Online Notarizations Take Another Hit

The State of New Jersey just released a statement regarding the practice of notarizing signatures online via a webcam.  Though many states (not Michigan) have issued statements prohibiting the use of webcams as a means of identifying a signer and notarizing a signature, the New Jersey statement is significant since the one company that claims to offer this service, Notary Now, is based in New Jersey.  Due to concerns over security and fraud issues, the notary community has been singularly united against the use of webcams for the purpose of notarizations.

The statement reads as follows:

The Division of Revenue requested legal guidance concerning the practice of online notarization services utilizing a webcam or other video in lieu of a personal appearance in front of a valid New Jersey Notary. It has been determined that New Jersey’s statutes do not allow for this type of notarization.



 

Prices Up, Sales Down

New home sales fall as home values begin to rise. 

A Devestating Day For All Of Us

Late yesterday evening the notary community lost one of its finest members.  Paul Williamson of PAW Notary Services in Florida passed away.  The news comes as a shock to so many of us.  Paul was a leader in the industry and an absolute gentleman.  He was as knowledgeable as anyone in the industry and was always willing and eager to offer his assistance to those who needed it.  As with so many others, I find it hard to express the sadness and devastation I feel over this immense loss.  Paul will be greatly missed.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Today I did a purchase signing for an out of state property with a title company that I've never dealt with before.  In their package is an I.D. form to fill out the borrower's information.  Under that, the title company wants me to notarize the form.  There is no place for the borrower to sign and the notary wording is improper as well.  So of course, since the borrower isn't signing it it shouldn't be notarized.  We notarize SIGNATURES, not DOCUMENTS.  So without the borrower signing anything, you can't notarize it.

But the best part of this form is that underneath the place where they want me to improperly notarize a document, in big bold letters, it states: IMPROPERLY NOTARIZING A DOCUMENT IS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW.  ANY OCCURRENCE WILL BE REPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.  Oh the irony!  I'm not sure whether to laugh or drop my head in embarrassment. 

Lenders Continue Practice Of Robo-Signings

Anyone surprised?  Anyone?

You Really Should Refinance

The average 15 year rate is at a 2011 low (3.65%) while the 30 year rate average dropped to 4.51%.  What could you possibly be waiting for?  Other than for your credit score to improve...or for your house value to come back up...or for this MERS thing to be resolved...or for you to find employment again...

Where To Buy Paper

It's always a challenge trying to find the best bargain on bulk paper.  Right now Office Depot and Reliable Office Supplies are the best best prices I can find.  They seem to have specials almost every week.  Any other suggestions are welcome. 

Your Online Reputation

From the Kudzu Business Center: 10 tactics that could save your online business reputation:

1. Know your achilles heel
2. Assume everything will make it’s way to the web
3. Create a great online impression; dress to impress!
4. Choose your blog voice carefully
5. Hangout at the right social network
6. Send blogger’s love letters, not PR pitches
7. Build your Google reputation now, not later
8. Monitor your online reputation as often as your email
9. Ostriches are not great role-models
10. Three words to remember(sincerity, transparency, and consistency)

Are We There yet?

Have we REALLY hit the bottom of home prices?  Are we SURE this time?  HUD secretary Shaun Donovan says yes.