement of your thought processes on the task at hand, you will become more aware of the good things you have to offer.
-----
If you continue the momentum by reminding yourself of the magic and benefits of marketing, you will be eager to complete the job. You can be assured more benefits of the marketing prescription if you will only make the effort to discipline yourself to focus on these things. Let the Magic Pill do its work.

(Personal note: Do you ever make time to do a genuine job of showcasing your good side? I never have just for the heck of it. By marketing my business, I have learned what a good exercise it can be for the tired entrepreneur. Regularly I sit down to count my good qualities, rather than to brood about the bad. It's very good medicine.)

Field Inspection Form Definitions

2005-07-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

Field Inspection Form Definitions

ADA or American Disabilities Act: Enacted July 26, 1990. Requires properties to improve access to their properties for persons with disabilities. For example, curb cutes, handicap parking spaces, ramps, etc..

Affiliation: To connect or associate one self with the owner. This term is used when referencing the management company.

Anchor Tenant: A prime tenant in a shopping center, such as an established department store, which attracts the bulk of customers to the center.

Asbestos: An insulating, fire- and heat- resistant material commonly used in insulation and roofing.

Atrium Building: A rectangular shaped open patio around which a structure is built. A many storied court in a building, such as a hotel, that usually has a skylight.

Balloon Mortgage: A mortgage with periodic installments of principal and interest that do not fully amortize the loan. The balance of the mortgage is due in a lump sum at a specified date, usually at the end of the term.

Blanket Mortgage: A mortgage that covers more than one parcel of real estate owned by the mortgagor.

Boiler: A tank in which water is heated or hot water is stored.

Breakeven Point: The figure at which occupancy income is equal to all required expenses and debt service. Used to determine the amount of cash flow necessary to operate a residential or commercial property.

Breezeway: A roofed, often open passage connecting two buildings (as a house and a garage) or halves of a building.

Call Option: A contract granting the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a security at a specified price on a particular date.

Certified Rent Roll: The manager must sign and date the rent roll in order to certify it.

Clean Water Act: Enacted in 1972, the clean water act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States.

Cooperative: In real estate, a form of multiple ownership in which a corporation or business trust entity holds title to a property (usually an apartment complex) and grants occupancy rights to shareholder tenants through proprietary leases. Also called a "co-op."

Dwelling Unit: Living quarters occupied, or intended for occupancy, by a household.

Hazard Waste Risk: A financial or health risk that is created due to any substance such as asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in excess of 50 parts per million, lead paint or any substance deemed hazardous, toxic or required to be disclosed, reported, treated, removed, disposed of or cleaned up by any applicable hazardous material law.

Hook-ups In Units: This would be in reference to washer and dryer hook-ups.

Hospitality: This is a hotel or a motel inspection.

Humidifier: A device for supplying or maintaining humidity.

HVAC: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Ingress/Egress: The entrance and the exit on a property.

Lease: A written document containing the conditions under which the possessions and use of real and/ or personal property are given by the owner to another for a stated period and consideration.

Lease Audit: An official examination and verification of the status of leases (or a lease) to prove or ascertain the lease terms and their adequacy.

Lease Expiration: The date a lease is scheduled to terminate.

Leasehold: An estate or interest in real property held by virtue of a lease.

Listing: A written authorization for an agent to sell or lease real estate.

Loan-to-value Ratio or LTV: The ratio of the amount of the loan to the appraised value or sales price of real property (expressed as a percentage).

Market: Current supply and demand characteristics of a commodity in a given geographic/ economic setting.

Market Analysis: The projection of demand for a specific type of property or project obtained by analyzing data on sales volume, rents, vacancies, turnover, consumer preferences and real estate prices in the surrounding area for similar properties.

Market Rent: The price a tenant pays a landlord for the use and occupancy of real property based on current rent for comparable property.

Maturity: The date on which an agreement expires; termination of a promissory note.

Medicaid: A program of medical aid designed for those unable to afford regular medical service and financed by the state and federal governments.

Medicare: A government program of medical care especially for the aged.

Mobile Home: A factory-assembled residence consisting of one or more modules, in which a chassis and wheels are an integral part of the structure, and which can be readied for occupancy without removing the chassis and/ or wheels.

MSA: Metropolitan Statistical Area. A geographic area designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for purpose of collecting and disseminating demographic information.

Multifamily Development: A complex consisting of two or more residential buildings as a part of a single development. Generally associated with garden apartments, townhouses and high-rise apartment complexes.

NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners. An organization whose membership consists of state insurance regulators. NAIC's objectives are to promote uniformity in regulation by drafting model law and regulations for adoption by the states and to provide support services to insurance departments such as examinations and statistical information.

Negative Amortization: The unpaid interest which is added to the mortgage principal in a loan where the principal balance increases rather than decreases because the mortgage payments do not cover the full amount of interest due.

Net Lease: A lease calling for the lessee to pay all fixed and variable expenses associated with the property, including real estate taxes and insurance. Most commonly used with large commercial or industrial properties.

Net Rate: The rate of interest remitted to an investor after servicing fees have been deducted from the gross rate.

Net Rentable Area or NRA%: The actual square footage of a building that can be rented (common areas such as hallways, lobbies, elevator shafts, etc. are not generally included.)To obtain the percentage divide the square footage of the specific tenant into the square footage of the total property. Then round to the nearest whole number.

NOI: Net Operating Income. The amount remaining after total operating expenses (excluding interest payments) are deducted from effective gross income.

O & M Plan: Operations and Maintenance Plan. A plan adopted for maintaining and remediating a known or potential environmental condition, usually utilized in the context of asbestos contamination.

Overall Property Rating: Choose from "Excellent" meaning in new or like new condition; "Good", an average property; "Fair", a mediocre property with some deferred maintenance; and "Poor", meaning the property is poorly maintained, there is much deferred maintenance.

Pressure Vessels: A storage tank or vessel that has been designed to operate at extreme pressures. Potential health and safety hazards of leaking vessels include poisonings, suffocations, fires, and explosion hazards.

Rent Control: Rent control laws govern rent levels, changes to existing rent levels based on changes in space, services, number of occupants, or a rental unit's condition, security deposit interest, and good causes to evict.

Rental Concession: A landlord's agreement to forego part of the advertised rent in an effort to attract tenants.

Rent Roll: A listing of the tenants (whether commercial or multifamily), the square footage, whether the unit is occupied or vacant, possibly, and may have the annual rent, or monthly rent listed. Rent Rolls will vary for each property.

Retaining Wall: A wall used to secure land, or to hold the land intact.

Roof Types: Bonnet, Cross Gabled, Front Gabled, Gambrel, Hipped, Mansard, Pavilion-hipped, Side-gabled, and Salt Box.

Safe Drinking Water Act: Enacted in 1974, the safe drinking water act was established to manage potential contamination threats to groundwater.

Septic Tank System: A tank in which solid matter of continuously, flowing, sewage is disintegrated by bacteria.

Zoning: The creation of districts by local governments in which specific types of property uses are authorized.

Closing Stream - First Bombshell to NSA Biz?

2005-07-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It's time to get tougher and to diversify our income.

A leading company which drives business to the notary signing agent has dropped a bombshell on our self-employment dreams.

Fidelity National Information Services' LSI, a division of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. has completed a test pilot phase of Closing Stream(TM).

Closing Stream is a a Web- based closing solution for mortgage refinance and home equity lending transactions is going to an online meeting closing solution which will handle the borrower through a process which will greatly minimize the notary's involvement in the process.
I choked a little when I read:

"Prior to the scheduled closing, LSI sends the copies of the closing documents to the borrower via overnight delivery. The borrower is only responsible for returning one signed and notarized document to LSI. The returned document is combined with the original closing documents in preparation for the closing. At the scheduled closing time, the borrower logs into the Closing Stream system and dials a toll-free number to connect with an LSI closing representative. Using Closing Stream's online meeting application, the representative thoroughly covers each loan document to ensure the borrower understands all of the details."

Read the entire article here
THE 07/11/05 ARTICLE ABOUT LSI and Fidelity National Financial appear below:

Fidelity National Financial Division Completes Pilot for Web-Based Closing Solution and Launches Nationwide
July 11, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fidelity National Information Services' LSI, a division of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF ) successfully concluded its pilot testing for Closing Stream(TM), a Web- based closing solution for mortgage refinance and home equity lending transactions. The pilot project confirmed that this patent-pending online closing process reduces loan cycle time, enhances borrower experience and ultimately increases lender revenue.

ING Direct, a division of ING Group, has been among the first lenders to test Closing Stream. "We are tremendously impressed with LSI's ability to deliver an online closing solution that creates so many efficiencies," said ING Direct's Jim Kelly. "With Closing Stream, we have minimized our loan cycle time, resulting in higher application-to-close ratios, improved productivity and reduced cost."

With the Closing Stream solution, LSI controls the entire closing process, eliminating the need to coordinate third-party providers. As a result, borrowers may schedule their closing as early as possible during the application process. Also, since this closing method is primarily Web-based, borrowers may participate in the transaction from any geographic location.

Prior to the scheduled closing, LSI sends the copies of the closing documents to the borrower via overnight delivery. The borrower is only responsible for returning one signed and notarized document to LSI. The returned document is combined with the original closing documents in preparation for the closing. At the scheduled closing time, the borrower logs into the Closing Stream system and dials a toll-free number to connect with an LSI closing representative. Using Closing Stream's online meeting application, the representative thoroughly covers each loan document to ensure the borrower understands all of the details.

During the closing representative's coverage of the documents, any necessary changes to those documents can be completed. If changes are required, the representative electronically coordinates those changes with the lender and reposts the corrected documents on the Closing Stream Web site during the closing process. With accurate documents in place, the borrower answers a series of online questions acknowledging that he or she understands and agrees to the terms and conditions of those documents. All of the audio and on-screen activity during this closing process are recorded and archived for future reference.

"We are excited to unveil the first viable Web-based closing solution nationwide," said Al Verkuylen, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Execution, LSI. "Now, Closing Stream will allow originators everywhere to attend and manage more consistent closing processes."

100% Real Opportunity to Earn Online...

2005-07-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

You can do this with a link in your email, or you can do this with a website.

Earn with your email or your website - I am.

See more about it at this link.

BrendaTx

Special Edition: Places to go to Get 'er DONE!

2005-06-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

Website Design

Corey Bruins
http://cwd.nitromouse.com/aboutdesign.htm

Paul - Adaptive View
http://design.adaptiveview.com

Networks of EXPERIENCED Notaries/NSAs

Texas NSA Network
http://www.texas-signing-agent.com

Notary Cooperative
http://www.notarycooperative.com

Ohio Notary Network
http://ohionotarynetwork.com/

May 1, 2005 - TexNotary Newsletter

2005-05-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE TO ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE POSTING OF A NEW NEWSLETTER: Go HERE The TexNotary Newsletter is published approximately every other week at this Link: http://texnotarynewsletter.blogspot.com.

This time:

Tools - Free and/or Affordable

A Texas Title Company told me...

How to get started: Laundry List

Why Network?

Excellent Link Exchange Opportunity
---------------------------------------------------------------

Tools - Free and/or Affordable

Free Calendar system: My Favorite is at Calendars.net

Free Portal: Webby folk might like what they find at Master.com - You can set up a message board and calendar.

Not free but affordable Task Manager: UseTasks.com This is a great way to keep information and projects right in front of you.

List of notary hangouts: Notary Hang Outs and Listing places

----------
How to get started: Laundry List of New NSA ideas
created by posters at Notary Rotary - placed here to give a place for new NSAs to refer to.
----------
A Texas Title Company told me...

In March I visited with a title company who wanted a face to face visit with me. For what it is worth, experienced NSAs, I think there is something to be learned from this.

Here is what I heard inside the title company's inner sanctum:

The title company has to go out and get lender clients just like we have to find clients to use our services. They make call after call getting business. Finally they bring a lender on board and willing to try them out. The title company promises to do the job well and the lender says okay. So, here comes a loan... the lender does its work, the title company does its work, and then it is show time for the NSA.

Suppose the NSA botches the job, or does not even show up. The result is that the title company loses the lender's account.

This is the scenario I have been given. Use this information to think about how you will market yourself more efficiently and who it means the most to in the final analysis.

----------
Why Network?

If you know notaries in other areas of your state who you can feel comfortable endorsing, why not start networking with them?

I have started a network of notary signing agents in Texas and we are striving to be a group that will become known as a higher caliber of Texas notary signing agents.

My premise for this group is that we will develop a flyer that we will all use in our marketing materials. We will limit the number of NSAs per territory. And, we'll market each other in the process.

Do the math...

Ten members send out marketing materials to five companies: 10 x 5 = 50 times each member is exposed. That's quite more than I can do on my own.

I have used www.yahoogroups.com to start the Texas NSA Network. We are using a blog to keep the information updated as we add members. You can find the list at:

Texas NSA Network
----------
Excellent Link Exchange Opportunity:

Real Estate Center

April 22, 2005 - Note Regarding the April 21, 2005 Post

2005-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

This post is being made to give the April 21, 2005 blog post a final URL.

April 21, 2005 - Getting Started List of Suggestions

2005-04-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

LAUNDRY LIST - GETTING STARTED SUGGESTIONS from a discussion thread on NotaryRotary.com:

NOTARYROTARY POST

11 Suggestions Posted by BrendaTX on 4/21/05 8:56pm Msg #33255 from logged in user on NotaryRotary.com.

(1) Purchase Kathy Poston's book (see http://www.signingregistry.info) Consider the Signing Registry's mentor program.

(2) Purchase Monica's book (see http://www.amrnotary.com)

(3) Make sure to learn your state notary laws well.

(4) Do a google search for notary signing agent training.

(5) Read http://www.gomobilenotary.com and this forum to get the feel for what the job involves.

(6) Consult the Small Business Admin's site at http://www.sba.gov to learn how to research your area's opportunity. Crunch the numbers and see if you think you can make a business of it by the area you will serve.

(7) Consider buying Laura Vestanen's book on developing non-loan business. See her website at http://www.professionalnotary.com. Her book is about $10.

(8) Advertise yourself here for free as a mobile notary. Better idea - purchase the $39.95 membership and use the zip code tool and the list of signing services to market yourself.

(9) Read the link listed in my profile on what I did to get started.

(10) Ask your state's Secretary of State office if they recommend any courses for you.

(11) When you post here, if you want to get more specific help, create yourself a handle and include your state's two letter abbreviation (BrendaTX, for instance)

Plus 9 more Suggestions
Posted by BrendaTX on 4/21/05 9:25pm
Msg #33256 from logged in user

(12) Read http://www.NotaryDepot.com - get a free advertisement there.

(13) Get a website. (Try http://design.adaptiveview.com/ - $200 for the whole thing.)

(14) Have business cards made. (http://www.vistaprint.com)

(15) Some say read http://50statenotary.com, and some say not to read it. Victoria Ring writes a book with a good overview on the business. (Disclaimer: don't take anything anyone says at face value...do your own research, but you can get "concepts" from her book.) There is a section in her newest edition on marketing to title companies and lenders, if you are interested.

(16) Read forums and email a notary from your state, but don't pick someone from your own backyard or you may be disappointed. For instance, I would never train my competition. I think it's foolish to be trained BY your competition. A notary four hours away might be willing to chat awhile on the phone with you about how to get started for YOUR area.

(17) Peruse used book stores/thrift stores/library used book sales and pick up books on related industries such as mortgage, finance, real estate, property law.

(18) Consider a real estate finance class (Thanks Joan OH)

(19) Contact http://www.wildsignings.com for information on their training course. They sell a book.

(20) About documents - Learn what these documents are:

AFFIDAVIT FOR HOME EQUITY TRANSACTION-
AFFIDAVIT OF MARITAL STATUS-
AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE-
APPLICATION FOR P.A.I.D. PROGRAM-
AUTHORIZATION TO CANCEL CREDIT LINE-
BALLOON NOTE ADDENDUM-
BALLOON RIDER-
COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT-
CONDOMINIUM RIDER-
CORRECTION AGREEMENT LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY-
DESIGNATION OF HOMESTEAD AFFIDAVIT-
DOCUMENT CORRECTION AGREEMENT-
ESCROW ACCOUNTING ADDENDUM-
ESCROW DISCLOSURE FORM-
FIRST PAYMENT COUPON-
ID LETTER –OR-IDENTITY STATEMENT-
INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT-
INITIAL ESCROW DISCLOSURE STATEMENT-
MORTGAGE OR DEED OF TRUST-
NAME AFFIDAVIT-
NON-IDENTITY AFFIDAVIT-
NOTE-
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT, SALE OR TRANSFER OF SERVICING RIGHTS-
NOTICE OF PURCHASER-
NOTICE OR RIGHT TO CANCEL OR RIGHT OF RECISSION-
ONE AND THE SAME NAME AFFIDAVIT-
OWNERS AFFIDAVIT-
PAY OFF DEPARTMENT-
PAYOFF AFFIDAVIT-
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT RIDER-
QUIT CLAIM DEED-
REAL ESTATE ESCROW AFFIDAVIT-
REFINANCE AFFIDAVIT-
REQUEST FOR COPY OF TRANSCRIPT OF TAX FORM 4506-
SECOND HOME RIDER-
SETTLEMENT STATEMENT & SETTLEMENT CHARGES-
SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE AFFIDAVIT-
SURVEY AFFIDAVIT-
TRANSFER OF LIEN-
TRUTH IN LENDING-
UNIFORM RESIDENTAIL LOAN APPLICATION-
W-9
WAIVER OF ESCROW ACCOUNT-

~Some of these forms will be available to see listed at
http://www.efanniemae.com/ ~

Specifically at this link you can look for forms:
http://www.efanniemae.com/singlefamily/sf_forms.jhtml

(Find a brief explanation of these at http://www.nbsigning.com/dwnlds.htm [thank you Dogmonger!])

NOTARYROTARY POST
Plus 3 More suggestions
Posted by BrendaTX on 4/21/05 9:51pm
Msg #33258 from logged in user

(21) Determine all zip codes you will service. Make a chart in Excel with these Column Headings

Zip -
City -
County -
Travel Fee -
Base Fee -
Total Overnight Fee -
Total eDocs Fee -
Travel Time -

(22) Figure these amounts for every Zip Code you service. Keep the chart over your desk, in your car and in your calendar.

(23) If you want to use a calendar online, try http://my.calendars.net

- - - - - -
NOTARYROTARY POST
Re: Plus 9 more Suggestions
Posted by Sylvia_FL on 4/21/05 9:40pm
Msg #33257 from logged in user

Brenda
Don't forget

Buy an HP laser printer with the correct PCL drivers
Buy a fax machine (for outgoing faxes)
Subscribe to MaxEmail for incoming faxes
Buy a copier (or just get an all-in-one)
Make sure you have a cell phone with good reception and plenty of minutes.
Better to have DSL or Cable for downloading edocs.
Stock in Bayer aspirin for the headaches

Did I forget anything?

- - - - - - - - - -

NOTARYROTARY POST
Another 9 more...
Posted by JanetK/CA on 4/22/05 1:17am
Msg #33285 from 68.167.2.18

* a reliable, well maintained vehicle with air conditioning, a full tank and an open credit card to keep it that way (especially if you live in CA!!!)
* a reasonably up-to-date computer (was this already mentioned?) with plenty of memory and Adobe Acrobat Reader and MS Office software (Word, at a minimum) with good, current anti-virus software (at a minimum) and a firewall. I think a high-speed internet connection was listed already.
* up-to-date street maps in your vehicle (just in case...) for all the communities you plan to service
* a good calendar or PDA
* a system to track appointments, fees, Accts Receivable, mileage, clients, etc.
* plenty of loose certificates
* a good accountant
* an EIN number
* AND a day job or substantial cash reserves to sustain you while you build your business. The amount will depend on where you live and how saturated your area is.

I'm sure there's still more we are forgetting... Man, I wish I had all the information in this thread when I was starting out!!

NOTARYROTARY POST
Plus 1 more
Posted by Art_MD on 4/22/05 6:51am
Msg #33300 from 152.163.100.70

Consider getting a digital recorder. Use to make notes etc while driving. Unless you have 4 hands, it's hard to drive, drink coffee, write down a phone number and name at the same time.Art

April 15, 2005 - About Doing Inspections

2005-04-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

TexNotary Newsletter - About Doing Inspections

In this newsletter:

What's required?
Descriptions of Inspections/Typical Fees
Typical Portion Of Instructions On Job Paying $55
Links to Visit

------------------------------

What's required?
From my personal experience...

-Inspections which pay $40-$75 may require the following of an inspector:

-Travel of 50 miles (Travel is not as easy to get extra paid for! Realize they set a price, you take it if you want it.)

-Short narrative to be written on location, viability, competition, economic outlook

-Comps on commercial and multi-family properties (Generate a set of Market rates for your own use, or you'll have to redo them every time you do an inspection: market stability, occupancy rates other information to be assessed)

-19 pages of forms to be completed online & upload pictures of property, label them

-10-20 pictures (but take 3 times that many--seriously)

-Walking the perimeter of 13 acres (new high-try 19 acres) of apartments

-Sketching to explain what you are reporting

-Walking the site of a industrial plant, retail center, nursing home, hotel, assisted living.

-Looking at 20% of the rooms, units, apartments up to as many as 30

-Figuring sq ft, collecting rent rolls, comparing their figures to yours

-Knowing how to use a compass and being able to report N,S,E,W sides of structures

-Note def'd maintenance and report it.

-Owning a hard hat, boots, safety goggles, gloves, measuring tape, compass, pocket pc, good quality digital camera.

And you may only be paid $40 - $65 for this type of work for which you will put in multiple phone calls, two hours of site work, and two hours of post-job work, before it's over. (Or more time if you are getting started. You will have a full page of instructions to decipher and you are responsible for getting all the information needed to the site manager beforehand, verify it, and if you do not, you will be sent back.)

However, the fact remains that it's better to be making something than nothing when you are self-employed. At least when things are slow I am making a little bit of income and getting exercise with this kind of assignment.
to be self-employed.)

------------------------------
Here is a list of Types and Descriptions of Inspections/Typical Fees:

• Commercial Property Physical Inspection (report on the physical condition of a commercial property, usually requires an appointment and photos) Fee: $55
• Fannie Mae Inspection (multifamily property inspection; appointment required) Fee: $65
• Freddie Mac Inspection (multifamily property inspection requiring a lease verification and a cost to cure for deferred maintenance) Fee: $65
• HUD PASS Inspection (requires HUD certification) Fee: $180-$250 [for more information on HUD PASS go to http://www.hud.gov .]
• Capital Improvement RUSH Inspection (verification of repairs performed by the property owner, usually requires an appointment and photos, 24-48 hour turn around time) Fee: $35
• Commercial Insurance Loss Draft (verification that insurance repairs have been made at a commercial/multifamily property, normally requires an appointment and photos) Fee: $35
• Commercial Drive-By Inspection (physical condition report on a commercial property which does not require an appointment) Fee: $20-25
• Commercial Construction Inspection (verification of construction progress, usually requires an appointment and photos) Fee: $20-25
• Non-Capital Improvement RUSH Inspection (commercial property inspection that needs to be completed ASAP, case-by-case deadlines) Fee: $10 extra
• Fast Track Drive-By Inspection (requires photographs) Fee: $28-35
• Fast Track Commercial Property Inspection (report on the physical condition of a property, usually requires an appointment and photos) Fee: $50-65
• Fast Track Drive-By With Comparables (for Real Estate agents, or Brokers and Appraisers in some states) Fee: $65

------------------------------
TYPICAL PORTION OF INSTRUCTIONS ON JOB PAYING $55

• Notify INSPECTION COMPANY of the appointment date within 48 hours.

• If the inspection is ordered as a Rush, but is not done by the due date, the Rush fee will not be paid.

• If the inspection is being scheduled on or after the due date, please notify us so we can inform INSPECTION COMPANY CLIENT that the inspection will be late.

• Multifamily~ Inspect 5% occupied and 20% vacant units.
(Minimum of 5 and maximum of 15 of each)

Mobile Homes: If the homes are owned by the community 5% occupied and 20% vacant units need to be inspected. If the homes are owned by the tenants do not inspect any units.

• Commercial~ Inspect major anchor and mix of occupied and vacant as follows:
Less than 10 units...inspect at least 4
Between 11 and 25 units...inspect at least 6
Between 26 and 50 units...inspect at least 8
More than 51 units...inspect 20%
Self Storage: Inspect 20% vacant units and no occupied units, with a maximum of 15 units (ie. If 200 total units and 100 are vacant, inspect 15 vacant units

• Hospitality~ Inspect 5% rentable and 20% unrentable rooms (do not inspect occupied rooms)
Unrentable is defined as damaged, under renovation or being used by management/maintenance
(Minimum of 5 and maximum of 15 each)

• Healthcare~ Inspect 5% of all rooms, making sure to inspect both occupied and vacant units.
(Minimum of 5 and maximum of 15)

• If more than 12 units are inspected, list the additional units in the deferred maintenance comments.

• If this property is a storage facility please calculate the percent occupied by units and NOT square footage as you would do on any other commercial property.

• Please note that if a unit is physically vacant, but leased, it should be listed as vacant and explained in comments.
------------------------------
Links to See

Get Daily Notice of Inspection Companies Seeking Field Reps
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/fieldrepsneeded

Society of Field Inspectors
http://www.sofi-usa.com/

MortgageRamp.com
April Newsletter - MortgageRamp.com
http://www.mortgageramp.com/training/Documents/PDF/April05.pdf
Training Link
http://www.mortgageramp.com/training

--------
This should be a lot of information to help anyone find companies online to sign up with

February 14, 2005

2005-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

THIS WEEK:

In My email:

About Notary Websites see: Design.AdaptiveView.com

IREP's Gift Policy

Hot Question on the forums:
Purchase Closings

Announcements:
ASAP Pro Notary
Networking with Other Texas Notaries

---------------------------
In my email:

HOW CAN I GET A NOTARY WEBSITE ?

The VERY best value I have seen is at
Design.AdaptiveView.com

I highly recommend notaries look at this link if they are seeking a very professionally done website for their notary business. The price for hosting, domain name and design is around $200.00. This is a bargain in my opinion.

IREP'S GIFT POLICY - ANNOUNCEMENT FROM IREP in my email:

You are reminded that Integrated Real Estate Processing's ("IREP") lender clients have policies which prohibit their employees from giving or receiving any "thing of value" to or from settlement service providers. IREP's policies therefore also prohibit you from giving or receiving any "thing of value" to or from our lender customers or to or from their
employees. "Thing of value" includes, without limitation, gifts or prizes of any kind or value, free meals, a chance to win a prize, sporting event tickets, free services or discount rates for services. Your compliance with this policy is required. All notaries must be in compliance with this policy to continue closing loans with the IREP ILC program.

If you have any questions please contact the Training and Counseling Department at 1-877-789-4737.

GREAT QUESTIONS ON THE FORUMS

This week a question appeared regarding Purchase Closings. Anytime you read any article in this newsletter, you understand that the editor/publisher, Brenda Stone, is not an attorney who is able to give legal advice. Right? Okay...that having been said, I found three threads of interest regarding "Purchase Closings."

NotaryRotary.com - Three threads on purchase closings - Go to NotaryRotary.com, Using the ORANGE SEARCH BUTTON I located three messages to get insight on Purchase Closings:

#5141 Is a purchase signing a lot different?

#4743 What is the difference between a dry close and a wet close?

#6267 ...dry close ,wet close, HELOC & RESPA?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NETWORKING FOR TEXAS NOTARIES!
Texas Notary Network - Texas Notaries are invited to join
http://yahoogroups.com/group/texasnotarynetwork

ASAP PRO NOTARY SERVICES – DALLAS/FT WORTH, TEXAS

ASAP Pro Notary Services is a regional signing service providing loan signing assistance in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and surrounding North Texas counties. We specialize in loan signings, but our services also include corporate and personal notarizations. We can enhance your business by offering evening and weekend loan signings to your customers. Your loan documents are signed, notarized and delivered back to you ASAP! See our web site at www.asappronotaryservices.com for ordering and information.

ATTENTION DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA NOTARIES

ASAP Pro Notary Services is continually adding notaries to our data base. Please go to ASAP Pro Notary Services at www.asappronotaryservices.com and click on "Notary Sign Up" at the top of the web page.

PERSONAL NOTE FROM BRENDA/TEXNOTARY.COM

Congratulations to my Texas friend, Lisa Harrow of ASAP PRO NOTARY SERVICES, who is opening the doors on her new signing company. Over the past year I have come to know Lisa and I have full confidence in her and in all her endeavors. Lisa is a top notch notary signing agent. She also holds a background in the legal field which has enhanced her ability to be excellent in our field. I have found her to be an astute businesswoman with integrity and values that are also important to me.

Notaries: Would I work for her?

You bet I would!

Lenders, Attorneys and Title Companies: Would I hire her company to close my own loan?

Absolutely!

January 21, 2005

2005-01-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

In this issue

Just something that happened today.

In my email:

Do You Thumbprint?
What Supplies to Keep on Hand?
How do you keep your Journal?

Things to think and do when business is slow

eDoc Practice

Just something that happened today...
This morning I got a call from a company I do a lot of work for. They told me they had to send me edocs for an appointment at 4:30 pm today.

When they quoted the fee for the eDocs at $10 over what I usually charge. I corrected them and told them to lower it by $10. I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not, but it's the way I do business.

I set my charges and I stick to them. I believe that whether this company rewards me for being fair, in the overall scheme of things, I will be treated well for treating others well.

Things to think and do when business is slowing down
If you are experiencing a slow down in business, as I am this month, you may be interested in reading an article I have written in The Notary Fringe Blog.

In my email:

Dear Brenda:

Do you thumbprint in your journal? What information do you collect?
What supplies do I need on Hand?

Answers-
REGARDING: DO I THUMBPRINT?:
I don't do them. They are not required in Texas.

REGARDING: WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED?:
I would recommend creating your own acknowledgement blanks, jurat blanks and keeping a few handy.

I also have a jurat stamp which I use occasionally.

Further, you need to get the legal size envelopes from FEDEX and UPS. Set up an account and order 50 of them. It's free and you WILL need these.

REGARDING MY JOURNAL:

I make my own journal. I am not endorsing that any other notary do what I do, however, I have found that I need to keep more information in my journal if I want to keep it all in one place. So, I create my own. I am sure someone will have a problem with this, but I believe I am within the guidelines for Texas using my method.

I like having one signer per page. The reason is because when I use a line by line, I don't have enough area to write everything. Last year I started creating my own journal and binding them with HEAVY DUTY staples. AGAIN, I DON'T ENDORSE THIS METHOD OR SAY THAT IT WILL MEET THE NEEDS YOU HAVE.

My notary journal serves as a keeper of mileage, record of work, place to figure what's subject to SE tax and what's not, a place to figure what each job is costing me, plus it lists the "junk docs" that come in Texas Packages and other information. The only way I personally can properly keep all the information necessary is by using my own journal. I also have checklists which I refer to for pre-assignment, during assignment, and post-assignments.

If you want to get copies of my journal pages, I will send them to you via email in both MS-Word (so you can customize it) plus I'll send a *PDF. I am charging $2.50 for them. You can send it via PayPal to bsstone@ureach.com.

I figure that $2.50 is pretty affordable and you can decide if you want to use them or not without much of a cash outlay. However, I believe that what you will gain by seeing my format could be beneficial to you on creating your own, if you need to.

I print a cover, an index, 50 pages of the front page, turn over the pages in my printer and print 50 pages of the back, and I bind it inside of a cardboard stock with two heavy duty staples on the top corner of it.

I have also included a space for thumbprinting to make it work for California or for Texas, should thumbprinting become necessary.

And, after each assignment, I keep a month by month log of the Gross/Cost/Subject to SE Tax/Not Subject to SE Tax. I finally learned that keeping up with these things is the way to go on a daily basis. I will also send you this sheet.

AGAIN, I don't endorse this, but I use this method myself. Don't expect a slick presentation. I am doing what works for me so that I can capture all the information necessary in one place. It's my method and it works for me.

I love both the NotaryRotary.com journal and the NotaryDepot.com journal format, but my ONLY problem with these journals is they just don't keep it all together for ME personally. One tiny problem aside from that is that I have run into signers seeing someone else's name they know in the journal from the previous days. I also found this worked better for me because I am left-handed and I needed a journal that was top bound.

eDoc Practice

For those of you who are wondering if you can print eDocs which are downloaded from the web, there is a way to test your ability to do so for at least one type. It will give you the general idea. (I got the links from a message posted back in the spring on the Notaries Wanted Forum on on NotaryRotary.com.)

1) Download the "PCL INDEX" utilities ( http://www.mrgdocs.com/download/mrgpclindex.exe ) in your download directory or your desktop and save it.

2) If the program does not set up automatically, do the set up.

3) Then go to http://www.lenderssigningservice.com/testfile.mrf and download that file to your desktop.

4) On my computer, the program set up in number 1 above, does not show up in my list of programs (the one at [start] button), so I use explorer.exe to navigate around until I find the program. Do Right click [start] Explore

5) If your computer puts programs in the same place mine does, by default, you can go into C:\Program Files\MRGDocs\PCLIndex\BIN and double click on PCLIndex.exe to run the print utility.

It will open up a window.

6)In this printer utility, go to FileOpen and

7)Remembering you left the testfile.mrf on the Desktop, now navigate to your Desktop. (This is the file you downloaded in number 3) Double click on it to open.

8) You will have a list of docs.

9) Check (select) one or more of the docs listed.

10) Go up to Print and select your HP //or PCL// capable printer, if it is not already selected.

11) Next, while having Print open, make a selection of how much you want to print.

If you are PCL capable to the extent this eDoc utility requires you should be able to do it.

You should have docs printing without further work.

Until next time -

Brenda Stone

January 2, 2005 TexNotary Newsletter::Addendum

2005-01-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

An addition to the newsletter has been made to reflect the addition of the following

ADDED at 19:20 CST January 2, 2005
After finding the following site, I recognize given the FAQS, this site has a great training materials that should be added to this list: Victoria Rivera's Just Point and Sign. Excellent information at http://www.justpointandsign.net For the FAQS
http://www.justpointandsign.net/help/help.htm

January 2, 2005 TexNotary Newsletter Please Read!

2005-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

If you have not already read the introductory information on this newsletter published on January 2, 2005, please take a moment to review it.

Introduction Letter

This contains a little insight on the purpose of the publication, the policies, etc.

Subscribe OR unsubscribe here

Thanks.

January 2, 2005 TexNotary Newsletter

2005-01-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

KEEP YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BY GOING HERE:
TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE

Q&A ---In my email
State Spousal Requirements
How much can a make per month?
New Notaries & Forums
Where can I get a mentor and training materials?
Where can I find loan documents to look at?

---Articles & Editorials----
EDITORIAL: How I found help on the forums...What Worked & Works for Me
ARTICLE: Getting more comfortable with Truth in Lending Terms

---Notices & Announcements----

-Keep your subscription to the TexNotary Newsletter for Notaries
-HOW DID I GET THE LINK TO THIS NEWSLETTER?????
-Challenge #1 - Completed by Della/CA, CindyTX, LisaTX

---In my email---

State Spousal Requirements

Dear Brenda:

I am taking a test on State Spoual Requirements. Where do I get information on this???

ANSWER #1:

I cannot tell you how to get this information. HOWEVER, here is how I found it online.

(1) I fired up Yahoo.com and did a search on "state spousal requirements deed of trust texas"

(2) I read through the source results until I found what I believed to be a credible answer.

ANSWER #2: Based on my personal knowledge and opinion:

If you want what I consider a "one size fits all" Signing Agent HOW TO book, the best in my book is located at http://www.signingregistry.info/ for purchase. The Signing Agent Training Manual by Kathy Poston. It has a section that addresses this. Since I do not have enough time to completely find this information online myself, I respect Kathy Poston's copyrights on this page out of her manual and will not publish the information taken directly from her book. However, once I accomplish finding this information for myself online, I will publish it.

ANSWER #3

Do a search on NotaryRotary.com for "spousal" and see what comes up.

How much can a make per month?

Dear Brenda:

Do you think I'll be able to CLEAR on the average at least $1000 a month being an NSA in small-ville State Withheld?

ANSWER:

I DON’T KNOW.

I don’t endorse that people get into this business unless they have some background in mobile notary work, mortgage lending or real estate. Buy, if you are already here and you are determined to make it happen, it will.

I started receiving questions via email a few months ago with questions. I realized it would be wise to archive information so I decided to publish a newsletter. Because of the NNA (signingagent.com) and the fact that they offer such as “make $___ being a loan signing agent by becoming a notary.”

I feel many notaries have joined up believing they will make a lot of money just by becoming a notary.

That’s why I will not publish how much I make. I will not try to bamboozle anyone into getting into the business when it may not be feasible for them.

I have no interest in recruiting more notaries for the job, but I do like to help if you are already here.

It takes more than just putting your name “out there.” I am not telling anyone that this is an easy business to make a lot of money in--but, if you are focused and determined you will succeed...if you put the time and effort into it.

It’s not easy and it takes a lot of work to market yourself and to get geared up for the same.

Where can I get a mentor and training??

Dear Brenda:

Where can I get a mentor and training for doing loan signings? Where do I find business?
ANSWER: I don't have all the answers, however, I read the following books and can state my impression of them:

If you are looking for a mentor AND if you want a ONE SIZE FITS ALL Signing Agent Detailed HOW TO book, the best in my book is located at http://www.signingregistry.info/.
Professional Skills Training Guide by Kathy Poston. The Mobile Notary, Signing Registry, Inc., 125 Lakeside Drive, Saltillo, MS 38866, (866) 753-7577 toll free. Price of the guide is $75.00 + $10.00 for shipping.

If you want a less expensive book which is an overview, please take a look at the one located at
http://www.50statenotary.com/ . Victoria Ring's book gives a good overview of the business. Price: $19.00

If you are looking for a book which I found to be more tailored to fit a California Signing Agent with ideas for new agents on how to market yourself, try How to be a Wildly Successful Signing Agent by Joan Bergstrom and Cheryl Elliot.
See http://wildsignings.com/ for more info. Price: $89.95.

If you want to know how to find more business doing non-loan work write Laura Vestanen at
professionalnotary@yahoo.com . To order: Laura Vestanen 1321 King Street #1-222, Bellingham WA 98229. It costs around $10.00 and you need to find out how much postage to put on a SASE.

ADDED at 19:20 CST January 2, 2005
After finding the following site, I recognize given the FAQS, this site has a great training materials that should be added to this list: Victoria Rivera's Just Point and Sign. Excellent information at http://www.justpointandsign.net For the FAQS
http://www.justpointandsign.net/help/help.htm

Dear Brenda:
Where can I find loan documents to look at?

I can tell you where I have found loan documents that do match the ones I see in my loan document packages.

Try right here:
http://www.efanniemae.com/

Do a search on the site for the documents you see listed on forums and pretty soon you'll have a good understanding of what documents you'll need to familiarize yourself with.

Also, the SigningRegistry.info Professional Skills Training Guide should you choose to purchase it will contain a fairly complete set of these documents.

Editorial: How I found help on the forums...What Worked & Works for Me

NOTE:
The reason I wrote this piece is because of an interchange with another Texas notary. I truly do try to give direct and honest answers. However, I have found that's not what others often want to hear.

What I believe they want to hear is "It's the greatest money making job in the world! Now, please let me send you my step by step method for success!"

Every person is responsible for their own success, their own research, and for digging into their own notary rules, as well as gaining a degree of respect among their peers, IF they want it.

LETTER:
Hey, Brenda!!!

Thanks for writing. I have not really been doing this for very long.

It's totally a side thing for me. I work in another industry as a contractor, and that's what pays the bills. I'm just learning the notary business, but taking my time to try to get it right. I just thought I'd ask a few questions on the board, but I do see some pretty ugly talk about "newbies" so I'm being careful about posting very much.

MY ANSWER:
New notaries are not shunned in my experience…but if you feel shunned, just ignore it.

Being shunned on a forum is easy compared to being bullied (if it happens) out in the field. Use it to gain your "teflon notary" status. Let the negative crap slide off! Sticks and stones!

Frankly, I DO have a problem when new notaries sign on to a forum and believe that the notaries on the forum are not helpful just because responding posters advise them THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS, and recommend for them to go back and find their notary education materials and learn the differences between a jurat and an acknowledgement.

However, I don’t blast them. I just ignore the post.

The key is to getting help and gaining respect among your peers on a forum is to READ and SEARCH before posting. After you establish that, you'll get all the help you can possibly ever need.

That way you will not come across expecting something from others who have gotten experience.

If I need help, ask and receive it, it's a gift. It's not an obligation of others to hand me their business plan.

Please understand this is NOT directed at you…and, NOT that I am such a paragon of virtue, but I am an old hand at being self-employed.

To me, if I feel justified in asking another self-employed person (through the forums, as example) to hand over their research without doing my own homework, is to indicate that I feel I am “entitled” to their knowledge and experience, and would rather surf the ‘net while waiting on someone to spoonfeed me the scoop in one or more threads of posts.

That's not realistic.I write this newsletter to help others because I like to write and notaries give me an audience…so my “helpfulness” is also vanity, to a degree. I get some pay-off for my time. Though I try to be helpful, I am not altruistic in my help. I feel I am able to put a few sentences together and post them on a website so they can be there for notaries that need help in the future. So, I do.

Okay, that having been said, if you need the Tx educational materials for quick reference – http://texnotary.com/texnotaryedu.htm.

There is a good reason why they are there...I need them!

If you run into road blocks, write or call me.

I’ll help as I have time and when I can. Great luck to you!!

EPILOGUE...This notary was miffed with me because I tell it as clearly as I see it. If I find that I have made mistakes in my statements, I will change my position. If this type of answer is not something you believe is right, I do not know what to tell you. I gained the respect of my peers through doing exactly as I am telling others to do.

The rest of this editorial is being written in first person, so please overlook the annoyance of the repeated usage of "I." and will give you a step by step thought process for getting information that you want. Here is the method of learning that worked for me.

Step 1 -
Search Google One day I was looking for information that led me to a mortgage site wherein signing agents were mentioned and it got my eye because my background works with this kind of a job. Next, I found out what forums were online. I read them. Being totally confused, BUT much enlightened as to possibility, I figured out where to find information
about becoming an NSA without needing input from others.

What this means is I fired up the Google Search engine and did a search on every possible combination of three or four words that would get me to sites with information on it.

While reading through the forums I made notes of questions that came to mind.

Step 2 - Locate Forums - Read Forums
I then went back and read and/or searched the forum archives to see if the questions are already asked and
answered.

Step 3
Brand Yourself when you start to post. Anonymous posters are often ignored. I registered on forums and employed a handle which identified me as a notary in Texas, thus my handle BrendaTx.

Step 4
Start posting questions. I posted questions that reflected that I had not just arrived without some previous study on the same.

Step 5
Be Like Teflon / Say thanks, no matter what. No matter what answers I got, I said "Thanks for your input." Don't get angry.

Step 6
Help with what you know & disclaim your answers are based on opinion and your own personal knowledge. Once you get a little experience in signing, start helping with what you know. However, make sure you disclaim yourself as not giving legal advice.

Step 7
Keep saying thanks Say "Thanks for your input. I value your opinion." when you are told you are wrong. The response could be right. Don't keep a stiff neck and refuse to consider you could be wrong. How else will you learn?

Also, it will show you can hang tough and that you respect the opinions of others.

Step 8
Help others. Get ready because soon you will be contacted by new notaries for help. Help and mentor others! It will come back ten fold!

ARTICLE: Getting more comfortable with Truth in Lending Terms

LONG DISCLAIMER: Readers, always remember that I may not be a credible source of information. Remember, IT MAY or MAY NOT be YOUR JOB TO EXPLAIN THESE UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A DIRECTIVE TO DO SO BY THOSE WHO HAVE HIRED YOU. CONSIDER THESE AN OVERVIEW- DO NOT ASSUME THAT THESE ARE THE ABSOLUTE ANSWERS. AGAIN, read my disclaimer: NOTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER should be considered as authoritative. Sharing information with other notaries has become a near hanging offense with some notaries who are concerned that others like myself are attempting to practice law.

Therefore, I have to give this information with MUCH disclaimer material preceding it. I DO NOT PRACTICE LAW...I AM NOT EXPLAINING THESE TERMS, I AM SIMPLY SHARING INFORMATION I may or may not have come across over the past year which may or may not be helpful to you.

Having said that, so you will may be more comfortable with the terms and therefore have more confidence in your job, I am publishing Truth in Lending Terms.

CONSIDERING ALL THE FOREGOING AND THE DISCLAIMERS STATED HEREIN:

The following are definitions of some of the terms which are used in Truth-in-Lending disclosures whichare required by federal law. The disclosures are provided to enable an applicant to compare the mortgageterms of various lenders.

Prepaid Finance Charges:
PREPAID FINANCE CHARGES are those direct loan charges, paid by the borrower (not a third party),that are required by Truth-in-Lending regulations to be included in computing the Annual PercentageRate. They include, but are not limited to: loan origination, discount, and commitment fees; prepaidprivate mortgage insurance premiums (PMI); prepaid FHA mortgage insurance premiums (MIP); VAfunding fee; underwriting, processing, tax service, and messenger fees, if paid to the lender; buydown and shortfall funds; and prepaid interest.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
The APR is not the same as the note interest rate, if there are any PREPAID FINANCE CHARGESor buydown fees paid by the borrower. The APR takes into account all of these charges and fees andgives the applicant(s) a way to measure and compare the effective annual interest cost of the loan.

Finance Charge:
The total cost of credit as a dollar amount. It is the total of PREPAID FINANCE CHARGES plusthe total interest and mortgage insurance premiums, if any, which would be paid over the life of the loan,if paid according to the Payment Schedule. If the loan is based upon an adjustable rate of interest, the FINANCE CHARGE will be subject to change if the interest rate varies.

Amount Financed:
This is not the loan amount. It is the amount requested as a loan by the applicant (including any MIPwhich is to be financed), less applicable PREPAID FINANCE CHARGES paid at closing.
Total of Payments:This amount is usually the total of the Finance Charge and the Amount Financed. It is the total ofPREPAID FINANCE CHARGES, plus principal, interest and mortgage insurance premiums, if any, whichwould be paid over the life of the loan, if paid according to the Payment Schedule. If the loan is anadjustable rate mortgage, the amount may be subject to change if the annual percentage rate changes.

Payment Schedule:
The payments indicated include only principal and interest (and if applicable, mortgage insurancepremiums). The amounts do not include payments into escrow for homeowners insurance or propertytaxes. If the loan is a variable rate transaction in which the initial interest rate is not determined by theindex or formula used to make later interest rate adjustments, the Payment Schedule must reflect acomposite APR based on the initial rate for as long as it is charged, and for the remainder of the termthe rate that would have been applied using the index or formula at the time the loan closes. The effectof any rate or payment caps are reflected in the Payment Schedule. If the loan is a variable ratetransaction in which the initial interest rate is determined by the same index or formula used to makelater adjustments, then the Payment Schedule is prepared on the assumption that the rate used will notvary over the life of the loan.

The above definitions are intended to assist in better understanding Truth-in-Lendingdisclosures. The definitions are only intended to be short summaries. Those with legal questions should consult their own attorney for advice.

HOW DID I GET THE LINK TO THIS NEWSLETTER?????

KEEP YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BY GOING HERE:
TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE

You received this link from me because of one of the following:
(1) Your email was in my address book from prior correspondence.
(2) You wrote to me asking for information on how to subscribe to my newsletter located at http://texnotarynewsletter.blogspot.com/.
(3) You wrote to me asking for information on one of my other blogs which you can link to from the newsletter link.
(4) You subscribed via my website at TexNotary.com.
(5) You placed a free listing for submission at http://www.affidavit-notary.com/
Please let me know if you are not UNsubscribed by calling 877-829-8395 or writing to me at agent@texnotary.com .

My mailing list is managed by Your Mailing List Provider http://www.ymlp.com/

CHALLENGE #1 DellaCA, CindyTX, LisaTX Please contact me at agent@texnotary.com with your phone number and snail mail address. Also tell me which NSA Journal you would like to have.

RECEIVING A FREE JOURNAL OF CHOICE from either
NotaryDepot.com
NotaryRotary.com

These are BOTH wonderful journals and far better than you will buy from regular sources. Both of them have customization for NSAS. I like them both equally. Seriously.

Also, you will receive a profile link on my "ugly" website that so many of my peers are telling me must be improved. Hope it's not too ugly for you! (:>)

DellaCA, CindyTX, LisaTX. Next issue, I would like to do a little profile on you if you allow me to. Send me your mailing address and please advise if you would like the NotaryRotary.com notary journal or the one from NotaryDepot.com.

These ladies took Challenge #1. They were the only entrants, unless I overlooked someone. If so, please advise and I will make a correction to this and see it through.

Ladies, you are all winners in my book.

Until next time...

Be prosperous...never give up...be like Teflon and don't let the CRAP stick.

Brenda Stone
A Notary "Publisher" in Texas.

December 26, 2004 TexNotary Newsletter

2004-12-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

Hello all. It's getting late on Sunday Night and I am just now getting this ready to publish this.

This is a little skimpier than usual, but here's why:

THE NOTARY FRINGE

http://brendatx.blogspot.com/
by Brenda Stone
Your Notary Correspondent writing from the Notary Fringe

As you may have noticed, I publish my website on BLOGSPOT.COM. (BLOGSPOT.COM is free, by the way.)
I have also added a complimentary site to it called The Notary Fringe. I am your "Notary Correspondent" writing about things that are on the "fringe" of my so-called notary life.

In The Notary Fringe, I write about my personal life, my goals, my motivations and things that inspire me. Who knows...I might even publish my weight one of these days.

It's kind of like a diary, a place to write motivational things, and a place where I will share other information that I find to be worthy of looking into for making money that has nothing to do with being a notary. If I generate enough personal insights and enough income opportunity to make it worthwhile, I will divide the two.

Crazy as it seems, somehow what I write about from the standpoint of personal insights is often coincidental with ways I find to generate a little extra cash. Go figure.
I will still publish the occasional recipes here, and other tidbits to share, as I have been doing. However, if you care about knowing more about me, The Notary Fringe is where you will find less notary info and a more personal twist.

AFFIDAVIT NOTARY DIRECT
If you do NON-LOAN affidavit work, Don't forget to get your free listing at
http://www.affidavit-notary.com

ARTICLES & EDITORIALS
Recently Published On NotaryDepot.com -
(Thank you, Joe Noon, for indulging me and publishing my articles!)

(1) Make Your Notary Website a Better Marketing Tool by Brenda Stone, TexNotary.com There are four quick things you can do to make your website a better marketing tool for your business. Here is a quick listing of ... (continued...)

(2) Background Checks Go Both Ways - Editorial by Brenda Stone, TexNotary.com Recently, it has been stated that some lenders are requiring the notary to submit to a background check before they enter the home of the ... (continued...)

------In My Email---------

WHY DO I GIVE AWAY SO MUCH INFORMATION?
Brenda:
Your article on website strategy is terrific. You also want to refrain from posting the info for free and then selling your tips in the form of a booklet on the notary boards.

ANSWER: First of all, I am humbled and very pleased to receive such a high compliment.

Paraphrased answer to address subscribers to my newsletter.

As you all know if you read my posts online, I also enjoy writing. I do not intend to be solely dependent on my NSA business now, or in the future.

I feel I am good at being an NSA, however, I also *enjoy* writing. You folks are so kind to read what I write.

It's good writing practice to share with notaries, and writing is just "good for the soul."

But, aside from being helpful and writing here is a financial reason that I write. I am developing website "content." Without credible content, a website is not read by humans, or by search engines. As you may have noticed, I have put Google.com ads on my site. I earn a few cents every time someone clicks these ads. If you have a website. You should consider putting Google Ads on it. It will definitely earn enough through clicks to pay for your website expenses if you generate traffic through it by having good content on your site.

REVERSE MORTGAGES
Brenda:
I am a new signing agent and I have just accepted a Reverse Mortgage Loan signing agent appointment – What’s the difference?

ANSWER: From a Texas Signing Agent’s point of view, in short, there will be documents that may seem to be duplicates. Since I am not a lawyer, I will not comment on whether or not they are, or are not. Just handle each document individually as if it were a regular package.

Lenders are very on top of these packages and will jump to answer questions.

Sometimes, the loan officer has even attended the loan closing along with me.

From our point of view, these packages seem to contain two sets of documents. Rather than say anything further on the documents, I'd like to refer you to a site called eFannieMae.org .

There you can find many of the documents for your state and those which are used in reverse mortgages.

Also, included in the package will be the documents you have seen in other loan packages, such as a Signature Affidavit, a Name Affidavit, various compliance agreements, and Notices of Right to cancel, etc.

As a Texas signing agent, I can tell you that the packages, in my experience have been clean docs and easy assignments. But, as NSAs know, each state differs and this is just MY experience.

Where to get more information on the concepts of Reverse Mortgages: http://www.hud.gov/ – Do a search on the site regarding the term HECM. You can ALSO get tons of information at http://www.reversemortgage.org/ .

AFFIDAVIT WORK
Brenda: I have a listing on your site AFFIDAVIT NOTARY DIRECT. The problem is that I have never done this type of work. What’s this all about?

ANSWER:
Here is my Texas experience: Usually, this involves an appointment with a medical record custodian. I get a call from a litigation support firm or attorney outside of my immediate area. They ask me to arrange an appointment to go notarize documents for a local doctor, or other medical treatment provider. I quote them a price (Usually $25 - $35). After that, I get a confirmation fax. Sometimes I have to wait until they send me a check for the medical treatment provider’s expenses for copying. (Usually, they send my check, as well.) Once I have
the office’s check, I call them. We decide upon a time for me to go notarize the documents. Once I arrive, I notarize documents that are attached to the medical records, or I notarize an affidavit stating there are NO records. 90% of the time, that’s the end of the assignment. 5% of the time I am required to courier back the documents using the litigation support firm/lawyer’s courier account number. 5% of the time they want me to mail them back. (I charge an extra $5 for dropping off documents to the courier or to put them in the mail.)

RED LEATHER NOTARY CASE
Brenda:
Did you get a Red Leather Notary Case for Christmas this year just the right size to put your documents and notary gear in? What else did you get for Christmas???

ANSWER:
Why, yes I did get a nice red bag. It came from Kelley! Thank you for asking. Kelley is my son's girlfriend, by the way. Pretty serious, I think. My new bag is really sharp - but better yet, it's large enough to put all my gear in ALONG with my loan files.

I have to get this posted, but just let me say to my family and friends SANTA WAS SOOOOO GOOD TO ME!

(And, my emails have heretofore not been "made up." However, this last letter was a big fat fake, but I just had to brag a little.)

Finally, a letter I wrote to Victoria Ring of 50 State Notary, and her reply to the same:

Victoria,
Regarding the subscriber's letter about you being "dogged" on the forums Issue #66/Notary News:

If I were you, I'd hire someone to "dog" me about three to five times per year on the forums.

I am not making light of the attacks, but, in this case, one great result of the "dogging" is that it garnered a good deal of interest in your site.

Notaries who had never heard of you before learned by following the dog threads:

(1) There is a Christian element attached to Victoria Ring, and contrary to popular belief, a good many notaries have an interest in affiliating with a Christian notary in Ohio.

(2) There is a > newsletter with free information to subscribe to on your site

(3) Many notaries who write regularly on the forums affiliate their sites with yours

(4)There is an affordable book giving an overview of signing agent procedures for sale on your website.

Thanks to the rather thorough "dogging" you received, curiosity from this situation drove visitors to your site, and then to my site. It would be my guess that MANY sites in your 50statenotary.com directory earned extra hits this month as a result. If folks don't understand the basics of internet marketing and the value of hits scored, this will not mean much. However, I do.

Thus, I can say where "dogging" is concerned in this instance: Every dog is a good dog!

You may remove my name, or you can leave my name at the bottom of this letter.

Sincerely,
Brenda Stone, College Station, Texas

Victoria Ring's Reply:

Brenda --
You hit the nail on the head. When the notary who called to tell me about the rumors I told him that everytime 50 State Notary is mentioned (good or bad) it helps to bring people to the website. These gossipers actually believe they are hurting me, but it does completely the opposite. YOU see that and I am thankful that you do.

Yes, I will be more than happy to print your email in the next issue of The Notary News. The URL (which is not up yet) will be http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/issue67.html You can link to this page after the next issue is published on December 31.

I wish you a wonderful Merry Christmas. My turkey is in the oven cooking now and I must get back to the kitchen. Remember to thank Jesus Christ in your prayers for being born into the world. This is a wonderful day to celebrate!
From: Victoria Ring, CNSA
50 State Notary
http://www.50statenotary.com/
------------------------------

Thank you all for reading my newsletter. I really enjoy writing it.

Sincerely,
Brenda Stone

NEWS RELEASE: Free Listing For Mobile Notaries Doing Non-Loan Work

2004-12-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

FREE LISTING FOR MOBILE NOTARIES DOING NON-LOAN WORK

December 21, 2004

Mobile notaries doing non-loan work take note! Place a free listing in a directory designed for lawyers and litigation support firms. The name of the directory is AFFIDAVIT NOTARY DIRECT. It is owned by Texas Notary, Brenda Stone (TexNotary.com).

Those interested in a free listing should go to http://www.affidavit-notary.com to sign up. Only mobile notaries currently doing non-loan work should submit their information. (Notaries are allowed to input information about loan signings, as well, if they also do non-loan work.)

AFFIDAVIT NOTARY DIRECT is a new directory, and it is filling up fast. A “first come, first serve” concept is being used. Listings will be put on the site ordered by State, Base County, Base City, and date submitted.

Quoted from a recent review by a litigation support firm owner: "This site is very useful. I think if you can get all the information up front I will definitely use it, and will tell others about it as well. You are providing a much needed service for those of us who are in need of mobile notaries. Thanks.” Name withheld - Houston, Texas.

A bonus for notary website owners securing a listing in this directory: This is a manually developed site and will not be a dynamic database listing. What this means is each notary website listed will receive a link back to the notary’s site. This link will be available at all times to search engines. As a result, it may enhance a notary’s search engine results.

Individual questions about this service can be directed to Brenda Stone and emailed to agent@texnotary.com.

---------------------------

Affidavit Notary Direct

http://www.affidavit-notary.com

Currently accepting free notary listings.

December 12, 2004 TexNotary Newsletter

2004-12-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

TexNotary Newsletter

Q&A's in my email

Sample Invoice - Create one online
Company Marketing List & No No List
Notary Rotary - Yes Join!!!

Thank you notes

Victoria Ring (Latest book lists TexNotary.com!)
Notaries taking Challenge #1

Getting More Work

Affidavit Notary Direct (Get a free listing on my new site for Non-loan work)
New Book - $10 - BOOKLET ON MARKETING YOUR NON-LOAN NOTARY SERVICES-How to Get Non-loan Notary Work

Off-Topic Tips

Recipes & Preventive Medicine

Notary Hangouts - Tell me what you think.

-------------------------
Notary Q&A - Recent Questions in my email from NSAs:

SUBJECT: SAMPLE INVOICE

Brenda,
Do you have a sample invoice I can use for a guide?

Answer:
I generate an invoice online with a tool I made for myself. You can access a public copy of it here and make yourself an invoice anytime. The only information the form will keep is your name and email.
http://www.texnotary.com/tooltime/InvoiceOnline/index.htm

SUBJECT: GOOD COMPANIES LIST & NO, I have don't have a NO NO LIST

Brenda,
I saw on the forums that you have a list of good companies and a list of "no no" companies. Please send it to me.

Answer:
I do not publish a list of "no no" companies. If you would like a list of companies to market your services to, please send an email to listlink@texnotary.com. This is an autoresponder and it will give you a link where you can download a list of companies I recently received from a notary named "Mike." I cannot attest to whether these are good companies or not. But, if you need a marketing list, it is a good place to start.

SUBJECT: NOTARYROTARY.COM

Brenda,
How valuable is Notary Rotary to us? Should I pay the premium?
Thanks...

Answer:
I believe NotaryRotary.com is a very good site to have a premium membership with.
The reasons (1) The marketing list of companies is very user friendly. (2) You can find zip codes within a certain distance and set up rate sheets. A copy of my rate sheet can be retrieved here. By creating this sheet, I am searchable by zip code when a scheduler puts in the zip code I am in, or which I serve. I also keep a list of my zip codes on my home page for that same purpose.
http://texnotary.com/rates_notary_signing_agent_texas_bryan.htm

Thank You Notes

To Victoria Ring ... THANK YOU VICTORIA - for publishing my site's link in your newest book: The Best of The Notary News.

For more info on the book: http://www.50statenotary.com/ezine/book/index.html
And, thank you Victoria, for the other things you have done to give entrepreneurial folks ideas for starting a business.

To Notaries Taking "Challenge #1"
Thank you. As stated earlier, I'll be doing a little drawing and you'll get either the journal from NotaryDepot.com, or the one from NotaryRotary.com if you are drawn from the "hat."

About Getting More Work

Affidavit Notary Direct
Please see link at www.affidavit-notary.com

New Notary Book from Laura Vestanen from Washington...at the affordable price of $10.
INFO: BOOKLET ON MARKETING YOUR NON-LOAN NOTARY SERVICES-How to Get Non-loan Notary Work. I PERSONALLY ENDORSE THIS BOOK...Says Laura: With winter here and rates starting to rise, non-loan work can help boost a signing agent's income. Non-loan work almost always pays on the spot, often in cash - a welcome relief from SSs paying in 45+ days. FOR MORE INFORMATION Write to ProfessionalNotary@yahoo.com.

Notary Hang-outs: Here's Your Chance to Review Them
Tell me what you think...

Here is a list of places notaries might find useful.
http://texnotary.com/tooltime/notarysearch.htm

Review the list and send me an email telling me which ones have helped your business the most and why.

SEND YOUR REVIEW TO: Newsletter@TexNotary.com

Off Topic Tips
(Disclaimer: Approach these ideas with caution and use your own judgement!)

Smoother Ironing - Iron Gunk Removal . . .using glycerin.

It does the same job for me as the more costly "one time" tubes of iron cleaner I get at Wal-mart. Here's what I do: Empty the water from the iron. Heat it up to "cotton." Put about 2 tbls. of glycerine on a 100% cotton terry towel. "Iron" the towel where the glycerine is, rubbing it around just like you would if you were using Faultless or Rowenta Iron Cleaner. Be sure you get to the edges of the iron, and make sure your cotton towel is big enough to protect your hand. One day I read the ingredients on those little tubes and found out it contained glycerin. The lightbulb went off in my head - Glycerin withstands high heat and it's chemically related to antifreeze/coolant. I decided to pull out my old iron and find out if it would work. Like a charm, I'd say!

I use a lot of glycerine in soapmaking. If you need to purchase a supply of it that will last a LONG time you can purchase a pound of it for $4 at The-Sage.com.
Otherwise, you can pick up a 2-3 fl. oz. of it at the drugstore for around $2.59 which will do a good job for probably 10 cleanings of the bottom of your iron.

Candles & Fires to light and No long matches???
Try using spaghetti for lighting fire places, barbeques and candles.
From: Real Simple Magazine
( Save Up To 80% On Books And Magazines Everyday At Overstock.com!)

Pills on the Sweater?
Try using a pumice stone. Usually used for smoothing feet and hands—find in cosmetic departments of retail stores. Lay the sweater flat and firmly brush with the stone.
From: Real Simple Magazine
( Save Up To 80% On Books And Magazines Everyday At Overstock.com!)

Preventative Medicine
I don't have anything to add here this week for prevention, but I thought I'd share a recipes that might help a sore throat and keep Vitamin C and fluids moving down a sore throat.

CREAMY JUICE ICE CUBES
1 cup orange juice
1 cup boiling water
1 package jello (orange or lime)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup half & half
1/8 cup lemon juice

Boil the water. Add the jello and stir until it's dissolved. Add the sugar and stir, letting it also dissolve. Pour in the OJ, lemon juice, and the half & half. Using a stick blender, blend well. I put them into a pitcher which will make it easier to pour into ice cube trays.

Pour into ice cube trays. Freeze well.

Pop them out as needed.

Serve in a bowl with a spoon to the grateful sickly ones.

Another Winter Soup Recipe - Southwestern Chicken* Soup
*(Or Use Lean Ground Beef)

1 - 12 oz jar salsa verde (I purchase this from Walgreens or BigLots for about $!.)
3 cups chicken pieces
(pre-cooked – i.e. deli chicken, sautéed, boiled - leftovers.)
OR
3 cups browned and drained ground beef
1 - 15 oz can black beans or pinto beans drained
3 - cups chicken broth
2 - 4 green onions chopped (for topping)
½ cups sour cream

Good - Optional Additions…
Tortilla chips (Restaurant style Doritos are good.)
Grated Cheese (1 cup)
Corn – small can (Or ½ cup to 1 cup of frozen corn added)
Sprinkling in a little Hidden Valley Ranch Dip is good (dried from package – use to taste)
Cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin - I like cumin & cilantro, but some do not.

Directions:
Empty the salsa into a large sauce pan.

Cook 2 minutes over medium high heat, then add the chicken, beans, and cumin (if desired).

Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Top each bowl with a sprinkling of onions, a dollop of sour cream, tortilla chips and cheese (if desired).

For more liquid in soup, use 4 cups of broth.

Notaries with Interest in the Christian Faith...NSAs interested in a forum that's geared for discussions with other NSAs who are of the should email me at faith@texnotary.com

November 28 2004 - TexNotary Newsletter

2004-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

By Brenda Stone

IMPORTANT:
If you want to continue to get this newsletter, please send an email to
Newsletter@TexNotary.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. No message is necessary!

In this issue:

New NSA Information
Rule 1 – Know the Notary Rules
Challenge #1 to new NSAs:
Learn Your Notary Rules Inside and Out Before January 1, 2005
(Get a place on my website and enter to win a new journal!)

Keeping Time
Free Calendars

Web Sites
Free Websites

Tips and Tidbits
Getting Copies of the ID

Preventive Medicine
Avoid Getting Colds and Flu Bugs During Signings
PLUS - NSA Winter Soup Recipe: Texas Tomato Soup

Final Notes from Brenda

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For New NSA’s
Rule 1 – Know Your Notary “Stuff”

I realize that most notaries understand their rules and what their state’s law says regarding the duties and requirements of a notary.

However, sometimes, new Notary Signing Agents do not know that being a notary is more than stamping a copy of the seal onto a document after it is signed. And, being in Texas where no formal training is required, when I was a new notary, this was true about me. Until I began to dig in on my own, and I began to educate myself about being notary I was of the same opinion.

Boring as it may seem, I strongly endorse that every new signing agent make it a goal to familiarize themselves with the rules.

I have a link on my site which will direct every notary to their state’s site where they should be able to get a printable copy, or order an extra set to use as study materials. Here it is: http://www.texnotary.com/tooltime/sos.htm

Challenge #1 to new NSAs:
Learn Your Notary Rules Inside and Out Before January 1, 2005
(Get a place on my website and enter to win a new journal.)

If you have only been a notary for one year or less, and if you complete this challenge I will publish a page on my site and maintain it for at least one year for those of you who do complete the Challenge #1. And, I will add your name to it, if you give me permission.

Out of those who complete Challenge #1 before January 1, 2005 – I will give out two prizes by doing an old fashioned drawing from a “hat.” You’ll just have to trust that I will do it because this will not be supervised by anyone but myself. Two people will be able to choose from one of the following:

NotaryDepot.com’s Journal (http://notarydepot.com/ndjintro.php)
NotaryRotary.com’s Journal (http://www.notaryrotary.com/thenotaryshop/mojo.htm)

Rules for the drawing: Challenge #1 - Learn your notary rules.

Step One - Email me at challenge1@texnotary.com and tell me you will take Challenge #1!

Step Two - When you complete the challenge, email me at the above email address and tell me:

(a) The difference between a Jurat and an Acknowledgement—not just the words, but give me examples of what you use one on and the other. Give me a definition from your state’s rules. I will not “grade” them, but only want to see that you gained a good understanding of the main two notarial acts that notaries perform.

(b) How you learned your rules—what study method you used.

(c) Five things you know now that you did not know before you took Challenge #1.

(d) Send me a copy of your notary commission showing you have been a notary one year or less as of January 5, 2005. I realize that this is not proof positive that you have not been a notary for years, but I have to trust that only new notaries will pursue the Challenge #1.

If you have trouble figuring out how to get the info into a good “respectable” list - Try this method:
1. Obtain a copy of your educational materials.
2. While using a spiral notebook, or by sitting at your computer, get ready to create yourself a “respectable” list of the do’s and don’ts of your commission’s guidelines. (By respectable, I mean crystallize it in a nice list that not only will others respect, but so will YOU.)
3. Now, please take a look at the webpage I made for myself at http://texnotary.com/thankyoufornot.htm
4. Using that as a guide, perhaps you can create yourself a list of similar rules that will “tip” you off and help you remember what you need to know.

(Other Challenges may be issued upon occasion in my newsletters. Thanks!)
-------------------------

Keeping Time
Free Calendars

Here are a couple of nifty sites for getting your calendars printed up for the New Year.

www.mycalendar.com

www.calendars.net

-------------------------

Web Sites
Free Websites

www.tripod.com www.angelfire.com www.freewebspace.net

I personally use Winsave.com because I use FrontPage and I also use databases in FrontPage.

Not all sites offer this feature even if they do support FrontPage! My site costs $8.95 per month. You can pay yearly, monthly, quarterly.

-------------------------
Tips & Tidbits
Copies of ID Cards

How many times have you gone to a signing and there were no copies of the ID available?

Get creative! Put that picture-taking cell phone to use for more than fun! It might be a bit difficult to get a perfectly clear picture, but I think the main thing is that you can prove that you have seen the ID. Some lenders require a copy of an ID in the file. Get the best copy you can, but don't give up on using the cellphone camera.

I personally take my my digital camera with me to every single signing and that way I never miss an ID copy. I have a good camera and a close up lens, as well. Between the high quality zoom lens, or the close up lens, I can literally copy anything from a dime to a poster with clarity. If you are thinking this might be something you are interested in doing. Try Overstock.com.

There are some awesome cameras available there for $159 - $200 that will do all the things that my camera will.

Preventative Medicine for NSAs
Avoiding Getting Colds And Flu Bugs During Signings

Going into other people’s homes can be disconcerting during cold and flu seasons. Keeping healthy is the best way to avoid illness. A couple of other ideas may help to get us through this season.

As a genuine treasure collector, I frequent junk shops and flea markets. Here are some of my own ideas that I use during these ventures (because Lord only knows what is crawling around in some of the places I go to look for that little item hiding in a dark corner!). I figure that nothing in the borrower’s home can be much tougher than what I encounter in my musty, moldy shopping trips.

1. Vitamins daily – eat a balanced diet with a lot of Vitamin A and Vitamin C
Dark Greens have both of these vitamins. Try to add broccoli and greens to your diet during the cold and flu season. Increase the orange juice and tomato juice whenever possible. I make a lot of homemade tomato soup during the winter. It’s a family tradition – below is the recipe.

2. Gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide several times a week according to directions on the bottle. (Not only does it cut down on germs, it whitens your teeth.)

3. Wash your hands more than usual. I keep a squeeze bottle of 3:1 Water : Rubbing Alcohol and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid handy to wash my hands with and to quickly rinse off a glass after I use it.

4. Keep antibacterial gel in your gear pack and use it as soon as you leave the signing.

Send me more ideas for Preventative Medicine Techniques for Signing Agents! Address them to Newsletter@TexNotary.com

NSA Winter Soup Recipe:
Texas Tomato Soup

Note: My grandfather (Bob Mills) taught me to make this when I was a child. Apparently in East Texas where some of the deepest roots of my family are , tomatoes were plentiful, and so was cow’s milk. Here’s one of my family’s favorite and long-standing recipes.

Six – 10 slices of bacon
One large onion - finely chopped
Two cans of stewed tomatoes (size: 15.5 oz)
One Can of Tomato Sauce (size 15.5 oz)
Two cups of Milk
Cornstarch 2 – 3 tablespoons
Black Pepper & Salt
PLUS:
¼ cup of water
1 or 2 cornbread mixes, 1 egg, 2/3 cup of milk needed for each mix.

Go ahead and prepare the cornbread and put in the oven. (Set the timer.)

Run the stewed tomatoes through a food processor to puree, or use a stick blender to mince well. When I was a young bride, I used my hands to “mush” them as well as possible. (My kids would not eat it if the tomato chunks were very large.) Some people like the chunks and prefer not to puree or much the tomatoes as well as I do. When you are finished, set aside.

Using a soup pot: Fry the slices of bacon until crisp. Remove and set on paper towels to drain.

You are going to use these drippings to sautee the onion. “Eyeball” the amount of bacon drippings and decide if you can pour some off. I usually do pour off about half of it.

Next, sautee’ the onion until transparent.

Add the mushed / pureed cans of tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Cook at medium high heat. Bring to a foaming boil.

Add two cups of milk and observe that it will look like it has curdled. Reduce to low heat for a few minutes and it will begin to mix well and become smooth in appearance.

Put about two tablespoons of cornstarch in a cup or glass. Add about three tablespoons of water and mix well. Add the ¼ cup of water to the cornstarch mix and stir well. Pour into the soup and thicken it to your liking. Add water if you get it too thick and cook a few minutes longer.

Use plenty of black pepper to season and salt.

Set the pot on the table and crumble up the bacon on top of it, or put the bacon in a bowl for adding at the table.

Serve with, or over, lots of cornbread. This recipe makes about a two quarts of soup. How cheap and easy was that!

It reheats well and will put Vitamin C into your diet.

If you have a good recipe to share, send it to newsletter@texnotary.com

Final Notes from Brenda…

This was the first edition of my newsletter. Bear with me, but let me know what you think. I will open the ability to comment on this newsletter. Constructive criticism is welcome!

If you have an interest in networking with notaries who have deep faith in Biblical beliefs, please let me know. I am considering creating a group for the purpose. Not sure what the context or forum will be, but would like input. eMail me at faith@texnotary.com

Until next time - have a wonderful and prosperous week!

IMPORTANT:

If you want to continue to get this newsletter, please send an email to

Newsletter@TexNotary.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. No message is necessary!