The Paper Trail
Welcome to The Paper Trail, where we follow the journey—my journey—through the world of mortgage note investing. I'm Chris Seveney, and after years of buying, managing, and selling notes with 7e Investments, I'm here to share the real stories behind the deals—what went right, what went wrong, and what I wish I knew earlier. From non-performing loans to seller financing to private lending, this show is about more than strategies—it’s about learning to follow the paper trail and doing the due diligence that separates the pros from the rest. Let's hit the trail.
Episodes
Understanding Recent Changes in Credit Scores and Mortgage Terms
In this episode of the Paper Trail podcast, Chris discusses two significant topics affecting the note investing space: the potential for 50-year mortgages and changes in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac credit score requirements. The host explains how the removal of the 620 credit score floor could impact loan qualification and why the idea of 50-year mortgages may not g...
In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, host Chris shares insightful stories from his years of experience in note investing. He reflects on his journey since rebranding from the Good Deeds Note Investing Podcast and delves into two detailed case studies involving complex loan situations.
Chris discusses the importance of patience, direct involvement, and the value of understanding both consumer and investor laws. He also emphas...
In this episode of The Paper Trail Podcast, Chris shares what he calls the biggest mistake of his note investing career: buying a 0% interest loan. Despite acquiring it at a steep discount, the loan turned into a frustrating and time-consuming challenge. Chris breaks down what went wrong—from unpredictable borrower behavior and high servicing fees to the illusion of “cheap” deals that aren’t worth the effort.
He explains how low mon...
In this episode of The Paper Trail Podcast, Chris breaks down one of the most overlooked mistakes in pricing non-performing loans—underestimating the risk of reinstatement on low-interest loans. He shares how even experienced investors can misprice assets by focusing too heavily on foreclosure-based models without considering what happens if a borrower resumes payments.
Chris also offers a real-world update from 7e Investments’ reco...
In this episode, Chris breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of mortgage note investing—how to price non-performing loans correctly. Drawing from real case studies, he explains why assuming a fast foreclosure timeline can lead to major miscalculations, how borrower behavior (like filing for bankruptcy) impacts your timeline and return, and why the biggest risks often come from what you can’t predict.
Chris also shares ho...
In this episode of The Paper Trail Podcast, Chris recaps the recent Paper Trail Conference and the intentional decision to keep sessions unrecorded for candid discussions. He then dives into the latest foreclosure and REO data from ATTOM and USFN, comparing national trends with the 7e Investments portfolio. Foreclosure activity is climbing, REOs are surging, and certain markets like Florida, Nevada, and South Carolina are experienc...
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 spira...
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 ...
Episode Summary
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 creat...
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 l...
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 f...
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 dee...
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 lan...
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 ...
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...
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