Beyond Face Value: Understanding What a Note Is Worth

Beyond Face Value: Understanding What a Note Is Worth

Author: Dawn Rickabaugh | Expert Advice for building wealth through Owner Financing & Note Investing August 21, 2026 Duration: 18:16

In this episode of Property & Paper Live, Dawn explores how understanding both real estate and the secondary note market can uncover opportunities most agents and investors overlook. Using a real seller-financed note as an example, she explains why a note’s face value doesn’t determine what it’s actually worth—and why factors like property value, loan-to-value, payment history, borrower credit, note terms, and overall risk all matter when evaluating a deal. She also discusses how partial note purchases can offer an alternative to selling an entire note at a steep discount, and how agents can expand their opportunities by learning to work on both the “property” and “paper” sides of a transaction.


Dawn Rickabaugh has spent years mastering the nuanced world of real estate finance, and in her Owner Financing & Note Investing Podcast, she pulls back the curtain on strategies that often fly under the radar. This isn't about chasing the next hot market; it's about understanding the powerful intersection of creative financing and asset acquisition. Each episode feels like a direct conversation with an expert who genuinely wants to demystify the process, breaking down how seller financing works and how you can build a resilient portfolio by investing in the mortgage notes themselves. You'll hear practical insights on evaluating deals, managing risk, and structuring agreements that benefit both buyers and investors. The dialogue here moves beyond generic advice to explore the real "dance between property and paper," offering a clear path toward building tangible wealth without relying on traditional banks. Whether you're an experienced investor looking to diversify or someone curious about alternative avenues in real estate, this podcast provides a steady stream of actionable knowledge. Dawn’s approach makes complex topics accessible, turning the often-intimidating mechanics of notes and owner carry-backs into understandable steps you can apply. Tune in to discover how these methods can create cash flow, expand your control over assets, and fundamentally change your approach to building financial independence through real estate.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Owner Financing & Note Investing Podcast with Dawn Rickabaugh
Podcast Episodes
David Buys 3 Seller-Financed Notes and Makes 1 Private Loan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
In the first half of the show, David, a long time associate of Queen's Realm, talks about note and private loan deals he's done recently. Every day people can do this... it's not rocket science! David hired Dawn to be ov…
Seller Financing in 1031 Exchanges: Do These Really Work Together? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
Most people would probably be surprised to know how seller financing in 1031 exchanges can work. A seller wants to do a 1031 exchange, but they end up with a buyer asking for owner financing.Do they have to reject the of…