In this episode, Dan Deppen breaks down the biggest takeaways from the 2026 Squad Up Summit—one of the largest real estate investing conferences in the country. With over 2,700 attendees and insights from top entrepreneurs, this recap covers what's actually working right now in creative finance and real estate investing.

You'll learn how investors are adapting to changing market conditions, where new opportunities are emerging, and how tools like AI are beginning to transform underwriting, operations, and deal flow.

Dan also shares real-world insights from his own business, including scaling Call The Underwriter, buying notes, and evaluating new opportunities like tax overages.

• How to adapt your investing strategy to shifting market conditions
• The rise of AI agents in real estate and underwriting
• Why non-QM lending and seller finance are growing
• What tax overages are and how investors are monetizing them
• Key business principles: lead generation, underwriting, funding, management, and scaling
• Hiring lessons and how to avoid costly team mistakes
• Why some strategies (like Airbnb) are struggling—and what's replacing them

00:00 – Intro & overview of Squad Up Summit
02:00 – Key speakers and major themes
04:00 – AI in real estate (agents, automation, bookkeeping)
07:00 – Building scalable systems (including CTU chatbot)
08:30 – Tax overages explained (real example)
14:00 – Emerging strategies: RV parks, co-living, affordability
15:00 – The 5-step framework for building a real estate business
17:00 – Adapting to market conditions (non-QM, seller finance)
18:30 – Investor mindset mistakes (self-imposed limits)
20:00 – Hiring and scaling lessons
22:00 – Final takeaways & current deals

Call The Underwriter

Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals Podcast, Dan Deppen shares additional seller finance mistakes that didn't make the cut in his Cash Flow Expo session. He breaks down why "loose standards" and trying to be overly accommodating can backfire for both lender and borrower, how to work with an RMLO the right way (and why you don't want them telling you what you want to hear), and the red flags that show up when borrowers stall on documentation. Dan also explains why "no money in the deal" is fine—until you have no reserves—and why professional operators prioritize borrower quality, process discipline, and risk management.

Register for Cash Flow Expo, Feb 5-7

Note Accelerator, starts mid Febrary

Call The Underwriter

Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

Dan and Steve discussed the launch of "Call the Mortgage Guy," an extension of "Call the Underwriter" that focuses on non-QM loans. Steve explained that non-QM loans cater to borrowers who don't meet traditional mortgage criteria, such as self-employed individuals and those with non-traditional income, similar to seller finance borrowers. Dan noted the growing popularity of non-QM loans, which have increased from 1-2% to over 8% of the mortgage market in the last 2 years, as lenders target underserved markets. The expansion into mortgage brokering, enabled by mortgage licensing in states like Colorado, Texas, and Florida, aims to address this growing demand.

For more info on underwriting seller finance loans or get started on a deal go to www.calltheunderwriter.com

For for non-QM loans in TX, FL and CO go to www.callthemortgageguy.com