“How do I get started investing in notes?” That’s a question we hear daily from tired landlords, stressed out rehabbers, or the couple next door wanting to improve life for their family. Own The Real Estate Or Be The Bank There are differences between investing in real estate vs. mortgage notes. Rather than owning the property, you own the right to collect … [Read more...] about 21 Tips To Read Before You Get Started Investing in Notes
Note Buying Blog and Articles
Rentals to Notes: 2.5X Cash Flow — A $130,000 Real Deal in Fort Wayne
Every landlord who's managed a rental for a decade knows the feeling. The property cash flows on paper, but the reality is a different story: rent that shows up when it shows up, repairs that constantly eat into your margin, and a tenant that keeps things interesting in ways you didn't sign up for. That was the situation for Jay and Kyle, a father and son-in-law team that … [Read more...] about Rentals to Notes: 2.5X Cash Flow — A $130,000 Real Deal in Fort Wayne
The Best Way to Learn How to Invest in Notes
The best way to learn about note investing might surprise you. A lot of people start learning note investing the same way they learned in school. They look for definitions, training videos, spreadsheets, and terminology. They follow a couple of people on YouTube, join an online group, maybe even go to a local meetup. There is nothing wrong with that. You need to understand … [Read more...] about The Best Way to Learn How to Invest in Notes
Strategies to Help Close Deals
How successful note buyers keep deals moving from inquiry to closing. Where do you think note deals can stall out? Is it during due diligence, while trying to collect all the necessary documents for underwriting? Is it during a Purchaser Interview? Is it BPO or title? Maybe it's when the seller realizes the note can't be purchased for 100% of the unpaid balance? While … [Read more...] about Strategies to Help Close Deals
Financial Independence Isn’t About Retirement – It’s About Options
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's independence, I'm always reminded of financial independence. The odd thing is that when people talk to me about financial independence, the conversation usually turns to retirement. I'm not sure why 'retirement' became the benchmark. Some of the coolest people I know are not retired but are 'financially … [Read more...] about Financial Independence Isn’t About Retirement – It’s About Options
Lessons from Getting My MLO
Traditional mortgage providers take compliance and the ability to repay seriously — you should too. Recently, I took and passed the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) Test. Included in that test is a required 20-hour NMLS pre-licensing education (along with your state's required education). It was eye-opening. Working our quoting desk for the last three years, … [Read more...] about Lessons from Getting My MLO
The 10 Biggest Wrap Note Mistakes We See (and What to Do Instead)
Not all wrap note mistakes are equal. Some reduce profits. Some create headaches. A few can put the entire transaction at risk. We see a lot of wrap notes as investors, usually involving seller financing. The seller still owes money on the property and the owner financing ‘wraps’ around an existing mortgage. The buyer pays one payment to the seller while the seller … [Read more...] about The 10 Biggest Wrap Note Mistakes We See (and What to Do Instead)
Stocks vs Notes
Stocks Made Me Money. Notes Changed How I Invest. It's a question We've heard for years: "Why would I invest in real estate notes when I can just put my money in the stock market and earn 8-10+%?" The truth is, we don't think it's a bad question. In fact, it's one investors should ask before putting money into any investment or class of investments. If you're going to tie … [Read more...] about Stocks vs Notes
Note Investing Red Flags: What to Watch Before You Buy
Note investing offers the potential for consistent cash flow and long-term returns—but only when deals are properly vetted. Performing or non-performing notes, overlooking key warning signs, can quickly turn a promising investment into a costly problem. The good news is that most bad deals leave clues. Detecting Note Investing Red Flags As a Note Buyer (or Broker), … [Read more...] about Note Investing Red Flags: What to Watch Before You Buy
Five Things To Focus On And Five Things To Avoid
Tracy, Mikayla, and I spend the bulk of our week helping people, but maybe not in the way you think. Yes, we have a ton of educational materials, hundreds of videos, countless downloadable forms, and marketing templates. But here is the thing: most note investors do not have an information problem—they have a focus problem. There is more education available today than … [Read more...] about Five Things To Focus On And Five Things To Avoid
Balloon Payments in Mortgage Notes: What Note Investors Need to Know
When evaluating mortgage notes, one term that comes up but isn't always fully understood is the balloon payment. For note creators and investors, this feature can significantly impact both risk and return. Whether you're new to note investing or expanding your portfolio, understanding how balloon payments work is essential to making informed decisions. What Is a Balloon … [Read more...] about Balloon Payments in Mortgage Notes: What Note Investors Need to Know
