EPISODE · Feb 3, 2026 · 37 MIN
No More Tenant Troubles with Seller Financed Note Expert Derek Blades
from Own The Exit · host Caleb Edwards and Aaron Leatherdale
In this episode, we sit down with Derek Blades—an operator who's redefined what it means to own real estate. After losing $15K/month on rentals, Derek flipped the script with a seller-financed note model that not only protects capital but turns renters into homeowners. If you're tired of clogged sewer lines, broken furnaces, and negative cash flow, this episode is your next playbook.We unpack how Derek built a system that closes in 3 days, pays 8–10% fixed to investors, and avoids the headaches of traditional rentals. From creating equitable deals to maintaining investor confidence, he walks us through his lean, scalable, SEAL Team 6-style operation. Plus—how he’s now building new construction to fuel even more opportunity.TAKEAWAYSWhy seller financing can be better than rentingHow Derek structures 45K margin deals with zero repairsWhat contract-for-deed offers that lease-options don’tThe truth about foreclosure risk and how he mitigates itUsing private capital to secure first lien positions for investorsScaling a note business with no property managersNew construction + seller financing = vertical dominanceRESOURCES MENTIONEDBlades Capital InvestmentsFOLLOWSOak IQ InvestmentsOwn The ExitAaron InvestingCaleb InvestingCHAPTERS00:00 Losing $15K/month: The breaking point03:52 Shifting to seller finance and notes06:48 How the contract-for-deed model works08:39 The investor pitch: 8-10% fixed, 1st lien11:10 What happens if the buyer defaults?13:24 Selling 50 deals a year vs. 100-unit apartments15:31 Why he doesn’t use property managers17:05 Building a business that closes in 3 days18:50 How the website fuels sales velocity20:32 New construction + seller finance = vertical integration23:44 Raising capital SEAL Team-style25:12 Caleb and Aaron rapid fire questionsKEYWORDSseller financing, contract for deed, real estate notes, passive income, note investing, private lending, Wichita real estate, real estate cash flow, fixed income real estate, alternative investments, investor yield, housing affordability, exit strategy, rent to own alternatives, private real estate lending, downside protection, real estate underwriting, financial freedom real estate, note investing strategy, capital raising, real estate business model, investing without tenants, new construction investingWANT TO LEARN MORE?Join us on LinkedIn, dive into our enriching content on YouTube, and explore our website to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments!If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any preferred podcast platform!
What this episode covers
In this episode, we sit down with Derek Blades—an operator who's redefined what it means to own real estate. After losing $15K/month on rentals, Derek flipped the script with a seller-financed note model that not only protects capital but turns renters into homeowners. If you're tired of clogged sewer lines, broken furnaces, and negative cash flow, this episode is your next playbook.We unpack how Derek built a system that closes in 3 days, pays 8–10% fixed to investors, and avoids the headaches of traditional rentals. From creating equitable deals to maintaining investor confidence, he walks us through his lean, scalable, SEAL Team 6-style operation. Plus—how he’s now building new construction to fuel even more opportunity.TAKEAWAYSWhy seller financing can be better than rentingHow Derek structures 45K margin deals with zero repairsWhat contract-for-deed offers that lease-options don’tThe truth about foreclosure risk and how he mitigates itUsing private capital to secure first lien positions for investorsScaling a note business with no property managersNew construction + seller financing = vertical dominanceRESOURCES MENTIONEDBlades Capital InvestmentsFOLLOWSOak IQ InvestmentsOwn The ExitAaron InvestingCaleb InvestingCHAPTERS00:00 Losing $15K/month: The breaking point03:52 Shifting to seller finance and notes06:48 How the contract-for-deed model works08:39 The investor pitch: 8-10% fixed, 1st lien11:10 What happens if the buyer defaults?13:24 Selling 50 deals a year vs. 100-unit apartments15:31 Why he doesn’t use property managers17:05 Building a business that closes in 3 days18:50 How the website fuels sales velocity20:32 New construction + seller finance = vertical integration23:44 Raising capital SEAL Team-style25:12 Caleb and Aaron rapid fire questionsKEYWORDSseller financing, contract for deed, real estate notes, passive income, note investing, private lending, Wichita real estate, real estate cash flow, fixed income real estate, alternative investments, investor yield, housing affordability, exit strategy, rent to own alternatives, private real estate lending, downside protection, real estate underwriting, financial freedom real estate, note investing strategy, capital raising, real estate business model, investing without tenants, new construction investingWANT TO LEARN MORE?Join us on LinkedIn, dive into our enriching content on YouTube, and explore our website to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments!If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any preferred podcast platform!
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No More Tenant Troubles with Seller Financed Note Expert Derek Blades
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