SECTION 9: Scheduling

One of the greatest challenges the Notary Signing Agent will face is making the most out of the schedule. Creating lucrative scheduling habits is a must for any mobile business. Good schedulers plan their time in the most efficient manner possible.

The closer the distance between loan signings, the more loan signings can be completed and, consequently, the more money to be made.

For instance, if you live on the East side of town and your first appointment is on the West side of town, your second appointment is on the East side of town, and your third appointment is again on the West side of town, by the time you get back home to the East side of town, your day is done. You have made only three appointments and spent most of your derived income on gas. Though you don't want to turn down business, you must also make the business work for you. Of course, there are going to be times when these kinds of days are unavoidable. But for the majority of the time, with good planning, you can avoid such situations.

First, you must be realistic about the number of appointments you can handle on any given day in any given week. Though volume will vary, with proper planning, you will be able to fulfill your obligations appropriately. Clients do not want to see you rush in and rush out. Harried situations can lead to mistakes – repeat business does not generate itself through mistakes.

As with any other business, appointments get made and broken all the time. Always write appointments in your scheduler in pencil. You have to be a non-stop scheduling machine to make serious money in this business. However, good schedulers can make $600 in a good day performing loan signings.

Don't forget that your clients are also on time schedules. They will appreciate knowing your time constraints so they may plan accordingly. After all, they want closings to proceed smoothly as well. As you become more familiar with your clients, and they with you, you may be able to provide them with a copy of your schedule so they will know your availability and can plan more effectively. Remember, you are not the only Notary Signing Agent they have at their disposal; so the more you can communicate with them and prove your reliability and flexibility, the more you will be valued in their eyes as their Signing Agent of choice.

Know Your Timeframe Between Appointments

It's a good rule of thumb to allow yourself at least 1 ½ to 2 hours between appointments. Most closings will take between 30 to 60 minutes. Remember that you will not only be performing multiple notarial acts, you will also be interacting with your clients and building relationships (networking). Always remain conscientious of the time so you do not find yourself in the position of running late for your next appointment. Remember that closings present a tense situation for the borrower(s). Typically, hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars are on the line. Your calm exterior and efficient attitude can only help such situations.

Try not to schedule appointment locations any further than 30 miles apart. In some areas, however, a 30-mile drive could take an hour. So be ever conscientious of geographical conditions as well. A 30-mile drive at 10:00 in the morning will probably take half the time it would typically take at 8:00 a.m., during rush hour traffic.

Know Your Route

There are many free mapping programs out there on the internet, so take advantage of them. Sometimes they can provide you with alternate routes that will help during times of peak traffic. Even if you have mapped out your route for the day, always keep a physical map with you in your car. You never know when you're going to run into a construction delay or traffic accident or heavy back up. Alternate routes can sometimes "save the day." If you have a full schedule and you run late for your first appointment, a domino effect can be felt throughout the rest of the day.

Especially in the beginning, do not schedule your appointments too tightly. With practice and experience, scheduling will become second-hand.

In most cases, the Signing Agent has received the paperwork ahead of time and, therefore, the company is counting on the Notary to arrive at the appointed time fully prepared for a quick and painless signing. In some cases, the Signing Agent will communicate with the signers beforehand. This precedent communication allows the Notary to explain to the signers just how much time they can expect the closing to take and to go over the procedures so that signers will have somewhat of an understanding of what to expect. This extra communication can prove beneficial to all parties involved.