Unlocking Wealth: Why 2026 is the Year of the "Lien Lord"

Are you tired of the "Three Ts" of real estate—Toilets, Tenants, and Trash outs? In a market where traditional deals are drying up and competition is fierce, seasoned investor Scott Carson is showing both new and experienced investors how to stop being a landlord and start being the bank. Welcome to the world of note investing, where you can stack massive cash flow and collect six-figure checks by purchasing distressed debt directly from banks at steep discounts.

Whether you're looking to supercharge your self-directed IRA or find a passive way to exit the fix-and-flip grind, this episode dives deep into real-world case studies—from $300-a-month steady cash flow to $250,000 gross profits on a single deal. It’s time to move past the outdated strategies of the 90s and learn how to leverage AI and bank relationships to build a premier deal flow in today's economy.

Key Takeaways from the Workshop:

• Becoming the Bank: Note investing allows you to earn above-average returns without the headaches of physical property management by purchasing first-lien mortgages at 70% of the value or less.

• Direct Bank Deal Flow: Learn how to bypass the MLS and foreclosure auctions by getting deal lists directly from the 5,000+ registered banks and 19,000+ lending institutions that need to move bad debt off their books.

• Diverse Exit Strategies: Discover 11 different ways to profit, including rehabbing the borrower to reinstate payments for long-term cash flow, offering "cash for keys" to gain equity, or foreclosing to sell the property as a fix-and-flip.

• Funding with OPM: You don't need millions to start; Carson explains how to use Other People’s Money (OPM) or self-directed IRAs to fund deals, allowing for tax-free growth and infinite rates of return.

• Modern Marketing & AI: Stay ahead of the competition by utilizing AI tools and automated marketing strategies designed for the 2026 market to identify "duds" during due diligence and find the best "cherry-picked" notes.

The "sexy side" of real estate isn't about swinging a hammer; it's about owning the paper. If you're ready to stop chasing deals and start having banks send them to you, join the upcoming Austin Virtual Note Buying Workshop from February 27th to March 1st. With a 100% money-back guarantee and a tuition refund if you close a deal in your first six months, there’s no reason to stay on the sidelines. Visit http://notebuyingfordummies.com to claim your 50% discount and start your journey to becoming a "Lien Lord" today!

Watch the Original Video of this Episode HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!

In the fast-paced world of 2026, many entrepreneurs are making a fatal mistake: they are building their entire business on "rented land". Whether you are a note investor, a realtor, or a fix-and-flipper, the reality is that we are all in the marketing business first. If your primary way of reaching clients is through a free platform like Facebook or LinkedIn, you are one algorithm change or account deletion away from having your business vanish overnight.

I’ve seen it happen to the best of us. From podcasting experts losing 20-year-old accounts to major email services flagging databases, the message is urgent: you must own your data. Success in today’s market isn't just about finding deals; it's about "carpet bombing" your message across multiple channels while funneling every lead into a database you actually control.

• Own the "Gold" (Name, Email, and Phone): Social media followers are great for presence, but the only true assets you own are your contacts' names, email addresses, and cell phone numbers. These three pieces of information are the most valuable resources in your business, allowing you to bypass platform gatekeepers and connect directly with your audience.

• The Power of the Weekly Drip: Consistency is the antidote to being forgotten. You should be sending at least one email per week to your database to stay top-of-mind. Frequent communication leads to lower opt-out rates because you are building a relationship rather than just asking for money when you have a deal.

• Leverage AI for Content Multiplicity: You don't need to spend hours writing from scratch. Use AI to take a single long-form video or podcast transcript and "chop" it into 30 short-form videos, blogs, and newsletters. This "multi-touch" approach ensures you are seen on every platform—from LinkedIn newsletters to YouTube—without doubling your workload.

• Implement "Mother Ship" Landing Pages: Every piece of content should lead back to your "mothership"—your website. Use simple one-page landing pages with "opt-ins" like free classes or case studies to capture lead information. Even if they don't buy immediately, you've captured the data necessary for future marketing.

• The "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" Philosophy: Most investors fail at raising capital because they only reach out when they are desperate for a deal. Instead, provide value through "edutainment"—sharing case studies, industry articles, and networking updates. By giving 75% of the time, your "ask" for funding will feel like a natural opportunity for your investors rather than a cold pitch.

Don't let your business fade away like a character in a movie. If you aren't growing your database, you aren't growing your income. Start by exporting your contacts from LinkedIn or your calendar service and moving them into a dedicated CRM. Remember, email still provides the highest ROI in marketing—returning roughly $44 for every $1 spent. Stop being a "secret agent" and start sharing your journey consistently.

Watch the Original Video of this Episode HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!

Building Your Real Estate Dream Team: Why Lone Wolves Lose (and How to Win!)

Hey everybody! Scott Carson here, and with the Super Bowl almost upon us, it got me thinking: what makes a championship team? It's certainly not one person trying to play every position. The same goes for real estate investing! Too many of you are trying to be the quarterback, running back, offensive line, and even the water boy all at once. Spoiler alert: you're gonna get sacked, big time.

I used to coach new investors hands-on, and the most successful ones always did their homework: assembling a "Dream Team" of investor-friendly professionals. You can't be a solo-preneur and expect to scale your wealth. It's time to stop thinking you can do it all and start building your championship roster.

Here's your blueprint for assembling a winning real estate dream team:

• Your Home Base: The Investor-Friendly REIA Club: First, find your tribe! Your local Real Estate Investor Association (REIA) is the ultimate recruiting ground for investor-friendly realtors, title companies, lenders, and fellow investors. Go to REiclub.com, Meetup.com, or Google your city – there's a club for every market. Don't be a wallflower; get there early and network!
• The Quarterback & Offensive Line: Realtor & Title/Attorney: You need an investor-friendly realtor for comps, market insights, and even rehab ideas. Pair them with a savvy title company (especially for creative deals) or a real estate attorney for complex closings and entity structuring. These are your foundational players!
• The Money Backfield: Hard & Private Money Lenders + IRA Custodians: Finding capital is key! Network with hard money lenders for fix-and-flips and identify private money lenders. Ask your existing lenders and title reps if they know private investors. Also, connect with an IRA custodian, preferably local, who specializes in self-directed accounts.
• The Defense: Your Boots-on-the-Ground Vendor Crew: Build a reliable network of contractors (roofers, HVAC, plumbers, electricians), landscapers, and pest control. Get three bids, always, and don't be afraid to utilize side-hustle contractors for cost savings. Your realtor can often provide invaluable referrals here.
• The Coaching Staff: Mentors & Coaches (Like Me!): Even the best teams have coaches. Whether it's a dedicated real estate coach (like yours truly!) or specialists in areas like due diligence or BPOs, external guidance helps you avoid costly mistakes and leverage experience.

You are not Adam Sandler in The Longest Yard trying to throw it to yourself with no blocking. You need blockers! You need people to take tasks off your plate, provide expertise, and even bring you deals. My mom thought I'd be a football coach; instead, I'm a real estate coach helping investors build teams.

Stop being the bottleneck. Leverage your network, trust your team, and empower yourself to delegate. If you need help finding vendors, due diligence support, or just a coach to guide you, reach out. Let's put your dream team together, ladies and gentlemen. Go out, take some action, and we'll see you at the top!

Watch the Original Video of this Episode HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!

Welcome to the new era of real estate investing. If you’ve been following the market lately, you know the old rules are changing. Values are shifting, mortgage defaults are ticking upward, and traditional "fix-and-flip" or rental strategies are becoming harder to scale. I’m Scott Carson from WeCloseNotes.com, and I’ve spent years helping thousands of investors transition from the headaches of physical property management to the high-yield world of note investing. In 2026, the biggest opportunity isn’t in owning the dirt—it’s in owning the debt. It’s time to stop being a landlord and start being the bank.

5 Key Insights from the 2026 Note Investing Outlook

• Escape the "Three Ts" of Landlording: Traditional real estate often comes with "Toilets, Trash, and Tenants". Note investors avoid these by owning the mortgage rather than the physical property, meaning you never have to deal with broken ACs or midnight repairs.
• The Power of the Discount: One of the greatest advantages is buying notes at a significant discount from banks. For example, you might buy a $100,000 debt for $70,000, giving you immediate equity and higher yields than traditional rentals.
• Capitalizing on Market Chaos: With mortgage defaults increasing and values dropping in some areas, banks are eager to move "non-performing" notes off their books. This creates a massive "secondary market" where savvy investors can find high-potential deals.
• Passive Income without Property Managers: Because the borrower is responsible for the property's upkeep, taxes, and insurance, your role is purely financial. You collect the monthly principal and interest just like a major bank would.
• Superior Position in the Market: As a note holder, you hold a superior legal position compared to a landlord. If a tenant doesn't pay a landlord, the landlord loses income; if a borrower doesn't pay a note holder, you have the right to foreclose and take the property itself, often for much less than it’s worth.

The window of opportunity in 2026 is wide open, but it won't stay that way forever. Whether you’re a tired landlord, a frustrated flipper, or a new investor overwhelmed by the current market, note investing offers a path to truly passive wealth. Don’t let another year go by dealing with the same old headaches. It’s time to level up your strategy and start making offers that make sense in today's economy. If you’re ready to take the next step, visit NoteBuyingForDummies.com and let’s turn 2026 into your most successful year yet. Let’s go out there and kick some ass!

Watch the Original VIDEO HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!

Texas real estate investing is defined by its lack of state income tax, which shifts the financial burden to an aggressive property tax system. Understanding these mechanics is the first step in ensuring your portfolio remains profitable.

• Property Tax Reality: Expect to pay between 2% and 3.5% of a property's value annually in property taxes. Because there is no state income tax, local governments rely on these funds for schools and services.

• Protesting is Mandatory: Every May, owners can protest their appraised values at the County Appraisal District (CAD). Most successful investors hire professional firms to handle this automatically to ensure they aren't overpaying.

• Asset Protection: Utilizing a Series LLC is highly recommended in Texas. This allows you to separate multiple properties into different "cells" under one umbrella, protecting your personal assets without the cost of 30 separate LLCs.

• The Homestead Limit: You cannot claim a homestead exemption on an investment property; this benefit is strictly for your primary residence.
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• The Texas Triangle: The region between Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio contains 70% of the state’s population and is considered the safest bet for long-term demand.

• Secondary Markets: With prices rising in major metros, many 2026 investors are looking toward secondary markets like Killeen, Temple, or New Braunfels for better entry points.

• Foundation Concerns: Due to expansive clay soil, foundation issues are common. Always ask if a foundation has been leveled and if there is a transferable warranty.

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• The 1% Rule Shift: In 2026, the traditional 1% rule (where rent equals 1% of purchase price) is difficult to find in Texas. Many investors are now targeting 0.7% to 0.8%, though sticking closer to 1% is still preferred to avoid overpaying.

• DSCR Loans: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans are popular because they qualify based on the property’s rent rather than the investor's personal income. These typically require a 20% down payment.

• Fast Evictions: Texas is a landlord-friendly state where the eviction process typically takes only 30 to 45 days from the initial notice to the writ of possession.

Success in Texas often comes down to what you don't do. One of the biggest pitfalls for new investors is "over-rehabbing" a property. While it’s tempting to install custom finishes, sticking to simple updates like paint, carpet, and standard GE or LG appliances ensures you don't eat into your cash flow. Additionally, be wary of HOA "trapdoors" by verifying if there are rental caps in the neighborhood before you buy.

Texas remains the "best place to buy, own, and invest," but it requires a disciplined approach to the math and a deep respect for the local laws. Whether you are navigating the high-heat summers that drive up HVAC costs or calculating your tax redemption periods, being informed is your greatest asset. Stay smart, don't over-rehab, and keep your eye on the cash flow.

Watch the original VIDEO HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!

Good morning! Look, it is absolutely freezing here in Austin, Texas. We are talking 18 degrees, which basically means the entire state shuts down because—let’s be honest—nobody here knows how to drive on ice. So, while the roads are slick, we are chilling inside where the coffee is hot, and the deals are even hotter.

If you missed our massive livestream this past Saturday, don’t worry. We spent over two hours breaking down a tape of 3,067 non-performing first liens. But for today’s coaching call, I wanted to peel back the onion a little further. We are doing a deep dive specifically into the remaining 200+ Texas assets. Why Texas? Because it’s the fastest foreclosure state in the country, and when you combine speed with equity, you find the magic.

In this episode, I’m walking you through my exact process of filtering a massive spreadsheet—hiding the columns that don’t matter (looking at you, "QM Flags") and highlighting the ones that equal profit. We take a serious look at a specific asset in Tyler, Texas. This isn't just looking at numbers; we become digital detectives. We look at the borrower's emotional equity (solar panels and garden gnomes count!), the "Zillow Zombie" values, and even do a Google search that reveals the heartbreaking backstory of why the borrower likely defaulted.

We also tackle the difference between chasing "Subject To" deals versus buying the Non-Performing Note. Spoiler alert: You aren't getting a massive discount on a note that is only 90 days late. We run the math on calculating yields, determining legal balances, and deciding when to aim for a re-performing note versus when to accept that a property is headed for foreclosure (like a massive upside-down property we found in Dripping Springs).

In this episode, we cover:

• The Texas Deep Freeze: Why staying off the icy Austin roads is the best investment decision you can make today.
• The 3,000 Note Breakdown: A recap of the massive tape we analyzed on Saturday and where to find the remaining opportunities.
• Geographic Breakdown: Mapping out opportunities from the Panhandle to the Valley, including Dallas, Houston, and the Piney Woods.
• Spreadsheet Mastery: How to filter data efficiently—calculating estimated legal balances, equity percentages, and hiding useless columns.
• The Tyler, Texas Case Study: A full breakdown of a property with 82% equity, analyzing photos, tax records, and potential 17-19% cash-on-cash returns.
• The "Human" Element: How a simple Google search revealed a borrower's personal tragedy and how that informs our strategy.
• Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Plays: Analyzing a deal in Montgomery, TX involving a bankruptcy plan, and a luxury builder home in Dripping Springs that is $200k upside down.
• Sub2 vs. NPN: Why buying the note makes more sense than a Subject To deal when the borrower is 6+ months behind.
• Texas Foreclosure Trends: A look at Roddy’s List and current numbers in Travis, Bexar, Dallas, and Harris counties.

Look, it might be 20 degrees outside, but these yields are keeping us warm. Whether you are looking to get a borrower back on track with a modification or taking a property back in a fast foreclosure state, the opportunity is right there in the data. You just have to know how to filter for it.

Watch the Original Video of this Episode HERE!

Got Questions? Book a Call With Scott HERE!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here!

Use Scott's AI Clone HERE!