The Note Investor Podcast

Fred and Tracy Rewey share their 2025 seller financing market data With $29.5 billion in new notes created and home sales at a 30-year low, the big story is resilience. They cover LTV trends, top states, the mom-and-pop vs. professional note creator breakdown, the impact of ITIN lending changes, and their outlook for 2026. Get the seller finance report: https://noteinvestor.com/notes-101/seller-financing-2025-industry-report/ Call The Underwriter Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

In this episode, Dan Deppen breaks down the biggest takeaways from the 2026 Squad Up Summit—one of the largest real estate investing conferences in the country. With over 2,700 attendees and insights from top entrepreneurs, this recap covers what's actually working right now in creative finance and real estate investing. You'll learn how investors are adapting to changing market conditions, where new opportunities are emerging, and how tools like AI are beginning to transform underwriting, operations, and deal flow. Dan also shares real-world insights from his own business, including scaling Call The Underwriter, buying notes, and evaluating new opportunities like tax overages. What You'll Learn: Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & overview of Squad Up Summit 02:00 – Key speakers and major themes 04:00 – AI in real estate (agents, automation, bookkeeping) 07:00 – Building scalable systems (including CTU chatbot) 08:30 – Tax overages explained (real example) 14:00 – Emerging strategies: RV parks, co-living, affordability 15:00 – The 5-step framework for building a real estate business 17:00 – Adapting to market conditions (non-QM, seller finance) 18:30 – Investor mindset mistakes (self-imposed limits) 20:00 – Hiring and scaling lessons 22:00 – Final takeaways & current deals Call The Underwriter Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals Podcast, Dan Deppen shares additional seller finance mistakes that didn't make the cut in his Cash Flow Expo session. He breaks down why "loose standards" and trying to be overly accommodating can backfire for both lender and borrower, how to work with an RMLO the right way (and why you don't want them telling you what you want to hear), and the red flags that show up when borrowers stall on documentation. Dan also explains why "no money in the deal" is fine—until you have no reserves—and why professional operators prioritize borrower quality, process discipline, and risk management. Register for Cash Flow Expo, Feb 5-7 Note Accelerator, starts mid Febrary Call The Underwriter Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

Dan and Steve discussed the launch of "Call the Mortgage Guy," an extension of "Call the Underwriter" that focuses on non-QM loans. Steve explained that non-QM loans cater to borrowers who don't meet traditional mortgage criteria, such as self-employed individuals and those with non-traditional income, similar to seller finance borrowers. Dan noted the growing popularity of non-QM loans, which have increased from 1-2% to over 8% of the mortgage market in the last 2 years, as lenders target underserved markets. The expansion into mortgage brokering, enabled by mortgage licensing in states like Colorado, Texas, and Florida, aims to address this growing demand. For more info on underwriting seller finance loans or get started on a deal go to www.calltheunderwriter.com For for non-QM loans in TX, FL and CO go to www.callthemortgageguy.com

In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals Podcast, Dan Deppen sits down with Caleb Christopher (CreativeTC) to unpack what actually goes wrong in creative finance deals—and how to structure transactions to avoid the most common (and most expensive) mistakes. They dig into a critical contract issue many investors miss: once you sign an agreement as the seller, you may not have a clean way out unless you've written in a seller exit clause tied to borrower qualifications. Dan and Caleb explain how to define those qualification standards upfront, why it matters for Dodd-Frank and "bank-grade" underwriting, and how skipping the right steps can turn a quick exit into a foreclosure-length nightmare. You'll also hear a practical discussion on: The real-world risk of due-on-sale in sub-to and wrap deals (and what you can do when it surfaces) Why "bank-quality" seller finance notes can sell near par—and why that matters The hidden problems with self-servicing and poor payment records Smarter liquidity strategies than balloons, including selling note partials If you're doing seller finance, wraps, or subject-to—and you want fewer surprises and more scalable outcomes—this episode is your playbook. Connect with Caleb: Creative TC - https://creativetc.io/ Caleb's Instagram - / fcalebchristopher For more info on underwriting seller finance loans or get started on a deal go to www.calltheunderwriter.com.

In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals podcast, Dan Deppen sits down with Jamie Bateman of Labrador Lending to talk all things mortgage note investing. Jamie shares how he transitioned from rentals and a background in title and mortgage into buying first-lien notes across the country, eventually building a note fund and team to serve investors. He breaks down how he thinks about geography, foreclosure timelines, and the biggest real risk in notes—what you don't know about the interior of the property. Jamie explains how Labrador now serves three types of investors—passive, hybrid, and active—through their income fund, done-for-you asset management service, and one-on-one mentorship plus community. They also dive into the niche of HUD HECM (reverse mortgage) deals as a pre-REO play, why deal flow has shifted since the 2010s, and how both Jamie and Dan are pivoting strategies, including Dan's approach of buying "broken" seller-finance notes and cleaning them up for institutional demand. This episode is a great fit if you're looking for ways to scale, simplify, or reposition your note investing in today's market. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com Connect with Labrador Lending Website: www.adversity2abundance.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labradorlending/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labradorlendingllc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/labrador-lending/?viewAsMember=true Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYrpCUlqFYLy4HngRrmU9Q 3 Core Services Integrity Income Fund: labradorlending.com/passive-investors Asset Management Service: labradorlending.com/hybrid-investors Labrador Mentorship: labradorlending.com/investors/active-investors Connect with Jamie LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bateman-5359a811/ Twitter: twitter.com/batemanjames

Mark Monroe—30-year investor and author of Creative Real Estate Investing—joins Dan to unpack the real mechanics of seller financing: when to use wraps vs. lease options, why performance deeds can backfire, and how to keep Subject-To ethical (and legal). Mark shares how he sources true win-win deals (including hospice-driven leads), structures low- or zero-down offers, and automates collections with servicers and VAs. They also dig into predatory tactics used by some investors, Dodd-Frank/S.A.F.E./RESPA realities for owner-occupants, and why compliance and underwriting protect both the borrower and your business. Connect with Mark: https://mark-monroe.com/ Join Mark's 180K+ member Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/395240491763831 Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

Seller finance compliance feels messy because multiple rule sets overlap and the gray areas are real. In this episode, I break down the essentials—Dodd-Frank Ability-to-Repay (ATR), TRID timelines, and the “Rules of 1, 3, and 5”—and show you how to keep deals simple, compliant, and sellable. Key takeaways Dodd-Frank ATR (the big one): If your borrower is an owner-occupant, you must make a good-faith determination they can repay (credit, income, debts, residual income). You want to underwrite anyway—this protects you and improves loan performance. TRID basics: Send a Loan Estimate (LE) ≥ 7 business days before closing and a Closing Disclosure (CD) ≥ 3 business days before closing. Disclosure reduces misunderstandings and defaults. Rules of 1 / 3 / 5 (why the myths persist): “1 per year”: Only applies to natural persons selling their own primary residence (not investment deals or entities). Not the “do anything you want” rule most think it is. “3 per year”: You can create up to 3 loans/year without involving an RMLO, but ATR still applies. Not Wild West. “5 per year”: You can do up to 5 loans/year without TRID, but if you’re already doing ATR with an RMLO, you’ll typically do TRID too—there’s no reason not to. Why follow ATR + TRID even when not strictly required: Better underwriting → fewer defaults Easier to sell (and at higher prices) to institutional buyers Enforceability if a borrower contests in court Costs are typically passed to the borrower at closing Servicing tip: For owner-occupied loans, use a third-party servicer. Compliance on servicing is even stricter, and you can contractually pass the monthly fee to the borrower. Resources mentioned 📄 One-Page Seller Finance Rule Guide (free) — quick reference you can keep on your desk 🤖 Note Copilot AI — my private GPT trained on 160+ sources (Note Launchpad transcripts, case studies, internal docs) to help you analyze, price, and operate notes in real time Events & shout-outs I’ll be at Note Expo in Dallas, Nov 7–8 — great for networking (700+ people). Get your ticket HERE. Paper Trail Conference recap — smaller, intimate, lots of note creators Chapters (adjust timestamps after upload) 00:00 Intro & why seller finance feels confusing 01:10 Event updates (Note Expo, Paper Trail) 03:20 What is Note Copilot AI? 05:50 Seller finance compliance overview 06:30 Dodd-Frank ATR (what it really requires) 08:40 TRID timelines (LE/CD and why they help) 10:15 The 1 / 3 / 5 rules explained (and myths) 14:30 Why follow ATR+TRID even when not mandated 17:20 Servicing: why to outsource & pass fees 19:30 Wrap-up & how to get help Work with me / Get help Underwriting & compliance for seller-finance deals: Call The Underwriter Questions? dan@calltheunderwriter.com

This episode features Eddie Speed, a nationally recognized authority in note investing, seller financing, and creative real estate strategies. Eddie shares insights into his company’s focus on acquiring well-structured residential property loans and improving the note creation process through education and investor training. He discusses the origins and mission of NoteSchool, an industry-leading training platform that helps investors master the art of buying, selling, and managing notes. Eddie also previews an upcoming trade show highlighting how blockchain technology is transforming loan sales and enhancing transparency in real estate transactions. The conversation wraps up with details about Note Expo, one of the largest networking events in the note and seller-finance space, emphasizing its role in connecting investors, lenders, and innovators shaping the future of real estate finance. Note Expo is Nov 7-8 in Dallas, get your ticket here: https://noteschool.isrefer.com/go/ne/Fusion/ Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

Shante Duffy recently joined the Call The Underwriter team! In this podcast episode, Dan sits down with Shante Duffy to talk about her journey in real estate investing and loan servicing. From starting as an administrative assistant to managing assets, Shante shares how her career has evolved and what inspired her to join Dan’s team to learn the underwriting process. Together, they dive into the key differences between loan origination and servicing—touching on compliance, borrower interactions, and the challenges of managing loans throughout their lifecycle. Shante also reflects on her experiences in the note investing space and looks ahead to exciting plans for team growth, including expansion into non-QM lending and licensing in new states. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

In this podcast, Dan was joined by Chris Larson of Next Level Income. They discussed the current real estate market conditions and Chris shared his extensive experience in real estate investments, including his portfolio of properties and insights on market cycles. They explored opportunities in creative finance and hard money lending, while Chris provided analysis of current market trends and economic indicators. The conversation concluded with discussions about various real estate sectors, including senior housing, car washes, and commercial properties, with Chris offering strategic advice for navigating the current economic climate. Connect with Chris: Email: chris@nextlevelincome.com LinkedIn: in/nextlevelincome Website: www.nextlevelincome.com Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

The meeting featured an interview with Dave Seymour, star of A&E's Flipping Boston. He shared his journey from working-class immigrant to successful real estate investor, highlighting his financial struggles and eventual path to real estate education and investment. Dave discussed his experiences in multifamily real estate, including his work on a reality TV show and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the market. The conversation concluded with discussions about teaching and documenting investment strategies, and the importance of serving people in real estate. Connect with Dave: Website: www.freedomventure.com LinkedIn: daveseymour343 YouTube: @legacyallianceclub X (Twitter): @daveseymour343 Instagram: @daveseymour343 Facebook: @daveseymourlive Email: info@freedomventure.com Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

Trystan has flipped over 20 properties, managed up to 9 rental doors, and used various financing methods including seller financing in the past four years after transitioning from a 20-year career in technology. He appreciates seller financing as a creative option where sellers can become the bank, though he notes it's not suitable for all sellers and emphasizes the importance of conducting deals ethically, using the test of whether he'd want the same treatment for his family members. Connect with Trystan: https://midlifetomillions.com/ Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

In this podcast, Dan interviews Dave Dubeau, a Canadian real estate investor who shares his journey from starting over with no credit to becoming a successful capital raiser and podcast host. Dave discusses his approach to real estate investing and his current focus on helping syndicators and fund managers raise capital from accredited investors through his Property Profits Real Estate Podcast. The conversation explores various strategies for leveraging podcasts for personal branding, content creation, and networking, including the use of AI for content repurposing and the importance of maintaining business knowledge while utilizing automation tools. Learn more from and connect with Dave Dubeau: Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedubeau/ Free ebook on getting 20 accredited investor meetings per month: https://20accreditedinvestorsbook.com/ Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

David Kahl, a South Carolina real estate investor, shares his journey from traditional flips and rentals to building a portfolio of owner-financed notes starting in 2017. In this episode, David breaks down his strategies for acquiring and financing properties using seller financing and private money. He also discusses how he manages notes, including the risks and rewards of subject-to deals, wrap loans, and effective marketing tactics for sourcing deals. The conversation wraps up with insights on the current landscape of real estate investing—highlighting the importance of local investor associations for connecting with private lenders and note buyers. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

In this episode Hans shared his journey from academia to real estate investing, focusing on his experiences with wholesaling properties and transitioning to creating notes and investing in properties subject to existing loans. The discussion covered various aspects of real estate investing, including the importance of building trust with sellers, understanding motivated seller characteristics, and navigating sub-2 deals and their complexities. Hans and Dan explored different investment models, including contract for deeds and mortgages, while discussing challenges like insurance issues and the process of converting land contracts to mortgages. Learn more from Hans: Sub2Investor YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@sub2investor Sub2Investor Website - https://www.sub2investor.com/ Email - hans@sub2investor.com Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

Dan interviews Dee Simpson, a transaction coordinator, to discuss her background and the role of transaction coordinators in real estate, including their responsibilities in managing and facilitating transactions after contract execution. They explore common mistakes investors make when reviewing documents and working with vendors, emphasizing the importance of thorough contract reading and legal consultation. The conversation delves into the complexities of land contracts versus mortgages, including legal challenges and regulatory restrictions, while also covering subject-to deals and the role of servicing companies in managing payments and providing paper trails. To engage with Dee on your next creative deal, go to: https://coordinatedconnect.com/ or send her an email at: dee@coordinatedconnect.com. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

In this episode, we sit down with Dave Friedman, a seasoned real estate investor, as he shares his journey from building a rental portfolio to transitioning into property flipping and creative strategies like seller financing. Tune in to hear the lessons he’s learned, the challenges he’s overcome, and how he’s adapted his approach to maximize returns in today’s market. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

This podcast is a replay of a webinar from 5/23/25 where I discussed 10 aspects of underwriting new seller finance loans that you may not have considered. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

In this episode, I kick off a new series exploring how AI is transforming real estate note investing and creative finance strategies. I break down foundational AI concepts and their evolution, and share insights from my experience implementing AI at major tech companies. Tune in to hear where AI shines—and where it still falls short—when it comes to streamlining administrative work and supporting complex decision-making in real estate investing. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? SMALL GROUP LIVE COACHING: https://www.fusionnotes.com/livetraining