In this episode, I welcome back my good friend and legendary note investor, Eddie Speed. With over 50,000 notes purchased and more than 25 years of teaching under his belt, Eddie is known as the “Note King” for a reason. If you’re a tired landlord looking for less stress and more cash flow—or if you’re simply seeking a smarter, more passive way to invest in real estate—this episode is going to open your eyes.

We dig into how note investing compares to traditional rentals, why now is the perfect time to pivot, and what makes a “good” note in today’s economy. Eddie also shares insider strategies on seller financing, leveraging, and how to generate long-term passive income without the tenant headaches.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:17] – Why more landlords are ditching rentals and turning to note investing

[2:22] – What’s wrong with today’s rental math—and how notes solve the problem

[3:06] – What is a “note,” and how it makes you the bank (not the landlord)

[4:40] – $250K in rentals vs. $250K in notes: a cash flow comparison

[5:54] – How seasoned investors are converting entire portfolios to seller financing

[7:00] – The current market cycle: Why we’re in a “note era” not a rental one

[10:21] – The formula for a “good” note: Property, buyer, and sticky payments

[12:23] – How Eddie created a marketplace for burnout landlords to transition to notes

[13:35] – The built-in cushion notes provide vs. rental property risks

[15:16] – What most investors actually want: time back and risk-managed returns

[20:15] – Leveraging techniques for when you run out of money

[23:13] – How to join Eddie’s free note masterclass for Profit First listeners

[26:32] – The #1 business stressor Eddie warns investors about: bad accounting

5 Key Takeaways

1. Note investing provides better cash flow with significantly less stress than rentals.
2. Now is a prime time to be in notes—especially as inflation eats into rental profits.
3. Good notes start with good properties and qualified buyers—there’s a formula.
4. Eddie has created a marketplace and training for landlords to transition with support.
5. Financial systems matter: poor accounting has caused more losses than bad deals.

Links & Resources

• Free Masterclass for Profit First listeners: NoteSchool.com/ProfitFirst
• Want to get your finances in order? Visit www.simplecfo.com

If you’re feeling the squeeze in your rental business or just want a more passive path to financial freedom, don’t miss this one. Be sure to rate, follow, and share the podcast if you got value from this episode. Let’s help more investors go from burnout to bankable!

In this eye-opening episode, I bring back Mark Willis, a certified financial planner and expert in non-traditional wealth strategies, to discuss one of the most overlooked wealth-building tools for real estate investors: dividend-paying whole life insurance—also known as the “Bank On Yourself” concept. Mark shares how you can leverage this strategy not just for life insurance, but to create tax-free income, fund your investments, and even replace traditional rentals with guaranteed returns.

If you’re tired of the uncertainty of tenants, toilets, and taxes—or you’re looking to diversify your portfolio while protecting your wealth—this episode is a game changer. We cover the powerful ways to use whole life insurance for liquidity, tax efficiency, and even legacy planning. Get ready to look at your financial strategy in a whole new way.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:13] - The surprising benefits of using whole life insurance as your personal bank

[4:11] - Why life insurance and real estate investing go hand in hand

[5:07] - The real reason this strategy isn’t widely taught—and who’s keeping it under wraps

[9:23] - How Mark used his own policy to buy a car and save $8,000 in interest

[13:02] - A tax-saving strategy to offset rental income using whole life cash value

[15:27] - Tired of tenants? Mark explains how annuities provide guaranteed passive income

[22:36] - How to use a 1035 exchange to convert life insurance into lifetime income

[26:38] - What to do with a windfall: life insurance vs. annuities

[29:16] - Why Profit First and Bank On Yourself make the perfect wealth-building combo

5 Key Takeaways

1. Whole life insurance isn’t just for death benefits—it’s a powerful financial tool that grows tax-free and can be used to fund real estate investments.
2. You can borrow against your policy while it continues to earn interest, giving you financial leverage without sacrificing compound growth.
3. This strategy is often ignored by traditional advisors because of conflicts of interest with Wall Street-driven products.
4. A 1035 exchange allows you to move funds from life insurance to an annuity, creating permanent, tax-free income in retirement.
5. Pairing Profit First with Bank On Yourself gives business owners and investors a high-control, high-impact way to manage cash and build wealth.

Links & Resources

• Book a strategy call with Mark: KickstartWithMark.com
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: SimpleCFO.com

If this episode helped shift your thinking or opened your eyes to new possibilities, don’t forget to rate, follow, and leave a review. And of course, share this episode with another investor who needs to hear it!

In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Bartolomei of Launch Control to talk about why texting isn’t just a marketing tactic—it’s a foundational part of a scalable business strategy. If you’ve been treating SMS as a one-off tool or cutting it when money gets tight, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful ways to create consistent deal flow in real estate investing.

Michael brings deep insight from working with investors at every level—from solo operators to large teams—and he shares what separates those who scale from those who stall. We dive into the systems, mindset shifts, and tactical frameworks that will help you stop chasing leads and start building a real engine for growth.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:13] – Why SMS marketing needs to be treated as a foundational business tool

[2:04] – Michael’s journey from boutique hotel owner to marketing leader at Launch Control

[4:15] – Why most entrepreneurs need to stop doing everything themselves

[6:07] – What Launch Control actually does and why it’s more than just sending messages

[7:08] – The importance of engagement coaching for text-based marketing

[9:28] – Onboarding vs. optimization: how Launch Control supports users long-term

[11:30] – Big mistake #1: expecting results too fast without a 90-day ramp

[15:25] – Big mistake #2: cutting marketing first when finances get tight

[17:15] – What the most successful investors do differently in marketing and scaling

[20:13] – Why consistent systems (not chaos) are the key to predictable profits

[22:17] – Deconstructing a large-scale business into scalable buckets

[25:40] – How to get started with Launch Control (and what to expect from their team)

5 Key Takeaways

1. SMS should be a long-term growth pillar, not a quick-fix lead gen tactic.
2. You can’t scale if you’re still wearing every hat. Know when to outsource.
3. Success comes from systems that allow you to plug and play—not start over.
4. Avoid cutting marketing during hard times—it’s your business lifeline.
5. Consistency in messaging and process beats high-intensity sprints every time.

Links & Resources

• Launch Control: launchcontrol.us
• Book mentioned: Profit First for Real Estate Investing by David Richter
• Need help with financial clarity? Visit www.simplecfo.com

If you’re ready to stop burning cash on inconsistent lead flow and start building a marketing machine that fuels your real estate business, this episode is a must-listen. If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to rate, follow, and leave a review so we can keep helping more investors put Profit First!