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

Joining us for today's episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who specializes in historic preservation projects that many investors overlook, but can be transformed into high-performing rental assets. Kevin Kreger is Kirby Atwell's longtime friend and a construction expert. He is the founder of On Point Construction and Fiddle Leaf Development. He breaks down how he transitioned into design-build work and eventually into restoring historic downtown buildings with serious cash-flow potential. Listen as they dive deep into why historic properties aren't as intimidating as they seem, how to uncover hidden square footage, and why cities are often willing to offer grants and incentives to make these projects pencil. This episode will completely change how you see opportunity. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Kevin Kreger and his background [03:22] From high school football to entrepreneurship [05:18] Starting On Point Construction in 2016 and how it evolved from management into full design-build work [08:55] How early exposure to historic homes sparked Kevin's interest in preservation [10:17] How to make a historic property profitable? [13:14] Ways to identify grants, incentives, and funding that a city is offering [15:30] How reimbursement-based grants and TIF-style programs work [18:32] Why walking downtown and looking up is one of the best deal-finding strategies [20:07] Managing higher construction costs in older buildings [23:34] A real-world breakdown of Kevin's Frankfurt redevelopment project [25:52] Combining retail tenants with short-term rentals for stability and upside [28:10] Real numbers: acquisition costs, rehab budgets, and performance [34:00] Connect with Kevin Kreger Guest Links: Website: https://www.fiddleleafdevelopment.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 teaches people how to build income streams on their own terms. Joey Mure is the co-founder of Wealth Without Wall Street, a platform dedicated to helping people rethink traditional money advice and create passive income that gives people more control over their lives. Once a high-earning corporate professional who felt constantly pulled away from his family, Joey now generates over $50,000 a month in passive income and guides others through the system for building passive income streams that helped him reclaim his time. Listen as he shares how he went from missing precious time with his five daughters to taking back his calendar through passive income. He opens up about the faith-driven philosophy behind his work, why "active income is not freedom," and how most people unknowingly follow Wall Street's script instead of building income streams that free their time. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Joey Mure and his background [02:31] Why financial freedom has to start with spiritual freedom [03:36] The moment Joey realized high active income wasn't true freedom [06:33] Passive income begins with knowing your "freedom number." [09:07] Knowledge does not equal financial freedom [12:34] Income streams vs. wealth building [14:45] The Passive Income Operating System [19:04] How to start trusting yourself instead of outsourcing everything to Wall Street [20:05] Investor DNA [23:40] Active vs. passive: What passive income really looks like in the real world [27:00] Common passive income streams students are succeeding with today [31:54] Market trends Joey is watching [35:23] How much money do people really need to get started [36:43] The "REDNECK M.O.T.E.R." framework [38:43] Connect with Joey Mure [39:39] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.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 a Navy veteran and mom of three who went from a high-pressure military career to building a real estate business that allowed her family to take back their time. Karin Ventresca is a Naval Academy graduate, former nuclear engineer, HR professional, and now a full-time real estate investor and short-term rental operator. After years of long commutes, daycare drop-offs, and COVID-era burnout, she and her husband built a short-term rental portfolio that gave them the freedom to reshape how they spend their days. Listen as she shares how they made the shift from demanding military roles and corporate careers to creating a business that supports the life they want to live. She also opens up about the mindset shifts, goal-setting, and action steps that ultimately allowed her to quit her HR job and be fully present with her kids, without sacrificing financial stability. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Karin Ventresca and her background [03:21] Growing up in Alaska and why she chose the Naval Academy [05:25] Becoming a nuclear engineer and the unconventional path to HR [09:28] Another twist in career progression: From HR to real estate investing [09:50] COVID, burnout, and the moment she and Andrew realized they needed a way out [14:02] Their first big move: building a family cabin in West Virginia and turning it into an STR [19:01] How they furnished an entire STR with creativity, thrifting, and smart systems [22:10] The power of deadlines in STR setup and how it saved them thousands [26:28] 2025 goal: reclaiming their family's time [30:02] The mindset behind intentional living and goal setting [34:26] Their newest move: a house hack with 7 acres, a furnished ADU, and a vision for a guest-friendly garden [39:49] Goals must be written [40:31] How a strong network reduces fear [44:04] Connect with Karin Ventresca [44:55] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://riversidehavenwv.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

What does it take to go from dropping out of school in ninth grade to owning more than 150 rental units and retiring in your 40s? Matt Hawkins, also known as the Lumberjack Landlord, is a self-taught investor who now manages over 50 buildings and 400 tenants with just one employee — all from his phone. He joins us on this episode of Living Off Rentals to unpack his incredible journey from humble beginnings to financial freedom. Listen as he shares how early mistakes, creative deal-making (like buying a city-owned police station), and consistent systems helped him build a real estate empire that now provides freedom, flexibility, and purpose. Enjoy the show! Chapters: [00:00] Introducing Matt Hawkins and his background [01:45] From dropping out of high school to becoming a real estate investor [05:40] Investing in the stock market and losing everything [07:41] How his first real estate deals evolved over time [08:44] Use house hacking as the ultimate foundation for financial freedom [13:49] Retire early by designing a business that funds your ideal life [18:21] Scale a rental portfolio efficiently using systems and one key employee [20:52] Think like an asset manager, not just a landlord [24:34] Win competitive deals using the "reverse offer strategy" [28:00] Why great deals matter more than more deals [29:03] Connect with Matt Hawkins [30:51] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.lumberjacklandlord.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumberjack_landlord/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LumberjackLandlord 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 has spent more than four decades helping people build wealth through simple, long-term rental investing. Adiel Gorel is an investor, educator, and the author of Remote Control Retirement Riches. He has helped thousands of people buy brand-new rental homes in strong U.S. markets, using the 30-year fixed loan as the foundation for building lasting wealth. Listen as he shares how he went from an engineer in 1980s Silicon Valley to a global real estate investor, why he believes that the 30-year fixed loan is the greatest financial gift available to Americans, and how ordinary people can create generational wealth by holding rentals long term. He also explains the key criteria he uses to choose markets, why now is still a great time to buy, and how inflation becomes your greatest ally when you invest the right way. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Adiel Gorel and his background [01:56] How he transitioned from Silicon Valley to real estate [05:49] The unwritten rule back in the 1980s [09:20] How owning 22 rental homes changed his life and inspired his company [14:35] The evolution from older properties to brand new homes under warranty [17:39] Adiel's four criteria for choosing where to buy rental homes [19:50] The power of the 30-year fixed loan [23:19] Real examples of investors who retired early using this strategy [27:24] Why waiting for the perfect time is the biggest mistake investors make [34:34] How ICG helps investors simplify buying and managing out-of-state rentals [39:22] Markets and metrics to determine a great deal [42:01] What types of homes Adiel recommends and what to avoid [45:29] Connect with Adiel Gorel and grab his book [46:31] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://adielgorel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adielgorel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdielGorel 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 turned a simple idea—renting out spare rooms—into a thriving real estate empire. Sam Wegert is the founder of Scale Your Co-Living Real Estate and leads the largest co-living mastermind in the world. He and his wife reached financial freedom by their early 20s and have since built a 2,500-door portfolio that blends strong cash flow with affordable housing. Listen as he shares how he went from running a martial arts school at 16 to discovering the co-living model by accident, why shared housing can outperform traditional rentals, and what systems make it work sustainably at scale. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Sam Wegert and his background [02:27] Getting into real estate from the martial arts business [03:50] Creating a second financial engine in your life [07:10] How Sam discovered co-living by accident [09:48] Why co-living outperforms Airbnb and traditional rentals [13:43] Key differences between Sam's model and PadSplit [14:40] Typical co-living members and lease lengths [18:00] Handling tenant conflicts and maintaining harmony in shared homes [20:17] Using membership agreements instead of traditional leases [22:58] What rent pricing looks like in the co-living model [27:18] Turning square footage into rentable rooms [33:55] Can you resell co-living homes? [36:32] The invoice authorization strategy [39:34] Sam's advice for first-time real estate investors [42:46] Connect with Sam Wegert [43:08] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://scaleyourrealestate.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 milestone 300th episode of Living Off Rentals is... me! I can hardly believe it's been five years and 300 episodes since launching this show back in January 2020. What started as a way to document my own journey—transitioning from Army officer to full-time real estate investor—has turned into something much bigger. In this episode, I look back on what's changed since those early days of flipping houses, what I've learned from hundreds of conversations with other investors, and the lessons that have shaped how I live and invest today. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [03:00] The surprising journey from episode 1 to 300 [04:53] Reality of running a podcast [06:19] Lesson #1: Recognizing your stage in real estate investing [11:13] Lesson #2: Simplicity always wins in real estate [15:37] Lesson #3: Your deals will always deliver the lowest return you're willing to accept [20:25] Lesson #4: Build cash flow before chasing net worth [25:03] Lesson #5: Keep an active income stream while building your portfolio [28:33] Lesson #6: Buy based on fundamentals, not speculation [34:20] Lesson #7: Why quality trumps quantity [38:12] Lesson #8: Think in decades, not years, in real estate investing [41:34] Lesson #9: Invest in strategies that produce outsized returns [44:11] Lesson #10: Choosing the right spouse as the most important investing decision 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 knows what it takes to rebuild from the ground up. Dave Seymour is a former firefighter, star of the hit TV show "Flipping Boston," and now a respected multifamily investor and educator. After working 120 hours a week and nearly losing everything, a chance radio ad about real estate became the turning point that changed his life. Listen as he shares how he went from the firehouse to financial freedom, the lessons that shaped his approach to business and leadership, and why financial literacy and discipline are the real keys to lasting success. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Dave Seymour and his background [02:15] Dave's early days as a firefighter [05:15] His wake-up call to financial freedom [07:18] Pivotal moments that led Dave into real estate [15:22] The power of discipline from firefighting to real estate investing [16:58] Proven systems and failure in business [19:23] How he structured his business in his first deals [25:40] Transitioning from single-family flips to multifamily investing [29:54] How to identify your special gift and bring it to the marketplace and partnerships {31:30] What is Legacy Alliance? [33:09] Dave's insight about multifamily investing in the present and future [38:27] His competitive advantage over other businesses [39:48] Building partnerships that actually work [41:17] Dave's real advice for anyone stuck in a 9-to-5 job [44:15] Outro Guest Links: Website: legacywealthmasterclass.com INFLATION NATION: https://legacyalliance.link/Pod-Inflation-Nation FREE Multi-Family Masterclass: https://legacyalliance.link/Pod-Multi-Family-Class 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 has built multiple successful real estate businesses and learned firsthand what it takes to recover after things go sideways. Ronnie Walker is a real estate investor and founder of Cedar Rock Homes. He shares his journey from working as a private banker at JPMorgan to leaving his 9-to-5 and diving headfirst into wholesaling, subject-to deals, and creative financing —scaling quickly but learning hard lessons along the way. Listen as he shares the realities of rapid growth, the financial missteps that nearly derailed his business, and how he rebuilt a more intentional and sustainable investing model that prioritizes profit and peace of mind over volume. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Ronnie Walker and his background [01:56] Before getting into the real estate [02:30] How he scaled his flipping business to 30+ projects a year [05:30] Learning about subject-to deals and closing eight in one month [10:57] What is Wrap Mortgage? [12:08] Leaving his corporate job with savings and a clear plan for freedom [13:33] Paying more than its actual worth [19:44] Getting a premium on the sale price and interest rate [21:56] The crash and burn in scaling too fast [24:55] How to use "impasses" and follow-ups to build creative deals [29:35] The concept of financial dominance in demonstrating credibility [33:07] How messy books and poor accounting nearly cost him everything [36:05] The $130K tax wake-up call that changed how he ran his business [40:02] How to build a client's trust through confidence, integrity, and transparency [45:31] Ronnie's advice for new investors [48:12] Connect with Ronnie Walker [48:40] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.youtube.com/@WalkWithRonnie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithronnie/ 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's helped countless people escape the trap of long-term loans that can end up costing nearly twice the original amount. Adam Carroll is a financial educator, speaker, and founder of The Shred Method. Through this approach, he's helped families and real estate investors accelerate their mortgage payoff timelines through smart money management and the strategic use of lines of credit. Listen as he breaks down a simple but powerful strategy that turns traditional banking upside down and helps homeowners and investors eliminate debt, build equity faster, and save thousands in interest. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Adam Carroll and his background [02:36] What makes Adam interested in The Shred Method? [04:40] The Shred Method defined [06:28] How The Shred Method optimizes your cash flow and what it actually does [09:05] Understanding amortization and how most payments go to interest [10:51] How lump-sum payments speed up principal payoff [11:59] Turning rental income into a faster wealth-building tool [13:57] Why simple interest (HELOC) beats compound interest over time [15:10] Using short-term borrowing to save long-term interest [16:50] The benefits of the Shred Method [18:50] Why traditional banking habits keep most people stuck [22:45] Paying off vs. leveraging. How to decide what's right for you [23:45] Why paying properties to zero isn't always the best move [27:09] Can you get a KLOC on a rental property? [32:51] Success stories from Shred Method [38:47] How small wins create a financial snowball effect [41:00] Most people don't have an income problem; they have a payment problem [44:04] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://theshredmethod.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 helps investors keep more of what they earn by using powerful, legal tax strategies. Ryan Carriere is a Client Services Manager at Hall CPA, a firm that specializes in helping high-income earners maximize tax savings through real estate. As both a CPA and real estate investor, Ryan has worked with hundreds of clients to save millions by leveraging strategies like bonus depreciation and the short-term rental (STR) loophole. Listen as he shares how to make the most of these tax advantages, what a cost segregation study actually involves, how to qualify for the STR loophole, and how even everyday investors can use these tools to build long-term wealth. He also breaks down creative tax-saving strategies like shifting income to your kids—and why documentation is key to staying audit-proof. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Ryan Carriere and his background [02:06] Getting into the niche of tax strategy in real estate [07:12] How he combined CPA work with real estate investing [11:00] Bonus depreciation is back to 100% and why it matters [12:40] How bonus depreciation works [14:41] 100% bonus depreciation explained in plain English [16:31] Real-world example of $35,000 in tax savings on a $500K property [17:52] The most common kind of tax strategy for short-term rental investors/W-2 earners [19:05] How the short-term rental loophole works and who qualifies [20:30] Meeting the 100-hour material participation test [25:32] The beauty of being married: Seen as one taxpayer instead of two [26:47] Is it too late to use tax-saving tools? [28:42] Determining the price point for the cost segregation study [31:36] Bonus depreciation beyond real estate—vehicles, equipment, and more [35:44] Benefits of shifting income to your kids [42:05] Does using these strategies increase audit risk? [48:08] Best practices for bookkeeping and compliance [49:28] Connect with Ryan Carriere [50:47] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.therealestatecpa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancarriere/ Cost Segregation Study Affiliate: Get 10% off on Rental Property Refund's tax tool by checking out their free webinar here: https://www.livingoffrentals.com/costseg 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 if you could build a rental portfolio and launch a multimillion-dollar business in just 20 minutes a day? Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who built eight cash-flowing rentals across three states while working full-time and raising three young children. Now, alongside his wife Andrea, he's developing Everwood Reserve — a $13M, 32-bed luxury assisted living and memory care facility in Texas. Aaron Ameen is a real estate investor, business strategist, and host of the Hybrid Real Estate Professional Podcast. Listen as he proves that you don't need endless hours or massive capital to start. By focusing on strategy, consistency, and purpose-driven investing, he shares how you can build lasting wealth while creating a business that makes a meaningful impact. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Aaron Ameen and his background [02:28] The "20 Minute Investor" mindset and how to apply it [04:16] Defining your real strategy: What is the end goal? [07:32] Getting into real estate [10:50] Balance between career and building additional income through real estate [16:15] Lessons from going from local to long-distance rentals [21:50] Financing strategies when you think you're out of money [28:04] Transitioning from rentals to senior living investments [30:23] The assisted living project [31:44] Why senior housing is a massive opportunity right now [34:39] Development process of Aaron's assisted living facilities [39:18] The need for a premium offering [46:03] The biggest lessons Aaron learned from building his portfolio [47:25] Connect with Aaron Ameen [48:06] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://aaronameen.com/ Free resources: https://aaronameen.com/free-resources/ 20-Minute Investor Workshop: https://20minuteinvestor.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 is redefining what it means to travel, disconnect, and create meaningful experiences through short-term rentals. Eric Moeller is the co-founder of Freewyld, a design-forward short-term rental brand that helps guests truly unplug through nature. From flipping his first house at 19, to navigating the 2008 crash, to building a business that blends hospitality with intention, Eric's story is one of resilience, clarity, and bold decisions. In this episode, we talk about the tough lessons he learned early in real estate, why he went all-in on Freewyld during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he scales the real estate side of his business while running Freewyld Foundry, the revenue management side of Freewyld that oversees 1,700+ Airbnb listings worldwide. Whether you're just getting started or dreaming about something bigger, this episode is full of honest insights on building a brand that's meaningful to you from the ground up. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Eric Moeller and his background [01:56] Eric's blue-collar roots and first flip at 19 [04:27] Buying a vacation rental before Airbnb even existed [06:59] Going against the norm made Eric stay in real estate [09:07] The whole process of winning and losing [12:17] The journey from the 2008 market crash to building Freewyld [14:13] Why he moved to San Diego and discovered STR arbitrage [15:36] Three things Eric loves in the short-term rental business [16:39] Epic Entrepreneur House in San Diego [20:20] The moment he went all-in on Freewild during COVID [24:25] How Freewyld Foundry now manages $60M in Airbnb revenue [28:45] About the revenue pricing business [33:24] Building a hospitality brand that helps guests unplug [35:04] Developing unique properties [37:38] Finding the perfect property [41:52] Energy and time management lessons from top entrepreneurs [47:18] Connect with Eric Moeller Guest Links: Website: freewyldfoundry.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayfreewyld LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller 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 has mastered the art of raising and deploying private capital. Matt Faircloth is the Founder & CEO of The DeRosa Group and has been a full-time investor for 15 years. Today, he has amassed a portfolio of nearly 2,000 units and raised millions of dollars from passive investors to fund his projects. He's also the author of Raising Private Capital, a best-selling book published by BiggerPockets, which has sold over 50,000 copies. From starting with small BRRRR deals funded by friends' IRAs to scaling into large multifamily and hotel acquisitions, Matt shares how any investor can use other people's money to grow, without losing themselves or their relationships in the process. If you have ever felt stuck because you "don't know any millionaires" or worry about asking people to invest with you, this conversation will change your perspective. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Matt Faircloth and his background [02:35] How Rich Dad, Poor Dad sparked his start in real estate [04:34] After Matt quit his full-time job [05:33] Rebuilding and learning to raise capital [06:51] The misconception of raising money [11:22] The challenge of getting an appraisal [12:40] Using self-directed IRAs and retirement accounts to fund deals [17:12] The best way to educate people about investing [20:37] The right way to combine private money with bank loans [22:10] What Matt looks for in deals today: cash flow first [24:48] Your spouse is... [27:24] Separating work and personal issues [32:53] Educating your kids about finances [35:30] What incentive-based landlording is [37:32] Residents, not tenants; communities, not apartments [41:04] His advice for people who want to leave their jobs [45:52] Clear goals to keep you moving forward [48:30] Connect with Matt Faircloth [50:16] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.derosagroup.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/derosagroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/ 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 week's episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who isn't just focused on building businesses, but is also passionate about building a life that actually matters. Trevor Mauch is the founder of Carrot, the software platform that has helped thousands of real estate investors and agents generate leads online. Beyond business success, Trevor is a strong advocate for designing your company in a way that supports your health, freedom, and purpose, rather than becoming a trap that drains you. In this conversation, Trevor shares the habits, marketing strategies, and mindset shifts that allow entrepreneurs to scale without sacrificing their personal lives. He breaks down why most real estate websites lose deals, how to build online authority that ranks in both Google and AI searches, and why stacking credibility signals like testimonials and local content is now more important than ever. If you've ever felt like your business owns you instead of the other way around, this episode will give you the clarity and tools to make a change. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [02:15] Introducing Trevor Mauch and his background [04:09] Building Carrot and lessons from scaling a software company [10:39] Off-market vs. MLS. Why the best discounts come from networking and probate deals [15:18] Why website performance directly impacts your deal flow [18:38] How to optimize marketing for different real estate models [19:17] Offline + online marketing work together [23:47] Carrot sites are already ranking in ChatGPT results [25:06] The future of search: one trusted answer, not endless results [28:50] Building authority so algorithms rank you higher [31:10] Trevor's take on the biggest opportunity for investors today [34:21] How to build online credibility with content, reviews, and testimonials [37:47] Why your business will never outgrow your personal identity [39:09] Breaking free from limiting beliefs that hold entrepreneurs back [41:40] The Entrepreneur Freedom Formula explained [46:37] What to do if your business is pulling you away from family, health, and faith [51:42] The repeatable process builder that helps you delegate effectively [55:28] How coaching helped Trevor grow Carrot to where it is today [58:42] The "big unlock" that changed everything for him [01:01:51] Evaluating the value of a business [01:04:24] Carrot's buy vs. build decision in acquiring InvestorFuse [01:11:04] New AI tools that instantly summarize leads and streamline deal flow [01:12:29] Outro Guest Links: Carrot Website: https://carrot.com/ Trevor Mauch Website and Podcast: https://www.trevormauch.com/freedom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevor.mauch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrevormauch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetrevormauch 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, we're joined by an investor who has mastered one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies in real estate: the BRRRR strategy. Austin Rutherford is an investor, developer, and author who built a $35 million rental portfolio by leveraging private money and executing BRRRR deals at scale. In this episode, you'll learn what the BRRRR strategy is and how to execute it like a pro, how to raise and use private money effectively, and the key pitfalls to avoid when scaling a portfolio with this model. Austin's story shows what's possible when you stop flipping, start holding, and combine creativity with consistency. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Austin Rutherford and his real estate journey [04:39] The BRRRR method explained and how it works [05:32] How does someone get a free house? [06:14] The direct-to-seller marketing [11:11] Chasing social media and chasing what somebody else was doing [13:46] How to evaluate a good deal [15:16] Two numbers to focus on when evaluating a deal [19:28] Importance of due diligence in real estate investing [20:34] How did Austin raise money for his investments [21:40] Changing the mindset on money and giving people an opportunity [26:13] Build-to-rent deals [31:05] Austin's market recommendation, price point, types of property, and more! [35:53] Biggest mistakes he made in his real estate investing journey [37:23] His goal after a $35 million portfolio [41:41] Connect with Austin Rutherford [42:13] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://theaustinrutherford.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinrutherfordofficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AustinRutherford 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