Starting a real estate business sounds like the dream, right? Passive income, time freedom, and the chance to build real wealth. But for most people, the idea of diving into real estate means one of two things:

–Becoming a landlord and managing properties
–Becoming an agent and grinding for commissions

Both are valid paths—BUT they come with big headaches. Property maintenance, tenant issues, high upfront costs, and fierce competition can turn that dream into a full-time stress machine.

But what if there was another way?

A smarter, less hands-on path to building a real estate business—one that most people don’t even know exists?

The Overlooked Opportunity in Real Estate

Enter: note investing.

Instead of owning the property, you own the debt attached to it. That means you become the bank.

In a note deal, you’re buying the mortgage and collecting payments from the borrower—just like a lender would. And if they stop paying? You still have control, with the potential to take back the property or restructure the loan on your terms.

It’s real estate investing without the landlord drama.
And it’s one of the most powerful ways to start a real estate business—especially if you’re working with limited time, money, or experience.

Traditional Real Estate Paths (and Why They’re Not for Everyone)

Let’s break down the usual ways people try to start a real estate business—and why so many get stuck:

Becoming a Landlord

Sure, rental income sounds nice. But now you’re on the hook for:

-Property repairs
-Tenant issues
-Late-night emergencies

And with rising property prices, the cost to get started can be massive.

Fix-and-Flip

TV makes it look easy. But flipping houses means:

-Big capital
-Construction risk
-Market timing pressure

One wrong move and your profit disappears.

Becoming an Agent

This is less of a business and more of a job. Agents hustle for leads, compete for listings, and rely heavily on commissions. It can be rewarding—but it’s not the passive path most people want.

The Better Option: Start a Real Estate Business With Notes

Note investing flips the script. You’re not managing properties—you’re managing paper. And paper pays.

Here’s what makes it such a powerful business model:

✅ Low Overhead – You don’t need to buy the house to profit from it.
✅ Cash Flow Potential – Monthly payments come straight to you.
✅ More Control – You choose the deals. You set the terms.
✅ Scalability – You can grow your note portfolio without taking on more tenants or properties.

And the best part? You can start from anywhere.

How to Start a Real Estate Business With Note Investing (Step-by-Step)

1. Learn the Basics

Start by understanding what a note is, how it works, and what makes a good deal. There are performing notes (where the borrower is paying on time) and non-performing notes (where they aren’t—but that creates opportunity).

2. Know Your Goals

Do you want steady income or big equity plays? Do you want to be hands-on or totally passive? Your goals will guide your approach.

3. Find Notes to Buy

There are marketplaces, brokers, and private sellers who offer real estate notes. And as the market shifts, inventory is growing—especially from banks looking to offload assets.

4. Do Your Due Diligence

You don’t just buy any note—you evaluate the borrower, the property, and the terms. Is it a good investment? Does it fit your goals?

5. Make the Purchase and Collect Payments

Once you buy the note, you step into the lender’s shoes. That means the borrower sends their monthly payments to you. Passive income, activated.

6. Scale Smartly

As you gain experience, you can reinvest profits, partner with others, or diversify your note portfolio. The sky’s the limit.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Start

We’re in a unique moment in the market. Rising rates, economic shifts, and changing loan structures are creating more opportunities for smart investors to enter the note space.

Banks and institutions are sitting on billions in mortgage paper—and much of it is available at a discount.

That means you can start your real estate business for less—and build it faster.

Real Inspiration: How Nathan Turner Built a Note Business Across Borders

Nathan Turner’s story is proof that you don’t need to live in a hot real estate market—or even in the U.S.—to build a thriving note business.

Based in Canada, Nathan got his start after taking a NoteSchool class back in 2009. With zero local inventory in his home country, he decided to focus exclusively on the U.S. market—and never looked back.

Over time, he went from flipping non-performing notes to managing a performing note fund, all while growing his network and organizing major industry events like the Diversified Mortgage Expo. His journey highlights the true power of note investing:

🌎 You can work from anywhere
🧠 The right education makes all the difference
🤝 Relationships drive real success
🔄 There’s room to grow and evolve as your goals change

Nathan’s story reminds us: success in real estate doesn’t require a license, a portfolio of properties, or even a local market. What it does require is a willingness to learn, connect, and take action.

You Can Start a Real Estate Business with Just $1,000

One of the biggest myths about starting a real estate business is that you need deep pockets to get going. But when it comes to note investing, that simply isn’t true.

Thanks to strategies like partial notes, it’s entirely possible to begin your note investing journey with as little as $1,000. That means you don’t need to save up for a down payment, flip houses, or take on massive risk.

In fact, we’ve seen plenty of people—just like you—start small and build real, consistent income. Whether you’re using cash or tapping into a self-directed IRA, you can structure deals that fit your budget and your goals.

Bottom line: Starting a real estate business doesn’t have to be expensive. With note investing, it’s more accessible—and more scalable—than ever before.

Ready To Start Your Own Real Estate Business?

Ready to achieve financial freedom using real estate? The best time to start is now! Take advantage of the resources below to learn from industry experts, connect with a thriving community, and unlock your full potential in creative real estate financing.

Your journey toward financial freedom begins today—don’t wait to take the next step!

Whenever you’re ready… here are 4 ways we can help you start your journey into note investing: