Earn Like You Own The Building.
Live Like You Never Bought One.

No Tenants. No Toilets. No Calls at 2AM.

Book a Free Discovery Call
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Everyone Wants to Build Wealth
Through Real Estate.

And why wouldn't you? It's the #1 wealth builder in history. More millionaires have been made through real estate than any other asset class.

You've Done the Research.

Tons of YouTube videos. Reading the books. Saving up your capital. Maybe bringing your partner on board.

You're ready. So you pick a strategy.

And you go ALL IN.

Meet Sarah.

She did everything right.

This Is What They're NOT Telling You
About Real Estate Investing

Sarah learned the hard way — so you don't have to.

🔨
Sarah Tried Flipping
"Buy cheap, renovate, sell high — easy money."

Contractor ghosted her 3 weeks in. $25K reno turned into $41K. Five months of stress.

Profit: $5,200.
Never again.
🏠
Sarah Tried Rentals
"Passive income while you sleep."

Tenant trashed the unit. 7-month eviction. $19,000 in losses.

Rent checks after Month 2: $0.
Eight months. Zero income.
🏢
Sarah Tried Scaling
"More doors, more income."

Needed $200K+ down. Complex financing. Headaches multiplied.

The math didn't work without deep pockets.
Dead before it started.

Sarah wasn't bad at real estate.
The game was rigged against small investors.

Then someone said something she couldn't unhear:

"Stop buying buildings.
Buy the mortgage note instead."

She did. And everything changed.

She invested $28K into a performing mortgage note on a $75K property in Georgia. No renovations. No contractors. She closed the deal from her laptop in two weeks.

Month 1:$485 hit her account. She didn't do anything.
Month 6:$2,910 collected. Zero phone calls. Zero stress.
Month 12:$5,820 in pure cash flow — on a $28K investment.

Same Real Estate. Different Side of the Table.

❌ Her Rental
$115K invested
$780/mo going OUT
Insurance, taxes, maintenance
Vacancy months: $0 coming in
Result: -$19,000 in 8 months
✅ Her First Note
$28K invested
$485/mo coming IN
Zero overhead. Zero tenants.
Zero maintenance. Zero stress.
Result: +$5,820 in 12 months
Worst case: Foreclose on $75K property. Sell for $70K. Profit: $42K.

Sarah stopped being the landlord.

She became the bank.

✅ No tenants
✅ No toilets
✅ No calls at 2AM
✅ Backed by real estate
✅ Monthly cash flow

Who This Is For

Your Money Is Already Working.
It's Just Not Working Hard Enough.

Millions of dollars sit idle in retirement accounts and savings every day — earning almost nothing. Take Notes Capital turns that sitting cash into secured, hands-off monthly returns backed by real estate.

🏦
Self-Directed IRA
Put Your IRA to Work — Tax-Advantaged
Most IRA holders don't realize their account can invest in real estate notes. A self-directed IRA lets you earn above-market returns inside your retirement account — tax-deferred or even tax-free with a Roth SDIRA. Your money grows, you don't lift a finger.
✦ Ideal for: Roth IRA & Traditional IRA holders
📊
401(k) & Solo 401(k)
Stop Watching the Market. Start Collecting Payments.
Tired of your 401(k) swinging with every market headline? A self-directed 401(k) can be rolled into note investments — giving you predictable monthly income backed by a physical asset, not Wall Street volatility.
✦ Ideal for: Business owners & self-employed investors
💰
Private Capital
Sitting Cash Deserves Better Than 4% in a CD.
Whether it's savings, an inheritance, business proceeds, or equity you've pulled from a property — if your capital is sitting idle, it's quietly losing to inflation. Note investing puts it to work earning secured, above-average returns. We source the deals. You collect the checks.
✦ Ideal for: Cash investors & accredited investors

Not sure which category you fall into?

That's exactly what the discovery call is for.

Book a Free Discovery Call

Note Investing 101

Want to Understand Notes
Before You Invest?

Education is at the core of what we do. We believe informed investors make better partners. Here's a fast primer on how mortgage note investing actually works.

01
What Is a Mortgage Note?
A mortgage note is the legal IOU a borrower signs when they take out a home loan. It outlines the loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms. When you invest in a note, you buy the right to receive those payments — you step into the lender's seat, backed by the real estate as collateral.
02
Why Do Banks Sell Notes?
Banks routinely sell mortgage notes to free up capital for new lending. Notes on delinquent borrowers are bundled and sold at steep discounts — creating an opportunity for investors to buy real estate-backed debt below market value and earn strong returns from day one.
03
Performing vs. Non-Performing
A performing note pays on time every month — predictable, passive income. A non-performing note is 90+ days delinquent and bought at a deep discount. Both have strong return potential. We specialize in performing notes for steady, stress-free cash flow.
04
What's Your Downside Protection?
Every note we acquire is backed by a physical property. We never pay more than the as-is property value — so even in a worst-case scenario, foreclosure and resale returns your capital, often with profit. The real estate is always your safety net.

Ready to go deeper?

Get a free 30-minute walkthrough of how note investing works — and whether it fits your goals.

Schedule a Learning Call

Our Purpose

The TNC Mission

Take Notes Capital is a mortgage note acquisition company and movement built for the bold and the curious. We acquire and resolve non-performing notes — turning distressed debt into real opportunity for private investors and self-directed retirement account holders who want hands-off, real estate-backed returns without the tenants, toilets, and headaches that come with traditional property ownership.

Most people think real estate means owning property. We're here to change that thinking. At TNC, we are building the table we wish someone had invited us to — a place where the eager get educated, the investor gets rewarded, and everyone at the table wins. Because the smartest move in real estate isn't buying the building — it's owning the note.

Our mission is to flip the script on real estate — arm the curious with knowledge, put capital to work for the investor, and shatter the myth that you need to own property to build real estate wealth. Whether you're a private investor ready to put your money to work, a retirement account holder looking for passive returns, or someone who simply wants to learn how to become the bank — there's a seat at this table for you.

Educate
Entertain
Execute

That's the TNC way.

I'm AJ Dent.

Founder, Take Notes Capital

My path to mortgage notes wasn't a straight line — and I think that's exactly why it works.

I spent years in life insurance learning how to listen before I pitched, then moved into nuclear contracting where precision and accountability weren't optional. From there I partnered to close over $1M in wholesale real estate transactions and went deep into the creative finance world alongside respected SubTo ✌️ community members.

That work wasn't just deal-making — it was people work. I partnered on a co-living operation providing affordable monthly housing to residents who needed it. At the same time, I was working directly with distressed homeowners — people facing foreclosure, divorce, job loss, or financial hardship — and helping them find real exits when traditional real estate had no answer for them.

These weren't just transactions. My job was to understand their situation first — then engineer a solution. That meant structuring subject-to acquisitions, wrap arrangements, and creative finance deals tailored to fit the seller's needs and match the right investor buy box. Every deal was structured so that both sides walked away in a better position than they started.

I also spent time educating real estate agents — helping them understand how to identify distressed property situations their clients were stuck in, and how creative finance tools like subject-to, seller financing, and wrap mortgages could be used ethically and legally to engineer exits that traditional listings simply couldn't produce. Most agents had never been shown these structures. Giving them that language changed how they served their sellers.

That hands-on experience with distressed debt, deal engineering, and working around difficult financial situations made the move into mortgage note investing a natural evolution. I deepened that work through formal underwriting and deal structuring training under Scott Carson, alongside resources from the Notes Association Program and Martin Saenz. 🎯

Every stop taught me something different about how money, risk, and people actually work — and I brought all of it here.

"I don't provide investment advice or guarantee returns. My goal is to build a transparent, God-first, process-driven note business — and connect with investors who want to understand how this asset class actually works. I believe in showing the real journey: the systems, the wins, and the lessons along the way."

If you're a self-directed IRA or 401(k) holder exploring passive returns, an asset manager with NPN inventory, or simply someone curious about how mortgage note investing works — I'm always open to a conversation.

You invest. We handle the due diligence, the asset management, and the structure. The rest is just a conversation.

What Investors Say

Real People. Real Returns.

★★★★★

"I had money sitting in my self-directed IRA doing next to nothing for years. I was walked through how a performing note works, step by step. No pressure, no jargon — just real answers. I finally feel like my retirement funds are actually working for me."

Marcus T.
Alpharetta, GA
★★★★★

"I've done rental properties for 12 years and the calls, repairs, and tenant drama wore me out. This is completely different. The whole process was explained on our discovery call and I understood it within 30 minutes. Passive is actually passive here."

Denise W.
Savannah, GA
★★★★★

"What stood out to me was the transparency. Nothing was oversold. The due diligence process, the numbers, and even what could go wrong were all laid out clearly. That honesty is what made me comfortable moving forward."

Raymond F.
Birmingham, AL
★★★★★

"I'm a retired teacher and I was skeptical at first — real estate investing always felt like something for people with a lot of capital. Everything was broken down in a way that made sense for where I am financially. Really grateful I reached out."

Linda B.
Huntsville, AL
★★★★★

"Between my 9-to-5 and two kids, I don't have time to manage anything. AJ and the Notes were the answer I didn't know I was looking for. Everything is handled and I'm kept in the loop without being overwhelmed. Monthly deposits speak for themselves."

Jerome K.
Dallas, TX
★★★★★

"I came in knowing nothing about mortgage notes. I never felt rushed or pressured — just educated. The discovery call felt like a conversation with someone who actually cares about your outcome, not just closing a deal."

Stephanie M.
Orlando, FL

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

A mortgage note is the legal document a borrower signs when they take out a home loan. It spells out everything: the loan amount, interest rate, repayment schedule, and what happens if they don't pay. When you invest in a note, you're purchasing the lender's position in that agreement — you become the bank. The note is secured by a real property, which means if the borrower ever stops paying, you have a legal claim to that asset as collateral. You don't own the house. You own the debt backed by the house. That distinction is what makes note investing so much cleaner than being a landlord.
Yes — and this is one of the most powerful advantages of note investing. A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) or Solo 401(k) allows you to hold mortgage notes as an alternative asset inside your retirement account. All interest income flows back into the account tax-deferred (Traditional) or tax-free (Roth). The IRA technically becomes the lender, so everything is titled in the name of your custodian for your benefit. You'll need a custodian that permits alternative investments — standard Fidelity or Schwab accounts won't work, but there are excellent SDIRA custodians set up specifically for this. One important IRS rule: your IRA cannot lend to you, your spouse, your children, or parents — these are "disqualified persons." Violating this can strip your account of its tax-advantaged status. We walk through all of this on our discovery call and can point you to the right custodians to get started.
A performing note is one where the borrower is making on-time monthly payments as agreed — you receive predictable, passive income from day one. A non-performing note (NPN) is one where the borrower is 90+ days delinquent. Banks sell non-performing notes at steep discounts — sometimes 20–70% below the unpaid loan balance — because they want the headache off their books. At Take Notes Capital, we focus on performing notes for steady, stress-free cash flow. Non-performing notes can offer higher potential upside through loan modifications or resolution strategies, but they require more active management and patience. Every deal we bring to investors is evaluated for both the note's payment history and the underlying property value — so you understand exactly what you're stepping into before you commit.
Every note we acquire is secured by a physical property. Before we purchase, we evaluate the Loan-to-Value ratio (LTV) — we never pay more than the property's current as-is value. This built-in equity buffer is your first layer of protection. If a borrower defaults, you have legal recourse: loan modification, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, or full foreclosure. One thing to know: we also check for any existing tax liens before acquiring a note, because tax liens take priority over mortgage liens. Skipping that step is one of the most common mistakes new note investors make — we don't. Thorough due diligence, property inspection, title reports, and attorney review are standard parts of our process on every deal.
Simple: when a borrower makes their monthly mortgage payment, that money flows directly to the note holder — you. You're collecting principal and interest every month, just like a bank does. No tenants to manage, no toilets to fix, no 2AM emergency calls. For IRA investors, those payments flow directly back into your retirement account, compounding tax-advantaged. The yield on a performing note depends on the interest rate, the discount you paid for the note, and the remaining loan term — all factors we walk through transparently before any investment is made. We also use professional loan servicers who handle payment collection, reporting, and borrower communication on your behalf.
This is the question every serious investor should ask, and I appreciate it. When a borrower goes delinquent, we don't panic — we have a playbook. First, we work with the loan servicer to reach the borrower and understand the situation. Many times, a loan modification (lower rate, extended term) gets the borrower back on track and turns the note back into a performing asset — often at a higher yield than before. If that doesn't work, we pursue deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or full foreclosure through our network of attorneys. Foreclosure timelines vary significantly by state — non-judicial states like Texas can resolve in 60–90 days, while judicial foreclosure states can take 1–2 years. This is one reason we pay close attention to property location and state law when underwriting every deal. The real estate behind the note remains your safety net throughout.
More than most people realize. The most common sources include: cash savings, Self-Directed IRAs (Traditional or Roth), Solo 401(k)s, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), equity lines of credit on existing property, and joint ventures or partnerships where investors pool capital. Coming from a background in life insurance and financial planning, I've seen a lot of money sitting idle in retirement accounts earning next to nothing. Note investing through a self-directed account is often the highest-impact shift someone can make with funds they've already saved. Not sure which account type fits your situation? That's exactly what our discovery call is for.
I'll give you the honest answer: it depends on your goals. Notes and rental properties can generate comparable returns — but the experience is completely different. With rentals, you deal with vacancies, maintenance, tenants, property taxes, insurance, and the possibility of a 2AM call about a broken pipe. With notes, none of that is your problem. The trade-off is real: as a note investor you don't benefit from property appreciation, and you can't use depreciation as a tax write-off the way a landlord can. But for investors who want passive income without the operational weight — especially those using retirement accounts — notes are hard to beat. I spent years in real estate before landing on notes, and the difference in mental overhead is significant. I'm not anti-landlord. I just know which one lets me sleep at night.
Transparency and relationship — that's the short answer. I built Take Notes Capital on a God-first, process-driven foundation. I'm not here to sell you on a deal and disappear. My background includes life insurance (learning to listen before pitching), nuclear contracting (where precision and accountability aren't optional), over $1M in wholesale real estate, and formal note underwriting training under Scott Carson alongside resources from the Notes Association Program and Martin Saenz. Every deal I present to investors has been through the same due diligence I would want done on my own money. I show you the real numbers — the risks, the costs, the timelines — not just the upside. If a deal isn't right for you, I'll tell you. That honesty is what makes this a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction.

For Note Buyers

Get Notified When We Have Notes That Fit Your Buy Box.

Tell us what you're looking for — asset type, lien position, target states, and investment range — and we'll reach out when we have a note that matches. No spam. Just deal flow that fits your criteria.

Step 1 of 8

What type of assets are you interested in?

Select all that apply.

What lien position do you prefer?

Select all that apply.

Which states do you target assets in?

If you have no preference, choose Nationwide.

How much are you planning to invest on your next deal?

Select one.

How quickly can you move on a deal?

Select one. This helps us prioritize deal flow for you.

What's the maximum LTV you're comfortable with?

Loan-to-value ratio on the collateral property.

Any additional preferences?

Optional — tell us anything else about your buy box.

How can we reach you?

We'll notify you when we have notes that match your buy box.

We'll only contact you about notes that match your criteria. No spam, ever.

🎯

You're on the list.

Thanks. We'll notify you when we have notes that match your buy box. Keep an eye on your inbox.

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Let's Talk

Ready to Become the Bank?

No pressure. No pitch. Just a conversation about whether
mortgage note investing fits your goals.

or send us a message
✅

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Feel free to also book a call directly.

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THIS IS NOT A SECURITY. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS NOT INTENDED TO BE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SOLICITING A SECURITY UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATIONS. THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO GIVE THE PRIVATE INVESTOR ALTERNATIVES TO STOCK MARKET INVESTMENTS, BUT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SOLICITATION OF A SECURITY UNDER SEC RULES AND DEFINITIONS. THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A PRIVATE BORROWING TRANSACTION.