E343 | This Deal Looked Great on Paper — Until It Wasn’t
Description
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.
United States
