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

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