The Paper Trail

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 mo...

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 fu...

In this Know Your Speakers episode, Chris talks with Melissa Palmer—former federal agent turned due diligence expert and founder of Capital Verified. Melissa shares how a personal experience with investment fraud pushed her to create a service helping private lenders and note investors avoid the same fate.

Melissa discusses how she repurposed her background in criminal investigations to vet borrowers and deals, what most people miss...

In this Know Your Speakers episode, Chris Seveney sits down with DJ Olojo—note investor, podcast host, and founder of the Foreclosure Fix. DJ shares how he went from buying rentals in Atlanta after the 2008 crash to building a scalable portfolio focused on second position mortgage notes. He opens up about why he targets a 20% return, how he invests alongside his wife despite having different risk tolerances, and what it really take...

In this episode, Chris sits down with Marco Bario — former film and TV executive turned seller finance expert and founder of Porch Swing Funding. Marco shares his journey from the chaos of Hollywood production sets to the structure and strategy of note investing. They discuss the importance of patience, transparency, and relationship-building in deal-making, as well as why staying in your lane can be the most powerful growth move.

M...

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris Seveney sits down with Jay Redding, co-founder of Cassidy Investment Group and a seasoned real estate investor with over two decades of experience. Known for his collaborative investing approach with his son-in-law, Jay has focused heavily on seller-financed notes and brings a deep, practical perspective on building long-term wealth through relationships, due diligence, and conserva...

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris is joined by Fred and Tracy Rui of NoteInvestor.com, two of the most respected voices in the seller finance world. Together, they share how they accidentally found their way into the note business over 30 years ago—and how seller financing has proven to be one of the most durable wealth-building strategies across every economic cycle.

Fred and Tracy dive into how seller financing wor...

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris sits down with Beth Johnson, co-founder of Flynn Family Lending and author of Lend to Live, to dive deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable, ethical private lending business.

Beth shares her accidental journey from being a real estate side hustler to running a boutique lending firm alongside her husband. She talks candidly about the challenges of managing investor capit...

In this episode, we sit down with seasoned real estate investor Kevin Bupp, host of two top-rated podcasts and founder of Sunrise Capital Investors, to explore how “boring” assets like mobile home parks and parking garages can deliver outsized, long-term returns.

With over $250 million in real estate transactions under his belt, Kevin shares the fundamentals behind his investment thesis, how he vets assets in today’s tighter market,...

In this episode of Paper Trail, part of our Know Your Speaker series, Chris Seveney sits down with Michael Fordham—founder and president of Silverstream Funding and former Wall Street attorney turned boutique private lender.

Michael shares his journey from managing billion-dollar bond deals at JP Morgan to gut-renovating a Harlem brownstone and launching his own lending firm. They talk about the real risk (and reward) in private len...

They’re diving deep into the world of DSCR lending on this episode of the Paper Trail podcast, unpacking the latest trends that are shaping the private lending game. DSCR loans, which are like the cool cousin of traditional loans, let investors qualify based on rental income instead of personal income—talk about a game-changer! With an eye on the April 2025 DSCR lending trends report from Lightning Docs, they break down how these l...

Today’s chatter on the Paper Trail podcast is all about the latest Quarter 12025 Bank Call Report data and what it’s spilling about the mortgage note scene. They dive into why banks are feeling a bit skittish about the economy, hinting that lending is slowing down and defaults are creeping up like a surprise guest at a party! It turns out, over 70% of bank asset growth is from trading assets, not loans, which is like throwing a piz...

Seriously underwater mortgages are rising, and that’s the big takeaway from this episode of the Paper Trail podcast! The crew dives into the fresh data from Adam's Q1 2025 Home Equity report, revealing that now 4% of U.S. mortgages are in deep water, meaning folks owe way more than their homes are worth. They chat about how this trend could lead to more foreclosures and what savvy investors can do to prep for the upcoming wave of o...

Chris dives into the nitty-gritty of how note investing has transformed over the last decade, highlighting that while the landscape has shifted from a treasure trove of low-balance, distressed loans to a more competitive and cash-heavy game, the opportunities are still very much alive. He breaks down the five foundational steps for newbies looking to jump into the note investing scene, even if they don’t have deep pockets. From sma...

Get ready for a wild ride with the Papertrail podcast, where they spill the tea on the crazy world of mortgage note investing! This episode kicks off with a jaw-dropping story about a Las Vegas asset that was more than just a bad loan—it involved a borrower behind bars, chickens running amok in the house, and one of their biggest turnarounds ever! They dive into the nitty-gritty of turning a non-performing loan into a success, all ...

Today’s chat dives into the wild world of real estate deals, particularly the ones you dodge like a dodgeball champ! The main takeaway? Sometimes, the best deal is the one you don’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Our host spills the tea on a promising construction loan that turned out to be a total mess – think lawsuit drama that’d make a soap opera blush! They break down how due diligence saved their bacon, revealing red flags that s...

Today’s chat on the Papertrail podcast dives into the nitty-gritty of capital raising strategies, helping listeners figure out which method is the best fit for their unique deals. They kick things off with a rundown of the four main options: Regulation D506B, D506C, Regulation A+, and Regulation CF, breaking them down like a pro chef slices veggies for a stir-fry. Each option comes with its own pros ...

Today’s chat spills the beans on the wild world of mortgage note investing and why it’s a game-changer, especially with the stock market’s rollercoaster vibes. He digs into the nitty-gritty of how investing in mortgage notes lets you act like the bank, collecting those sweet monthly payments without the hassle of dealing with tenants or leaky roofs – talk about a win-win! She emphasizes that this type of investing isn’t tied to the...

Nathan Turner of Earnest Investing spills the beans on how note investing isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s all about those real connections! They dive into Nathan’s winding road into the note world, where he went from being a struggling landlord to a note investor who’s shaking hands and making deals. This chat highlights the importance of in-person events, like the upcoming Diversified Mortgage Expo, where networking can tu...