🎙️ Balancing a Yacht-Captain Career While Building a Real Estate Portfolio with Scott Kidd

Most people assume you need to quit your job to build wealth in real estate, but Scott Kidd proves otherwise. After 20 years as a yacht captain, he built a portfolio of multifamily properties and syndications—all while managing luxury yachts full-time. His journey shows how demanding professionals can still scale by leveraging partnerships, systems, and mindset.

Scott’s start was simple: buying a single-family home and rolling that into more deals. A chance conversation on the beach with an investor who flipped a 46-unit property was his turning point. From there, he leaned into meetups, joint ventures, and partnerships that led him to multifamily. Today, he’s active in syndications, capital raising, and investor relations—all while continuing his yacht career.

🚤 How to Invest in Real Estate While Working or Running a Business Full-Time

Scott balances his yacht career with real estate by focusing on what he can do remotely—investor calls, analysis, and relationships—while relying on partners for management. Tools like DocuSign and Starlink let him close a 13-unit deal from The Bahamas. His message: you don’t have to be on the ground daily to succeed.

🏘️ Lessons from an 8-Unit Deal in Florida

An early multifamily deal in West Palm Beach tripled returns in just eight months after unexpected challenges pushed the team to sell. That success shifted Scott’s focus toward raising capital for larger, more stable properties.

📈 Current Focus: Scaling Through Syndications

Scott and his partners are now working on a 72-unit in Columbus, Ohio, chosen for its strong fundamentals: Ohio State University, corporate HQs, and major investments from Intel, Honda, and Amazon. He believes today’s market favors newer investors since many larger players are sitting out. His advice: keep looking—if the numbers work, it’s a good time to buy.

🎯 Key Takeaways for High-Income Earners and Business Owners

• Start small: house hacks, duplexes, or small multifamily.
• Use W-2 income as leverage with banks.
• Partner with experienced operators.
• Protect your time—delegate management, focus on high-value work.

🧭 Coaching Round: Scott’s Advice for Investors

For New Investors: Define Goals Early
 Choose if you want to be active (finding/running deals) or passive (providing capital and earning returns).

Balancing Career, Family, and Real Estate: Play to Strengths
 Focus on what excites you—networking, analysis, or investor relations. Passion makes balancing easier.

Starting with Little Money or Time: Network Nonstop
 Join groups that align with your goals. Add value by sourcing deals, underwriting, or raising capital.

Why Passive Investing Works
 Steady cash flow and tax benefits like depreciation. (Always check with a CPA.)

Books for Active and Passive Investors

• Mindset by Carol Dweck
• The Hands-Off Investor by Brian Burke

📚 Final Thoughts

Scott Kidd proves you can thrive in real estate without quitting your career. By leaning on partners, focusing on strengths, and using technology, he built a portfolio that secures his family’s future. The takeaway: you don’t need to quit your job—you just need the right plan, the right partners, and the drive to act.

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