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

Foreclosure Alternatives: Expert Mediation for Distressed Properties & IRA Investors

Dec 17, 2025

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Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, everybody! Scott Carson here, and today's episode of The Note Closures Show dives deep into a story that's all too familiar in today's market: a real estate deal gone sideways. If you or someone you know is struggling with properties caught in a changing market, plummeting values, or non-performing notes, this is a must-listen. I'll walk you through a recent, real-life situation where "karma" brought an IRA investor and a fix-and-flipper to my doorstep, looking for a way out of a financial quagmire. We're talking about a "shit sandwich" situation, and I'll share how a proactive, empathetic approach can turn it into something much more palatable.

In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover:

A Real-Life Distressed Deal: Unpack the details of a Plano, Texas property financed by three IRA investors to a fix-and-flipper. With a $280,000 purchase and an estimated $150,000-$170,000 rehab, the flipper walked with $50,000 up front, only for the deal to unravel.
The Market Shift Strikes: Learn how rapidly changing market conditions, especially over the last six months in Texas and beyond, caused property values to drop significantly, leaving a gutted, unlivable property with a non-performing note and silent borrower. The note balance stood at $396,000, far exceeding the current market value and potential rehab costs.
Scott Carson: The Unlikely Mediator: Hear how a chance encounter (or "karma") linked Scott to both the investor (Harry) and the fix-and-flipper, whom he recognized from past events. Scott steps in as a third-party neutral to facilitate communication and find a pragmatic solution, saving both parties from further, costly pain.
The Power of Deed-in-Lieu & Friendly Foreclosure: Explore why a Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure or a "friendly foreclosure" where the borrower deeds the property back can be a win-win. This strategy avoids prolonged, expensive legal battles, protects the borrower's record, and allows the lender to regain control of the asset quickly, even if it means accepting less than the full amount owed.
Turning Lemons into Lemonade (or a "Shit Sandwich" into Something Tastier): Understand the empathetic approach to these tough situations. Scott emphasizes that bad things happen to good people and that sometimes the best solution is to cut losses, regain control of the asset, and market it strategically (e.g., with pre-approved hard money financing) to recover as much as possible, moving forward instead of being dragged down.

This episode is a testament to the fact that even in the toughest real estate scenarios, solutions exist. By prioritizing communication, empathy, and smart legal strategies like Deed-in-Lieu, you can navigate market downturns and distressed assets more effectively. Don't let bad deals linger and drain your resources.

If you're facing a similar "shit sandwich" situation with a fix-and-flip gone wrong or a non-performing note, please reach out. I'm here to help, act as that third-party mediator, and leverage my experience to find a solution that works for everyone involved.