Investing In Mortgage and Trust Deed Notes
A stress-free way to make the most of your investment dollars
If you are looking for an investment that offers high yields and relatively low risk, you might want to consider investing in notes. The best thing about these is that in many cases, notes far surpass the investments you might find in the stock market in terms of yields and safety. Note investments allow investors to take advantage of real estate investments without the hassle of being a landlord. They truly are a passive investment. Fortunately, we offer a variety of ways for investors to get involved in this unique investment strategy. We believe that the better informed you are, the more likely you are to be interested in this form of investment. First, it’s helpful for investors to understand the terminology we use. The most common terms are promissory notes and mortgages or trust deeds. Promissory notes are pretty straightforward: These notes lay out the terms of a specific loan including the length of the loan, payment schedule and interest rates. It also includes the borrower’s promise to make those payments as agreed. The terms mortgage and trust deed are often used interchangeably. This is because they are in effect the same thing. The biggest difference is that most states use one or the other when recording a promissory note. Specifically: This refers to the collateral behind the promissory note and includes details on the remedies available to a lender should a borrower default on the promissory note. |
Want to Learn More?
At Paper Assets Capital we are always prepared to accept your comments. However, if you have specific questions about any of our products we want to hear more from you. If you are considering an investment whether through individual notes, fractionalized investments or fund investing to help your overall investment portfolio, we want to help you meet all of your goals. Simply call us today at 888-507-7220 and speak with our Investor Relations department or fill out this convenient form. We know a well-informed investor is our best client and we’re here to help.
At Paper Assets Capital we are always prepared to accept your comments. However, if you have specific questions about any of our products we want to hear more from you. If you are considering an investment whether through individual notes, fractionalized investments or fund investing to help your overall investment portfolio, we want to help you meet all of your goals. Simply call us today at 888-507-7220 and speak with our Investor Relations department or fill out this convenient form. We know a well-informed investor is our best client and we’re here to help.
Funding with Retirement Accounts
Some people prefer to use readily available cash for note investing such as a matured CD or bond. Others prefer to take advantage of the benefits of using note investing for retirement accounts. Not only do these notes often offer higher returns on an investment, they also offer you the ability to take advantage of these returns in a tax-sheltered retirement account.
Some people prefer to use readily available cash for note investing such as a matured CD or bond. Others prefer to take advantage of the benefits of using note investing for retirement accounts. Not only do these notes often offer higher returns on an investment, they also offer you the ability to take advantage of these returns in a tax-sheltered retirement account.
Purchasing individual notes
In some cases, our investors prefer to take on the full risk of a note. This is done when they fund the purchase of a note on a specific piece of property. Their return on the investment occurs when borrowers make payments on their promissory note. One of the reasons so many investors prefer this type of investment is they are not sharing profits with any other investor. Additionally, this option allows for some flexibility. Buyers may purchase partial notes offering income over a span of time from 5 to 15 years or they may elect for a shorter-term investment of as little as six months.
The biggest challenge with investing in singular notes is diversity, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Investors stand a bigger chance of losing out on some income simply because if the borrower defaults, they may lose the entire benefit of the note. This is why many investors prefer to invest into a Fund (of notes) because the risk is spread out because of the sheer number of notes involved.
Whole trust deed investments also require an investor to have ready-cash available to fund a full loan versus combining it with other investors to invest in a larger note. However, some investors practice what we call “fractionalized investments” where they team up with other investors, pool their funds and purchase larger notes.
The reasons for fractionalized investments are very evident: For example, if you had a $2 million dollar note for a single borrower, found 19 other investors then each investor would only be contributing $100,000 to the overall note. This minimizes risks and allows each investor to be partially vested in the overall promissory note and allow each of them to claim 10% of the profits on the note. This type of investing allows those with less liquidity to participate in a note. Keep in mind these investments are not without their issues. In some cases, disputes may occur between the investors when it comes to disposition of the property. Because each investor owns a “piece” of the note, an agreement must be reached between all parties regarding what steps to take in the event of a default.
In some cases, our investors prefer to take on the full risk of a note. This is done when they fund the purchase of a note on a specific piece of property. Their return on the investment occurs when borrowers make payments on their promissory note. One of the reasons so many investors prefer this type of investment is they are not sharing profits with any other investor. Additionally, this option allows for some flexibility. Buyers may purchase partial notes offering income over a span of time from 5 to 15 years or they may elect for a shorter-term investment of as little as six months.
The biggest challenge with investing in singular notes is diversity, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Investors stand a bigger chance of losing out on some income simply because if the borrower defaults, they may lose the entire benefit of the note. This is why many investors prefer to invest into a Fund (of notes) because the risk is spread out because of the sheer number of notes involved.
Whole trust deed investments also require an investor to have ready-cash available to fund a full loan versus combining it with other investors to invest in a larger note. However, some investors practice what we call “fractionalized investments” where they team up with other investors, pool their funds and purchase larger notes.
The reasons for fractionalized investments are very evident: For example, if you had a $2 million dollar note for a single borrower, found 19 other investors then each investor would only be contributing $100,000 to the overall note. This minimizes risks and allows each investor to be partially vested in the overall promissory note and allow each of them to claim 10% of the profits on the note. This type of investing allows those with less liquidity to participate in a note. Keep in mind these investments are not without their issues. In some cases, disputes may occur between the investors when it comes to disposition of the property. Because each investor owns a “piece” of the note, an agreement must be reached between all parties regarding what steps to take in the event of a default.
Fund Investing
Another option for investors is fund investing which still is a pooling of capital from many investors. The difference between the Fund and a fractionalized investment is there is a Fund manager who makes decisions about the properties involved. In addition, it also solves one of the problems of individual investments: Diversity. Multiple investors can purchase shares on multiple notes which diversify not only risk but also reward. Interest earnings in this case are credited to the fund and each investor is credited with their proportionate share which may be reinvested or paid out as per the investor’s instructions. Investors never have to worry about coming up with liquid cash to purchase new notes, or dealing with properties that are in default since a fund manager deals with all of these issues. Additionally, an investor never has to worry about buying a single note on their own.
The best part about investing in a fund is investors can participate with a smaller amount of funds, still get the diversity they demand and still have the ability to have some amount of liquidity. Investing through retirement accounts including pension plans, 401ks and trust funds is also easier when you are dealing with a fund versus individual notes.
Another option for investors is fund investing which still is a pooling of capital from many investors. The difference between the Fund and a fractionalized investment is there is a Fund manager who makes decisions about the properties involved. In addition, it also solves one of the problems of individual investments: Diversity. Multiple investors can purchase shares on multiple notes which diversify not only risk but also reward. Interest earnings in this case are credited to the fund and each investor is credited with their proportionate share which may be reinvested or paid out as per the investor’s instructions. Investors never have to worry about coming up with liquid cash to purchase new notes, or dealing with properties that are in default since a fund manager deals with all of these issues. Additionally, an investor never has to worry about buying a single note on their own.
The best part about investing in a fund is investors can participate with a smaller amount of funds, still get the diversity they demand and still have the ability to have some amount of liquidity. Investing through retirement accounts including pension plans, 401ks and trust funds is also easier when you are dealing with a fund versus individual notes.