In the world of real estate investing, the road to success is rarely a straight path. Some investors inherit wealth, others climb the corporate ladder—but then there are those like Bo Belmont, who forge their own way through sheer resilience, reinvention, and fearlessness.
Imagine spending four years in San Quentin, one of the most notorious prisons in the U.S., only to emerge and build a real estate empire that democratizes investing for everyday people. Bo’s journey is not just about real estate—it’s about survival, redemption, and rewriting the rules of success.
From Mortgage Lending to a Prison Sentence
Bo Belmont started in mortgage lending before transitioning into house flipping, scaling his business to multiple successful projects. But in 2013, a wrong-place, wrong-time incident changed everything.
A family vacation turned violent, forcing Bo to defend his loved ones in a confrontation that spiraled into a high-profile trial, 19 felony charges, and a five-year sentence in San Quentin—despite a jury acquitting him of 17 of the 19 counts.
“I heard ‘not guilty’ seventeen times, and for a second, I thought I was going home. Then came the one ‘guilty,’ and I felt my whole world collapse.”
Turning Prison into an Opportunity
For most, prison is the end of the road. For Bo, it was an opportunity.
While others struggled to survive, he leveraged his real estate expertise to gain respect, becoming the go-to resource for inmates seeking advice on mortgages, property sales, and investments.
“Real estate saved my life,” Bo explained. “When you’re in there, you have two choices—become part of the system or create your own lane. I chose to be the guy who could help people build a future, even from behind bars.”
Because of the value he provided, Bo stayed neutral in a world built on alliances, avoiding gang ties and prison politics. His skillset made him too valuable to be a target.
Starting Over—From Zero to Scaling
After serving his time, Bo had nothing—except a relentless drive to rebuild. But success meant more than just finding deals; he had to rebuild trust.
Many of the investors who had once backed Bo before his conviction were now hesitant. Bo knew that in order to move forward, he had to prove himself all over again.
Today, Bellwood Investments has grown into a game-changing real estate platform with over 4,000 investors. The Bellwood Investor App allows anyone to fractionally invest in house flips, earning 50/50 profit splits without managing a project.
“I wanted to give people a way to invest in real estate without quitting their jobs or risking everything,” Bo explained. “Now, with Bellwood, anyone can partner in a flip just like the pros do.”
The High-Profile Malibu Deal: A Masterclass in Negotiation
Bo’s unconventional approach to real estate investing was put on full display when he secured one of the most high-profile real estate transactions of 2023—the purchase of a celebrity-owned Malibu beachfront home.
Originally listed at $75M, the home was bought by a high-profile celebrity for $57M, but later gutted and stripped down. As financial pressures mounted, the price was slashed to $39M—and that’s when Bo made his move.
“People told me there was no way this property would sell for less than $39M, but I smelled blood in the water,” Bo said. “I knew they were liquidating assets fast, so I came in aggressively—$20M cash. We settled at $21M.”
Bellwood Investments, in partnership with CV3, is now restoring the home to its original architectural masterpiece designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.
What Bo’s Story Teaches Us
Bo’s journey isn’t just inspiring—it’s a roadmap for anyone in real estate, business, or life.
- Adaptability Matters – Bo shifted from lending to flipping, then built an investing platform. The market will always change—success depends on how you respond.
- Negotiation Beats Money – Bo didn’t win the Malibu deal because he had the most cash. He won because he understood urgency and acted fast.
- Access is power – Real estate investing used to be for the wealthy. Now, through platforms like Bellwood, it’s within reach for anyone willing to start.
- Fearlessness is a Competitive Advantage – Bo didn’t just rebuild after prison—he came back stronger. That mindset is what sets top performers apart. “I don’t waste time thinking about what could go wrong. I focus on what could go right.”
The Power of Reinvention
Bo Belmont’s story is more than just a comeback—it’s proof that you can rewrite your future, no matter how far you fall.
Whether you’re a real estate investor looking for new opportunities, a mortgage broker navigating market shifts, or an aspiring entrepreneur trying to break into the industry, Bo’s journey shows that adversity isn’t the end—it’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. No matter how bad it gets, there’s always a way forward if you’re willing to fight for it.” – Bo Belmont
Want to learn more? Check out Bellwood Investments at bellwoodinvestments.com or download the Bellwood Investor App.
Stay tuned for more incredible stories by following CV3 Financial on social media @CV3financial and subscribing to The Unconventional Podcast on all your listening platforms. And as Bill likes to say: “Dare to be Unconventional”