Our 2026 Distressed Real Estate Playbook: Notes, Sub-To & Probate Deals

Our 2026 Distressed Real Estate Playbook: Notes, Sub-To & Probate Deals

Author: Scott Carson January 7, 2026 Duration: 13:24

Good morning, afternoon, and evening, everybody! Happy New Year! It's 2026, and despite "feeling like ass" with a nasty flu, I'm fired up to share our 3-pronged attack strategy for the year ahead. History's repeating itself, folks: distressed real estate is on the rise, from residential notes to commercial defaults. Texas (and Florida's "errors") are hotspots, and opportunity knocks for those willing to roll up their sleeves!

Forget 3% mortgages; people are tapping equity at 7% to survive, meaning more distressed assets hitting the market. Austin's getting a little too "hectic" with its "Democratic socialists" for my taste, so we're looking to South Texas for some probate action! This isn't just theory; it's our tactical approach to turn chaos into cash flow.


Here’s our battle plan for conquering distressed real estate in 2026:

  • Non-Performing Notes & Strategic Sub-To Deals: We're targeting non-performing notes we can buy cheap enough for big checks or 12%+ cash flow. If not, we pivot to subject-to acquisitions with borrowers who have 20%+ equity, saving them from foreclosure while we pick up solid assets (using legal Texas wrap-arounds or lease options).
  • South Texas Probate Power Plays: As Austin gets "not nice," we're diving deep into direct mail campaigns for probate deals in South Texas, aiming to scoop up properties from families who just want to move on.
  • Capitalizing on Distressed Property & Borrower Engagement: Learn how we're reactivating direct marketing campaigns and old websites to find distressed properties, engaging directly with homeowners to help them avoid a credit-crushing foreclosure.
  • The Unsung Hero: Consistent Marketing & Capital Raising: Discover why "consistency" is my word for 2026. Without it, you're a "ghost." We'll talk about effective social media (LinkedIn's good, Facebook's a "dumpster fire"), email lists, and why January-March are prime months for networking to raise capital.
  • Why You Need to Take Action (Seriously!): This isn't a hobby; it's a business. Whether it's funding delinquencies or light rehab, you'll need capital. And if you've got a killer case study or a burning topic, reach out – we love to feature badasses closing deals!


This isn't about sitting back and waiting; it's about leaning into the storm and finding the gold. If you're ready to stop getting "hobby results" and want to turn distressed properties into real wealth, it's time to act. Don't be a stranger – book a call at talkwithscottcarson.com, text me at (512) 585-3810, or join our Note Buying for Dummies workshop in Austin (notebuyingfordummies.com – includes a spouse/partner, so no excuses!). Go out, take some action, everybody, and we'll see you at the top!


#RealEstateInvesting #DistressedRealEstate #NonPerformingNotes #SubjectTo #ProbateInvesting #TexasRealEstate #RealEstateStrategy #CashFlow #InvestorMindset #2026Goals #RealEstateMarketing #Podcast


Watch the Original VIDEO HERE!


Book a Call With Scott HERE!


Sign up for the next FREE One-Day Note Class HERE!


Sign up for the WCN Membership HERE!


Sign up for the next Note Buying For Dummies Workshop HERE!


Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!


Join the Note Closers Show community today:


Get Signed Up For the Next Note Buying Workshop HERE!


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: 100

The Note Closers Show - The #1 Podcast for Note Investing
Podcast Episodes
How to Stack Checks & Create Real Cashflow in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
Unlocking Wealth: Why 2026 is the Year of the "Lien Lord"Are you tired of the "Three Ts" of real estate—Toilets, Tenants, and Trash outs? In a market where traditional deals are drying up and competition is fierce, seaso…
The Tale of Two Tapes:  How We Found Them & Broke Them Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
The Tale of Two Tapes: Unlocking Profits in the Note Investing MarketIn the world of real estate, there are those who chase physical property, and then there are the "gentle note investors" who look for the hidden gold w…
The Top Marketing Mistakes New Investors Make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
The Ultimate Marketing Safety Net: Why You Don't Own Your AudienceIn the fast-paced world of 2026, many entrepreneurs are making a fatal mistake: they are building their entire business on "rented land". Whether you are…
How to Create Your Note Investing Dream Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:06
Your Note Investing Super Bowl: Build a Dream Team to Dominate 2026!Alright, everybody! Scott Carson here, ready to tackle a crucial topic that's been lighting up my phone: building your ultimate note investing dream tea…
The Death of Arizona Real Estate Investing:  AZ HB2486 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:09
Arizona's Legislative Shenanigans: Why HB2486 is a Disaster for Distressed Real EstateGather 'round, folks, because Arizona just dropped a legislative bombshell that's so pants-on-fire ridiculous, it makes my hair hurt.…
Are You Down With TPP: Diving Into Trial Payment Plan Loans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:43
Alright, everybody! Scott Carson here, ready to dive into a unique opportunity that just landed on my desk: a new list of 50 "early buyout" notes! These aren't just any non-performing notes; they come with detailed servi…
How to Go From Landlord to Lienlord in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:23
Welcome to the new era of real estate investing. If you’ve been following the market lately, you know the old rules are changing. Values are shifting, mortgage defaults are ticking upward, and traditional "fix-and-flip"…
Case Study: Due Diligence on a Tyler, TX Nonperforming Note Deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:58
Welcome to this episode of the Monday Money Coaching Call. Look, it is absolutely freezing here in Austin, Texas. We are talking 18 degrees, which basically means the entire state shuts down because—let’s be honest—nobod…
The 20 Most-Asked Questions  By New Note Investors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
Good morning, afternoon, and good evening, investor! Scott Carson here, ready to tackle the burning questions in the note investing world. I went straight to the source – Google's Gemini AI – and asked for the 20 most fr…
Why You Need to Learn How To Rinse & Repeat to Dominate Your 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:19
Good morning, afternoon, and evening, everybody! Scott Carson here, still shaking off the flu but fired up to drop some serious knowledge. Remember those 4,200 distressed notes we talked about last week? Well, a fresh li…