The Paper Trail

Chris Seveney
  • 4.9 (93)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Paper Trail, where we follow the journey—my journey—through the world of mortgage note investing. I'm Chris Seveney, and after years of buying, managing, and selling notes with 7e Investments, I'm here to share the real stories behind the deals—what went right, what went wrong, and what I wish I knew earlier. From non-performing loans to seller financing to private lending, this show is about more than strategies—it’s about learning to follow the paper trail and doing the due diligence that separates the pros from the rest. Let's hit the trail.

  1. 349 | Common Mistakes Investors Make in Non-Judicial State

    12H AGO

    349 | Common Mistakes Investors Make in Non-Judicial State

    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

    22 min
  2. 348 | Predictions for 2026 in Real Estate and Non Performing Note Space

    12/17/2025

    348 | Predictions for 2026 in Real Estate and Non Performing Note Space

    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

    31 min
  3. E347 | Predictions Review for 2025

    12/10/2025

    E347 | Predictions Review for 2025

    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

    37 min
  4. E346 | Top 5 Myths About DSCR Loans

    11/26/2025

    E346 | Top 5 Myths About DSCR Loans

    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

    22 min
  5. E345 | 50-Year Mortgages & Credit Score Rules: What Note Investors Should Know

    11/12/2025

    E345 | 50-Year Mortgages & Credit Score Rules: What Note Investors Should Know

    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

    21 min
  6. E344 | Lessons from the Field: Navigating Note Investing Challenges

    11/06/2025

    E344 | Lessons from the Field: Navigating Note Investing Challenges

    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

    21 min
  7. E343 | This Deal Looked Great on Paper — Until It Wasn’t

    10/29/2025

    E343 | This Deal Looked Great on Paper — Until It Wasn’t

    In this episode of The Paper Trail Podcast, Chris shares what he calls the biggest mistake of his note investing career: buying a 0% interest loan. Despite acquiring it at a steep discount, the loan turned into a frustrating and time-consuming challenge. Chris breaks down what went wrong—from unpredictable borrower behavior and high servicing fees to the illusion of “cheap” deals that aren’t worth the effort. He explains how low monthly payments can erode returns, why understanding your servicing contract is critical, and how certain borrowers exploit the system. Through this candid story, Chris illustrates the hidden dangers of loans that seem too good to be true and why discipline, due diligence, and realistic pricing matter more than chasing a bargain. This episode is an unfiltered look at the mistakes, frustrations, and lessons that come with real-world note investing—offering valuable takeaways for anyone entering the business or managing a portfolio today.

    24 min
  8. E342 | The Trap of Low-Rate Loans: Lessons in Pricing Non-Performing Notes

    10/22/2025

    E342 | The Trap of Low-Rate Loans: Lessons in Pricing Non-Performing Notes

    In this episode of The Paper Trail Podcast, Chris breaks down one of the most overlooked mistakes in pricing non-performing loans—underestimating the risk of reinstatement on low-interest loans. He shares how even experienced investors can misprice assets by focusing too heavily on foreclosure-based models without considering what happens if a borrower resumes payments. Chris also offers a real-world update from 7e Investments’ record-breaking third quarter, previews upcoming educational seminars, and introduces 7e’s new private lending program offering DSCR and fix-and-flip loans. Whether you’re a seasoned note buyer or new to the space, this episode offers practical, experience-based lessons to refine how you analyze loan tapes and avoid common valuation errors.

    21 min
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4.9
out of 5
93 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Paper Trail, where we follow the journey—my journey—through the world of mortgage note investing. I'm Chris Seveney, and after years of buying, managing, and selling notes with 7e Investments, I'm here to share the real stories behind the deals—what went right, what went wrong, and what I wish I knew earlier. From non-performing loans to seller financing to private lending, this show is about more than strategies—it’s about learning to follow the paper trail and doing the due diligence that separates the pros from the rest. Let's hit the trail.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Seveney
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2018-2023 Good Deeds, LLC, Chris Seveney. | All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Paper Trail

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