Owner Financing & Note Investing Podcast with Dawn Rickabaugh: Recent Episodes

Dawn Rickabaugh | Expert Advice for building wealth through Owner Financing & Note Investing

Subscribe to Dawn Rickabaugh's Owner Financing & Note Investing Podcast, as she shares how owner financing and note investing can revolutionize your real estate portfolio and supercharge your ROI! Finally learn & the dance between property and paper.

This was a fun chat with someone I met through another coaching group for entrprenuers. Erin and I can appreciate each others' sense of humor... and being able to laugh is high value! We got caught here in the beginning laughing over Charmander... anyone have kids that used to play Pokemon??

We discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding homeownership in today’s market, specifically focusing on owner financing as a powerful, yet often overlooked strategy. The conversation addresses the difficulties faced by younger generations in buying homes due to soaring prices and high-interest rates, and how traditional bank financing may no longer be the only or best option. Instead, owner financing—where the seller acts as the lender—can unlock trillions in home equity held mostly by baby boomers, creating a win-win scenario for both sellers and buyers.

We cover how government policies and monetary interventions during and after COVID-19 have distorted housing markets, driving up prices and making homeownership inaccessible for many. They emphasize that many boomers own homes free and clear, holding substantial equity that can be leveraged through owner financing to provide flexible, lower-interest loans to younger buyers. This method bypasses traditional bank loans, reduces transaction costs, and can offer better terms for both parties.

The discussion also dives into practical advice on how to approach owner financing deals, including how buyers can find sellers willing to finance, the importance of having at least a 10% down payment, and how owner financing documents work similarly to bank loans but without the middleman. The conversation highlights the tax advantages and income stability for sellers who carry the loan, and the benefit to buyers who can secure better interest rates and terms. The value of fostering personal relationships and trust between parties is stressed, along with the need for proper legal guidance.

They also touch on common misconceptions about owner financing, the risks of poorly structured notes, and the secondary market for selling these loans. The interview concludes with encouragement for people to explore owner financing as a strategic alternative to conventional home buying, especially amid current market volatility and economic uncertainty, offering hope and actionable insights for those feeling priced out or stuck.

In this comprehensive discussion led by Dawn Rickabaugh, a seasoned seller finance expert and owner of NoteQueen.com, the multifaceted benefits and strategies of using owner financing in real estate transactions are explored in depth. Dawn emphasizes the critical interplay between "property and paper," referring to the tangible real estate asset and the financial instruments (notes) that represent debt secured by that property. The conversation covers practical insights for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals on how seller financing can serve as a powerful alternative or complement to traditional bank financing, especially in challenging market conditions where conventional loans may be difficult to obtain.

Dawn highlights the growing importance of owner financing amid tightening credit markets, rising interest rates, and shifting real estate dynamics in various U.S. regions and Canada. She explains how owner financing not only opens doors for buyers with substantial down payments but limited access to bank loans, but also creates unique opportunities for sellers to maximize their property’s value by offering flexible, attractive financing terms. The discussion dives into the strategic advantages of owning and buying notes, including the ability to buy back one’s own mortgage at a discount, negotiate terms directly with note holders, and benefit from the personal relationship between buyer and seller—advantages not available with traditional bank loans.

Real-life examples and participant insights enrich the discussion, illustrating how owner financing can enable cash flow, tax benefits, and enhanced deal flexibility. The session also addresses common misconceptions, the importance of legal protections such as first rights of refusal and transferability clauses, and innovative approaches like rent-to-own conversions and master leases.

The conversation culminates in practical advice for real estate agents to leverage these tools to rescue commissions and become indispensable dealmakers in a market where creative financing solutions are increasingly vital. Dawn announces forthcoming educational courses aimed at empowering buyers and investors to confidently use owner financing and notes as wealth-building vehicles. Overall, the session serves as both a primer and an advanced exploration of seller financing’s potential to transform real estate investing and homeownership.

### Highlights - [00:00:05] 🏠 Introduction to seller financing and the "dance between property and paper." - [00:04:53] 📉 Real estate market shifts and challenges for buyers with traditional financing. - [00:07:41] 🔑 Builders selling more inventory than resale homes due to incentives and rate buy-downs. - [00:13:05] 💡 Unique buyer benefits of owner financing, including buying back notes at a discount. - [00:20:33] ❤️ Human element of owner financing—flexibility and negotiation in hard times. - [00:30:47] 💰 Owner financing enables higher sale prices through attractive terms and cash flow. - [00:43:39] 💼 Real-life case study of self-directed IRA used to fund owner-financed purchase.

### Key Insights - [00:01:14] 🏦 Seller financing as an overlooked alternative: Many buyers with strong down payments are locked out by banks due to self-employment or credit constraints. Seller financing provides a direct path to homeownership by tapping into the equity of property owners rather than relying on traditional lenders. This expands the pool of potential buyers and keeps deals alive in tight credit environments.

[00:02:47] 📄 "Paper business" explained: Real estate loans are fundamentally about paper contracts—notes and mortgages—that create enforceable promises to pay. Private individuals can create and trade these notes, turning real estate transactions into flexible financial instruments. This understanding demystifies note buying and selling, providing a foundation for creative real estate investing beyond conventional bank mortgages.
[00:04:24] 📉 Market realities and generational challenges: Younger buyers face significant barriers due to high prices, limited affordable financing, and economic shifts. Owner financing can be a vital tool for this demographic, providing paths to ownership even when traditional financing is unavailable or unattractive. The current slowdowns in many markets underscore the need for alternative approaches.
[00:13:25] 💡 Buying back your own note as a secret weapon: If you purchase a property with owner financing, you can buy the note from the seller later at a discount if they need cash. This tactic allows buyers to effectively reduce their debt and increase equity, a flexibility banks do not offer. It creates a unique avenue for wealth building and financial control over one’s property.
[00:16:14] 🤝 Human flexibility in private financing: Unlike banks, private note holders are individuals who can work with buyers through financial hardships, offering renegotiations or temporary relief. This personal element reduces foreclosure risk and fosters mutually beneficial solutions during tough times. Such flexibility is a key advantage of owner financing.
[00:30:07] 💸 Owner financing can increase property value and cash flow: Offering below-market financing rates to buyers can justify a higher sale price or generate steady cash flow for sellers. This approach benefits sellers by expanding the buyer pool and buyers by providing affordable terms, creating win-win scenarios that traditional financing rarely achieves.
[00:55:45] 🔄 Transferring notes and springing guarantees: Experienced note investors use clauses allowing notes to be transferred or collateral swapped without full payoff, increasing liquidity and investment flexibility. However, risks remain, such as sudden events (e.g., death) that can disrupt transactions, requiring careful legal structuring and risk management.
[00:57:45] 💼 Commission structures and seller financing for agents: Agents can increase their commissions by facilitating owner-financed deals and even take their commissions on installment terms secured by collateral assignments. This innovative approach keeps deals viable in tight markets and aligns incentives for all parties.
[00:49:34] 📊 Tax advantages of seller financing: Payments received on seller-financed sales can be structured to spread out capital gains tax liability over time, often resulting in tax efficiencies for sellers. This hidden benefit is rarely discussed but can improve net returns significantly, making owner financing a powerful tax planning tool.
[00:38:13] 📈 Leveraging low-rate financing in lower-tier neighborhoods to fund acquisitions in better neighborhoods: Investors can use owner financing to acquire properties in less desirable areas at attractive rates, then sell or refinance into higher-value neighborhoods, effectively using seller financing as a stepping stone to build wealth across markets.
[00:24:49] 🎯 Incremental approach to buying notes: Techniques like prepaying multiple months’ payments can soften sellers to future discounts and create opportunities to purchase notes at a reduced price, building wealth incrementally without large upfront capital.
[00:43:39] 🏢 Using self-directed IRAs for owner financing: Investors can use self-directed retirement accounts to fund owner-financed deals, enabling tax-advantaged investing into real estate debt, expanding the toolbox for both investors and retirement savers.
[00:47:48] 🌟 Becoming a go-to real estate professional by mastering owner financing: Agents knowledgeable in creative financing solutions can rescue commissions, solve deal breakdowns, and become indispensable in challenging markets, positioning themselves as local experts and innovators.
[00:26:42] 🧠 Overcoming skepticism about owner financing: Many attorneys and accountants are unfamiliar or hesitant about owner financing, but with proper education and transparency, it is a legitimate and effective strategy that can unlock value for sellers and buyers alike.
[00:32:38] 🔁 Assumption and renegotiation of notes at payoff: Instead of paying off a note fully, buyers can negotiate to assume or restructure it, preserving cash flow, deferring capital gains taxes, and maintaining favorable financing terms, a strategy seldom available with traditional mortgages.

### Conclusion Dawn Rickabaugh’s expert walkthrough of owner financing reveals a deep reservoir of untapped potential in real estate investing. From overcoming buyer financing challenges to maximizing seller returns, owner financing creates flexible, innovative pathways for all stakeholders. The human element, tax efficiencies, note trading strategies, and creative deal structures collectively form a powerful toolkit for navigating today’s complex real estate landscape. Real estate professionals, investors, and buyers alike stand to benefit enormously by mastering these concepts, as Dawn’s forthcoming courses and ongoing education initiatives aim to demonstrate. This session not only educates but inspires a shift in mindset toward viewing “paper” as a vital asset class and seller financing as a key to unlocking financial freedom.

In this comprehensive discussion, Dawn delves into the intricacies, opportunities, and pitfalls of creative real estate financing—particularly seller financing, seller-held notes, and contract-for-deed arrangements.

The conversation is framed around real-life case studies involving high-equity sellers, ethical considerations, and practical challenges in managing seller-financed deals.

Dawn shares her personal experiences, including a detailed story about helping her cleaning lady and others caught in problematic seller-financed home purchases with incomplete or unrecorded paperwork.

The narrative exposes the risks of unscrupulous sellers who exploit buyers through poorly structured deals and highlights the importance of legal, ethical, and transparent financing arrangements.

Dawn also discusses market dynamics, the risks of lease options and subject-to deals, and the need for education and certification in this niche to protect all parties involved.

The session ends with reflections on bridging the gap between older equity-rich sellers and younger buyers, emphasizing the win-win potential of seller financing when done correctly.

### Highlights - 🏠 Seller financing and contract-for-deed deals can unlock massive value, especially with high-equity sellers. - ⚠️ Poorly structured deals and unethical sellers give creative financing a bad name and expose buyers to significant risk. - 🤝 Ethical, transparent, and legally protected seller financing is a powerful tool for passive income and wealth creation. - 📉 Lease options and subject-to deals carry high risk due to lack of proper disclosure and potential loan acceleration. - 💡 Education, certification, and proper note servicing are crucial for investors and agents involved in seller financing. - 👵 The majority of national home equity is held by older generations needing exit strategies, while younger buyers seek alternative financing. - 💬 Real-life case studies demonstrate the importance of balancing empathy, legal rigor, and practical solutions in distressed seller-financed situations.

### Key Insights - 🏦 High-equity sellers represent a significant opportunity in real estate financing. With 38% of properties holding $32.8 trillion in equity nationwide, focusing on these sellers through seller financing can yield substantial returns without resorting to risky, complicated structures. Dawn emphasizes that the "juice" is in these high-equity deals, which are often overlooked by mainstream investors chasing volume over quality.

⚖️ Ethics and legality are paramount in creative financing to protect vulnerable buyers. Dawn’s story about his cleaning lady’s problematic purchase illustrates how some sellers exploit buyers with unrecorded contracts, imbalanced terms, and predatory behavior. Such deals harm the reputation of seller financing and highlight the need for full transparency, proper documentation, and recorded contracts to avoid leaving buyers "hanging out in the wind."
🔄 Seller financing offers resilience and passive income even in turbulent times. Dawn recounts how her note business sustained her during personal and global upheavals, underscoring the value of consistent cash flow and built-in equity over chasing commissions or traditional broker fees. This stability allows investors and sellers to reset, avoid the "hamster wheel," and build a sustainable financial foundation.
📜 Incomplete or missing paperwork in seller-financed deals creates complex legal and practical challenges. The story of the widow inheriting a messy portfolio without proper documentation reveals how difficult it is to enforce terms, protect equity, or negotiate with occupants who may have conflicting interests. This situation necessitates creative, case-by-case solutions such as restructuring into mortgages, lowering interest rates, or converting to leases, each with its own risks and compromises.
⚠️ Lease options and subject-to deals are often misunderstood and mishandled, leading to significant risks for sellers and buyers. Dawn and her guest Bob discuss how many investors fail to fully explain or underwrite these deals, resulting in defaults, credit damage, and loss of control over the property. The potential for lender acceleration of the underlying mortgage adds another layer of complexity, requiring thorough knowledge, proper disclosure, and contingency planning.
🎓 There is a pressing need for specialized education and certification in seller financing and note investing. The conversation reveals that many real estate professionals, including agents, attorneys, and brokers, lack expertise in the secondary note market and creative financing structures. Developing certification courses and training can empower these professionals to offer accurate advice, protect clients, and facilitate smoother transactions.
👵👶 Bridging generational gaps in real estate equity through seller financing creates win-win solutions. Older homeowners control the bulk of equity and often seek hassle-free income or exit strategies, while younger buyers struggle to qualify for traditional financing. Seller financing can connect these groups effectively, enabling seniors to monetize their assets and younger buyers to access homes without conventional bank loans. However, this requires careful structuring to address differing needs and risks.
🤝 Investor involvement and ongoing management are critical to success in seller-financed deals. Dawn stresses that high-volume wholesalers and partially trained investors often overlook the responsibilities involved, leading to poor outcomes. Investors must stay engaged, understand the risks, and have plans to manage defaults or loan accelerations. Treating seller financing as a boutique, hands-on business rather than a volume game ensures better protection for all parties.
💸 Creative financing tools can be used humanely or exploitatively, depending on intent. Dawn’s approach to offering an option to a distressed homeowner (instead of foreclosing) exemplifies how these tools can preserve equity and dignity. Conversely, unscrupulous sellers who expect to reclaim properties repeatedly at buyers’ expense degrade the reputation of seller financing. The ethical dimension influences not only outcomes but also regulatory scrutiny and market perception.
🏘️ Property management challenges in seller-financed deals often extend beyond financial issues to social and safety concerns. The case of occupants bringing in unapproved residents, threatening eviction processes, and creating unsafe environments highlights how seller financing also carries landlord-like responsibilities and risks, which sellers or note holders must be prepared to handle.
🔍 The secondary note market remains largely invisible yet represents a critical component of real estate finance. Dawn laments the lack of awareness about seller financing outside niche circles, even among real estate professionals. Increasing public knowledge can unlock significant opportunities for both investors and homeowners, expanding the toolbox beyond conventional bank loans.
📈 Market conditions influence the viability and structuring of seller-financed deals. Rising property values can help distressed sellers avoid foreclosure losses, while deteriorating markets increase risk. Investors must tailor strategies accordingly, balancing affordability, equity preservation, and exit options.
💬 Engaging community input and peer discussion helps refine strategies and share best practices. Dawn’s live interaction with participants reveals diverse perspectives and solutions, reinforcing that seller financing is complex and context-dependent, with no one-size-fits-all answers.

In sum, this video transcript provides a deep dive into the nuanced world of seller financing, blending practical casework, ethical considerations, market insights, and strategic advice to illuminate how this powerful tool can be leveraged responsibly for mutual benefit.

In this insightful and extensive discussion, Dawn Rickabaugh, host of Property and Paper Live, sheds light on the evolving real estate market of mid-2025, emphasizing the growing importance and practicality of seller financing and note investing as viable alternatives to traditional bank financing.

Dawn’s core message targets everyday “Main Street” investors and homeowners, aiming to demystify seller financing (owner financing), notes, and the secondary market for these financial instruments, which have long been confined to niche investor circles or institutional players.

Dawn begins by addressing the current market challenges: Many sellers are frustrated by stagnant listings, lack of offers, and unrealistic pricing expectations. She highlights that while some sellers might pull their properties off the market due to a lack of motivation, a significant portion needs to find creative solutions to close deals.

Seller financing emerges as a powerful tool for both sellers and buyers to keep the market moving. By offering terms, sellers can maintain their asking price while buyers who can’t get traditional bank loans can still purchase properties.

The conversation then pivots to practical advice for realtors and investors on how to structure these deals. Dawn explains that seller financing transactions closely resemble traditional real estate deals with only minor but critical differences, primarily involving a seller financing addendum and the replacement of institutional lenders with the seller as the note holder.

She stresses the simplicity of the process, encouraging agents to embrace the concept rather than avoid it due to unfamiliarity.

The latter part of the discussion addresses the challenges investors face in acquiring properties through seller financing, including resistance from sellers and agents unfamiliar with or unwilling to entertain terms offers.

Dawn provides strategies for overcoming these barriers, such as starting with a cash offer and then introducing creative financing if the cash price is rejected, submitting letters of intent to bypass agent roadblocks, and focusing marketing efforts on motivated sellers like tired landlords or absentee owners.

Throughout, Dawn emphasizes the need for education, ethical conduct, and professional competence among real estate agents, investors, and attorneys involved in these transactions. She advocates for a blend of traditional and creative strategies to navigate a complex, shifting market, empowering individuals to create financial solutions tailored to their needs.

Highlights * Seller financing is a practical solution for stuck real estate markets where traditional bank loans are hard to obtain. * Owner financing transactions closely mirror traditional deals, requiring only a seller financing addendum and a mindset shift. * Notes created through seller financing are valuable assets that can be sold on the secondary market for liquidity. * Key factors influencing note value include down payment size, interest rate, and property collateral quality. * Many sellers must drop prices or offer terms to attract buyers in a market with declining buyer activity. * Realtors and investors need to collaborate and educate themselves to effectively use owner financing strategies. * Creative deal structuring, including partial note sales and lease options, can unlock more opportunities.

Key Insights * Market Stagnation Requires Creative Solutions: The real estate market as of mid-2025 is characterized by many listings sitting unsold, and sellers reluctant to reduce prices. This creates a bottleneck that seller financing can alleviate by enabling sellers to maintain price points while offering terms attractive to buyers unable to secure bank financing. This insight highlights a shift from a purely cash or traditional loan market to a hybrid approach driven by necessity. * Seller Financing Is Not Complex—Just Different: Dawn stresses that seller financing involves very little procedural deviation from standard real estate transactions. The main difference lies in the financing structure—where the seller acts as the lender, holding a note secured by the property. This demystification is vital because many agents and sellers avoid owner financing due to perceived complexity or fear of legal pitfalls, which is largely unfounded when proper documentation and professional guidance are used. * Notes as Tradable Financial Assets: A crucial insight is the recognition that seller-financed notes are not just payment contracts but marketable financial instruments with intrinsic value. Sellers can monetize these notes by selling them on a secondary market, providing liquidity without relinquishing the entire asset. This parallels institutional mortgage-backed securities but on a private, smaller scale, offering an innovative exit strategy for sellers. * Note Valuation Depends on Terms and Collateral: The value of a note is influenced heavily by the size of the buyer’s down payment (hard equity), the interest rate, and the quality of the collateral property. Larger down payments reduce default risk, making the note more valuable, while higher interest rates increase yield for note buyers. This nuanced understanding allows sellers to price notes competitively and buyers to evaluate risk-return tradeoffs accurately. * Agent and Seller Education Is Critical: Many real estate professionals and sellers lack awareness of the secondary market for notes and the benefits of owner financing. This knowledge gap leads to missed opportunities, such as agents failing to present full-price offers contingent on seller financing or sellers not understanding the value of their note after closing. Educating these stakeholders is key to mainstream adoption and smoother transactions. * Strategic Deal Structuring Unlocks Value: Dawn highlights innovative approaches like partial note sales (selling portions of future payments) to meet sellers’ cash needs without losing entire payment streams, and lease options to bridge gaps between cash offers and seller price expectations. These structures offer flexibility in a challenging market, allowing deals to close that otherwise would stall. * Positioning and Persistence in Acquisition: For investors, gaining seller financing deals requires persistence, rapport-building, and often starting with cash offers before introducing creative financing. Targeting motivated sellers such as tired landlords or absentee owners and leveraging direct marketing can improve lead quality. This insight underlines that success in this niche requires patience, adaptability, and education rather than expecting quick wins.

Conclusion Dawn Rickabaugh’s discussion presents a comprehensive, practical guide to navigating the current real estate market using seller financing and note investing. By breaking down misconceptions, emphasizing the ease of implementation, and revealing the financial mechanics behind notes and their secondary market, she offers a roadmap for both sellers and buyers to unlock liquidity, maintain pricing power, and create mutually beneficial transactions. The talk underscores the importance of education and professional responsibility while encouraging real estate agents and investors to embrace these creative tools to revitalize a market in flux.

A comprehensive discussion led by Dawn Rickabaugh on the current real estate market dynamics, owner financing strategies, note investing, and creative deal structuring amidst a shifting market landscape. Dawn emphasizes that the current market volatility and tightening liquidity create both challenges and opportunities for real estate investors, especially those skilled in owner financing and note deals.

The conversation includes practical experiences, such as handling land contracts, note sales, and creative financing mechanisms like "springing guarantees" and substitution of collateral. Dawn also highlights the importance of adapting to market changes, particularly for sellers who face increasing competition and price pressures.

Several real-world examples illustrate the nuanced decisions investors must make, balancing risk, market value, and cash flow. The dialogue also touches on tax strategies, loan-to-value considerations, secondary market demands, and the evolving role of title companies in complex transactions. Overall, the session encourages investors to embrace creative financing solutions to thrive in a buyer-favored market where traditional bank lending is constrained.

### Highlights - 🏡 The current market volatility favors investors skilled in creative financing and note investing. - 💡 Owner financing is a critical tool for sellers to achieve their price in a competitive market. - 📜 Land contracts carry risks; converting them to deeds of trust is often safer for note holders. - 🔄 Substitution of collateral allows note holders to maintain notes even when properties are flipped. - 📉 Many markets are shifting from seller’s to buyer’s markets, with price reductions becoming common. - ⚠️ Title companies are increasingly scrutinizing documentation, complicating closings. - 📊 Understanding loan-to-value ratios and realistic yield expectations is vital for note sales and financing deals.

### Key Insights - 🏦 Market volatility as an opportunity: Dawn welcomes the craziness in the market, as it heightens demand for creative financing solutions. When traditional bank loans dry up or become more restrictive, owner financing, notes, and seller carryback strategies become essential tools for closing deals and capturing value. This environment rewards investors who understand how to structure deals beyond conventional mortgages.

🤝 Avoiding land contracts due to risk: Despite initially using land contracts, Dawn now generally avoids them because of the risks of being on title. Land contracts won't protect you from potentially having to foreclose in case of default.
🔄 Springing guarantees and substitution of collateral: The concept of a springing guarantee allows a personal guarantee to "spring" into effect if the note becomes unsecured, offering flexible security without constant paperwork. Similarly, substitution of collateral allows the note holder to maintain their security interest by moving the deed of trust from one property to another when properties are flipped. These tools reflect innovative ways to manage risk while maintaining cash flow from paper.
📉 Shift toward buyer’s market and pricing realities: Data suggests many counties are experiencing price reductions, signaling a potential shift from a seller’s to a buyer’s market. Sellers anchored to 2022 price expectations may face difficulty. This scenario demands sellers get creative with financing terms, as price competition intensifies and buyers remain cautious about overpaying in a depreciating market.
⚠️ Title company challenges add friction: Increased scrutiny from title companies, especially in states like California, complicates note assignments and deed of trust modifications. Title companies may refuse to insure certain documents or require excessive affidavits. This can delay or jeopardize deals, emphasizing the need for investors to navigate title company requirements carefully and sometimes seek alternative providers.
💰 Note pricing depends on realistic loan-to-value and yield expectations: Investors and sellers often misunderstand the relationship between note terms, yield, and marketability. Notes with low down payments or low interest rates rarely sell near face value due to higher perceived risk and opportunity cost. For example, a note on a $2 million property with only 15% down and 5% interest will likely require a discount of 30% or more to attract buyers, reflecting real-world secondary market demands.
💡 Creative solutions to tax and inheritance planning: A show participant discusses integrating life insurance strategies to create tax-efficient wealth transfer for sellers who want to pass on property value to heirs without immediate tax consequences. This highlights how combining finance, tax planning, and estate planning can provide tailored solutions that meet seller goals beyond simple sale transactions.

### Conclusion The current real estate environment is challenging but ripe with opportunity for investors skilled in creative financing and note investing. Sellers and buyers must adapt to the evolving market by embracing owner financing, understanding realistic note pricing, and navigating legal complexities like land contracts and title company scrutiny. Innovative tools such as springing guarantees and substitution of collateral enhance flexibility and risk management. Meanwhile, integrating tax and estate planning adds further value for sellers looking beyond immediate sale proceeds. By mastering these strategies, investors and sellers can thrive despite tightening liquidity, shifting buyer-seller dynamics, and market uncertainty.

This video provides practical wisdom, real-world case studies, and strategic insights essential for anyone involved in owner financing, note investing, or creative real estate deal structuring in today’s market.

A woman returns to the show on behalf of her sister who owns a rental property in Ojai, CA. The tenants are offering to buy the property and we discuss her options. I also share a story where I didn't verify where a down payment came from, and the way it played out, I barely broke even instead of making an easy $30K.

Find quick links at

https://Linktr.ee/DawnRickabaugh

Sign up to be notified of future Property & Paper LIVE episodes:

https://notequeen.com

My dear Robin in Texas, who has been a loyal and generous follower for years, comes on to talk in depth about her struggles to deal with bad tenants, rehab following eviction, and a potential exit using seller financing to sell the mobile on land to someone who needs a home.

This is great for helping real estate and note investors think through the various options, get their head on straight, and choose what options are best... going in with eyes wide open.

It's not fun to get blindsided down the road because you went into owner financing only having half-baked understanding of the short and long term considerations.

http://linktr.ee/DawnRickabaugh

One of the most rewarding things in February's Property & Paper LIVE Q&A training was talking to someone in CA whose sister really needed some help figuring out what to do after the Altadena fire took her home, insurance turning out to be insufficient, and her "cash cow" rental in Ojai now feeling like a noose around her neck.

We talk about some ideas about how she turn that around and position herself for maximum benefit, whether she sold for cash, did a lease option, an owner carry, perhaps selling "subject to" her existing financing.

Lots of people needing to figure out how to get out of tight spots these days. What to do is very dependent upon that person's individual situation. That's why any advice on how to handle real estate or loan / note problems needs to include a dash of 'life coaching'.

https://notequeen.samcart.com/products/deep-dive

When a real estate seller really must have their price, many times they are willing to leave their existing bank financing in place. In addition, they may agree to carry back a portion of their equity as a second position lien.

When I look at these 'hybrid' deal structures, I can't help but wonder if the seller understands the level of risk they're accepting. If the 1st bank loan gets called / accelerated, or if the buyer defaults, the phantom equity that they created by the deal structure could easily evaporate.

While I love seller financing and often use it as a powerful tool to make win-win transactions, many times, depending on the seller's overall financial situation, they would be much better off just dropping their price 5% - 10% and walking away with all cash.

Yes, out of every owner financed transaction, a new little note 'baby' is born. Whether it is healthy and strong, or frail and sickly is dependent upon the genetics, the DNA, of the note and the circumstances under which it was conceived.

I guess it's nature vs nurture ;-)

Linktr.ee/DawnRickabaugh
NoteQueen.com
Apply for Mentorship

Another great session where we talk about seller financing and how it connects real estate investing and note investing. All of you make it what it is!!

We are ramping up to be ready for whatever 2025 brings. Creative real estate strategies, especially with knowledge of the secondary market for notes (the note business) will make the difference between those who barely survive and those who thrive.

Linktr.ee/DawnRickabaugh
NoteQueen.com
Apply for Mentorship

What would be more painful? Theoretically missing out on some (maybe phantom?) upside? Or losing the equity you have on the table right now? Even if you wait for prices to go higher, and they do, that will mean everything else will cost a lot more, too, so will you really be that much more ahead?

If you don't feel ready to weather a financial storm, are unsure of your W2 job, etc, it could be time to take some profits off the table. Seller financing could make sense as part of your strategy, but holding some cash could also be a smart idea.

Ideally, you'd be diversified out of the dollar into some precious metals and Bitcoin and other crypto blockchain projects.

https://notequeen.com

https://PropertyAndPaper.com

Real estate sellers, landlords and those who have no equity and just want out from under their payments, this class is for you. Many high equity sellers and tired landlords are de-risking and using the installment sale (IRC 453), seller financing to:

sell quickly and easily for the highest possible price
defer most of their capital gains (use the 1031 exchange to defer all capital gains)
earn interest on the IRS' money
have great income for retirement (often much more than you were netting in rent)
leave a great inheritance for heirs and beneficiaries
access to liquidity... done properly and intentionally, you can sell all or part of the payment stream for cash for little to no discount

Most sellers who offer owner financing have NO IDEA that anyone would want to buy their note. Their real estate agent or broker doesn't tell them, their title company doesn't tell them, their attorney doesn't tell them, their financial advisor doesn't tell them.

They find out several weeks after the closing when they start getting postcards and letters in the mail offering to buy their note. But by then, the value of their note is baked in. The terms can't be modified to make the note more valuable.

This often costs the seller (who traded real estate for a promissory note) tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Only someone who regularly buys notes for their own portfolio is qualified to help you and your other trusted advisors create a note that is right for you short term and long term.

Sign up for the Seller Financing Master Class for Sellers at www.Linktr.ee/DawnRickabaugh

This episode is RICH with important information you need to know to survive the note business. Sellers who offer owner financing are far less regulated, especially if you only do a small number of seller carry transactions. But for those buying notes, there's more to know that you might imagine!

Make sure to get these note business insider tips, and pick up a copy of my seller financing course for landlords and other real estate sellers: Seller Financing for Power, Peace and Profits.

To join live and ask your own questions or have your own situation analyzed, be sure to subscribe over at NoteQueen.com

To register for the next upcoming seller financing live call, Property (real estate) & Paper (notes) visit: PropertyAndPaper.com! And visit the Note Queen store to see what we have to offer:

https://notequeen.com/shop

Jeff brings up a good point here... attorneys, title companies and real estate brokers might know how to walk you through the mechanics of a seller financed real estate transaction, but unless they actively buy mortgage notes for their own portfolio, they don't know how to help you put the deal together in a way that makes it the most valuable... they have NO IDEA what your note would sell for on the secondary note business market.

Loan originators and licensed servicers also can have insight as to specific compliance issues, but first you have to know if seller financing is even for you.

First step: based upon your goals, objectives and unique personal circumstances, I will help you decide if owner financing is for you, if your plan is solid, or will end up costing you thousands. If you might need money sooner than later, we can set you up to sell your note for minimum discount while still helping you keep your own private pension and passive retirement income.

Second step: have an attorney in your state provide boiler plate documents. Then I will review it and make sure the numbers are right, and make sure special clauses and terms are inserted that will give you every advantage.

Third step: double check for compliance with the interest rate you are charging, late fees, and other things that make your note water tight so you'll never find yourself standing in front of a judge, or facing a steep fine.

Make sure to get these note business insider tips, and pick up a copy of my seller financing course for landlords and other real estate sellers: Seller Financing for Power, Peace and Profits.

To join live and ask your own questions or have your own situation analyzed, be sure to subscribe over at NoteQueen.com

To register for the next upcoming seller financing live call, Property (real estate) & Paper (notes) visit: PropertyAndPaper.com! And visit the Note Queen store to see what we have to offer:

https://notequeen.com/shop

Abby and I had a great chat catching up, talking about changes in the note investing industry. There are more HELOC notes being traded, as well as TIN loans being accepted. The buying criteria of the various institutional and hedge fund buyers is constantly changing.

We also reference our last conversation 4 years ago and relish that we were spot on with what we were talking about, even though a lot of it seemed fringe and outlandish at the time. Don't forget to diversify into precious metals, especially silver, and accumulate some Bitcoin before the next bull run takes off... and don't leave it on a centralized exchange! You have to take self custody.

Check us out at:

Linktr.ee

Notequeen.com

YouTube

PropertyAndPaper.com

This interview was a delight. I love talking to people who have been around a few real cycles who have seen it all. The ability to navigate seller financing and real estate transactions creatively during times of market chaos or uncertainty are the ones who not only survive, but thrive.

Be sure to check out Scott's: TheOwnerFinanceNetwork.com

Creative real estate and note investing are powerful tools, and you need to understand how to balance risk and reward and position for safety regardless of what happens in the market.

In this fabulous session of Property and Paper Live we discuss so so many interesting things. Thank you to all who showed up live to contribute with questions, answers, and great information, I appreciate you so much! For a DIY do it yourself seller financing guide and course please check out Seller Financing for Power Peace & Profits. To watch the video for seeing the financial calculator, subscribe to my You Tube Channel

To see what I have to offer, you can visit NoteQueen.com/shop.

Linktr.ee/dawnrickabaugh

In this session of Property & Paper Live, Ken brings up a pending foreclosure. He really wants the property, and is considering bidding at the Trustee Sale. There is a 2nd that is in danger of being completely wiped off. He could offer to buy the 2nd at a discount and foreclose from that position to greatly increase his opening bid and almost guarantee he'd get the property with the opening bid. But then he'd have to start the foreclosure timeline over again. Maybe if he'd thought of that earlier on, it would have been a good option. We also talk with others on the call and end with sharing a way to get help submitting owner financing offers so you can buy your home or investment property without asking a bank for a loan!

Why not ask for zero down? I'm going to quit being so squeamish. My interview with David Olds contains a lot of great gems, and some great reminders of getting back to basics, slowing down, and talking just one Mom 'n Pop to another for success all around.

Check out David's EZ real estate closings service
Come sign up over at NoteQueen.com
Get help with your seller financing offers: SellerFinancing.Services
Boomer Real Estate Rescue: Double the Income You're Collecting in Rent

Tracy Z is a veteran of the note industry and she brings all her years of experience to talk about what she sees happening in the market, and how she helps others learn about the note business and get started investing in notes. We both love partials and wraps! It was fun for me to hear some of her history, as I came to the industry in the mid 90's, and she was a seasoned professional by then. I always wondered what happened to Metropolitan. They dominated back in the day, but had rolled up shop before I was actively participating in the note business. Thanks, Tracy! Great to rub shoulders with like-minded people in this space. I highly recommend anyone new to note investing check out what she has to offer over at http://noteinvestor.com

My best

Dawn

http://notequeen.com

Lots of great conversation made possible by Svetlana, who brought us her scenario. She moved across the country to fulfull her dream of investing in notes. That's some grit and determination, folks! When you offer seller financing, you can get much more for your property. Learn more over at NoteQueen.com or BoomerRealEstateRescue.com

Positioning a portfolio for more cash flow before retirement kicks in. Looking at getting some property free and clear, and converting one or two into notes.

I am reminded of a story that Gordon Moss told me years ago... Derisking and being very conservative allowed him to sail through the great financial crash of 2008, whilst his counterparts lost everything during the blood bath. We don't know what's coming, so position accordingly. If real estate prices drop by 30%, or if rents go down while taxes and insurance keep going up would stress you out, it's time to consider taking some profits off the table. You may want to convert some of your real estate into notes and be the lender on your properties instead.

Earlier this month we had a series of solar flares during a few days of high geomagnetic storms. If you haven't already prepared yourself to be out of power for up to a month, this is your wake up call. Can you feed your family, filter water for them, keep them warm and safe?

It is generally not possible, but in this episode, I will show you how I helped reverse engineer a proposed real estate transaction so that the seller, a rehabber, could accept an owner financing offer and walk away with the equivalent of a cash sale.

https://notequeen.com/blog/sick-of-being-a-landlord-double-your-rent-with-seller-financing/

In this episode:

03:06 - Unlocking Hassle-Free Income: Leveraging Property and Paper 05:46 - Dawn’s Go-To Financial Calculator for Note Investors 07:11 - Analyzing Cash Flow: Rent vs. Seller Financing 14:40 - Mitigating Risk: Optimal Seller Finance Terms and Down Payment Standards 16:51 - Maximizing Security: Cross-Collateralizing Loans 17:42 - Exploring Acquisition: Purchasing a Plumbing Business with Terms 21:36 - LIVE Transaction Review and Calculator Practice: Crafting Favorable Terms for Commercial Property Acquisition 30:32 - The Porter Family's Journey: Setting Up Success with Favorable Terms 38:47 - Strategic Advantage: "Right of First Refusal" in Seller Financing 41:27 - Ninja Note Strategies: Minimizing Capital Gains 52:09 - Continuing Education: Advancing in Seller Financing and Notes

Are there other ways to put deals together that get us around some of the dicey scenarios with real estate and the mortgage industry? We cover a lot of ground in this episode, but an interesting conversation came up about the idea of doing a lease option instead of making a loan. What do you think?

In this episode:

01:12 - Invest in yourself. 01:59 - Stay connected to Dawn. 03:02 - Note Deal follow-up: Win-win solution? 04:46 - Foreclosure snag - On title with unwanted property! 09:35 - Disguised mortgage strategy concerns. 19:22 - Asset climate: Dicey? 24:51 - Lender vs. landlord debate. 25:30 - Banks recovering unloaned money. 27:33 - Are mom and pop investors safe carrying paper on their properties? 30:09 - Why isn't owner financing more common? 32:27 - Choosing a good servicing company. 38:55 - Avoid note investing pitfalls - Trust Deed vs. Mortgage states 40:50 - Judicial truncation for vacant properties? 41:41 - Illinois contract for deed - convert to owner financing? 51:35 - Closing reminders for seller financing.

With higher mortgage interest rates, taking over bank loans written at 3% and 4% are all the rage. Everywhere you look investors are getting under contract with subject to seller financing terms, and they flip them to unsuspecting buyers for tens of thousands of dollars. What they fail to realize is that there is 1) a high chance of acceleration (triggering the 'due on sale'), 2) a high chance of getting sued down the road, and 3) a high chance of setting buyers up for financial loss and disappointment.

There is only one way to leverage existing institutional financing 100% legally and in a way the guarantees that the loan won't get 'called' or accelerated. I interview Scott Moyes who has the only Title Holding Trust system I would ever use.

As investors, let's get deals done, solve problems and make money without creating unnecesssary risk for all parties to the transaction. We need to equitably balance risk and reward, and make sure it's good for everyone now, and down the road.

A new financial paradigm is being built as we speak and I want you to be ready for it. We normally talk about passive income via our property and paper (real estate and note investments), and there are equivalents in the crypto blockchain space. Did you know that Stanford just invested 7% of their endowment funds into Bitcoin? Things are changing, and changing fast.

Sometimes you get to waltz in and be the Knight in Shining Armor in this business. Sometimes you don't, so when it happens, it's always fun to celebrate :)

In this episode:

00:20 - How can you work or connect with Dawn?
02:33 - Dawn’s Owner Carry Note Deal Review - Looking out for your borrower's best interest.
14:38 - Any issues with the borrower getting out of the contract with the wholesaler?
16:15 - Avoiding potential lawsuits when working with elderly borrowers.
24:40 - Right now…we have the most fertile landscape for owner financing, notes, creative financing and solving problems outside the box.
28:46 - Calculator Review - Owner carry back deal on a Commercial Building
44:36 - Calculator Review - Non-performing Second Position Note out of Los Angeles…should I foreclose??

Join me for an amazing exploration with long time real estate investor, Darlene Root, who now helps investors get past what's keeping them from the success they want, whether they want to break into note investing, or take their real estate business to the next level.

Read the full transcript at:

https://notequeen.com/blog/rooting-out-sabotage-getting-to-your-why-not/

I had a great time talking with Tom and I thought you might want to listen in. I highly suggest you try to attend his last live training in San Antonio, Texas starting on February 29th, 2024. Get your tickets here: https://papersourceseminars.com/. Tom is one of the last salt of the earth veterans of the industry still alive from those few from whom I inherited my values and note business culture. He's funny and oh so smart. The tips and tricks he'll show you will blow your mind!! It's an experience not to be missed!

This Property & Paper LIve was focused on investing in institutional non-performing notes with my co-host, Sri Gandla. It's interesting to hear how he went from an IT professional for Fannie Mae, to buying notes full time. He's a smart guy and has put in a lot of effort to learning about and creating relationships. I learned a lot from him and you will too!!

03:06 - Special guest, Sri Gandla, shares how he got started with note investing?
06:23 - How institutions move paper on the secondary market versus owner carry paper.
11:31 - Palmdale, California Note Deal Review.
25:57 - Licensing requirements to be a debt collector.
30:50 - Overview of Statute of Limitations for Mortgages and Notes.
32:35 - Great resource for any note investment questions - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NoteandRealestateInvesting/
33:51 - 2024 Market Predictions, following the data.
41:23 - The evolution of note education.
43:48 - Deal Review: Statute of Limitations on a reverse mortgage???
45:25 - How banks fail and can lose their assets?
49:22 - Carson City, Navada Note Deal Review.
58:19 - What is Dodd-Frank Compliance?
01:01:48 - How to get in touch with Sri Gandla?
01:02:14 - Free Resources from the Note Queen.

In this Property & Paper Live episode, you'll hear questions about note investing, wraps, etc., and hear me calling for custom designer notes! If we manipulate the DNA of a note before it's 'born' (from a seller financed transaction), then we can make sure a note seller gets the best price possible.

00:15 - INTRO: Becoming better Real Estate Investors – spotting opportunities that most people aren't even looking for!
04:35 - Tips for investing in yourself first.
06:05 - Genetically Modified Note Babies??
08:29 - Proactively identifying weak points in my portfolio
11:32 - It doesn’t matter what the banks are doing!
12:05 - Online updates and more ways to connect
13:00 - Quick thank you to all my LIVE attendees!
13:50 - Attendee Question - Will there be a down market in the next 2-3 years??
18:00 - Staying out of trouble when doing 'Subject To". There is only one way that is federally compliant and will guarantee that the note won't get called ('accelerated') and it involves the use of a Title Holding Trust with a corporate, non-profit Trustee.
20:12 - Attendee Question - What terms create a note that can sell a front end partial note?
26:13 - Note deal update with long time listener, Suellen. :)
32:42 - Can a title company insure a wrap around mortgage?
33:58 - One of the biggest challenges in the note space.
37:36 - Attendee Question - How do I get started in notes?
45:13 - Getting paid 3 different ways…(1) up front like a Wholesaler, (2) every month like a Lender and (3) a bonus at the end like a Note Queen!
47:53 - Difference between an Active Investors vs. Passive Investors.
50:36 - Attendee, Suellen shares diamond resources, benefits of obtaining GIA Certifications and book recommendations.
53:04 - More on wraps and safest ways to do 'Subject To' deals

In this episode, you'll get:

Mark is our wonderful hot seat participant. He has many questions, but one thing on his mind is figuring out how can help his adult child get into a home, and simultaneously have a great investment for his retirement account. We also discuss the powerful concept of arbitrage.

00:43 - Tips for asking questions and participating.
01:34 - Accessing Property Paper Live episodes, resources and links.
02:45 - How did guest Mark Pfeiffer and Dawn first meet?
05:03 - Mark and Dawn discuss Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency.
06:51 - Unplugging from Washington and Wall Street.
10:50 - Resource Share - Thoughtful Money: Adam Taggart (interview w/ Ted Oakley)
11:24 - Identifying Smart Money and how you can take a reasonable position.
13:27 - Digital Cryptocurrency Wallets and more! 14:03 - More Cryptocurrency Wallet recommendations.
15:55 - Mark Pfeiffer shares his ideas as a newbie to notes–thinking outside the box while staying out of trouble!
19:04 - More on unplugging from Washington and Wall Street–staying in creation mode!
21:24 - How can Mark use private money for his first note scenario?
26.33 - How to create better spreads and profits through the power of arbitrage?
32:54 - Dawn shares how she would supercharge different note scenarios.
39:30 - How to create Infinity Return as a note investor?
46:27 - Why Dawn loves the Dance Between Property and Paper!!!
52:16 - Why type of returns/rates do seasoned note investors look for?
54:10 - Seasoned Note Investor, Chuck Trice, shares how he would structure Mark’s first note scenario for maximum profits.

On this episode, Dawn will review a sample land note with a remaining balance of approximately $10,000, and guest, Chuck Trice was thinking of offering $5,000 representing a 40% return. But depending on the state, it could easily cost $5,000 to remedy a default, plus you have property taxes to keep on top of as well.

Rebounding After 2008 Real Estate Losses.

Finding Good Notes to Buy.

Real Estate Agents Work in Owner Financing and Notes.

Investor Buying a Note from a Broker, Finding an RLMO.

Dodd Frank - SDIRA

Getting Started with Notes in Your Self-Directed IRA.

So many great contributors this morning... John from Idaho was able to get owner financing on the purchase of a property in probate, but they needed more cash at closing than made sense for him to make as a down payment. We talked over ideas of how he could structure the transaction to meet the objectives of both parties.

Sourcing Quality Note Tapes.