How to Decide if Self-Directed Note Investing is Right for You

Passive or active investing possible with real estate notes

There are basically two classes of real estate notes: performing and non-performing.

• A performing note indicates the borrower is up-to-date with payments
• A non-performing note means the borrower is behind or not making payments.

Which asset class you choose will depend upon risk tolerance, potential rate of return and whether you want to be passive or active.

Passive investors are often attracted to performing notes that they can purchase today and begin receiving payments quickly. Often a performing note is purchased through and managed by a loan service company. They manage all the transactions and requirements related to the note, including providing payments to the investor. These payments arrive every month based on the terms of the note.

[Read More: Note Investing: What it is and Real-Life Example]

A more active investor might be more attracted to non-performing notes. A non-performing real estate note offers the possibility of acquiring the actual property if the borrower doesn’t meet the note’s terms.

Often this could provide more investment return potential – getting a property at discount, but also requires much more responsibility of the investor. The investor would then not have an investment note, but an actual property.

Diversification and time efficiency of note investing

With the advancement of technology, investing in notes is much more efficient than in the past. An investor has access to research materials on specific note opportunities, including documentation, market statistics, valuation models and more with a click of a button. Investors can also easily research loan service providers and even purchase notes online.

The same technology also makes it possible to invest in notes secured by properties throughout the United States. Investors don’t have to be “locked into” a certain market and can take advantage of beneficial market conditions in different areas of the country.

Video: Overview of Note Investing in Your Retirement Account

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About Eddie Speed

Since 1980, Eddie Speed has dedicated his professional life to the Note buying industry, seller financing and non-performing notes. He’s introduced innovative ideas and strategies that have positively impacted the way the industry operates today. Eddie has delivered thousands of presentations as “The Note Authority” from small groups to large stages. Fifteen years ago, Eddie founded NoteSchool, which is a highly recognized training company, specialized in the teaching of buying performing and non- performing discounted mortgage notes. He is also a principal of Colonial Capital Management LLC, which is a private equity fund that acquires discounted real estate secured notes.

Eddie Speed is not an employee of Equity Trust Company. Opinions or ideas expressed by Eddie are not necessarily those of Equity Trust Company nor do they reflect their views or endorsement. These materials are for informational purposes only. Equity Trust Company, Equity University and their affiliates, representatives and officers do not provide legal or tax advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.