Dirty Deeds How He Finds Million-Dollar Deals Nobody Else Can Close
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Apr 12, 2026 Ellis San Jose, a Southern California deal-maker who specializes in distressed title, non-performing notes and creative financing. He recounts buying pennies-on-the-dollar paper, navigating probate and eviction headaches, using creative seller-finance structures, and battling big law firms over massive upside deals. Practical sourcing tactics and when to walk away from risky fights are also highlighted.
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$850 Note Turned Into Monthly Payments And A $15K Settlement
- Ellis bought his first non-performing private second for $850 against a $20K principal and pursued collection after the borrower declared bankruptcy.
- Bankruptcy court forced a payment plan, turning $850 into ~$850/month and a final settlement around $15K–$16K.
Use Data Plus Referrals To Find Private Notes
- Do targeted research and build referrals for private notes rather than cold chasing public pools; Ellis subscribes to foreclosure/paper data and now relies on attorney referrals.
- Prioritize private lender seconds because you can reach decision-makers directly and avoid asset managers.
Limit Research To Ten Minutes Then Call
- Spend minimal time researching before calling owners; Ellis and Logan recommend under 10 minutes to avoid wasted effort when sellers won't engage.
- Prioritize quick outreach (calls/knocks) because deep research often yields no response.