Living Off Rentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a former Marine turned successful real estate agent. Tim Street is the founder of FoolProof FSBO (For Sale By Owner). After years in the industry, he realized that many homeowners were paying large commissions for processes they could handle themselves. By teaching sellers how the process works, Tim helps them keep more equity from their home sale, avoid paying large commissions, and take control over pricing, marketing, and negotiations. Listen as he also explains the biggest mistakes homeowners make when trying to sell and how a clear system can help avoid costly errors. If you want to keep more money from your home sale, you won't want to miss this. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Tim Street and his background [03:07] Tim shifted from being an agent to teaching FSBO strategies [05:47] When it makes sense to sell with a realtor and when it doesn't [10:03] The difference between what other realtors do and what Tim does [13:34] What is strategic underpricing [15:58] The real costs of traditional real estate commissions [19:15] When it makes sense to use a real estate agent [21:55] The step-by-step process for listing a home without an agent [23:06] Easy steps to attract serious buyers with agent listings [24:26] In-venue marketing explained [27:44] About the book 'Thinking Fast and Slow' [28:41] What the whole system consists of [30:18] The pre-listing inspection [34:00] Staging vs de-staging your home [37:42] Geographic areas considered as 'sweet spots' for FSBO [39:53] Connect with Tim Street [41:38] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://foolprooffsbo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foolprooffsbo/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps investors take control of their retirement investments. Nick Sahagun is an expert in self-directed retirement investing and alternative assets. He works closely with investors who want more control over their retirement funds and the ability to invest in opportunities outside the traditional stock market, including real estate. Listen as he shares how self-directed IRAs and 401(k)s allow investors to deploy retirement capital into alternative investments, along with the rules, advantages, and key considerations investors should understand before using retirement funds for real estate. He also breaks down some of the most common mistakes investors make when setting up and using self-directed retirement accounts. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Nick Sahagun and his background [03:06] How Nick first discovered the self-directed IRA space [06:37] The difference between conventional retirement accounts and self-directed accounts [11:08] Question before doing self-directed 401k [13:25] Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA [17:16] Setting up a brokerage within your self-directed IRA [20:46] Self-directed IRA as a vehicle for diversification [26:14] Understanding prohibited transactions and common mistakes [32:27] Investing in a real estate deal using money in an IRA [37:28] Lending and using leverage in an IRA [39:35] About unrelated business income tax [41:00] About unrelated debt, finance, and income tax [46:44] Investing in short-term rentals with your self-directed IRA [51:06] On the administrative side of work [52:07] The role of Safeguard Advisors [57:21] Price structure in the self-directed IRA landscape [01:01:52] Connect with Nick Sahagun [01:03:25] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.ira123.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-sahagun/ Scheduling Link: https://calendly.com/nsahagun-9cf2/living-off-rentals-safeguard-self-directed-intro Coupon Code: LOR25 for 25% off Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is Ryan Barone, CEO and co-founder of RentRedi, an all-in-one, data-powered rental management platform built specifically for independent landlords. Ryan shares how RentRedi evolved from a simple rental application tool that he designed for personal use, to a full-service platform. He explains why execution matters, how small operational habits can dramatically improve cash flow, and why systems are what allow landlords to scale. He also dives into practical strategies for reducing turnover, improving tenant satisfaction, pre-qualifying applicants to cut vacancy time, and using data to make better decisions. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Ryan Barone and his background [02:39] What he do before RentRedi [07:35] Building RentRedi while working full-time at PwC [10:27] Execution beats having the "first" idea [12:19] Adapting features based on landlord feedback and real data [16:43] Core features: rent collection, screening, maintenance, and automation [20:27] Things that landlords should avoid [22:50] Reducing tenant turnover through fast maintenance responses [26:23] Pre-screening to reduce vacancy time [28:36] RentRedi allows you to set up screening questions [31:39] How systems allow landlords to scale [34:34] Leveraging community scale to access enterprise-level services [37:07] The future of RentRedi and rental management [38:44] Using AI for rental management nowadays [40:31] Connect with Ryan Barone [42:21] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://rentredi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanebarone/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is Kaitlyn Rowsey Aronis, CEO and founder of CoHo House, a nationwide design and co-hosting firm helping investors maximize short-term rental returns. Before launching her company, Kaitlyn worked at Airbnb on the Airbnb Plus program, where she helped define what high-performing, design-forward listings really look like. In this conversation, Kaitlyn breaks down why there is no one-size-fits-all strategy in short-term rentals. She also shares how your goals should shape everything from acquisitions to renovation budgets to design decisions. In addition, Kaitlyn explains how scaling sustainably requires strong systems, clear roles, and heart-centered hosting without sacrificing profitability. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Kaitlyn Rowsey Aronis and her background [03:08] Getting into short-term rental space [08:20] Bridging the gap between tech and real-life hosting at Airbnb [11:39] Cash flow vs. equity growth: designing around your real goals [16:42] The importance of defining your ideal guest avatar [21:18] How Coho House grew from co-hosting to nationwide installs [26:05] What does cash flow really mean to Kaitlyn [29:06] Case study: West Virginia and emerging travel markets [36:58] Think about your buying schedule and seasonality [41:25] Don't overspend on the property and underspend on design [45:00] Multiple ways to work with a designer [51:32] Scaling sustainably with systems and clear roles [56:32] Heart-centered guest communication and the "Oh No" rule [01:04:17] Connect with Kaitlyn Rowsey Aronis [01:05:59] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.cohohouse.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-rowsey-aronis/ Link to schedule a free listing audit: https://calendly.com/kaitlyn-opw/introductory-call Text code - LOR2025 - to 818-208-7034 for 15% off our Design Services! Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a mid-term rental investor and team member at Furnished Finder. With 12 mid-term rentals across multiple states, our guest for today has built a flexible portfolio designed to generate strong cash flow and offer long-term optionality. Katie Lyon shares how she discovered mid-term rentals while working in commercial real estate, why she believes they offer the perfect middle ground between long-term and short-term rentals, and how arbitrage helped her scale quickly without waiting on down payments. She also breaks down market selection, pricing strategies, screening best practices, and how to utilize platforms like Furnished Finder to reduce vacancies and maintain control over your bookings. Listen and enjoy! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Katie Lyon and her background [02:25] How Katie discovered mid-term rentals and why they stood out [04:28] Scaling to 12 properties in two and a half years [05:45] Rental arbitrage defined and how it works with mid-term rentals [06:57] What makes a good arbitrage deal [09:20] How Katie selects markets and identifies real demand drivers [14:43] Mid-term vs. short-term vs. long-term [19:28] Financing owned properties with DSCR loans and local banks [20:56] How Furnished Finder differs from Airbnb and Vrbo [23:15] Screening mid-term tenants is critical [24:28] How to reduce vacancy and fill calendar gaps [27:45] Listing on multiple platforms and staying in control [29:13] Pricing mid-term rentals using comps and amenities [30:05] Amenities that justify higher rent (pets, laundry, parking) [33:28] Real-world tenant stories and unique use cases [37:47] Markets where mid-term rentals may not work [40:17] Connect with Katie Lyon [42:43] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/ Podcast: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/podcast Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who walked away from a 30-year corporate career to build a short-term rental portfolio designed around freedom, family, and intentional living. Born in Cuba and raised under communism before immigrating to the U.S., Carlos Vazquez is a former global talent acquisition executive, the founder of Cabin Vistas, and a member of my short-term rental Blueprint program. In this episode, Carlos shares how his upbringing, a cancer scare in his mid-40s, and a desire to be present for his wife, kids, and grandkids reshaped his definition of success. Listen as he opens up about overcoming fear, leveraging equity to scale, and why cash flow is what truly buys freedom. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Carlos Vazquez and his background [04:01] From Cuba to corporate America: finding his path [07:34] A cancer diagnosis that changed his perspective on life and work [13:04] The impact of the book Die With Zero on his financial philosophy [18:28] Three things that define Carlos [19:17] The decision to resign and "burn the boats." [21:14] His wife's support and building a plan to leave both jobs [23:39] Retirement vs redirection [25:53] Expanding beyond North Carolina into new markets [27:38] Investing in Michigan City and trusting the numbers [29:25] Adding properties in Savannah, GA, and Columbus, GA [31:46] Turning lazy equity into higher monthly cash flow [33:30] Why conservative underwriting and operational excellence matter [36:07] Setting evolving portfolio goals [37:05] Quantifying freedom and the ability to do what you want every day [41:39] Advice for anyone thinking about leaving their W-2 job [44:50] Connect with Carlos Vazquez Guest Links: Website: https://cabinvistas.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is an award-winning publicist, hospitality veteran, and short-term rental expert who has built a profitable portfolio by thinking differently about how and where to invest. Katie Cline is the host of the Second Home First podcast and Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality. She has worked behind the scenes with global luxury hotel brands including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and W Hotels, and now applies those hospitality principles to her own short-term rental properties across upstate New York. Listen as Katie shares how buying her second home first allowed her to build wealth, create meaningful family experiences, and run profitable short-term rentals without sacrificing lifestyle. She also breaks down how hospitality, thoughtful design, and smart market selection can make all the difference. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Katie Cline and her background [02:55] Moving from global hotel brands to owning short-term rentals [05:23] Buying a second home first instead of a primary residence [07:12] The beauty of buying your second home first [10:01] How short-term rentals compare to traditional investing and 401Ks [10:59] Financing strategies for second homes and creative renovations [13:06] Evaluating deals and understanding worst-case scenarios [18:16] Lessons learned from furnishing and renovating remotely [26:14] Managing fear and doubt when pulling the trigger on deals [27:24] Shifting from investor mindset to hospitality mindset [30:54] Hotel principles that improve short-term rental performance [35:27] Designing arrival experiences that shape guest perception [38:18] Why quality beats rapid scaling in short-term rentals [41:28] The philosophy behind Buy Your Second Home First [47:44] Aligning real estate decisions with lifestyle goals [48:40] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.buyyoursecondhomefirst.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who built confidence, systems, and time freedom by learning real estate from the ground up. Stephanie Bacue is a U.S. Air Force veteran, short-term rental investor, and founder of Simply Welcome Stays. After transitioning from military service to corporate consulting, she began learning real estate as a complete beginner and went on to build a remote portfolio of short-term rental duplexes in Greenville, South Carolina. Listen as she shares how she bought her first duplex remotely, why she chose Greenville as her market, and how military discipline helped her create systems, remove emotion from decisions, and manage STRs with confidence from afar. She also talks candidly about leaning into community, building the right team on the ground, and what it really takes to move from W-2 work toward more control over your time through real estate. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Stephanie Bacue and her background [03:03] Getting into real estate investing and wanting to own time [05:44] Setting a simple first goal: buying one property within six months [06:45] Closing on her first duplex and evaluating long-term vs. short-term rentals [08:10] How military training helped Stephanie in her real estate investing journey [11:10] Buying and managing short-term rentals remotely for the first time [15:02] Choosing Greenville based on population growth, jobs, and fundamentals [17:10] Biggest lessons after purchasing short-term rental properties [19:53] Running conservative numbers and preparing for worst-case scenarios [23:48] Visiting the property and deciding to self-manage instead of paying 25% fees [25:00] Interviewing cleaners and handymen in person to build a reliable bench [28:45] Lessons learned from owning property with a partner [29:48] Why joint ventures can be simpler than LLC partnerships [32:42] How coaching and community reduced costly mistakes [35:42] Stephanie's advice: surround yourself with active investors and take action [39:26] Connect with Stephanie Bacue [39:57] Outro Guest Link: Website: https://www.simplywelcomestays.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a seasoned real estate developer with more than five decades of hands-on experience across residential, commercial, and industrial properties. David Pelusio Sr. has spent over 55 years building, owning, and operating assets ranging from warehouses and shopping centers to large-scale self-storage facilities. Today, his focus is on converting vacant big-box retail buildings into climate-controlled self-storage. Listen as David breaks down why self-storage has remained resilient through economic cycles, how buying properties at the right price creates massive upside, and why underutilized retail spaces present one of the most compelling opportunities in today's market. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing David Pelusio Sr. and his real estate background [03:00] How David got started in real estate at just 16 years old [04:26] The economics of buying vacant big-box retail versus ground-up construction [07:14] Using existing tenants to create cash flow from day one [08:14] Subdividing properties attracts institutional buyers [09:35] The approval process to convert vacant properties to storage [11:24] Renovation costs, pricing strategy, and competitive advantages [13:48] The four key criteria David uses to select winning markets [16:01] The risks involved in self-storage [23:21] Financing strategies and minimizing downside risk [25:00] Leaving "meat on the bone" to ensure strong exits [28:43] How investors can get involved or learn more [29:29] Connect with David Pelusio Sr. [31:04] Final thoughts on risk, returns, and long-term demand for self-storage [34:08] Outro Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pelusio-sr/ Website: https://davidrealestatehomes.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is returning guest Dustin Heiner, real estate investor, coach, and founder of Master Passive Income. Dustin has been on the show more times than any other guest, and for good reason. After getting laid off from his government job, he began buying rental properties with a clear focus on cash flow. By his late 30s, his rental income had replaced his W-2, giving him full control over his time. In this conversation, Dustin shares why income, not net worth, is the real path to freedom. He breaks down how delayed gratification, intentional use of time, and serving others helped him build a life centered on faith, family, and impact. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Dustin Heiner and his real estate background [04:47] Getting laid off and realizing a job isn't true security [06:42] Why helping others became more fulfilling than buying more properties [09:50] The shift from competition to abundance in real estate [13:17] Time freedom matters more than money alone [14:50] The progression from money freedom to time, relationships, and service [17:08] How delayed gratification accelerated Dustin's freedom [22:42] Changing perspective from "I have to" to "I get to" [26:22] Gratitude, mindset, and focusing on what truly matters [32:07] How positive self-talk separates top performers from everyone else [35:40] Why building income must come before building wealth [37:03] How focusing on individuals, not crowds, creates real results [39:30] Who Income Builder Live is designed for [41:20] Why buy-and-hold income beats flipping and transactional strategies [46:15] The connection between humility, service, and long-term success [47:14] Why taking the focus off yourself improves business and relationships [54:48] Connect with Dustin Heiner [55:23] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://masterpassiveincome.com/ Register for the 2026 Income Building Live Conference: https://www.incomebuildinglive.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is William Tingle, a creative real estate investor, coach, and author of the new book, Just Buy a House Already. William first appeared on the show in 2023, and our conversation picks up right where his story leaves off. After leaving a demanding career in the restaurant industry, William built his business around subject-to and seller-financed deals that generate cash flow without tenants, heavy rehabs, or traditional rentals. Listen as he shares how subject-to deals really work, why clear communication and transparency with sellers matters, and how beginners can get started by focusing on simple, repeatable actions instead of overcomplicated strategies. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing William Tingle and his background [03:55] Why misery pushed William to finally take action [07:21] Leaving his full-time job [10:29] The hidden cost of lifestyle inflation when chasing financial freedom [13:27] Most people don't fail in real estate; they just never start [15:19] The easiest, lowest-risk way to get started: bird-dogging deals [18:03] How subject-to deals work and why sellers say yes [19:59] Common mistakes investors make with sub-to deals [22:48] A real example of turning one subject-to deal into nearly $90K [27:10] The "12 House Blueprint" and how one deal per month replaces a W-2 [29:22] Why owning notes, not rentals, creates more freedom and fewer headaches [31:07] Price point and condition for a property to buy [33:52] Exploring advanced deals like title issues, probate, and adverse possession [40:42] Connect with William Tingle [42:16] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://williamtingle.com/ Podcasts, Resources, Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@sub2deals Just Buy a House Book: https://justbuyahouse.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a Naval Academy graduate, retired Navy pilot, and lifelong entrepreneur who quietly built real estate wealth while serving 20 years in the military. Stu Grazier's journey started long before real estate podcasts were mainstream. From flipping raw land and house hacking in San Diego before the term even existed, to private lending during deployments, he shares how he built wealth by taking action, learning through failure, and staying disciplined while others partied away their paychecks. This episode is packed with real-world perspective and hard-won wisdom. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Stu Grazier and his background [03:05] How a 14-month deployment to Iraq sparked Stu's deep dive into real estate investing [06:42] How living below his means during deployments accelerated his investing journey [07:54] Managing a full-time job and real estate at the same time [09:05] Strategies, tactics, and niches in real estate that don't require a lot of time and effort [10:34] How his financial goals evolved from "making money" to time freedom and family presence [13:02] The personal motivation behind building passive income as a present father [14:14] Why Stu stayed in the military and how to know when it's time to leave [18:47] The failure that led to launching a turnkey business [21:44] What a turnkey investment is supposed to look like [25:40] The hidden stress and risks of scaling a real estate business too fast [29:41] Growing through referral word-of-mouth marketing [30:31] Why COVID forced a hard pivot away from flipping [33:03] Evaluating deals today: relationships come before numbers [35:48] Why values alignment matters more than contracts [38:48] Why the Military Investor Network was built around trust and relationships [40:20] Creating community by connecting high-integrity people [43:59] Time-blocking, routines, and rebuilding daily structure post-military [47:50] Why focused, shorter workdays often produce better results [48:54] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.militaryinvestornetwork.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stuartgrazier Join Stu's monthly Free Community Call: https://www.militaryinvestornetwork.com/contact-us/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

What happens when a former cancer researcher and college professor applies a data-driven mindset to short-term rentals? Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who spent 12 years teaching college biology and advising future doctors and pre-med students. Today, he's a short-term rental investor focused on building cash flow and flexibility through data-driven decisions. Drew Ivey shares his journey from academia into real estate investing, and how one well-researched short-term rental deal reshaped his financial future. He breaks down how data, patience, and intentional design helped him land a high-performing duplex in a secondary market, navigate major setbacks, and still come out ahead. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Drew Ivey and his background [02:31] Going into the real estate direction [03:33] Getting a taste of freedom during COVID [06:49] How a scientific mindset translated perfectly into market research [08:32] Education alone doesn't guarantee success in real estate [10:29] Why Drew shifted away from Tennessee and Texas after running the numbers [16:05] Recognizing a deal instantly once you truly understand a market [18:08] Why a stacked duplex stood out as a rare value-add opportunity [22:38] Renovation setbacks that turned a $28K rehab into a $92K project [27:10] Competing in overlooked markets with intentional design and communication [27:54] Over-communicating with guests to drive better reviews [31:50] How Drew's vision and idea in real estate evolved over time [35:55] Making a friend vs networking [39:44] Finding off-market deals through relationships [41:20] Why mistakes are part of the process, not the end of it [43:42] Find the "why" that is worthy and sustainable through ups and downs [47:03] Outro Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals

In this episode of Living Off Rentals, host Kirby Atwell sits down with Stephen Arnaud, an engineer, W-2 employee, and father of three, who's intentionally building his path out of the 9-to-5 through short-term rentals. Stephen shares why, even though he enjoys his career, the demands of a W-2 job started to conflict with family life and long-term freedom. Like many high-performing professionals, he realized that traditional investing alone wasn't going to give him the flexibility he wanted anytime soon. That realization led him to short-term rentals. If you are still working a 9-to-5 but thinking seriously about building income outside of it and a pathway to financial independence, this episode offers a realistic roadmap. Listen and enjoy! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Stephen Arnaud and his background [02:21] Getting into the real estate through short-term rental [06:33] The moment he realized short-term rentals could replace earned income [09:45] How Stephen picked his market [11:59] Deciding on the properties that he purchased [13:43] Details on Stephen's first two STR properties and why he targeted larger homes [16:25] Financing with conventional loans as a W-2 investor [17:18] Using IRA funds strategically for down payments and furnishings [18:12] Stephen's perspective on retirement accounts vs. building income today [21:08] Building a reliable cleaning and support team [23:36] The biggest challenge on the flip side: Neighbors [25:30] Screening guests and avoiding party issues [28:15] Balancing a W-2 job with managing STRs during the early stages [31:38] How virtual assistants can outperform owner-operators with the right systems [34:24] Stephen's advice for people wanting to exit their 9-5 and get into short-term rentals [37:55] A real mistake with scheduling cleaners and how communication saved the situation [39:52] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1389202306719070032 Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals