The Paper Trail

A casual chit-chat unfolds as George and Chris dive into the coffee-fueled world of commercial real estate. They kick things off with some light banter about their coffee preferences—George's straight black versus Chris's adventurous mushroom blend, a nod to the quirky side of their industry. From there, George shares his unexpected journey into the realm of real estate, which started as a part-time gig just after college and spiraled into a decades-long career. They explore the nuances of commercial brokerage, touching on everything from retail and office spaces to the importance of being adaptable in an ever-changing market.

George emphasizes the need for real estate agents to stay educated and embrace new technologies—because in the wild world of commercial real estate, it's survival of the fittest, or in their case, the most adaptable! They tackle the question of what truly adds value to a property, with George sharing some killer insights on how strategic upgrades can lead to significant returns. A highlight of the convo is their take on the current market, aptly dubbed the 'fog of war,' reflecting the uncertainty and myriad influences affecting investors today. Chris and George offer a refreshing take on how to navigate the tricky waters of real estate, blending wisdom with a sprinkle of humor.

n this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, we speak with Chalea Grant of Mountain West Ranches, a family-owned land investment and note company on the West Coast, and a sponsor of the Paper Trail Note Conference. Chalea shares how his family has been building trust with investors since 1990, using seller financing and a fully in-house process to ensure quality, transparency, and strong returns.

From navigating investor concerns and scams to providing recourse guarantees on land notes, Chalea reveals what makes Mountain West Ranches a standout in the land investment space. Investors will learn why having everything in-house, maintaining detailed documentation, and prioritizing long-term relationships leads to a reliable, stress-free investment experience.

Resources & Contact:

• Website: mwranches.com/land-note
• Email: [email protected]

Join Chalea and other industry leaders at the Paper Trail Note Conference, September 18–20, in Chandler, AZ. Register Here

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Merriman, a top real estate agent with eXp Luxury in Las Vegas, to explore the critical role agents play in the note investing world. Nicole shares her journey from hospitality to real estate, how she navigated unique challenges during COVID, and why she’s committed to helping investors and homeowners achieve success with integrity and creativity.

Through real-life stories, including complex foreclosure transactions and unconventional properties, Nicole reveals the importance of responsiveness, common sense, and compassion when managing high-stakes deals. Her hands-on approach, problem-solving skills, and dedication to going above and beyond make her a standout professional in the industry.

Whether you’re an investor, lender, or real estate professional, this episode offers actionable insights into navigating tricky properties, working with buyers and sellers, and the value of having a reliable, knowledgeable agent on your team.

Resources & Contact:

• Nicole Merriman – eXp Luxury: Call/Text: 734-512-9324 - Connect with Nicole for expert guidance on Las Vegas luxury and investment properties
• Paper Trail Conference: Join us September 18–20 in Chandler, AZ for more education, networking, and actionable strategies for note investors Register Here

This episode of the Paper Trail is a treasure trove for anyone looking to navigate the wild world of private lending and mortgage notes. He kicks things off with a bang, sharing his own journey as a CEO of a mortgage note fund, and trust me, it's packed with all the juicy details about what went right, what went sideways, and the lessons learned along the way. Chris dives into the nitty-gritty of the industry, from non-performing loans to seller financing, stressing the importance of having a solid exit strategy—because, let’s be real, nobody wants to be stuck in a deal that’s gone south! He also chats with David Cook from Contessa Capital, who brings his 30 years of experience to the table, sprinkling in some sage advice about being a savvy investor and the pitfalls to avoid. So, whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode is brimming with insights and laughs that'll keep you entertained and informed.

Join Chris and his buddy David as they dive deep into the wild world of mortgage notes, lending, and all things finance! Chris kicks things off with a friendly intro, setting the stage for some serious talk about the journey of a CEO running a mortgage note fund. David, who’s been in the game for over 30 years, spills the beans on how he got into investing and the rollercoaster ride that followed. From the challenges of navigating through market shifts to the ins and outs of private lending, they keep it real and relatable. David shares some juicy tales about what went right—and what went hilariously wrong—offering listeners a front-row seat to the drama and excitement of investing.

Throughout their chat, they touch on the importance of having a solid exit strategy before diving into any deal. You know, like that one time David learned the hard way that having a plan is crucial—especially when things get bumpy. He stresses that anyone looking to invest needs to keep their eyes peeled for potential pitfalls and be ready to pivot when the market throws a curveball. Plus, they share advice on starting small, like a side hustle, before taking the plunge full-time.

With a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of wisdom, this episode is a treasure trove for aspiring investors. Chris and David drop knowledge bombs about the key principles of successful investing and how to be a good partner without being a pushover. They wrap up with a friendly nudge to follow the paper trail and trust the process—because in this game, patience is a virtue!

Links referenced in this episode:

• papertrailconference.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Contessa Capital

Today, he’s hanging out with the Strategy Ninjas, a crew on a mission to turn bold ideas into real-life action—like turning a light bulb moment into a full-blown disco party! They’re all about giving entrepreneurs the lowdown on how to kick-start their businesses using AI and automation, making it a game-changer in the real estate scene. The trio dives into their AI real estate accelerator course, sharing some of their top-secret frameworks that help folks level up their hustle. He’s super pumped to have them as sponsors for the upcoming Paper Trail Conference, where the fun and knowledge will be flowing like a river of good vibes. So, grab your favorite snack, kick back, and get ready to soak in some seriously cool insights about using tech to make business dreams come true!

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Strategy Ninjas
• Paper Trail
• ChatGPT
• Grok
• Claude
• Gemini
• Copilot
• Perplexity

Links referenced in this episode:

• thestrategyninjas.com
• accelerator.thestrategyninjas.com

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, part of our Know Your Speaker Series leading up to the Paper Trail Note Conference (PTNC), Chris sits down with Kris Fleming — business strategist, financial expert, real estate investor, and founder of The Genius Network.

Kris shares her incredible journey from growing up in poverty to becoming a successful entrepreneur, investor, and coach for women building scalable businesses. With deep experience in banking, commercial and private lending, and real estate, Kris brings a unique blend of empathy, strategy, and financial intelligence to every deal.

They discuss creative financing, how to assess borrowers beyond the numbers, and why personal responsibility and kindness are core to her investing approach. Kris also offers a preview of her upcoming talk at The Paper Trail Note Conference, happening September 18–20 in Chandler, Arizona, an event focused on real-world expertise, actionable learning, and community connection.

🎟️ Register for the Paper Trail Note Conference: https://papertrailconference.com/registration/

Sponsor Highlight + Know Your Speaker Series: Default Attorney Group

In this episode, we sit down with Jane and Josh from the Default Attorney Group (DAG) — a coalition of seasoned creditor rights law firms spanning 20+ states — to unpack what really goes on behind the scenes of a foreclosure, bankruptcy, or title claim.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to distressed notes, this conversation offers a masterclass in legal landmines — and how to avoid them. Josh, who will also be speaking on-stage at The Paper Trail Note Conference, walks us through critical differences between judicial and non-judicial states, how title defects can sideline a deal for years, and why fast communication with your legal team can be your most valuable asset.

Plus, you’ll learn how DAG can serve as your one-stop shop for legal help across the note lifecycle — and why we’re proud to have them as sponsors of the Paper Trail Note Conference.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• What makes a default attorney indispensable
• How to avoid costly mistakes with HELOCs, affidavits, and foreclosure timelines
• The #1 mistake lenders make when trying to save money on legal

📍Catch Josh and the DAG team live at Paper Trail, Sept 18–20 in Chandler, AZ.

Register here: papertrailconference.com

In this episode, Chris sits down with long-time real estate investor and creative finance educator William Tingle. With 25+ years of experience in the trenches, William shares how he built a real estate portfolio using Subject-To and seller finance strategies, without money, formal education, or a silver spoon.

Together, they cover:

• How William quit his job after buying 24 houses in 12 months
• Why Subject, To investing isn’t about taking advantage—it’s about helping first
• Real examples of win-win deals (including 30% equity on a house with no cash out of pocket)
• The biggest mistakes new investors make (and how to avoid them)
• Why counting doors doesn’t equal success
• What William will be bringing to the upcoming Paper Trail Conference

Whether you're new to creative real estate or looking to scale with integrity, this episode delivers grounded advice and real-life lessons you won’t hear from the “guru crowd.

In this Know Your Speakers edition of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris sits down with Matt Kelley, a certified foreclosure expert and long-time investor who’s underwritten tens of thousands of loans across California, Arizona, Nevada, and beyond. Known for his no-BS style, Matt shares insights from both sides of the note space—firsts, seconds, courthouse steps, and post-sale acquisitions.

They cover:

• Why underwriting is the true money-maker in note investing
• Red flags vs. yellow flags (and why the latter are more dangerous)
• The importance of underwriting sellers, not just borrowers
• Common mistakes new investors make—and how to avoid them
• What’s really happening in today’s note market (and why inventory isn’t your biggest problem)

Matt is also a featured speaker at the upcoming Paper Trail Conference (Sept 18–20) in Chandler, AZ. Get a preview of what he’ll bring to the stage—and why his sessions are can’t-miss.

🎟️ Register at papertrailconference.com

In this episode of our series called Know Your Speakers, Chris Seveney is joined by Kevin Kim, partner at Geraci LLP and one of the leading legal minds in the private lending industry. Kevin leads the firm's corporate and securities practice, helping lenders structure funds, stay compliant, and scale responsibly. With deep experience across Regulation D, Regulation A+, licensing, and M&A, Kevin’s firm has advised hundreds of funds from mom-and-pop startups to billion-dollar platforms.

In this conversation, Kevin shares the most common mistakes new fund managers make, how to think like an institutional operator, and why raising capital is about more than just legal docs—it’s about trust, transparency, and preparation. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect as a speaker at the 2025 Paper Trail Conference and the critical conversations happening around fund formation, compliance, and market dynamics.

🎟 Join Kevin and other top speakers live in Chandler, AZ, September 18–20.

Reserve your spot at papertrailconference.com