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Debe Maxwell, CRS, The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR! (Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310)

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John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

That is batshit crazy.  Sorry for the language, but it's that crazy.  Can you let me know what area of CA and I'll see if I can get you a better resource that won't gouge your client?

Apr 19, 2017 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I've had clients do courtesy signings at Title Companies in CA and they charged $100-200.  Generally the Title Company here would work it out with a branch office there, but I have also had them sign at an entirely different title company before for a similar fee.  Also, as someone else noted, if they happen to be a member of a national bank like Wells Fargo or Bank of America they may be able to get signatures notarized for free or less. 

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS is in San Diego, perhaps he has some insight. 

-Kasey

Apr 19, 2017 02:24 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The fees are statutory in California.  They cannot charge any more than allowed by law. Title companies charge the same fees ... after all they carry the license and have costs associated with that arm of the business ... normally the Notary is an Escrow Officer. 

Apr 19, 2017 02:25 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Could be quite reasonable depending on how many signatures are required, does this fee apply to initials too?

Apr 19, 2017 02:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Most of my investors are from California and that is actually a very good price.

Apr 19, 2017 02:04 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debe,

I am glad John Meussner has a suggestion for you, and I agree with him. A

Apr 19, 2017 02:28 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Is there abranch office of their bank neaby. They would be more reasonable if not free!

Apr 19, 2017 02:16 PM
Rainer
46,619
Karen Graves
Artistic Home Staging - Edmond, OK
Certified Home Stager/ReDesigner in the OKC area

That seems  pretty high!  My local bank has a notary that does it free of charge for customers.  I have also used a notary at a Fed/Ex  or UPS postal store.  They did charge, but it wasn't unreasonable. I would definately check around to see if you can find a notary in another office.  Best of luck!

Apr 19, 2017 02:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have never heard of charging per signature. A flat fee is the norm here.

Apr 19, 2017 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

that the norm

Apr 19, 2017 08:24 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,586
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

That is outrageous!!! Our title companies will do a courtesy close and they usually charge $200. I've had closing where the seller or buyer are signing in CA and our title company calls for a mobile notary..usually $250.

Apr 19, 2017 07:14 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

In my experience notaries at banks don't charge anything.

Apr 19, 2017 06:32 PM
Rainer
16,960
Teri Buchanan
Level Up Realty - Napa, CA
Seniors Real Estate Specialist in Napa Valley

I think you would be better off with a title company, but best to check with one directly if the title company you're working with there doesn't have California offices. Fidelity Title has offices all over California. I'm sure you can use google to find one that is located conveniently to your clients to call and ask for information on costs for courtesy signings. 

 

 

Apr 19, 2017 05:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

When i need a notary i go to my bank or a title company i use and cost is zero

Apr 19, 2017 05:10 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,407
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for telling us about this interesting situation. In our area, you can usually get notary service at no charge at title companies.

Apr 19, 2017 05:03 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Signing service in California to notarize and go through all the 160 pages is $175 - 250 in Orange County CA. A bank will NOT notarize for you, liability in CA cited. They can go to Federal Express/ Kinko's a full service notary and pay $10 per stamp. Loan documents with 2 borrowers probably 6 stamps if a condo or pud or 4 if single family. I can refer them to someone who will go to their house (the full service price and get it right as sending them back, redrawing documents or losing rate lock is also costly) call me if you need help 949 784-9699 Northern CA different than Southern CA in our customs. In Southern California title and escrow are often different companies like your attorneys. 

Apr 19, 2017 04:46 PM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I've seen $180 - $250 for a notary handling the loan doc packages here

Apr 19, 2017 04:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm a notary myself. $10 or less for a signature usually. But you can do it for free with some institutions, unless the escrow wants to use their notary only. 

Apr 19, 2017 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

That's the right price.  Used to be $10.  Unlimited charge for driving to the person as a mobile notary.  Escrow companies do the notary out here and the price has been $10/sig, now probably $15/sig.

https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2016/08/ca-notaries-get-raise-15-fee

Reminder for CA Notaries: The fee increase signed into law by Gov. Brown does not take effect until January 1, 2017.

California Notaries got their first raise in more than two decades this week after Governor Jerry Brown authorized a new $15 fee cap for acknowledgments and jurats — a 50 percent increase over the state’s previous maximum allowable fee for notarial acts.

AB 2217, which becomes effective on January 1, 2017, also raises fees for other notarial acts. The last time maximum allowable fees were increased in California was in 1993 when the cap was set at $10.

Apr 19, 2017 03:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

What about their bank? Most banks provide this service to their customers.

Apr 19, 2017 03:37 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Look at it from the point of view that everyone needs to make a buck...helps

Apr 19, 2017 03:25 PM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

That's much higher than we usually pay in this area. Many banks do it for free if you have an account with them. Other times around $3.00 is common.

Apr 19, 2017 03:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,623
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

My escrow company does it for FREE for my clients due to our relationship.

What title company are you using? If it's a national one, send them there to do it FREE.

Notaries charge flat fees here for the closing papers in escrow, it's a closing cost not a C.O.D.

Apr 19, 2017 02:59 PM
Rainer
117,135
Christine Kankowski North SD and Temecula
House Match Inc - Poway, CA
Excellent Sales and Property Management

WE do pay about $200 for a mobile notary, they come to you, and then take care of sending everything off to where it needs to go.

Apr 19, 2017 02:59 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Debe, the title companies do it here as a service without charge to help close the property.

It could be worse as they might start charging you by the syllables or letters!

Apr 19, 2017 02:59 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Our closers include all that in thier price toclose no matter how many signatures requier a nortary stamp.

Apr 19, 2017 02:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Attorneys don't charge to notarize docs.... I had my notary and did it for free.... it's no big deal and filling out the notary book to keep track of who was notarized is the biggest pain.... copy of id... details about the person who signs....

Apr 19, 2017 02:51 PM
Ambassador
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

      I have Title Companies, Lawyers, Credit Unions, et al who notarize documents for free.   The only time I remember paying was on a Saturday, we couldn't find anybody open except a UPS Store, I think they charged $10.

Apr 19, 2017 02:37 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'm with you Debe, that seems excessive. Hopefully someone will answer.

Apr 19, 2017 02:33 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Debe.... . I've had clients need to sign loan docs in California and it was arranged through my/their closing attorney here and I don't remember those kind of fees. If they are a BofA or Wells Fargo client, I'd bet a local branch notary would do it for a nominal charge, if any. Or maybe there's a notary in one of the local RE/MAX offices you could reach out to.

Apr 19, 2017 01:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Debe Maxwell, CRS -  And I thought Notary is a public 'SERVICE'!

Apr 19, 2017 10:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I have never paid a notary!

Apr 19, 2017 08:49 PM
Rainer
55,673
Joe D'Agostino
NMLS# 729950 - Manahawkin, NJ
Mortgage Officer 46 years!

If you have a bank account,take the Docs. there. many bank's do this free for depositors.

Apr 20, 2017 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I don't think that's too far out - I charge $10 per signature

Apr 20, 2017 06:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I think they should go to a different notary.

Apr 20, 2017 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,063
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow, unless there is a fee I do not know about just the closing fee which is around 350

Apr 20, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

I've never run into that - but - I'm in Arizona!

Apr 20, 2017 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I'm in California.  It's a price per stamp that the notary uses and I've never found it to be an excessive fee but I've also never practiced real estate outside of this state.  

Apr 20, 2017 12:18 AM