How to Build a First-Lien Private Lending Portfolio as a Digital Nomad with Harley Green

How to Build a First-Lien Private Lending Portfolio as a Digital Nomad with Harley Green

Author: Scott Carson September 14, 2026 Duration: 26:57

Are you chasing double-digit returns on mortgage notes only to risk losing your principal in a second-lien wipeout? Welcome back to The Note Closers Show Podcast!

In this episode, Scott Carson sits down with former defense software engineer turned international digital nomad Harley Green, founder of InvestAway. Broadcasting live from Antigua, Guatemala, Harley shares how he transitioned from active house flipping and corporate 401(k) management to managing over $5M in first-lien private real estate debt in just a few hours a week.


Harley pulls back the curtain on common pitfalls self-directed IRA (SDIRA) and passive investors face in today's shifting housing market. He breaks down why junior debt positions carry extreme risk, how to evaluate real-world After Repair Value (ARV) cushions, and how he leverages an lean tech stack with AI-driven underwriting to scale a private lending business without hiring a massive corporate team. Scott and Harley also explore co-lending structures that yield 15% annualized returns, extension terms that prevent defaults, and key markets in the Southeast.


  • The Dangers of Second-Lien Notes: Why junior positions get wiped out in bankruptcy or foreclosure when first liens balloon with legal fees.
  • Transitioning Corporate Wealth: Rolling 15 years of defense industry 401(k) funds into self-directed IRAs to become the bank.
  • The High-Yield Sweet Spot: Structuring 4- to 9-month short-term fix-and-flip loans across single-family and small multifamily assets.
  • Underwriting & Risk Protection: Capping maximum loan-to-value at 75% of ARV and managing extended days on market in softer regions.
  • Southeast Growth Markets: Why markets in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Kansas City offer ideal entry-level inventory for flipping.
  • AI & Tech Operations: Utilizing custom AI agents to scrub title commitments, flag errors, and manage borrower updates with a single virtual assistant.
  • Passive Co-Lending Structures: How passive SDIRA investors can earn 15% annualized net returns backed by first-position real estate.
  • Borrower Retention & Legal Compliance: Partnering with specialized private lending attorneys instead of relying on title companies or generic templates.


Stop chasing high-risk yield and learn how to secure your capital as a first-lien private lender!

Connect with Harley Green directly by visiting investaway.co or searching for Harley Green on LinkedIn!

Have questions about setting up first-position private notes, analyzing deal collateral, or putting your SDIRA funds to work? Book a strategy call directly with Scott at talkwithscottcarson.com! Register for upcoming virtual masterclasses at notebuyingfordummies.com or wholesalingnotes.com. Remember to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with fellow real estate investors!


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Scott Carson brings his deep experience as a seasoned investor directly to you in The Note Closers Show-The #1 Podcast for Note Investing. This isn't about general real estate chatter; it's a focused dive into the specific, often overlooked niche of note investing. Each episode is built on the practical premise of acquiring control of real estate assets at significant discounts, not through traditional property management, but by understanding and investing in the debt behind them. You'll hear Scott break down complex strategies into actionable steps, sharing the nuances of evaluating, purchasing, and profiting from mortgage notes. The discussions are geared toward investors and entrepreneurs who are serious about expanding their portfolio options beyond conventional methods. Tune in for candid conversations about market trends, due diligence, risk assessment, and the real-world stories of deals that worked and those that didn't. This podcast serves as a direct line to advanced tactics and foundational knowledge, all aimed at building your confidence in this unique segment of the investment world. If you're looking to move past theory and into the practical mechanics of building wealth through notes, Scott Carson provides the roadmap in every episode.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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