In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan welcomes Joleana Singleton, Signing Services of America’s Notary of the Month and a seasoned notary signing agent with over a decade of experience. Joleana shares her journey from working at a national bank to becoming a trusted mobile notary commissioned in four states, closing nearly every type of loan imaginable. With a career built on professionalism, client comfort, and attention to detail, she offers practical tips that can help notaries and real estate professionals alike improve their closing success rates.
Phillip and Joleana discuss her most memorable first signing, the importance of making clients feel at ease during closings, and common operational challenges—especially when working with trusts, powers of attorney, or commercial transactions. Joleana explains how to avoid redraws by confirming signature formats in advance, the value of a well-prepared cheat sheet, and why thorough document review at the signing table is a game-changer.
Tune in now to learn from Joleana’s real-world experiences, gain actionable strategies for avoiding costly mistakes, and discover how to deliver a higher level of service that clients and partners will remember.
Highlights of the episode:
00:34 – Guest intro: Joleana Singleton, Notary of the Month
02:10 – Joleana’s first signing experience after leaving the bank
05:15 – Why presentation and reassurance matter in the signing process
05:20 – Rapid fire: A closing mistake you’ll never forget
06:00 – Rapid fire: Tools and systems Joleana swears by
06:40 – Rapid fire: Paper vs. digital and what “wet state” means
07:15 – Operational challenges and detailed instructions
09:40 – Why confirming signature formats before the appointment is critical
10:50 – Challenges when working with out-of-state title companies
11:50 – Signature requirements in commercial and business closings
12:55 – How Joleana built her expertise and staying up-to-date
13:45 – Joleana’s top advice for improving closing success rates
14:35 – The “cheat sheet” every notary should have
15:45 – Why representing yourself, the hiring company, and the lender matters
16:35 – Final thoughts
Connect with Guest:
Email: singletonsnotaryservice@gmail.com
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