The Note Closers Show - The #1 Podcast for Note Investing

Why You Can't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Feb 20, 2026

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Stop Being Scared: Why Mistakes Are Your Secret Weapon in Note Investing

Let’s be real: the fear of "screwing up" is the number one killer of real estate dreams. We’ve all heard those "gurus" on stage claiming that if you make one wrong move, you’ll be blacklisted forever. It’s intimidating, it’s stressful, and frankly, it’s total nonsense.

In the world of note investing, perfection isn't just unnecessary—it's a recipe for disaster. If you spend weeks agonizing over every decimal point before submitting a bid, the market will move right past you. Every successful investor you see today started exactly where you are: trying to figure things out and making plenty of blunders along the way.

The Myth of the "Perfect Deal"

The quest for the perfect deal is a trap. Scott Carson recalls a student who refused a deal on a pink house in Florida that could have doubled his money simply because it wasn't "perfect". There is no such thing as a perfect deal. Success in this business isn't about hitting a bullseye on your first try; it’s about getting on the board and refining your aim as you go.

Key Takeaways for Navigating the Note Business

To scale your business in 2026, you have to trade perfectionism for action. Here is the blueprint for moving past the fear and starting to close deals:

Embrace the Learning Process: Everyone—even the veterans—makes mistakes in bidding, due diligence, and marketing. These aren't failures; they are the "learning process" required to master the craft.
Play the Numbers Game: Most investors only have a 10% close ratio. If you only make one "perfect" offer, you have a 90% chance of closing nothing. To succeed, you must make 10, 20, or even 100 offers to ensure you get deals into the due diligence phase.
Don't Let "Fuzzy" Data Stop You: Sometimes sellers won't give you full addresses or updated values upfront. Don't spend hours researching; bid based on the information available (like city, zip, and equity). You can always "flush the bid" or cancel during due diligence if the full details don't check out.

Simplified Bidding Formulas:
For Performing/Occupied Notes: Target a 16% ROI. Multiply the monthly payment by 12 (for performing) or 16 (for non-performing) and divide by your offer to find your yield.
The 80% Rule: For notes with at least 20% equity, bidding around 80% of the unpaid balance is a strong starting point in the current market.

The "Take Back" Rule: Never buy a note on a property you wouldn't be comfortable owning if you had to foreclose. If the asset or the neighborhood is "crap," simply walk away.
Leverage Mentorship: Don't believe anyone who says they did it alone. Whether it’s attending a mastermind with a "note draft" or joining a workshop, having a support system helps you avoid the fatal mistakes while you're learning the minor ones.

At the end of the day, the biggest mistake you can make is sitting on the sidelines. Even sports legends like Nolan Ryan—who had seven no-hitters and the most strikeouts in history—never pitched a "perfect game" and gave up plenty of home runs. You don’t need to be perfect to be a Hall of Famer; you just need to stay in the game.

Stop worrying about what the "gurus" think and start taking action. The faster you make those early mistakes, the faster you’ll reach the success you’re looking for.