The average used car in America sells for $25,000. Dan Cantillana just bought and sold a house for less than that. Here’s how referrals, community, and opportunity made it happen.
When a Phone Call Turns Into a Deal
At the time of this recording, the average used car sold in the United States costs around $25,000. That’s what makes this story so remarkable — I just bought and sold a house for less than that. The whole deal came together through three things: referrals, community, and opportunity.
For over 20 years, I’ve helped clients protect what they’ve built and grow their wealth with confidence. I do that through two primary channels: my insurance agency and by helping private and accredited investors invest in real estate opportunities — primarily in Kitsap County and Spokane County, Washington.
Why People Think Real Estate Is Out of Reach
A lot of people hear “real estate investing” and immediately think it’s too expensive, too complicated, or only available to the wealthy. I hear that all the time. But through my private fund, we deliver double-digit returns — 10% on your money. At that rate, thanks to the Rule of 72, your investment doubles in about 7.2 years.
The key? We buy real estate at a 30%, 40%, sometimes 50% discount. Every month. It’s taken years of building relationships — coffees, basketball games, community events — to develop the network that surfaces these deals. When someone invests with me, they’re not just investing in a property. They’re investing in my network and the opportunities it creates.
The $12,000 House: A Real Deal Breakdown
This particular property came to me through a realtor — the third deal we’ve done together in a year. And here’s the wild part: I only know this realtor because my 17-year-old son struck up a conversation on a golf practice range last summer. My son told a stranger, “My dad and I buy off-market real estate. If you ever come across any, let me know.” That one conversation led to three deals.
The realtor called me about this latest property, a bit hesitant. It was an off-market deal — meaning it never hit the MLS or the internet. The house had some history: it had been a crack house, and a fire had taken out about a third of the roof. Most investors would walk away. I said, “Let’s take a look.”
The Numbers
- Purchase price: $12,000
- Tax assessed value: $170,000+ (land alone was ~$40,000–$50,000)
- After Repair Value (ARV): $305,000
- Time from purchase to sale: 16 days
That margin of safety is massive. My investor put $12,000 into this deal backed by a property assessed at nearly $170,000, with an ARV of over $300,000 — and they earned a double-digit return.
Why the Team Makes the Difference
A deal like this doesn’t happen alone. When you invest with me, you’re also investing in my team. I own a general contracting company with two crews. I have a team member who lists properties. I own a bookkeeping company that handles invoices, reconciliation, quarterly reports, annual filings, employment taxes, and investor payments. We manage multiple verticals — and that control is critical when you’re flipping homes.
On this deal, I sourced the property. My realtor Ethan, who has a fantastic network of off-market buyers, found a buyer. We closed in 16 days.
How One House Blesses an Entire Community
This is where it gets bigger than profit. Think about the ripple effect of restoring one property:
- A former crack house is removed from a neighborhood
- A general contractor and their crew get work
- $70,000–$120,000 flows into local businesses for supplies — roofing, plumbing, electrical
- The property generates tax revenue for the city three times through three separate sales
- That tax revenue funds roads, first responders, and public education
- An affordable home becomes available for a young family
In March 2026 alone, we’re closing on four houses. That kind of volume only happens with a strong team behind you.
The House on the Ridge: A Personal Off-Market Story
Not every off-market deal is a flip. Sometimes it’s personal. I grew up in Section 8 housing and food stamps. My mom was a single mom in Port Orchard, working incredibly hard. As a kid, I spent a lot of time at my best friend Ben’s house, which had an amazing view of the Olympic Mountains. I remember watching sunsets and thinking, “I want a house with a view one day.”
Years later, living in Spokane, my wife Lisa and I would walk along a ridge with stunning views of the city and the Palouse. I always wanted a house up there, but nothing ever came up for sale.
Then Lisa came home from a community pool board meeting with a tip: a man named Dave was thinking about selling his home on the ridge. I called him within minutes. Twenty minutes later, we were inside his 5,400-square-foot house — the one he had designed and built himself back in 1979.
The house needed a complete remodel. The yard hadn’t been touched in years. But the bones were solid. When we eventually took it down to the studs, we didn’t find a single thing compromised. Dave built a fantastic house.
Getting him to commit — and later, to move out — took some persistence. At one point, Lisa told me to rent the biggest U-Haul I could find, back it into the driveway, and hand Dave the keys with a simple message: “You have 2 days. Get your stuff out of our house.” And that’s exactly what I did.
Lessons for the Invested Life
Whether it’s a $12,000 crack house or a dream home on a ridge, the principles are the same:
- Lean in. Opportunities come to those who initiate and bring value to others.
- Build your network. Every deal I’ve shared here came from a relationship — my son on a driving range, my wife at a board meeting, a realtor who trusts me.
- Invest in your team. You can’t close four houses in a month without the right people around you.
- Think beyond profit. Real estate done right blesses communities, creates jobs, and restores neighborhoods.
If you’re interested in learning more about investing with me, visit investwithdancan.com. And if you want to follow more stories like this, find me on Instagram at @YourInvestedLife.
This post is based on an episode of The Invested Life Podcast with Dan Cantillana. The podcast explores the intersection of faith, business, and personal growth — helping you invest in what matters most.
