At Grounded Properties Land, we think owning a piece of land should feel like exactly that, yours, simple, and something you never have to second guess. That's why we partner with Terra Notes as our note servicing platform, so you have a secure and easy way to manage your payments from wherever you are. Whether you just got your land or you've been with us a while, this guide covers what matters most: getting set up, scheduling payments, understanding fees, what happens if a payment doesn't go through, and how extra payments can help you pay off your land sooner.
Getting Set Up on Terra Notes
When your purchase is finalized, we'll get your account started on Terra Notes so you have a secure place to manage your payments going forward. Here's what to expect:
Watch for your login email. Terra Notes will send you an email with a temporary password. Click the link in that email to log in for the first time.
Set your permanent password. Once you're logged in with the temporary password, you'll be prompted to create a new password of your own.
Link your bank account through Plaid. With your password set, you'll securely connect your bank account for ACH payments using Plaid.
Set up your recurring payment. Log back in to schedule your recurring payment. This is also where you can add an extra amount on top of your regular payment if you'd like to pay off your land faster.
Once you've made it through these steps, you're all set and ready to enjoy your new land.
Verifying Your Account
Logging in with your temporary password and setting a new one does more than open your account, it also verifies we have you properly connected to your note.
Until that step is complete, our team is not able to assist you with your note or payments.
This isn't us adding an extra hoop to jump through, it's a standard security measure that protects you by confirming we have you properly connected to your account.
If you're running into a question early on and haven't logged in yet, that's the first thing to take care of.
It only takes a couple of minutes, and it opens the door for us to help with anything else you need.
Setting Up Recurring Scheduled Payments
Recurring payments are one of the easiest ways to stay on track and take one more thing off your plate.
Once it's set up, Terra Notes will process your payment automatically each month, so you don't have to remember to log in and do it yourself.
The one rule to keep in mind: your scheduled payment should never be set to process after your due date. Give yourself enough buffer so the payment triggers on or before the date your contract requires.
Processing times can vary depending on your bank, so it's worth building in a few extra days of cushion rather than cutting it close.
If a payment does land after the due date, late fees will apply according to the terms in your note. Scheduling ahead of time is the simplest way to avoid that altogether.
NOTE: Terra Notes will not process payments over a weekend or Holiday
Understanding ACH Fees for Failed Payments
Payments through Terra Notes are processed through ACH, the same secure network used for direct deposits and most everyday bank transfers.
It's reliable, but every so often a payment can fail due to things like insufficient funds, a closed account, or bank details that have changed since you last logged in.
When a payment fails, a $7 ACH return fee is applied to your account.
This fee reflects the actual cost of a returned transaction and is separate from any late fee that may also apply if the missed payment pushes you past your due date.
The best way to avoid this fee is to double check your account balance and banking information before your scheduled payment date, especially if anything has recently changed on your end, like a new card, a switched bank, or a temporary account freeze.
What Happens When a Payment Fails
Here's a detail worth knowing ahead of time: if a scheduled payment fails, it doesn't just skip a cycle and try again next month. A failed payment cancels your recurring schedule entirely.
That means after a failed payment, you'll need to log back in and set your recurring payment up again. We handle it this way so you have full visibility into what happened and a chance to update your payment information before another attempt is made, rather than risking repeated failed attempts and additional fees.
If you notice a payment didn't go through, don't wait until next month to fix it. Log in, review your payment details, and get your recurring schedule set back up as soon as you're able.
How Extra Payments Work
If you're ever in a position to pay a little more than your required amount, that extra payment goes straight to your principal balance. Every additional dollar you send goes toward reducing what you owe, not toward future interest.
Paying down principal ahead of schedule can shorten the life of your note and reduce the total interest you pay over time. There's no special process required, extra payments are simply added on top of your regular payment, and the difference lands right where it counts.
We're Here to Help
Every buyer with Grounded Properties Land has a dedicated point of contact on our team.
If you have a question about your account, a payment, or anything else related to your note, that's who to reach out to first, once your account is verified as outlined above.
We chose Terra Notes to keep things secure and simple, but the relationship behind it is still ours.
You're never navigating this alone. If something ever feels unclear, reach out. That's exactly what we're here for.