30 Years of Private Money Lending Lessons Learned with Doug Smith

Stop focusing strictly on collateral value and start underwriting for true repayment!In this episode of The Note Closers Show, host Scott Carson sits down with 30-year credit banking veteran, note investor, and author of The Mad Lender’s Guide to Private Lending and Note Investing, Doug Smith. Doug—aka "The Mad Lender"—shares essential insights into how private investors can avoid devastating loss rates, properly assess borrower capacity, and navigate shifting real estate cycles. Whether you are looking at non-performing notes, hard money loans, or commercial real estate opportunities, Doug breaks down why relying solely on property values can lead to severe pitfalls, how rising operating expenses impact cash flow, and why structured due diligence is non-negotiable. Key Topics Covered:The #1 Mistake Private Lenders Make: Why over-focusing on collateral value while ignoring borrower capacity, credit character, and primary repayment sources destroys returns. The Three Cs of Underwriting: How capacity, character/credit, and conditions dictate loan performance far better than property valuation alone. Commercial Real Estate & Multifamily Realities: Why rising insurance, taxes, and operating expenses are causing delinquencies and wipes-outs in syndications and commercial notes. Mitigating Downside Risk ("Dougie Downers"): How identifying potential failure points in every deal upfront saves principal capital. State-by-State Foreclosure Impact: Understanding judicial (e.g., Illinois, Florida) vs. non-judicial (e.g., Texas) timelines and factoring the time value of money into note pricing. DSCR Loan Flaws: Why typical Debt Service Coverage Ratio underwriting skips key property reserve and vacancy expenses, creating hidden default risks. Mentorship & Working with Professionals: Why self-servicing, skipping legal counsel, or taking advice from inexperienced instructors leads to costly legal and financial blunders. Don't let market shifts catch you off guard without a solid risk management plan. Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and visit themadlender.com to grab Doug’s book and learn more about his consulting services!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!Here’s How »Join the Note Closers Show community today:WeCloseNotes.comThe Note Closers Show FacebookThe Note Closers Show TwitterScott Carson LinkedInThe Note Closers Show YouTubeThe Note Closers Show VimeoThe Note Closers Show InstagramWe Close Notes Pinterest