Hey, it’s Jordan Samuel Fleming — welcome back to That Real Estate Tech Guy! In this episode, I’m joined by Caleb Christopher, founder of Creative TC, a consulting company built to make creative finance deals safe, legal, ethical, and clearly understood by everyone involved.

This is one of the most grounded and practical conversations I’ve had about creative finance. Caleb breaks down exactly when strategies like subject-to actually make sense, when they absolutely don’t, and why most investors misunderstand what these deals really are. We walk through real stories, real numbers, and real outcomes — not hype or shortcuts.

We also talk about why creative finance is fundamentally a long-term partnership, not a quick transaction, why most title companies struggle with these deals, and how proper documentation, disclosures, and expectation-setting protect both the investor and the seller. If you’ve ever been curious about creative finance but unsure where the ethical and legal lines are, this episode brings real clarity.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introducing Caleb Christopher and why he built a business around creative finance.

[2:58] – What Creative TC does and why consulting is critical for complex deals.

[3:16] – Why most traditional title companies struggle with creative transactions.

[4:27] – Why Caleb chose creative finance over traditional investing models.

[5:10] – Why creative finance thrives on complexity and problem-solving.

[5:31] – Subject-to explained in plain English.

[6:13] – Why every real estate deal is technically “subject to” something.

[7:02] – How creative buy boxes differ from wholesaling and flipping.

[10:37] – Pre-foreclosure situations where creative finance truly helps.

[11:12] – Anchoring value: why catching up payments is real money.

[12:14] – How creative deals can actually improve seller credit.

[12:59] – A real subject-to case study with short-term negative cash flow and long-term upside.

[14:10] – Why win-win matters more than squeezing every dollar.

[15:56] – Why creative deals are partnerships, not transactions.

[21:21] – Managing seller expectations months or years after closing.

[22:02] – Why disclosures and documentation protect everyone.

[26:34] – Why title companies say “no” to what they don’t understand.

[27:20] – Caleb’s disciplined, accountable growth strategy.

[29:11] – Where AI fits into creative finance, consulting, and title work.

[33:01] – The future of AI agents, CRMs, and decision-based automation.

[36:42] – How to connect with Caleb and follow his transparent newsletter.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Creative finance only works after traditional options fail. Cash, MLS, and keeping the property must be ruled out first.
2. Story beats structure. Seller motivation and context matter more than formulas.
3. Creative deals are partnerships. Expect long-term communication and responsibility.
4. Documentation protects everyone. Ethical creative finance requires clarity and disclosures.
5. Technology should assist judgment, not replace it. AI enhances consulting, not accountability.

Links & Resources

• Creative TC – https://creativetc.io/about
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who wants to understand creative finance the right way — without shortcuts, hype, or ethical gray areas. More high-signal conversations are coming next.