What if you could build a real estate development from the ground up without needing the whole thing sold to break even?

In this episode of the CRE Blueprint Podcast, hosts Graham Storey and Jesse Durham sit down with Curt Marker, aka Captain Curt, private jet pilot, real estate developer, and founder of Captain Capital, to break down how he structured his first ground-up small bay flex industrial development outside Houston so that selling just half the building retired the construction loan entirely.

They walk through the real mechanics of how Curt built and sold 16 flex industrial units, including how he structured the deal to de-risk it from day one, why he chose build-to-sell over build-to-lease, and how he navigated permits that took 15 months instead of 4 to 6 and two banks that approved him at underwriter level then killed the deal at board.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why selling 8 of 16 units was enough to pay off the bank and why that changes everything about how you underwrite
• How delivering a shell unit instead of chasing top dollar saved more money than the discount cost
• Why build-to-sell recycles investor capital faster than build-to-lease
• What happens when permits take three times longer than expected and banks back out at the last minute
• Why conservative underwriting isn't pessimism, it's the only thing that protects investors when the deal doesn't go according to plan

This conversation is a grounded look at ground-up flex industrial development for investors and developers who want to understand how the math actually works on a real project, not the pitch deck version, and a reminder that disciplined underwriting and honest communication matter more than perfect timing.

🎧 Original Podcast: CRE Blueprint Podcast
🌐 Listen to the full episode: https://creblueprint.buzzsprout.com/2375339/episodes/19364061-asking-a-private-jet-pilot-how-to-develop-small-bay-flex-with-captian-curt

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

What if you could invest in boutique hotels without running the hotel?

In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, host Michael Russell sits down with Curt Marker—private jet captain, real estate investor, and CEO of Captain Capital—to break down how Curt became a co-GP on a $10M, 130-room boutique hotel in the Smoky Mountains without managing staff or daily operations.

They walk through the real mechanics of Curt’s role in the deal, including how he raised $1.5M in capital, evaluated operating partners, and helped guide investors through an unexpected 8-month USDA loan delay using consistent, transparent communication.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How to add value in hotel deals without being the operator
• Why most of Curt’s capital came from people he already knew
• What to look for when vetting an operating partner
• How a loan delay tested the partnership—and investor confidence
• Why honest monthly updates matter more than perfect timelines

This conversation is a grounded look at hotel investing for professionals who want exposure to hospitality real estate without taking on operational complexity—and a reminder that trust and communication are just as important as the numbers.

🎧 Original Podcast: The Hotel Investor Playbook
🌐 Learn more: https://www.hotelinvestorplaybook.com/

Timestamps
02:05 – Curt’s Background: From Pilot to Real Estate Investor
05:06 – Shifting Focus: Family, Charity, and Long-Term Purpose
08:37 – Staying Flexible Across Asset Classes
11:25 – Why Commercial Real Estate Changed the Game
15:20 – Comparing Short-Term Rentals vs Hotels
18:43 – Breaking Down the Boutique Hotel Deal Structure
22:21 – Adding Value Without Managing Daily Operations
26:16 – The USDA Loan Delay and What Went Wrong
29:14 – Communicating Bad News Without Losing Investor Trust
38:01 – Building a Personal Brand That Raises Capital
45:54 – Where Capital Actually Comes From
52:47 – Advice for First-Time Real Estate Investors

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL RUSSELL:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reachmichael
Website: https://www.malama-capital.com/

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.

What if the hardest part of real estate wasn’t finding deals — but raising the money?

In this episode, Stella Han (@hellastellah) explains why traditional capital raising is fundamentally broken for small operators — and how a new model is quietly reshaping how founders, creators, and real estate investors raise capital.

After losing $55,000 on her first raise, Stella built a platform designed to remove legal friction, unlock unaccredited capital, and let operators market freely — without risking jail time.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why syndications and funds fail first-time operators
• The difference between 506B, 506C, and investment clubs
• How to legally market and raise capital at the same time
• Why “soft commitments” without money are useless
• The psychology behind requiring deposits from investors
• How creators outperform traditional finance at fundraising
• Why capital raising should be treated like sales
• How trust and storytelling now beat spreadsheets

This episode lays out the new rules of capital raising — and why operators who adapt early will have a massive edge.

Timestamps
2:43 - How Stella lost $55K trying to raise $1M on her first deal
6:02 - Why 506B and 506C are broken for small operators
10:08 - Investment clubs explained: why they're not securities under SEC rules
14:20 - The hardest part of building Fractional: compliance, tech, or education?
19:39 - What surprised Stella most: operators don't build investor lists proactively
24:20 - The 3% deposit strategy that eliminates flaky verbal commitments
28:45 - Why creators raise more capital than traditional finance people
38:57 - Following up 5-6 times before an investor commits: the sales process of capital raising
43:10 - Product-market fit: 2,000 signups for a fake website that didn't exist yet
54:21 - Being a woman founder in a male-dominated space: advantage or obstacle?
1:02:56 - Is traditional capital raising outdated? Where Fractional fits in the ecosystem
1:07:27 - The Power of Habit: how mental habits shape entrepreneurial resilience

CONNECT WITH STELLA HAN:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellastellah/
Website: https://www.fractional.app/

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thecaptaincurt
TikTok: @thecaptaincurt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecaptaincurt_
Website: www.captaincapital.com
Invest With Curt: Start Here: https://www.captaincapital.com/invest

P.S. If you're enjoying the show, do us a favor—leave a review and give us a 5-star rating. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and helps us reach more listeners who need this kind of no-fluff insight.