Places to buy notes.

[Eddie Starr]

Through various articles, I've read that the following are some good sources to buy notes, both performing and non:

• Private note holders
• Hedge or private equity funds
• Note exchanges and marketplaces
• Special servicers
• Banks and credit unions

Regarding the last point, from what I've read, it's usually not a good idea to go after big named, national banks, for note buying, especially as a small investor...unless one has raised a lot of capital to do so, and even then, not usually advisable. Generally, one is better off going to their local banks/credit unions, to find notes; NPNs in particular are better, as they generally aren't going to sell performings.

I've heard mixed feelings on exchanges/marketplaces, ranging from those are the notes that people are trying to sell off, as no one else will buy them, to it's a good place to get a note, at retail, with [sometimes] less hassle.

I was wondering, would a title company be a good source, especially for NPNs? 

Also, for NPNs, would Hard Money Lenders be a good source? I know not everyone who gets a HML is able to do the flip, so the HML winds up taking the property, which may not always be their goal.

Would those who provide Transactional Funding be a good source? I know sometimes they fund a deal for more than 1 - 3 days [I think some may go as far as 60 days], so "stuff may happen."

Any other sources to look for notes that the community would like to share?