

The Co-Living Show
Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain
Co-living is one of the most misunderstood, and highest-potential, strategies in residential real estate investing. Most investors hear the buzzwords, see the cash-flow claims, and immediately assume it’s either too risky, too operationally intense, or too complicated to scale. The truth is simpler: coliving work exceptionally well when built on systems, governed by operational clarity, and executed like a real business, not a side hustle. The Co-Living Show exists to make that clarity accessible for serious professionals who want smarter returns without gambling on guesswork.Hosted by BiggerPockets authors Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain, The Co-Living Show goes far beyond surface-level real estate content. This is the only real estate investing podcast dedicated exclusively to the economics, operations, regulations, and strategic frameworks that drive high-density co-living and shared housing at scale. Whether you’re new to the model or a high-earning, time-poor professional seeking exposure to a sophisticated cash-flow real estate strategy without becoming an operator, this show delivers the confidence, understanding, and insight needed to invest intelligently.Each episode takes you inside the real-world systems behind co-living performance. You’ll hear from operators running multi-market portfolios, attorneys specializing in zoning and compliance, designers who understand space optimization and profitability, lenders financing room-by-room rental strategies, and property managers and city officials shaping the future of affordable housing innovation. You’ll also hear from the Co-Living Cash Flow Community, everyday investors solving operational challenges and executing the exact frameworks discussed on the show. 👉 Join the community: www.millermcswain.com/communityThere is no fluff here. No hype. No motivational noise. Every conversation is grounded in data, regulatory insight, operational logic, and investor-level clarity. Co-living is not “passive income.” It’s not a shortcut. It’s a system. And systems — when executed correctly — produce scalable, predictable returns that outperform traditional rental models. This is not speculative theory. It’s cash-flow real estate strategy in action.Craig brings acquisitions, underwriting, and market strategy. Miller brings operations, pricing systems, and standardization frameworks that make coliving scalable. Together, they deliver an operator’s perspective of an asset class most investors only see from the outside. As BiggerPockets authors, educators, and practitioners, they simplify complexity without diluting truth: coliving works, but only when done correctly.You’ll hear underwriting breakdowns, operator case studies, deal teardowns, regulatory realities, tenant strategy, market analysis, and the economic logic behind high-density residential investing. You’ll learn how to invest passively, partner with experienced operators, or simply understand the business model in depth, even if you never plan to manage a property yourself.The Co-Living Show does not claim co-living works. It proves when, why, and under what conditions it works.If you want confidence instead of conjecture, systems instead of speculation, and clarity instead of chaos, this is your source of truth for professional-grade residential real estate investing.Subscribe and join thousands of investors building deeper understanding, stronger portfolios, and smarter strategies, without wasting time on noise.This is the future of residential real estate investing. And now you’ll finally understand how it works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2023 • 22min
Invest2Friday: Past, Present & Future of House Hacking
This podcast explores the past, present, and future of house hacking. It discusses strategies such as rent by the room and separating living spaces for renting. The potential risks of investing in luxury Airbnb properties and the importance of diversifying investments in real estate are also addressed. Additionally, it explores the advantages of owning property in expensive cities and suggests strategies to adapt to market fluctuations. The potential of rent by the room and co-living as a solution to the affordability crisis in big cities is also discussed.

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


