ABOUT US
From Mobile Home to Millionaire: Eddie Speed's Journey 🚀
In 1980, a young Eddie Speed lived in a cramped 10×40 mobile home, dreaming of a better future. Little did he know that his father-in-law’s invitation to join the note business would change his life forever.
Eddie’s journey began with hustle and determination. Without capital, he relied on his cowboy common sense and an unwavering work ethic. He dove headfirst into the world of real estate notes, learning through trial and error, and refusing to give up despite countless setbacks.
As Eddie navigated the complex landscape of note investing, he discovered a passion for not just making deals, but for understanding the intricacies of the business. He realized that note investing offered a unique opportunity to generate passive income without the headaches of traditional real estate investing.
Over the years, Eddie’s expertise grew, and so did his success. He went from struggling to make ends meet to completing over 50,000 note deals, with 6,000 of those in just the last three years. His ability to spot opportunities where others saw obstacles became legendary in the industry.
But Eddie’s true calling emerged when he began sharing his knowledge with others. In 1999, he founded NoteSchool, driven by a vision to empower others with the same life-changing opportunities he had discovered. Eddie’s teaching style, rooted in real-world experience and practical wisdom, resonated with aspiring investors from all walks of life.
As the note industry evolved, so did Eddie’s strategies. He forged relationships with hedge funds and institutional investors, gaining access to exclusive deal flow that was previously unavailable to individual investors. This insider status allowed him to offer his students unparalleled opportunities in the note market.
Today, Eddie Speed is recognized as a pioneer in the note investing industry. He’s served over 2,000 mentoring students, helping them achieve financial freedom and build lasting wealth. His impact extends beyond individual success stories; Eddie has played a crucial role in shaping the entire landscape of note investing education.
Despite his accomplishments, Eddie remains grounded, never forgetting his humble beginnings. He continues to innovate, always seeking new ways to leverage technology and market trends to benefit his students and the note investing community at large.
Eddie’s journey from a 10×40 mobile home to becoming a millionaire note investor is more than just a success story. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and the transformative potential of note investing. Through NoteSchool, Eddie Speed isn’t just teaching a business strategy; he’s passing on a legacy of financial empowerment that has the power to change lives for generations to come.
Mission
NoteSchool’s mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to achieve financial freedom through note investing. We are committed to providing comprehensive education, insider access to deals, and ongoing support to help our students build lasting wealth and secure their financial futures.
Vision
Our vision is to revolutionize real estate investing by making note investing accessible to all. We aspire to create a community of 10,000+ successful note investors who leverage our strategies to generate passive income, build generational wealth, and enjoy the freedom to live life on their own terms.
Meet Our Team
Eddie Speed
Personal training from the nation’s most experienced note buyer!
Since 1980, W. Eddie Speed has dedicated his professional life to the seller financing and non-performing note industry. Over the years, he has introduced innovative ideas and strategies that have positively impacted the way the industry operates today.
Eddie founded NoteSchool which is a highly recognized training company specialized in the teaching of buying both performing and non-performing discounted mortgage notes. He is the owner and president of Colonial Funding Group LLC, which acquires and brokers discounted real estate secured notes. In addition, he is also a principal in a family of Private Equity funds that acquires bulk portfolios of notes.
He has been a leader and innovator in the Note Business for over 30 years. He will tell you that those 30 plus years have prepared him for the incredible opportunities of this current real estate market.
Chris Cobbs
Mr. Cobbs has more than 30 years of real estate experience in asset management, operations, financial reporting, acquisitions, investment analysis, underwriting, workouts, implementation and management of value-added strategies, land development, vertical development, design, budget creation and management, contract and lease negotiation and condominium sales, advertising and marketing. He has extensive knowledge and understanding of real estate law, portfolio management strategy, environmental remediation, wood-framed multifamily and high-rise condominium construction, development management, portfolio acquisition and development strategies and asset management systems.
His specialties include: asset/portfolio management, operations, acquisitions, development, investment analysis, development management, contracts and joint ventures. Mr. Cobbs has directed lease and purchase transactions, acquired and developed multiple commercial, residential, retail and industrial properties, consulted and co-invested in various types of improved real estate, for both ground-up development projects, as well as value-added projects, and has demonstrated, strong negotiating skills.
Susan D. DeLaGarza
Susan has been in the mortgage industry since 1984. She started her career with Finance America as a Financial Service Representative. The firm was subsequently purchased by Chrysler First, where Susan supervised the administration and lending departments of the company’s Irving, Texas branch. She ultimately managed Chrysler’s liquidation office for the State of Texas, before accepting a transfer to Jackson, Mississippi as Branch Manager. Susan has attended numerous training/enrichment courses pertaining to credit analysis, appraisal review, collections, loan processing, and real estate law.
A Colonial team member since March 1993, Susan manages Colonial’s loan processing and closing functions. In that role, Susan manages the hand-off of loans from marketing, the actual processing and closing of all individual and small portfolios of loans, as well as the final hand-off of loans purchased for resale.
Susan is well known within the seller-financed note industry and is widely recognized among industry professionals as one of the most knowledgeable and capable closers in the business.
Susan and Jesse, her husband of 33+ years, have raised two sons and reside in DFW area.
Joe Varnadore
Investing in his first property at the age of 19, Joe learned the importance of using creative financing to make the deal work. Since then, he has created and brokered more than $30 million in note transactions on residential and commercial properties.
As an author, speaker, and trainer for the past 25 years, he believes that there has never been a greater opportunity for real estate investors to use non-performing notes to acquire properties and seller financing to cash out.
Wayne Garrett
Wayne, a resident of DFW, Texas, has been a Titanium member for four years.
In late 2020, Wayne retired from his career as an Aerospsace Engineer to pursue the Note business full time. Wayne has steadily built his Note Portfolio using retirement funds.
Wayne was offered the opportunity to work for NoteSchool at the Content desk. This entails working with each and every student on their Deal Lab submissions, moderating the deal lab webinars, and implementing standardized processes to benefit the students submitting deals to content. Later, Wayne was asked to help with the Liaison team as well. He enjoys meeting new students and helping them get on the right path once they’ve joined.
Ben Haught
Ben purchased his first investment property and started investing in 2000 and has helped train thousands of people across North America “get into the game.” He left the corporate world in 2005 and began investing full-time when he realized that being an entrepreneur and betting on himself was more to his liking. He acquired a vast knowledge of real estate strategies, and as an author and speaker, has helped thousands become aware of how they can improve their bottom-line by using time proven techniques and strategies.
Although he cut his teeth for years on the traditional brick-n-mortar side of real estate, he has chosen to focus on the finance side of real estate as his primary concentration because of the limitless opportunities and resources that are available in the note business.
Nic Henderson
Nic began his professional career as a teacher, coach, and school administrator. After acquiring his Real Estate License in 2017, Nic developed the Residential wing of a local brokerage from the ground up. Some of his initial real estate endeavors included renovating distressed properties and selling foreclosed homes he purchased with recruited investment. Nic joined the NoteSchool team shortly after relocating with his family to New Orleans, LA. He embraces the opportunity to combine his roots in education with his knowledge of Real Estate to guide students through their journey in developing long- term wealth.
Jordan Roman
Jordan began his investing career over 25 years ago. Originally a grade school and high school teacher, Jordan learned after an unsuccessful business the term “multiple streams of… BILLS.”
Inspired by that reality, Jordan quickly learned that having one income and battling multiple bills wasn’t going to work. Trading the markets, real estate investments and other financial vehicles that create long term wealth quickly became his focus.
Surrounding yourself with like minded people is only half the equation. Finding people who truly understand the business that you’re in and participate with you is what truly makes a difference.
Stephen Gossard
Stephen began his professional career as a Sports Performance Coach helping athletes reach their highest potential. He now brings that intensity to help students reach their highest potential in building out their portfolios to be financially secure. He has an earnest desire to assist students reach their goals because of his unique skillset in coaching to bring out the best in those he visits with.
Stephen joined the NoteSchool team shortly after getting out of college athletics but has gained attention from the faculty as someone who quickly identifies the needs of those he speaks with. He excels at bringing specificity to those who wish to rise to the next level with a great level of detail. As a coach and advisor for more than a decade, he believes with the right knowledge, work ethic, and network anyone can be successful.
Monica Masters
Monica began real estate investing in 2009 with rentals, fix & flips, and teaching investors to build a legal wholesaling business. Her passion and focus is Note investing because it offers consistent returns, secured by the asset, and a repeatable investing strategy that builds wealth faster.
Monica is an active note investor since 2019 and got her start as a NoteSchool Titanium member. By learning the note business, she built her own portfolio of performing and nonperforming notes, sold partials, and properties on terms with creative financing.
Lois Meyer
Lois, a resident of Houston, Texas, has been a Titanium member for four years. Early in her career, she spent four years as a residential mortgage loan officer before transitioning to become an investment banker specializing in mortgage-backed securities.
With an eye toward retirement, Lois and her partner devised a plan centered around rental properties, acquiring a total of 19 properties primarily in the Houston area. However, recognizing that the returns from rentals wouldn’t sustain their passion for travel, they swiftly shifted gears towards Mortgage Notes. Within their first 14 months, they amassed a portfolio of 58 notes.
In 2019, Lois retired from her extensive career as a Financial recruiter and now manages the note portfolio and investments. She is currently dedicated to assisting aspiring Note School members in achieving their financial dreams.
Brenda Price
Brenda dedicated the initial years of her life to public education. She accomplished her Bachelor’s, Education Specialist’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in education and taught fifth grade for 22 years before retiring. Throughout her tenure, she acted as a mentor to her students and student teachers alike.
Brenda embarked on her real estate journey in 2018 by establishing Smokies Square One LLC. For three years, she ran her business while also teaching full-time and raising her two children. In 2022, Brenda made the decision to pursue real estate investing as her primary career. She has amassed a portfolio of 18 rental properties, ranging from short to long-term, which she manages herself. She is constantly overseeing the renovation of homes to create investment properties and is always looking to acquire new properties. Brenda is also a licensed mortgage loan originator and works at Republic State Mortgage as a loan officer where she counsels, pre-qualifies, and originates loans for buyers.
As a student of NoteSchool herself, she is thrilled to be a part of the liaison team. With the patience and passion for education of a teacher, she is always ready to welcome new students to the NoteSchool family.
Client Success Stories
Emily and Adam: From Zero to $6,000 Monthly Note Income in 6 Months 💰
When Emily and Adam first discovered NoteSchool, they were facing a significant income disruption and needed a solution fast. As a smart, young couple with no prior experience in note investing, they embodied the ideal NoteSchool student: coachable, action-oriented, and determined to succeed.
Their journey began with NoteSchool’s comprehensive training program, where they quickly grasped the fundamentals of note investing. Emily and Adam were particularly drawn to the power of partial notes, a strategy that allows investors to maximize returns while minimizing risk.
Within their first month, they completed their first partial note deal, investing just $1,000 for a future cash flow of over $30,000. Encouraged by this success, they aggressively pursued more opportunities, leveraging NoteSchool’s network and resources.
By month three, Emily and Adam had completed five partial note deals, leaving only $5,000 invested while securing over $150,000 in future cash flows. Their momentum continued to build, and by the six-month mark, they had achieved their goal of creating $6,000 in monthly note income.
Key to their success was their ability to quickly implement NoteSchool’s strategies, particularly the “Martha Model” for leveraging partial notes. They also took full advantage of NoteSchool’s done-for-you services, which allowed them to scale their operations rapidly without getting bogged down in the details.
Today, Emily and Adam are not only financially secure but are actively expanding their note portfolio. They credit NoteSchool with providing them the knowledge, tools, and support needed to transform their financial future in such a short time. Their story serves as an inspiration to other NoteSchool students, proving that with the right education and determination, anyone can achieve remarkable success in note investing.
Jay Redding: Building a Family Legacy Through Note Investing 👨👩👧👦
Jay Redding’s journey with NoteSchool is a testament to the power of note investing in creating both immediate profits and long-term family wealth. As a successful professional, Jay was initially drawn to note investing for its flexibility in designing the lifestyle he wanted, balancing short-term cash infusions with long-term passive income.
Jay’s first major success came with a non-performing note deal that netted him nearly $28,000 in just two months. This deal, which involved a property in another state, showcased the power of NoteSchool’s nationwide network and the effectiveness of their foreclosure strategies.
Impressed by the potential, Jay dove deeper into NoteSchool’s advanced strategies. He particularly excelled in buying non-performing notes at significant discounts and then either getting them to re-perform or profiting from the foreclosure process. Over the next year, Jay completed a series of deals that not only provided substantial cash flow but also built his expertise in navigating complex note transactions.
What sets Jay’s story apart is how he leveraged his success to create a family legacy. Recognizing the long-term potential of note investing, Jay introduced his son-in-law, Kyle, to NoteSchool. Together, they began building a family note investing business, combining Jay’s experience with Kyle’s fresh perspective and tech-savvy approach.
Their family venture has since grown into a thriving operation, managing a diverse portfolio of notes across multiple states. They’ve strategically used NoteSchool’s partial note strategies to accelerate their growth, reinvesting profits into new opportunities.
Jay and Kyle’s success has not only secured their own financial futures but has also created a sustainable business model that can be passed down through generations. Their story highlights how NoteSchool’s teachings go beyond individual success, empowering families to build lasting wealth and financial security.
Today, Jay is not just a student but a vocal advocate for NoteSchool, often sharing his experiences at events and mentoring new investors. His journey from curious beginner to family wealth architect exemplifies the transformative impact of NoteSchool’s education and community support.
Sophia Jones: Turning a 10-Year Non-Performing Note into a Passive Income Stream 🏠
Sophia Jones’ success story with NoteSchool is a perfect example of how the right knowledge and support can turn a challenging situation into a profitable opportunity. As one of her first deals after joining NoteSchool, Sophia tackled a note that many would have considered too risky – a property in Florida where the owner hadn’t made a payment in 10 years.
Armed with the skills and confidence gained from NoteSchool’s training, Sophia saw potential where others saw problems. She purchased the non-performing note for just $76,000, which was an impressive 29% of the property’s $265,000 market value.
Sophia’s approach showcased the power of NoteSchool’s teachings on negotiation and borrower communication. Instead of immediately pursuing foreclosure, she reached out to the homeowner through the note servicer. Her empathetic yet strategic approach led to a constructive dialogue with the owner, resulting in a win-win solution.
Through skillful negotiation, Sophia was able to get the note re-performing. The homeowner, grateful for the opportunity to keep their home, agreed to resume payments at $710.68 per month. This outcome not only provided Sophia with a steady passive income stream but also helped the homeowner avoid foreclosure and stay in their home.
What’s particularly impressive about Sophia’s deal is the efficiency with which she executed it. The entire process, from acquisition to resolution, took her only 10 hours of work. This efficiency is a testament to the effectiveness of NoteSchool’s systems and network of resources.
Moreover, Sophia leveraged NoteSchool’s teachings on creative financing, using other people’s money to fund the deal. This strategy allowed her to complete a significant transaction without tying up her own capital, maximizing her return on investment.
Sophia’s success with this deal has had a ripple effect on her investing career. The consistent cash flow from this re-performing note has provided her with the confidence and capital to pursue more opportunities. She’s since become an active member of the NoteSchool community, sharing her experiences and inspiring other investors to take on challenges that others might overlook.
Sophia’s story highlights how NoteSchool’s education goes beyond just theory, providing students with the practical skills and support network needed to succeed in real-world scenarios. Her transformation from a novice investor to successfully managing a complex, high-reward deal epitomizes the potential that note investing offers when backed by quality education and mentorship.