INVEST2FI
Craig Curelop aka The FI Guy
Real estate is undoubtedly one of the most profitable and thriving industries out there - especially if you are looking to achieve financial independence! It offers a wide variety of ways to invest actively and passively. If you are new to real estate investing and FI, and seek the proper guidance from experts, you are in the right place. Welcome to Invest2FI, hosted by Craig Curelop. In this series, we talk with real-life house hackers, real estate (and other!) investors and real people on a mission to become financially independent. Not everybody enjoys working a 9-5 job. No one wants to be stuck in analysis-paralysis feeling unsure how to finally jump into real estate. We teach you how to exit the rat race and work on living the life you want. This is the show for beginners and learners who want to achieve financial freedom through real estate. Whether you want to increase your savings, optimize your expenses, or build a prospering income source, we have helpful solutions. We talk all the tips and tricks for making your very first purchase. We discuss how you can build your skills on this initial transaction to close better deals in the future. This is also a show for techie types who are passionate about crunching numbers and the digital side of operating business and investments. If you are drawn to financial independence, we'll enlighten you with grounded, practical strategies for achieving real estate success. Each of our guests offers creative and practical strategies to begin a real estate investing career. They break down every single investing tactic you can emulate yourself. Receive essential lessons from their experiences as they open up about their real estate journey. They reflect on the moments when they got lucky or proved their intelligence and offer their fair share of “horror” stories too. Guests embrace their vulnerabilities and speak about challenges and failures, explaining how to overcome or avoid them. There is no better host for this podcast that Craig Curelop. His is a living testaments of what you should aspire to be in this industry. Achieving financial independence in his twenties, he take pride in his first-hand experiences through every facet of real estate. Craig specializes in a unique style of real estate investing called house hacking. He literally wrote the book on it: The House Hacking Strategy. This method purchases multi-unit properties and rents them out by portion. Craig is also the lead broker of The FI Team. If you are stuck in an unfulfilling corporate job, let this show bring you far more rewarding opportunities. Craig is your guide to making a major career shift and becoming part of the exciting world of real estate. Do not feel discouraged by the towering paperwork and complex principles. Equip yourself with the right knowledge and strategies, and you are good to go! Whether you are starting an active or passive venture, the key in real estate is proper training and a constant desire for growth. Invest2FI fortifies your confidence and provides you with a smooth, clear path to success. Listen to the podcast today!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 27, 2023 • 53min
Episode 168 - What Happened!?! 2023 Year in Review with Craig & Ali Garced
As 2023 approaches, we’re taking stock of the year that has passed and what’s in store for the future. Join us as Craig and Ali sit down for an honest discussion on this year’s highs, lows, and realizations. Tune in for Ali’s thoughts on becoming a full-time real estate agent and finding out what excites her in real estate investing. Learn how to regain control of your time through the unlimited potential of AI and optimizing your teams and systems. Craig also shares his realizations about downsizing his team while delivering the highest impact through the FI Team. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the last year, Craig and Ali discuss juggling priorities outside of work, such as fitness, health, faith, and relationships. Don’t miss out as we dig into the true meaning of success and share insights learned from the past year that can reshape your approach to achieving financial independence. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[2:15] Ali’s 2023 Investing Story [8:05] Dealing With Imposter Syndrome as a Real Estate Agent [12:50] Take Back Your Time With the Power of AI [20:50] On Staying on Top of Health and Other Life Goals [24:20] Craig’s 2023 Business Challenges [30:25] Lessons Learned in 2023 [34:20] The Best Way to Approach Leads [35:50] Investing and Personal Goals for 2024 [38:05] Unveiling Craig’s Latest Venture [39:35] Craig’s Experiences With Faith HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze 📸 Grace’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/gracitude/ Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/
Dec 22, 2023 • 22min
Invest2Friday: Conversations with Buyers & Sellers
Sit down with Ali and and dive into what she's seeing on the ground in Pima County Arizona. This episode is geared towards you all sitting on the sidelines. While Ali is specifically talking to what she sees in Tucson, there are lots of similarities in other markets. Hear what's flying off the shelves, what shifts might be coming and heck who knows, maybe even get motivated to go under contract before the end of the year!
Dec 20, 2023 • 54min
Episode 167 - Leaving a $100,000 W2 Job for a Full-Time Real Estate Career and Financial Freedom With Savannah Bass
What if you could easily pave the way for a life beyond the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 job? Tune in as our guest today, Savannah Bass, shares her incredible story that might inspire you to take action. By 24, Savannah had achieved her dream of becoming a CFO of a multimillion-dollar company. Still, after realizing the unlimited earning potential of real estate, she left behind her W2 job to pursue financial independence. As an active investor and house hacker today, Savannah has made it her mission to help others kickstart their real estate journeys and envision a brighter financial future. Join us for an engaging discussion on finding real estate gems on Facebook Marketplace, capitalizing on the power of forced appreciation, and leveraging seller financing for specific deals. We also dive into Savannah’s process of finding her first deal, rehabbing homes on her own, and cash flowing on properties immediately. This episode highlights yet another example that it’s never too early to start investing in your future — and all it begins with the right mindset. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:45] Savannah’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings [6:50] On Her Postgrad Experiences [9:00] Investing in Real Estate at 22 Years Old [13:11] House Inspections for Rehabbing[14:55] Savannah’s Five Years of Experience in Real Estate [17:20] Making Property Offers on FB Marketplace [24:07] On the Advantages of Seller Financing [29:50] Mastering the Art of House Hacking [34:45] Tips for Successful Real Estate Partnerships [40:00] Must-Hear Advice for Real Estate Beginners [46:15] Leaving a W2 Job for a Full-Time Real Estate Career HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST Savannah Bass 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savannah.bass.14 📞 Personal Number: 8507763498
Dec 15, 2023 • 11min
Invest2Friday: The Only Thing Worse Than No Tenant is a Bad Tenant
Craig walks you through the best way to list your property and how to vet your tenants. It's crucial to get your tenants to fill out an application, run a background check and a credit check, plus a few other key musts. There are some hard lines that Craig won't budge on, but others that you can have some flexibility on. Yes, you want to get your units rented, but you DO NOT want a bad tenant. Rent carefully!
Dec 13, 2023 • 49min
Episode 166 - Launching a Successful Real Estate Career While Serving in the Military With Bobby Paquette
In this episode, a seasoned real estate agent and investor with a unique perspective, Bobby Paquette, joins us. Tune in to learn through our guest's eyes as he navigates the real estate landscape while serving in the military, sharing insights, lessons, and the secret sauce behind his success. Bobby shares the underestimated financial and career perks of joining the military. Utilizing the VA loan and the military's extensive network, our guest today has successfully built a thriving portfolio in just a few years! Tune in to hear how Bobby evaluates each property and strategizes his next move, providing a roadmap for new and experienced investors looking to make informed decisions in the long run. We also touch on why Denver stands out as a promising market, how to choose the right syndications and brokerages for your situation, and how W2 jobs can jumpstart a potential path toward becoming a real estate agent. Take advantage of Bobby's hard-earned advice and lessons from his ups and downs in financial independence! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:05] Bobby’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings [12:55] How Did You Know Real Estate Was for You? [15:20] Bobby’s First Deal Using the VA Loan [21:15] Evaluating Each Property and Strategy [27:25] How Joining the Military Is a Great Career Move [30:28] On Choosing a Brokerage [33:05] Revealing His Cashflow per Month [35:20] Lessons Learned From Past Syndications[36:40] Why Keeping a W2 Job Can Supercharge Your Real Estate [43:05] The Best Advice Bobby Has Received HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST Bobby Paquette 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbypaq/ 📚Book: https://a.co/d/0hYjIxj
Dec 8, 2023 • 14min
Invest2Friday: An Asymmetrical Bet
Walk through a listing in Tucson with Ali (hint: her listing!) and dive into different ways to make income off your property. Did you know you can rent out your pool on a hourly basis!If you want to jump into the brain of an investor-friendly agent and walk through a deal, then tune in.
Dec 6, 2023 • 55min
Episode 165 - Adding $10,000 of Passive Income to your Monthly Earnings with Max Cohen
Max Cohen, a real estate investor, shares his journey of building a profitable portfolio alongside his W2 job. He discusses the benefits of investing in real estate and offsetting living expenses. Max provides insights on profitable renovations, managing a management team, designing rental properties, and taking a loan against your 401K. He also talks about short-term rentals, dealing with legislation, and effective team and property management.
Dec 1, 2023 • 10min
Invest2Friday: Buyer Agents Beware?
Will the recent NAR Lawsuit verdict have any impact on buyers or buyer's agents? That's to be seen, but Craig's prediction is that nothing will happen, we might just have to make adjustments to how we transact. If you're not following the recent lawsuit out of Kansas City, MO that stated "real estate companies conspired to artificially inflate broker's commissions" read up on it here. So what should be done in the meantime? Buyer's agents, read your contracts and make sure you are being compensated for your work. And buyers, should you continue to work with buyer's agents? Tune into this week's episode of Invest2Friday to hear Craig break down the ruling and the future of buying real estate. Have an opinion about the ruling? Hit Craig up on IG @TheFIGuy to share your thoughts!
Nov 29, 2023 • 1h 3min
Episode 164 - The Power of Data-Driven Deal Analyses With Sief Khafagi From Techvestor
In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Sief Khafagi, an accomplished entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-founder of Techvestor. Sief’s journey began while working at Facebook, where he realized he needed to break out of the mold to secure a financial future for his kids. After switching to real estate, he co-founded Techvestor, pioneering one of the first investment platforms for short-term rentals. Techvestor allows anybody to passively invest in professionally managed Airbnbs, providing cash flow without doing the legwork. In the last two years, Sief and his team have successfully managed 120 properties, serving tens of thousands of guests annually.In this episode, we dig deep into Sief's insights on how Techvestor uses state-of-the-art technology to find the best deals across states and why short-term rentals are still a worthwhile investment. Join us as we discuss the importance of treating real estate as a business and utilizing critical data for renovations and dynamic pricing. Learn from Sief’s expertise in making any property stand out and forecasting real estate in the next ten years. With the evergrowing power of data and technology in today’s world, don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn valuable insight from Sief and the Invest2FI hosts. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:00] Sief’s Light Bulb Moment [7:40] Transitioning From a W2 to Investing [14:05] Why Short-Term Rentals Are Still Worth It [16:55] Using Data When Renovating or Upgrading Rentals [21:25] Techvestor’s Unique Deal Analysis Methods[25:00] Understanding Price to Rent Ratio [29:10] “What Makes Your Property Unique?” [34:40] The Importance of Calculated Split-Testing [35:45] On Financing Deals [41:05] Understanding Syndication Structures [53:05] The Power of Pivoting HOSTS Craig Curelop 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy 📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy 🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze Ali Garced 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/ali_the_agent/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aligarced 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandragarced/ 🖥 Website: https://www.garcedrealty.com/ GUEST Sief Khafagi from Techvestor 📸 Techvestor IG: https://www.instagram.com/gotechvestor/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siefkhafagi/ 💻 Techvestor: https://techvestor.com/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goTechvestor/ ✏️ Medium: https://medium.com/@siefkhafagi
Nov 24, 2023 • 12min
Invest2Friday: Bullish on House Hacking New Construction
Ali has nothing but good things to say about new construction. Between the unbeatable interest rates the builders can offer to the built in seller concessions there are desirable incentives associated with new builds. Also have you toured a property with a next gen suite? It's an ideal layout for house hackers. Ali dives into the details of Gladden Farms in Marana, Arizona, but there are likely communities very similar near you.
