Ep. 022: Charting A New Course: Scott Kidd’s Path To Multifamily

Scott Kidd's path to real estate investing is anything but traditional. A University of Texas graduate who initially pursued aviation, Kidd pivoted to yacht captaining after the aviation industry struggled in the mid-90s. His maritime career ultimately became the springboard for his multifamily real estate investment journey.

Seeking passive income due to the unstable nature of yacht work, Kidd began by purchasing single-family rental properties. A pivotal moment came when a friend described selling a 46-unit property in Houston, demonstrating the potential of multifamily investing. Kidd's approach to entering the multifamily space was methodical. He attended numerous real estate meetups, read extensively, and networked strategically. A key breakthrough was meeting his first investment partner at a meetup, which reinforced his belief that commercial real estate is a "team sport." His investment strategy evolved from local joint ventures on smaller properties to becoming a co-GP in syndications.

Currently, Kidd is working towards establishing a fund-to-funds model, leveraging his unique ability to manage investments while working six-week rotations as a yacht captain. Key lessons from Kidd's journey include the importance of continuous learning, building strong partnerships, and maintaining a team-oriented approach to investing. His background in yacht management has translated surprisingly well to real estate, emphasizing project management, teamwork, and strategic planning.

For aspiring investors, Kidd recommends Brian Burke's "The Hands-Off Investor" and staying analytically focused on investment goals.