The Science of Flipping – $85M by 24: This Man's Impressive Rise in Real Estate & Creative Finance | Cameron Burke

Podcast: The Science of Flipping
Host: Justin Colby, Bleav
Guest: Cameron Burke
Date: October 10, 2025

Overview

In this engaging episode, host Justin Colby sits down with Cameron Burke, a 24-year-old real estate phenom who, despite a turbulent upbringing, has achieved over $85 million in retail sales, holds $8+ million in real estate assets, and actively invests in wholesales and fix-and-flips. Together, they delve into Cameron’s unconventional path to becoming a high-performing entrepreneur, discuss the unique real estate systems he employs, and offer actionable advice for young investors—especially those interested in creative finance strategies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Cameron’s Early Life & Foundation in Hustle

[02:02 – 07:20]

• Cameron shares his "typical rough upbringing": living with a single mother involved in drug smuggling, moving substances across the country, and dealing with the consequences when his mother went to prison for conspiracy and money laundering.
• Developed self-sufficiency early—lived on his own at 17, moved in with his future wife’s family, and supported himself by buying/selling cars and appliances.
• Grew up with a “weird relationship with money,” seeing fast cash in his youth but recognizing it wasn’t “real wealth.”
• Early entrepreneurial ventures: flipping cars, drop-shipping, and selling appliances—constantly “wheeling and dealing.”

Cameron Burke [03:38]: “I didn’t do any drugs, I didn’t drink, I still don’t…because I kind of just had a lot of anxiety from that when I was younger.”

Entering Real Estate & First Wins

[07:20 – 11:23]

• Valedictorian in high school; failed drop-shipping attempts left him searching for a path post-graduation.
• Leveraged his living situation (with in-laws) after high school to save and invest, leading to his real estate license.
• Struggled for first 8 months as a realtor due to lack of confidence and contacts (“sphere”).
• Breakthrough came via a lease-purchase company—using marketing chops from drop-shipping, he sold just under $10 million in his first year with the company, making over $100K at 19.
• Rapid trajectory: $14 million in sales the next year and started building his investment portfolio.

Cameron Burke [07:25]: “In high school…I was valedictorian, got good grades. So, you know, come 18 everyone’s going to college…what am I gonna do here? I don't know what I'm doing.”

How Adversity Fuels Motivation

[12:34 – 16:05]

• Candid conversation about challenging childhoods forging resilience and drive in high-achievers.
• Both Justin and Cameron share how family adversity generated a ‘chip on their shoulder’—and why these stories are common among highly successful people.

Justin Colby [12:54]: “The anomaly is the person who doesn’t have a challenging childhood. Those that reach pretty high levels of success, more often than not, have some level of a story.”

• Cameron agrees his tough upbringing forced him to “grow up sooner”—making money and business his focus rather than typical teen activities.
• Discusses “analysis paralysis” and the importance of simply "doing the work" because there’s “not that much to lose” after hardship.

Scaling a Team and Becoming a Leader

[16:05 – 22:54]

• Justin probes Cameron’s transition from hustling individual to leading a team of eight at Creative Homes Group.
• Core leadership influences: modeling after successful team leaders (Peter & Tara Levinson) and consuming content from online role models (e.g., Alex Hormozi, YouTube leaders).
• Emphasizes hiring strategically for leverage (transaction coordinators, assistants, property managers).
• Attributes much of his accelerated learning to growing up in the "information age" (YouTube, podcasts).

Cameron Burke [17:09]: “I've definitely had some role models … I learned what not to do growing up, and watching good leaders, I fast-tracked a lot.”

Creative Finance and Lease Options: Building a Niche

[23:51 – 29:48]

• Discusses how creative financing (lease options, seller finance, non-QM loans) became his specialty, especially for buyers who can’t qualify for traditional mortgages (business owners, people with imperfect credit, etc.).
• Advocates providing real value (“I want people to work with me because I am the best”) instead of leaning on personal networks for business.
• Shares example of partners like Barry Rock Homes, who buy homes for clients to lease-option and later purchase.

Cameron Burke [24:24]: “I didn't have a sphere. If I call the people I know from high school, they're all 19… so I wanted to provide value to the market.”

Cameron Burke [27:46]: “Their program's really interesting…they let you go pick out your own house, they buy it and then you move in with a lease option.”

• Non-QM lenders and "DSCR loans" are another major part of his toolkit.

Market Resilience & Marketing Engine

[29:48 – 33:49]

• Cameron’s systems remain steady regardless of interest rates—these buyer and seller needs persist in all market conditions.
• High-conversion marketing: Meta ads drive 550–650 leads/month via Facebook and Instagram; heavy focus on education and branding.

Cameron Burke [31:25]: “Selling financing… is the highest cash-on-cash return I can find at the moment. Typical terms: 10% down, 20-year note at 12% interest.”

• Collaboration beats competition: Justin advocates breaking down barriers between agents and investors, highlighting Cameron’s hybrid, replicable model for others.

Advice to Young Entrepreneurs & Perspectives on Success

[36:53 – 41:40]

• Justin presses Cameron for advice to the younger generation.
• Cameron delivers a nuanced lesson on the difference between extrinsic (external rewards like cars, houses) versus intrinsic (internal fulfillment, helping others) motivation.
• Advises focusing on relationships, experiences, and purpose—not just chasing material benchmarks.

Cameron Burke [38:22]: “If you can focus on more of an intrinsic motivation—who you are, helping people, the journey—then I think you’re going to work harder than the next guy.”

Looking Ahead: Vision and Values

[43:01 – 48:05]

• Cameron shares evolving business and life goals—growing his content channels, doing 60+ deals this year, and spending quality time with his family and younger brother (for whom he is guardian).
• Stresses balance: building wealth but not at the expense of relationships or health.
• Teasing a future mentorship program to help others replicate his success.
• Justin affirms his support: “I will be your biggest champion, dude.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Justin Colby [12:54]: "The anomaly is the person who doesn’t have a challenging childhood…those that reach some pretty high levels of success, have some level of a story."
• Cameron Burke [14:21]: “When you suffer at a younger age, you grow up sooner...a lot of success comes down to just doing the work.”
• Cameron Burke [17:09]: “I've got mentors that I’ve never met that I just soak up information from…we are in the information age.”
• Cameron Burke [24:24]: “I wanted to provide value to the market. I want people to work with me for who I am because I am the best.”
• Cameron Burke [38:22]: "If I’m waking up every day and I’m doing this for my family, my team—I know I’ve got 20 people relying on me—versus another guy who just wants a Ferrari, I’m going to outwork him every single day.”
• Cameron Burke [47:06]: “Leave time to think, like truly... with social media, with ChatGPT, we’re relying on others to think for us…that’s where you get your best ideas.”

Useful Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cameron's Backstory & Hustle Roots: [02:00 – 07:20]
• Breakthrough in Real Estate: [07:20 – 11:23]
• Adversity as Motivation: [12:34 – 16:05]
• Becoming a Leader & Building a Team: [16:05 – 22:54]
• Niche in Creative Financing: [23:51 – 29:48]
• Marketing & Systemization: [29:48 – 33:49]
• Advice for Young Investors: [36:53 – 41:40]
• Vision, Mentorship, & Work-Life Balance: [43:01 – 48:05]

Where to Find Cameron Burke

• YouTube: Cameron Burke
• Facebook: Cameron Burke ([39,000+ friends])
• Instagram: @c.burkee

Final Wisdom

Cameron Burke [47:06]: “Leave time to think... if you truly believe you can make something happen, you can. I didn’t make $10,000 in a month until I believed I could… and then so on and so forth. You’ve just got to execute."

This episode pulses with actionable insights, motivational lessons from adversity, and detailed strategies for applying creative finance in real estate. For anyone looking to break into the field—especially young hustlers or those seeking a replicable hybrid model—Cameron's story and roadmap are both instructive and inspiring.