In this solo episode of The Captain Curt Show, I take you back to 2015 when I was making just $48,000 a year as an airline pilot and decided to take the leap into real estate. With only $17,500 in savings, an FHA loan, and a little help from my in-laws, I bought my very first property—a duplex in Vista, California—that completely changed my financial future.
I break down step by step how I:
- Negotiated $60,000 off the asking price
- Borrowed creatively to fund renovations
- Used the “BRRR” method without even knowing it
- Turned sweat equity into long-term wealth
- Walked away years later with $350,000 in profit
Most importantly, I share the 6 key lessons I learned from this deal that became the launchpad for Captain Capital and my journey into multi-million-dollar commercial projects.
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t make enough to start investing,” this episode proves that you don’t need six figures to get in the game. All it takes is creativity, relationships, and the courage to start.
👉 Learn how you can apply these same principles to your own path toward financial freedom.
⏱️ Timestamps / Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome & intro to The Captain Curt Show
01:05 – Why my pilot salary wasn’t enough & what pushed me to invest
03:15 – Finding the duplex in Vista, CA
05:40 – Negotiating $60K off the purchase price
08:20 – FHA loan + $17,500 down payment explained
11:00 – Borrowing $16K from family to renovate
13:15 – Doing the remodel work myself (fans, outlets, bathrooms)
15:45 – The refinance: appraising at $510K in 6 months
18:30 – Discovering the BRRR method (before I knew the name)
20:10 – Six lessons from my first deal
26:00 – Selling in 2022 & walking away with $350K profit
28:00 – How that one deal became the launchpad for Captain Capital
30:00 – Closing thoughts + what’s coming next episode
#RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #FirstDeal #BRRRRMethod #PassiveIncome #PilotInvestor #DuplexInvesting #CaptainCapital #Entrepreneurship
CONNECT WITH US:
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TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest
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