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: [email protected]

#NotaryLife #LoanSigningAgent #ClosingSuccess #RealEstateClosings #ClosingMarketWeekly

Welcome to the first episode of Closing Market Weekly! Phillip Hogan kicks off the show with special guest Bernie Del Hierro, President of West Star Title, to discuss the ever-changing landscape of real estate closings. With over 26 years of experience in commercial real estate and eight years in the title industry, Bernie shares how mentorship guided his path, the challenges and opportunities facing title professionals, and why responsiveness is the cornerstone of successful closings.

In this episode, Bernie and Phillip cover everything from shifting regulations and compliance requirements to the rise of AI in real estate transactions. They discuss lessons learned from closing mistakes, how technology is reshaping the industry, and what professionals can do to stay ahead of rapid changes. This first episode sets the tone for Closing Market Weekly, offering practical advice, insider knowledge, and thought-provoking conversations for everyone involved in real estate services.

Tune in now to gain valuable insights into title operations, leadership in a service-driven business, and how to future-proof your closing process in a transforming market.

Highlights of the episode:

00:34 – Guest intro: Bernie Del Hierro, President of West Star Title

02:00 – From tennis pro to commercial real estate

04:50 – How mentorship led him into the title industry

05:45 – Why title is a niche business and how people “get talked into it”

07:55 – Tools and systems that keep title operations efficient

08:50 – Going fully digital in the closing process

10:45 – Insights from the Texas Land Title Association Conference

13:00 – FinCEN reporting rules and what they mean for title companies

16:35 – Global scrutiny, foreign ownership, and closing loopholes in transactions

18:45 – Rising complexity in deals despite lower title premiums

19:45 – How AI is transforming document processing and closings

23:15 – Why podcasting is a powerful tool for industry networking and education

27:55 – The importance of responsiveness for everyone in a transaction

28:55 – Where to connect with Bernie online

30:35 – Final thoughts on networking, education, and closing deals “one episode at a time”

Connect with Guest:

Website: https://www.weststarbank.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-del-hierro-b442589/

#ClosingMarketWeekly #RealEstateClosings #TitleIndustryInsights #FinCENCompliance #AIinTitle