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
Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 8min
Episode 158 - Ditch the 9-5: Your Path to Financial Freedom Through Side Hustles With Nick Loper
Achieving financial independence is no simple feat - it requires a radical shift away from the conventional American dream. In this episode, we’re exploring what it means to pave your path to success through real estate and side hustles. Nick Loper, the award-winning Side Hustle Show host, talks to us today about how he quit his corporate job at 25 and pursued countless ventures and investments. Join us as we discuss the power of lease options and scaling your businesses with efficient teams and tech tools. We also discuss Nick’s venture into affiliate marketing and website-building, eventually mastering the art of side hustles and sharing his knowledge in books such as $1,000 100 Ways and Buy Buttons. Today, Nick is dedicated to helping people convert their passions into profitable, sustainable businesses. We discuss the importance of finding your niche by simply trying what will work and what won’t. With the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, discouragement is always on the horizon, but Nick shares his wisdom on reaping the benefits of the risks. So, if you’re ready to escape the 9-5 grind and take control of your financial future, this episode covers everything you need to start today! In Nick’s words, it’s time to stop living paycheck to paycheck and finally create the financial security you’ve longed for. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[6:32] Nick’s First Encounter with Real Estate [11:04] The Earning Potential of Affiliate Marketing [15:40] Rent-to-Own and Lease Options Decoded [20:25] Winning at Retail Entrepreneurship [26:24] How to Successfully Leave Your W2 [29:20] Navigating Entrepreneurship Wins and Fails [34:00] Tech Tools for Managing Business [38:35] Finding a Profitable Side Hustle 2023 [42:20] Side Hustles 101 for Beginners [53:15] What’s Next For Nick? [54:40] Best Advice for Entrepreneurs and Investors 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 Nick Loper 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/nloper/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickloper/ 💻 Website: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NickLoper
Oct 13, 2023 • 12min
Invest2Friday: How to get an off-market Airbnb
With Airbnb vacancies increasing, there may be an opportunity for investors to get a good deal. In this episode Ali will walk you through what the opportunity really is and how to go about reliving someone else of a problem property while landing yourself a good deal. Tune in and let us know what you think of these new episode formats in the comments.
Oct 11, 2023 • 1h 2min
Episode 157 - Breaking Free From Analysis Paralysis and Retiring Early Through Real Estate With Whitney Elkins-Hutten
Have you ever found yourself in a spiral of indecision over real estate deals? Or are you struggling to find the confidence after a failed deal? We’re here to reassure you that you’re not alone. Join us for a relatable conversation with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, a real estate maven who has gone from living in her car to participating in over $700M+ real estate deals. Since her first deal in 2002, she has successfully navigated over 5,000+ residential units and more than 1,400 self-storage units across seven states. Today, Whitney is focused on guiding aspiring and seasoned real estate investors on realistically achieving financial freedom. In this episode, we talk about how Whitney stumbled into real estate, made devastating financial decisions, and finally unlocked the secrets to scaling one’s wealth. Whitney unpacks the essential lessons from her 20+ year journey as an investor, such as the power of identifying landlord-friendly cities, optimizing for profitable cash flow, and taking action with grit and perseverance. As a self-taught investor, Whitney also emphasizes the power of figuring things out and learning from mistakes as you go. So, if you’ve been hesitant about leaping investing, this episode might just be the wake-up call you need to start your journey to retiring early and becoming financially independent. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:35] Venturing into Real Estate Territory [10:00] Managing Her First Deal in 2002 [16:35] #1 Investor Rules to Respect [23:30] Bouncing Back After a Failed Deal [29:30] Getting to Know Financial Independence [32:45] Getting Started On Real Estate [34:20] Overcoming Analysis Paralysis [35:15] Understanding the Best Markets to Invest In [40:30] Cashflowing Properties [50:15] How to Work With Whitney [52:35] Best Advice for New Investors 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 Whitney Elkins-Hutten 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyelkinshutten/ 💻 Ash Wealth: https://ashwealth.com/ 💻 Passive Investing: https://www.passiveinvesting.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PassiveInvestingDOTcom 📩 Email: whitney@passiveinvesting.com
Oct 6, 2023 • 11min
Invest2Friday: Buying a Denver investment in this market with $2K cashflow
This podcast debunks the notion that you can't find deals in the current market. It explores a Denver House Hack purchased with a 2:1 buydown, providing insights on cash flow, financing, and ROI calculation. The episode emphasizes the high cash on cash return on investment and the importance of creating a desirable rental property. Services are offered to help others achieve similar success.
Oct 4, 2023 • 1h 2min
Episode 156 - Acquiring 40 Units in 2 Years: Marketing Secrets to Real Estate Success with Dan Austin
If you’re struggling to find good deals in today’s market, you’re not alone. Today, we’re sitting down with Dan Austin, a real estate investor who has cracked the code to securing out-of-state deals with surprisingly simple marketing strategies. In just two years, he was able to quickly scale his portfolio to 40 units, ranging from single-family homes to 8-unit properties. Since then, he’s worked with clients and done deals in nearly every state across the country! Join us as we do a deep dive into the deal that started it all: student housing. Dan shares his tricks to simplifying rent and mortgages when dealing with multiple tenants, especially in college communities. As an expert in finding deals and buying properties, Dan digs deep into the technical areas of real estate, such as securing HELOCs for financing your deals, understanding cost-per-acquisition, and prioritizing the lifetime value of each client. With his motto of providing buyers with overwhelmingly good value, Dan’s passion and philosophies for real estate shine through in this jampacked session of real estate wisdom. So if you’re serious about scaling your portfolio and becoming a successful entrepreneur in the next few years, take action and tune in to finally take control of your financial destiny! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:50] Dan's Journey to Financial Independence [9:09] His First Dive Into Real Estate [15:05] Unveiling Dan's Ingenious Lease Trick [23:25] Growing Since His First Deal [24:55] Essential Mindsets for Real Estate Success [27:53] Dan’s Personal Investing Philosophies [32:13] How to Find HELOCs [35:55] Dan’s Blueprint for Expanding His Portfolio [43:25] Out-Of-State Treasures: Dan’s Simple Marketing Magic for Finding Deals [50:15] Best Advice for Thriving as an Entrepreneur [54:05] The Life-Changing Power of Financial Freedom 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 Dan Austin 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-austin-54793115/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@collectingkeys-realestatei2946 🎙️Podcast: https://www.collectingkeyspodcast.com/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@collectingkeyspodcast
Sep 29, 2023 • 26min
Invest2Friday: Prepare for your next conference with these tips from Ali
You can get so much more out of your conference experience by preparing in advance. Ali walks us through, and hypes us up, how to rock a conference. Her first piece of advice, once you sign up for a conference, is to commit! Tune in to learn what you need to do in the weeks leading up to the conference, how to interact with the people you meet, where you should hang out between sessions and what to wear. Oh, she also has the best advice on packing a "togo bag". Genius! And in the spirit of conference prep - Ali will be at eXp CON in Vegas the first week of October and Craig and Ali will both be at BPCON in Orlando the 15-17th! If you'll be there, reach out! Let us know, we'd love to meet you :)
Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 2min
Episode 155 - Failing on His Second Deal and Still Coming Out on Top: A Conversation with Kyle Swengel
Our guest today has zero regrets about buying real estate and figuring it out along the way. After realizing he was paying his buddy’s mortgage, Kyle reprioritized his life and bought his first investment. In this week’s episode, we hash on the importance of getting started early, Kyle will tell you himself you will not regret buying real estate. If you’ve been eyeing a duplex or triplex to flip, this episode offers plenty of insight for potential investors. Due to Kyle’s extensive experience with excellent and bad deals, he shares horror stories to avoid! We also discuss the pain of losing money on bad deals and how to bounce back immediately. Money matters might be taboo, but today, we’re getting straight to the numbers: Kyle’s buying prices, the rent he charged, and the mortgage he paid off. Our conversation also highlights the key to charging tenants the right amount for utilities. Curious about financing? Tune in to learn from our guest’s expertise in finding the right real estate lender, financing options, and different types of loans. Whether you’ve just started learning about the industry or are a serious investor, this episode provides an authentic inside look at what it means to take the leap and invest in real estate. Learn more about the technical know-how required and how the power of achieving financial freedom can secure not just your future but your family’s as well! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [6:05] Embarking on the Journey to Financial Freedom [8:30] Why Every Investor Wishes They Started Sooner [13:15] Types of Lenders, Loans, and Financing 101 [21:42] Diving Into First Real Estate Deals [25:40] On Finding New Tenants [32:00] Lessons in Failure: Investing in a Bad Neighborhood [33:40] Can’t-Miss Advice for Aspiring Investors [35:40] High Risk, High Reward: Why It's Perfectly Fine to Lose Money As An Investor [43:00] The Importance of Being an Adaptable Investor [46:50] Paying It Forward: House Hacking for Your Parents [56:00] Kyle’s Number One Why 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 Kyle Swengel 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/highaltituderei/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-swengel-5171168a/ 📞 Personal Number: 661-347-5097
Sep 22, 2023 • 14min
Invest2Friday: Denver, Colorado Market Update September 2023
Welcome to Invest2Friday! These are new additions to our normal Invest2FI show - don't worry Wednesday's will stay the same! Friday's will be shorter episodes of just Ali or Craig riffing on the market, providing insider tips or advice to continue to stay ahead in the current market. Today's episode is a deep dive into the state of the market here in Denver, Colorado. Tune in to hear how to make deals happen in Colorado today. Craig will also tell you how he increased his W2 income with one question to his boss and you can do the same!Leave us a note and let us know what you think of these new episodes or what you type of content you want to hear from us!As always, thanks for tuning in!
Sep 20, 2023 • 53min
Episode 154 - From First House Flip to Financial Independence and Hard Money Lending with Jeremy Kitchen
Are you thinking about dabbling into real estate but don’t know where to start? Our episode today features a seasoned real estate investor with experiences in house hacks, mobile homes, hard money lending, and harnessing the financing powers of HELOCs! As a hard money broker at REI Funding and a podcast host of The Investor Shed, Jeremy Kitchen provides a unique perspective on real estate investing through his passion for sharing his hard-earned lessons and practical tips. Tune in for this engaging episode as we discuss the mistakes to avoid as a first-time investor regarding property management and inspections. We dive into the nitty-gritty of investing, such as real deal numbers, the benefits of hard money lending and other financing options, and the key to overcoming investment failures and curveballs. Jeremy also emphasizes the significance of building a network and figuring out how to capitalize on your resources without burning out. Ultimately, these lessons have shaped Jeremy’s career in real estate, and it might just be what you need to catapult your journey into high gear! As Jeremy believes, everything begins with a single question -- and the courage to pursue a relentless curiosity about investing and real estate. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:20] Getting Started With Financial Independence [6:40] Jeremy’s First Deal [14:25] Why You Should Always Inspect a Potential Property [15:45] Finding a Good Wholesaler [17:50] Do Not Cheap Out on This Crucial Step [21:05] ‘Fake’ Land vs. ‘Real’ Land for Mobile Homes [25:05] Overcoming Curveballs and Failures in Real Estate [27:44] Revealing More of Jeremy’s Deals [31:20] Getting to Know Hard Money Lending [33:50] Cashflow vs Appreciation: What to Know [40:40] Jeremy’s Next Steps in the Current Market [45:10] The Power of Asking Questions and Building a Network 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 Jeremy Kitchen 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rei_funding/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremykitchen/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@REI_Funding 🎙️Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@theinvestorshed 🗣 Twitter: www.twitter.com/REI_Funding
Sep 13, 2023 • 1h
Episode 153 - Achieving Financial Independence Before The Age of 30 - Living Rent and Mortgage-Free Forever With Joy Marie Johnson
Are you eager to learn the secrets of living rent and mortgage-free? Join us for today’s eye-opening episode with Joy Marie Johnson, a real estate expert who has mastered the art of guiding veterans and first-time homebuyers and sellers toward making strategic property investments! Joy’s story is candid and transparent as she shares the failures of her first property and how she turned things around with her sheer persistence and can-do attitude. From their early investments in states such as Alaska and New Jersey to her life-altering decision to leave the military, Joy offers a firsthand account of mistakes you can avoid when buying your first properties and diving headfirst into a career in real estate. Join us as we discuss critical milestones in making your first investments, such as identifying profitable deals, evicting tenants, raising rents, and scaling your portfolio for financial freedom. So, if you're intrigued by the prospect of living rent-free, navigating the rent cap in your area, and persevering through real estate doubts, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain the wisdom that has propelled Joy towards financial freedom before 30! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:30] Encountering Financial Independence for the First Time [11:05] Real Estate Investing in Anchorage, Alaska [14:35] Quitting the Military and Diving Into Real Estate [19:10] Buying Properties in Military Towns: Yay or Nay? [21:30] Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Condominium [23:55] Buying a 4-Unit in New Jersey [27:55] The Key to Smart Negotiating in Real Estate [29:20] Evicting Difficult Tenants [35:05] On Raising Rents [40:40] Joy’s Current Investment Portfolio [52:20] Best Piece of Advice for Investors 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 Joy Marie Johnson📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/igiveujoy/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@igiveujoy/ 📱Facebook: www.facebook.com/joy.johnson.921 🌳 Linktree: www.linktr.ee/joymarie_ 🔗 Affiliate Links Don’t miss out on resources of great value for real estate starters. Visit FITeam’s website! — https://www.thefiteam.com/ Check out her recommendations here: $100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi - https://a.co/d/07Rkv6c Expert Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors into Lifelong Customers by Russell Brunson - https://a.co/d/iZeCfRN
