Thinking about buying a mortgage note? Before you make an offer, there are a handful of questions that can save you thousands of dollars—or help you uncover a great investment.

In this episode of the Paperstac Podcast, Brett Burky and TJ Osterman walk through the exact due diligence questions they ask before purchasing a mortgage note. Whether you're a first-time investor or an experienced note buyer, this episode provides a practical framework you can use to evaluate deals with confidence.

Topics covered include:

• What is the story behind the borrower?
• Is the loan performing, and what does the payment history reveal?
• Why borrower communication matters.
• How to evaluate the property's location and surrounding market.
• Understanding Broker Price Opinions (BPOs) and Automated Valuation Models (AVMs).
• What the collateral file should include.
• Why original wet-ink documents still matter.
• How professional loan servicing reduces investor risk.
• Red flags that should make you walk away from a deal.
• The due diligence process used by experienced note investors.

If you've ever wondered how professional investors quickly evaluate mortgage notes, this episode breaks down the process into simple, actionable steps you can apply to your next investment.

Whether you're buying performing notes, building passive income, or looking to expand your real estate investing knowledge, this conversation will help you become a more informed note investor.

Subscribe for weekly episodes covering mortgage note investing, seller financing, private lending, due diligence, portfolio management, and real-world investing strategies.

Learn more about buying and selling mortgage notes:
https://paperstac.com

#MortgageNotes #NoteInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #PassiveIncome #SellerFinancing #MortgageNote #Paperstac #PrivateLending #DueDiligence #CashFlow #RealEstateInvestor #PerformingNotes #MortgageInvesting #FinancialFreedom #NoteBuyer

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Why do borrowers stop making their mortgage payments? Is it simply because they don't want to pay—or is there much more to the story?

In this episode of the Paperstac Podcast, Brett Burky and Rick Allen break down the real reasons borrowers default on their mortgage loans and what every note investor should understand before buying performing or non-performing notes.

Drawing from years of experience reviewing thousands of mortgage loans, they discuss the life events that most often lead to delinquency, how investors can recognize early warning signs, and why understanding borrower behavior can dramatically improve investment decisions.

During this episode you'll learn:

• The biggest misconceptions about borrower defaults
• The five most common reasons homeowners stop making payments
• The difference between temporary hardship and permanent financial distress
• Warning signs that can indicate a loan is headed toward default
• How quality loan servicing can improve borrower outcomes
• Practical lessons every mortgage note investor should apply when evaluating assets

Whether you're new to mortgage note investing or actively building a portfolio, this discussion provides valuable insight into the human side of note investing and why every loan is much more than just numbers on a spreadsheet.

Hosted by Brett Burky and Rick Allen

Visit Paperstac.com to browse mortgage notes for sale, connect with buyers and sellers, and access educational resources to help you become a better note investor.

#MortgageNotes #NoteInvesting #NonPerformingNotes #PerformingNotes #RealEstateInvesting #DistressedDebt #PassiveIncome #CashFlowInvesting #MortgageInvesting #PaperstacPodcast #Paperstac

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Thinking about investing in a mortgage note fund but not sure where to start?

In this episode of the Paperstac Podcast, Brett Burky sits down with TJ Osterman to break down the most important factors investors should consider when evaluating a mortgage note fund. Whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify your portfolio or someone searching for passive income opportunities outside of traditional stocks and bonds, this episode will help you understand what separates a quality fund from one you should avoid.

Mortgage note funds have become increasingly popular among investors seeking passive cash flow, real estate-backed investments, portfolio diversification, and exposure to alternative assets. But how do you know which fund is right for you? What questions should you ask? What red flags should you watch for? And how can you evaluate a fund manager before wiring your hard-earned capital?

TJ Osterman and Brett Burky walk through the key components of fund evaluation, including:

✅ What is a mortgage note fund?

✅ How mortgage note funds generate returns

✅ What makes a great fund operator

✅ How to evaluate a fund manager's track record

✅ The importance of transparency and reporting

✅ Risk management strategies used by successful funds

✅ Questions every passive investor should ask

✅ Common mistakes investors make when selecting a fund

✅ Red flags that may indicate potential problems

✅ How to align your investment goals with the right fund structure

In addition to the discussion with TJ, this episode features interviews and insights from several respected mortgage note fund operators, including:

• Earnest Fund

• 7e Fund

• Integrity Fund

These fund managers share their perspectives on investing, portfolio management, risk mitigation, investor communication, and what they believe sets successful mortgage note funds apart from the competition.

If you've ever wondered:

• How do mortgage note funds work?
• What are the risks of investing in a note fund?
• How do I compare different mortgage note funds?
• Should I invest in a fund or buy notes myself?
• What returns should I expect from a mortgage note fund?
• What questions should I ask before investing?

This episode was created to help answer those questions and provide practical guidance from experienced operators actively managing investor capital.

Topics Covered:

• Mortgage Note Funds
• Note Investing
• Passive Income
• Alternative Investments
• Real Estate Investing
• Distressed Debt
• Seller Financing
• Private Lending
• Investment Funds
• Cash Flow Investing
• Wealth Building
• Fund Management
• Due Diligence
• Investor Relations
• Portfolio Diversification
• Mortgage Notes
• Self-Directed IRA Investing
• Retirement Investing
• Real Estate Notes
• Passive Investing Strategies

Whether you're looking to invest through a Self-Directed IRA, diversify your investment portfolio, create passive income, or learn more about mortgage note investing, this episode provides valuable insights from experienced fund managers and industry professionals.

📚 Learn more about mortgage note investing:
https://pstac.co/intro-to-note-investing

🏠 Browse mortgage notes for sale:
https://paperstac.com

🎙 Listen to the Paperstac Podcast:
https://pstac.co/podcast

Subscribe for more content covering:

• Mortgage Note Investing
• Passive Income Strategies
• Alternative Investments
• Real Estate Investing
• Seller Financing
• Distressed Debt Investing
• Fund Management
• Wealth Building
• Industry News and Trends

#MortgageNoteFund #NoteInvesting #PassiveIncome #MortgageNotes #AlternativeInvestments #RealEstateInvesting #DistressedDebt #SellerFinancing #FundManagement #Paperstac #PrivateLending #CashFlowInvesting #SelfDirectedIRA #PassiveInvesting #WealthBuilding

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Should you invest in a mortgage note fund or build your own portfolio of mortgage notes?

In this episode of the Paperstac Podcast, Brett Burky and Rick Allen break down one of the most common questions in the note investing industry: Is it better to invest passively through a mortgage note fund or actively purchase mortgage notes yourself?

Both strategies can generate attractive returns, passive income, and portfolio diversification, but they come with very different levels of risk, control, liquidity, and time commitment.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ What a mortgage note fund is

✅ How mortgage note funds generate returns

✅ The benefits of passive investing

✅ The advantages of owning mortgage notes directly

✅ Risk factors investors should consider

✅ How much control you have in each strategy

✅ Expected returns and investment structures

✅ Which strategy may be best for beginners

✅ How experienced investors use both approaches

Whether you're looking for passive income, alternative investments, retirement portfolio diversification, or ways to build long-term wealth, understanding the differences between mortgage note funds and direct note investing is critical before deploying capital.

Topics Covered:

* Mortgage Note Funds
* Note Investing
* Mortgage Notes
* Passive Income
* Alternative Investments
* Real Estate Investing
* Seller Financing
* Distressed Debt
* Private Lending
* Investment Funds
* Cash Flow Investing
* Retirement Investing
* Self-Directed IRAs
* Wealth Building Strategies
* Real Estate Notes

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each approach and be better equipped to decide whether passive investing through a fund or actively buying mortgage notes aligns with your investment goals.

📚 Learn more about mortgage note investing:
https://pstac.co/intro-to-note-investing

🏠 Browse mortgage notes for sale:
https://paperstac.com

🎙 Listen to the Paperstac Podcast:
https://pstac.co/podcast

Subscribe for weekly content covering:

* Mortgage Note Investing
* Passive Income Strategies
* Real Estate Investing
* Seller Financing
* Distressed Debt Investing
* Alternative Investments
* Wealth Building
* Industry News and Trends

#MortgageNoteFund #NoteInvesting #MortgageNotes #PassiveIncome #AlternativeInvestments #RealEstateInvesting #SellerFinancing #DistressedDebt #Paperstac #InvestmentFund #CashFlowInvesting #SelfDirectedIRA #WealthBuilding #PrivateLending #FinancialFreedom

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What is Cash for Keys, and why do experienced mortgage note investors and real estate investors use it to save time, money, and stress?

In this episode of the Paperstac Podcast, Brett Burky and Rick Allen break down the real-world strategy behind Cash for Keys agreements and how they are used in mortgage note investing, foreclosure situations, and distressed real estate deals.

Many new investors assume foreclosure is the only option when a borrower stops paying. The reality is that smart investors often use Cash for Keys to regain possession faster, reduce legal costs, avoid property damage, and move properties back into productive use more quickly.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Cash for Keys actually means
• How Cash for Keys works in mortgage note investing
• When investors should use Cash for Keys
• Foreclosure vs Cash for Keys strategies
• Common mistakes investors make
• How to negotiate with borrowers professionally
• Risks and legal considerations
• Real stories from note investing and real estate deals
• Why speed matters in distressed asset investing

Whether you invest in:

• Mortgage notes
• Non-performing notes
• Distressed debt
• Seller financing
• Real estate investing
• Foreclosures
• REO properties
• Passive income assets

…this episode will help you understand one of the most important workout strategies in the note investing business.

Cash for Keys can often save investors thousands of dollars in legal fees, holding costs, property damage, and months of delays. Knowing when and how to use it properly can completely change the outcome of a deal.

Learn more about mortgage note investing:
https://pstac.co/intro-to-note-investing

Browse mortgage notes for sale:
https://paperstac.com

Listen to the Paperstac Podcast:
https://pstac.co/podcast

Subscribe for more content on:

• Mortgage note investing
• Real estate investing
• Passive income strategies
• Distressed debt investing
• Seller financing
• Note investing education
• Foreclosure strategies
• Alternative investments

#CashForKeys #NoteInvesting #MortgageNotes #RealEstateInvesting #Foreclosure #PassiveIncome #SellerFinancing #DistressedDebt #Paperstac #MortgageNoteInvesting

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Why Your Mortgage Note Isn't Selling (5 Reasons We See Every Week)
Struggling with selling mortgage notes on Paperstac? Rick Allen and Brett Burky are back — and in this episode, they break down the five most common mistakes note sellers make that keep listings from getting bids. These aren't theories. These are real patterns they see on the platform every single week.

In this episode, we talk about selling mortgage notes the right way — from pricing your asset at a realistic yield to writing a listing description that actually converts. Whether you're dealing with a performing note, a non-performing note, or something in between, these tips will help you close faster and protect your seller reputation on the marketplace.

What you'll learn:
✅ Why pricing to your purchase price kills deals — and how to list by yield instead
✅ The single most important document every note listing needs
✅ How to write seller comments that tell the story of your loan
✅ What happens when you don't disclose known issues (it's not good)
✅ Why post-closing follow-through matters more than you think
✅ Bonus: The best days of the week to list your mortgage note for sale


If you're trying to sell a mortgage note or improve your track record as a seller in the note investing space, this episode is a must-watch.

__________________________________

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:20 Welcome Back to the Paperstac Podcast
0:56 Seller-Focused Discussion & Common Mistakes
1:28 Mistake #1: Unrealistic Pricing
4:21 How to List by Yield (and Why It Works Better)
5:38 Mistake #2: Missing or Outdated Payment History
7:14 Mistake #3: Weak Seller Descriptions
07:47 What Sellers Should Include in Comments
08:48 Why Photos & Property Details Matter
09:29 Using AI to Improve Seller Descriptions
10:58 Bankruptcy Loans, Taxes & Title Problems
12:07 Why Seller Reputation Matters
13:16 Mistake #5: Poor Post-Closing Follow Through
13:35 Servicing Transfers & Missing Documents
14:34 Why Good Business Practices Matter
15:38 Bonus Pro Tip: Best Days to List Your Notes
16:47 When to Activate Your Listing for Maximum Visibility
17:04 Recap of the 5 Biggest Seller Mistakes
17:40 Coming Up Next: Buyer Mistakes Episode
________________________________________

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Here are three actionable takeaways:

1. Assess Your Goals: Determine how serious you are about note investing. As a hobby, an LLC may not be necessary, but for long-term commitment, it's worth considering.

2. Evaluate Risk: Gauge your personal risk tolerance. Decide if you'd prefer the peace of mind that comes with protecting your personal assets through an LLC.

3. Seek Professional Guidance: Always consult with a professional, such as an attorney or tax advisor, for personalized advice.

Think of forming an LLC not just as a formality, but as an investment in your note investing future. It positions you professionally and shields personal liability while setting the stage for enduring success.

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