In this episode of the Paper Trail podcast, Chris discusses themes related to note investing with a focus on foreclosure trends. With 10 years of experience in mortgage notes and 25 years in real estate, Chris provides insights into the state of the foreclosure market post-COVID, contrasting it with the 2008 financial crisis.

Key topics include foreclosure statistics from 2006 to 2025, varying foreclosure timelines by state, and the impacts of economic factors such as taxes, insurance, and interest rates on foreclosure trends.

The episode also delves into how these trends affect note investors, emphasizing the opportunities in the growing non-performing mortgage note space.

00:00 Introduction to the Paper Trail Podcast

00:40 Diving into Foreclosure Trends

02:00 Historical Foreclosure Data Analysis

06:45 State-Specific Foreclosure Insights

11:37 Metro Area Foreclosure Hotspots

15:18 Foreclosure Timelines and Challenges

22:07 Future Market Predictions and Opportunities

24:45 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the Paper Trail podcast, Chris 70 delves into the intricacies of title insurance, emphasizing its significance for mortgage note investors.

Chris discusses the roles of owner's policies and lender's policies, presents real-life case studies of title claims, and highlights the pitfalls of neglecting title insurance.

He also shares insights from Marco Bario's valuable article on the subject, stressing the growing importance of due diligence amid increasing fraud in the industry.

Chris wraps up by providing tips on assessing title policies when acquiring notes and underscores the necessity of title insurance for every originator.

00:00 Introduction to the Paper Trail

00:41 Today's Topic: Title Insurance

00:55 Insights from Marco Bario

03:00 The Importance of Title Insurance

05:24 Understanding Title Insurance Policies

09:25 Common Title Insurance Issues

13:27 Case Studies and Real-Life Examples

18:45 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

24:30 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, host Chris Seveney delves into the common mistakes investors make when bidding on note investments.

He breaks down a top 10 list of these errors, highlighting the complexities of foreclosure processes, especially in non-judicial states.

Chris provides valuable examples and insights, stressing the importance of thorough due diligence, understanding potential delays, and realistic financial modeling.

The episode is a must-listen for both active and passive investors looking to deepen their understanding of the mortgage note investment space.

00:00 Introduction to Note Investing

01:01 Top 10 Mistakes in Bidding on Assets

02:39 Case Study: Borrower A vs. Borrower B

04:11 Challenges in Foreclosure and Bankruptcy

09:17 Real-Life Examples and Investor Pitfalls

20:03 Understanding Non-Judicial vs. Judicial States

21:24 Conclusion and Resources

2026 Real Estate and Non-Performing Notes Predictions

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris shares his top 10 predictions for the real estate and lending markets in 2026. He discusses tighter lending standards, rising defaults, and the importance of being a disciplined operator. Key trends include the tightening of investor space lending conditions, challenges in the multifamily sector, struggles for sponsors operating outside their expertise, a slowdown in fix-and-flip activity, the rise of build-to-rent, increased defaults on investor loans, the complexities of judicial foreclosures, potential declines in home prices in booming states like Florida and Texas, and the predicted growth of 7E Investments. Chris emphasizes the necessity for consistency, strategic focus, and disciplined underwriting in navigating the year ahead.

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:12 2026 Real Estate Predictions Overview

01:05 Trend 1: Tightening Lending Conditions

04:07 Trend 2: Multifamily Market Challenges

05:42 Trend 3: Struggles of Inexperienced Sponsors

09:01 Trend 4: Decline in Fix and Flip Activity

10:15 Trend 5: Build to Rent Opportunities

13:31 Trend 6: Rising Defaults on Investor Loans

15:59 Trend 7: Owner-Occupied Market Insights

19:10 Trend 8: Judicial Foreclosure Challenges

23:52 Trend 9: Home Price Declines in Key States

26:18 Trend 10: Growth Projections for 2026

27:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Paper Trail podcast, Chris reviews his 2025 predictions and evaluates his accuracy, covering essential aspects such as interest rates, home prices, mortgage defaults, and the overall economy. He reflects on the media's portrayal of real estate, assesses the impact of interest rates and home pricing, and provides an in-depth analysis of mortgage defaults and delinquencies. The episode also predicts future market trends and emphasizes the importance of real estate experience.

Additionally, Chris touches on short-term rentals, multifamily properties, seller financing, and the economic pressures facing households. This reflective analysis sets the stage for understanding current market dynamics and future forecasts in real estate.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:42 Reflecting on 2025 Predictions

02:01 Interest Rates Analysis

04:08 Home Prices Trends

07:38 Mortgage Defaults and Delinquencies

11:41 Economic Pressures and Household Impact

15:58 Short-Term Rentals and Market Shifts

23:34 Fix and Flip Investor Loans

27:24 Macro Observations and Real Estate Trends

31:43 Conclusion and Future Predictions

In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris Seveney breaks down the most common misconceptions surrounding DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans. Whether you’re a first-time real estate investor or looking to scale your portfolio, this no-fluff episode is packed with insights that could save you time, money, and frustration.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:04 Understanding DSCR Loans

01:55 Myth 1: Credit Score Doesn't Matter

04:13 Myth 2: 100% Financing

05:56 Myth 3: Only for Commercial Properties

07:55 Myth 4: No Documentation Required

10:06 Myth 5: Funding Rehabs or Fix and Flips

11:59 Myth 6: Quick Closures

13:31 Myth 7: Prepayment Penalties

18:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 gain widespread traction. Emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'rules of the game,' the host advises investors to stay focused on their business fundamentals and not get distracted by industry hype and external chatter.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:01 Credit Score Changes and Their Impact

03:18 The 50-Year Mortgage: Pros and Cons

06:03 Focus: The Key to Successful Investing

11:15 Understanding the Rules of the Game

19:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 emphasizes the necessity of proactive management and communication with borrowers to protect investment interests. As always, listeners are encouraged to interact and learn more about investment opportunities with 7E Investments.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Rebranding

00:29 Early Podcast Days and Lessons Learned

01:51 The Slow Pace of Note Investing

02:21 Case Study 1: Investor Loans and Extensions

09:24 Case Study 2: Builder Loans and Foreclosure

12:39 Dealing with Difficult Borrowers

18:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts