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Category: Notary News and Advice

Illinois Passes Remote Online Notarization

Illinois became the 47th state to legalize Remote Online Notarization last week.

They unveiled their new e-notary system, which allows residents to notarize documents remotely.

You could still previously use RON to sign documents, but there were too many pitfalls. Everyone had to be within the state, and it still required a wet signature from the notary. The new rules require the notary to be in Illinois, but the signers can be anywhere.

“In keeping with our ongoing effort to modernize the Secretary of State’s office, E-Notary serves as a game-changer for Illinoisians by now providing a convenient way to notarize documents without leaving their home or office,” Alexi Giannoulias said. “Enabling commissioned notaries to work virtually makes the process faster and more secure for individuals and businesses alike.”

Illinois Flag

As of now, there are just about 250 notaries approved to be e-notaries in the state, though that number is probably going to explode as we move forward.

The E-Notary system facilitates electronic signatures from both the customer and notary, along with electronically attaching the notarial certificate and seal to the document.

Following the Illinois General Assembly’s 2021 legislation authorizing electronic notarization, Secretary of State Giannoulias prioritized its implementation.

This involved securing state approval for administrative rules, developing an E-Notary application, vetting technology providers, and training staff for processing applications.

WREX

Notaries may charge up to $25 for an e-notarization.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000

Mister Goblin – “The Notary”

Another day, another win for notaries in pop culture. You may remember Notary Publix, the shorts from 2015 were the last time we told you about notaries in pop culture. That time a streaming series of shorts featuring former Saturday Night Live actress Kate McKinnon.

Well, welcome to the music world. In April, Mister Goblin has a new album coming out called Frog Poems. And part of that is a track called “The Notary”, which was released on Youtube a few days ago.

The song talks about how the singer wants to become a notary so the singer can have some practical use in life.

“The idea for this one came up during pandemic lockdown when I was brainstorming excuses I could make to get out and see people without violating the social contract,” Sam Goblin said of ‘The Notary’ in a statement. “One of the ideas being that I could become a notary and stamp shit for my friends. Never did get around to it, but I did write this song. Joe (the other guitarist on the record) had to sell me a little bit on the shoegaze-y whammy bar part he wrote, but I’m so glad he did because now I think it really makes the song.”

ourculture

Check it out below.

“The Notary” by Mister Goblin

2024 Update to Florida Witness Requirements

Attention Notary Professionals

Witness requirements in Florida for real estate documents are changing in January 2024. It is important to take care in fulfilling these new obligations so your documents are done correctly.

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Choosing the Right Title Company: Tips for Home Buyers

For Prospective Home Buyers

One thing a lot of home buyers don’t think about it the title company they will use to close the transaction. People are rightfully honed in on choosing their new home, but forget about chain of titile and how important it is in the home buying process.

Selecting a trustworthy title company is a crucial step in the home buying process. Here are some guidelines to help home buyers choose the right title company:

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High Real Estate Prices and the Impact on Notary Work: Challenges and Adaptations

The real estate market is currently experiencing a period of remarkable growth and high real estate prices, with property prices soaring in many regions. While this trend can bring financial gains to homeowners and investors, it also has far-reaching effects on various sectors of the economy.

Notary work, which plays a crucial role in mortgage and real estate transactions, is no exception. The surge in real estate prices presents both challenges and opportunities for notaries as they navigate the evolving landscape.

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Mortgage Rates Continue to Climb

Would be buyers took another hit this week as mortgage rates continue to climb. Under normal circumstances, housing prices would fall, but low inventory continues to raise prices, as demand is exceeding supply.

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Student Loans and the Housing Market

We doubt anyone was thinking about student loans a few months ago, except for those that have them. But, they have a looming effects on the housing market, already hit hard by high interest rates.

Why Student Loans will Affect the Market

Look back to the pandemic. Extreme measures were implemented to ease the economic suffering of so many people. In that regard, payments for federal student loans have been frozen.

And that is about to change. At the beginning of October the freeze ends and potential home buyers will see another bill coming their way.

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Effective Leadership Skills

Effective leadership requires a combination of skills and qualities that enable individuals to guide, motivate, and inspire others to achieve common goals and objectives. These essential and effective leadership skills include:

Effective Leadership Skills
  1. Communication: Strong communication skills are fundamental for leaders. They must articulate their vision, expectations, and ideas clearly and listen actively to their team members. Effective communication fosters understanding and collaboration.
  2. Emotional Intelligence: Leaders with high emotional intelligence can understand and manage their own emotions and those of others. This skill helps in building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and motivating team members.
  3. Vision and Strategic Thinking: A good leader has a clear vision for the future and the ability to formulate a strategic plan to achieve that vision. They can set goals, prioritize tasks, and make decisions that align with the overall strategy.
  4. Decision-Making: Leaders must make tough decisions, often with limited information. They should be able to analyze situations, consider various options, and make informed choices. Being decisive is crucial to moving forward.
  5. Adaptability: In today’s rapidly changing world, adaptability is key. Leaders need to be open to new ideas, willing to change course when necessary, and resilient in the face of setbacks.
  6. Empathy: Empathetic leaders understand the feelings and perspectives of their team members. They can connect on a personal level, show compassion, and consider individual needs and concerns.
  7. Conflict Resolution: Conflict is inevitable in any group or organization. Effective leaders can address conflicts constructively, facilitating resolutions that are in the best interest of the team and the organization.
  8. Delegation: Effective leadership skills include the ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities to team members, while trusting them to complete the work. Delegation empowers team members and allows leaders to focus on high-priority tasks.
  9. Motivation: Leaders inspire and motivate their teams to achieve their best performance. This involves recognizing achievements, providing positive feedback, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  10. Accountability: Leaders lead by example and take responsibility for their actions and decisions. They hold themselves and their team members accountable for meeting goals and fulfilling responsibilities.
  11. Problem-Solving: Effective leaders are adept at identifying and solving problems. They encourage creativity and critical thinking among their team members and actively work to find solutions to challenges.
  12. Time Management: Leaders often have demanding schedules. Effective leadership includes time management skills that are essential for prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining work-life balance.
  13. Integrity: Leaders must be trustworthy and honest. Demonstrating integrity in all actions builds trust among team members and stakeholders.
  14. Resilience: Effective leadership can be challenging, and setbacks are inevitable. Resilient leaders bounce back from adversity, maintain a positive outlook, and keep moving forward.
  15. Team Building: Leaders should be skilled in building cohesive and high-performing teams. This involves identifying strengths and weaknesses, promoting collaboration, and fostering a sense of unity.
  16. Innovation: Forward-thinking leaders encourage innovation and creativity within their teams. They are open to new ideas and embrace change as a means of improvement.

Remember that effective leadership skills are not about mastering each skill perfectly, but continually developing and refining these skills to suit specific situations and contexts. Great leaders are adaptable and always open to growth and improvement.

Sunshine Signing Service

Your Nationwide Notary Signing Service

Increase your efficiency and bottom line with Sunshine’s Mobile Notary Services and Online Notary Services. Sunshine is always there when you need us.

Or Call us at (727) 817-0000