Messy Money EP 01: Curative Title Explained: How Investors Make Money When Deals Can’t Close

In this first episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke sits down with Ellis San Jose, a 30+ year Real Estate investor who specializes in curative title work, the side of Real Estate most people avoid.

ATTENTION: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

This conversation breaks down what curative title actually means in practical terms, why uninsurable properties often hide the biggest margins, and how experienced investors turn broken paperwork, ownership issues, and distressed documents into real profit. Instead of focusing on cosmetic rehabs and HGTV-style transformations, this episode looks at how value is created by solving problems on paper.

Courtney and Ellis also dig into why curative work pairs so well with creative strategies like seller financing and subject-to, how to evaluate whether a curative issue is solvable or a trap, and why time, risk analysis, and legal relationships matter more here than speed.

If you are interested in making money where other deals get stuck, this episode sets the foundation.

Topics covered in this episode:

- What curative title really means and why title insurance matters

- The difference between uninsurable and insurable property

- Why curative deals offer less competition and bigger safety margins

- How creative finance and curative strategies work together

- Common mistakes investors make when analyzing curative deals

- How to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze

Connect Further with Ellis San Jose

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deedclear/

DM If You Have a Curative Lead in California

Connect Further with Courtney Fricke

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfZlfkGpNzcMuDh6NX7xVpQ

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

DM If You Have a Curative Lead in South Louisiana or Central Florida (Tampa Bay area)

Subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast for more conversations about solving complicated Real Estate problems and finding opportunity in the mess others avoid.