Donna,

Maybe I can help you getting set up as a signing agent. If you have your notary's commission you just need to get clients. From what I am reading on the notary boards the Carolinas are hot markets right now.

I do both notary witness closings as well as full attorney's closings in addition to abstracting and practicing law. During the past year or two I have noticed that there is more money to be made in the closings than in abstracting in this area. You have greater control in the negotiation of a fee for your services than you do with abstracting. The work is easier and the exposure to liability seems to be less. You are right a notary signing agent can pick up $125.00 to $225.00 for a closing depending on the area in which you are located and the circumstances of each closing (could be a last minute emegency or  piggy back mortgages). You will find that you have the ability to pick and choose the closings you want rather than have the price imposed on you as in the abstracting scenario.

If you already have your notary's commission sign up with Notary Rotary and Gomobile notary. They have a list of signing services and title companies that you can join. As you monitor the bulletin boards on these sites the other notaries will let you know through their postings which companies are deadbeats and which are good. Make certain that you buy a premium membership at these sites. It will guaranty preferred placement on the list of notaries in your area when someone is looking for a signing agent.
The cost of the premium membership is cheap, and you will make it back on the first closing you get.

You will read about notaries not getting paid for their work in some instances, but this is a problem I have found to be more closely associated with signing services than title companies. If you run into a problem with non payment let me know, and I will tell you how to get them to pay you. I have never been stiffed on a closing. Several signing services recently tried, but we rectified the situation in short order, and were were paid immediately. It is not as difficult as some people seem to think.

Hope this helps