Notary Signing Agents who depend heavily on mortgage refinance-related assignments may want to shift their efforts into getting other types of work in 2017. The refi market is expected to post a sharp drop throughout the year, according to various market forecasts.
But the overall outlook for next year includes some good news, and even the bad news might not be so bad.
The most recent forecast from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) expects total home sales to grow 5.3 percent in 2017. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects a more modest 2.5 percent growth rate. That could mean more loan-signing assignments related to home purchases.
With interest rates expected to rise well above the 4-percent mark, refi activity is projected to drop by 46 percent, according to the MBA. But if recent history is any indication, that projection may fall far short. This year alone, refi activity is expected to exceed the forecast by 117 percent.
In any event, it may be worthwhile for NSAs to expand their networking, outreach and marketing activities to get assignments from other industries, such as law firms, healthcare facilities and others.
Michael Lewis is Managing Editor of member publications for the National Notary Association.