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
Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 202 - Building a Family Legacy through House Hacking with Dan McDonald
In this episode, we’re excited to sit down with Dan McDonald, a long-time friend and house-hacking coach with $ 1.2 million in his portfolio. Join us as Dan shares how he started his investment journey at the peak of COVID, reflecting on the pivotal moment he knew real estate was the right path for him. Dan's story is relatable and realistic, from his initial start in rental arbitrage to his first house hack. It is packed with practical advice for those looking to enter the real estate game and begin building their family legacy! Tune in as Dan offers a detailed account of his experience with house hacking in a relatively large and expensive market. He shares how he leveraged a HELOC on his first property to purchase a second one, providing valuable insights into using existing assets to fund new investments. This episode is perfect for aspiring investors as Dan offers essential advice on avoiding mistakes and strategies to take advantage of. His portfolio numbers also give a concrete look at his success, inspiring those hesitant to start building their investment portfolio. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your portfolio, Dan’s experiences are a roadmap to creating a lasting family legacy through real estate investing. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[3:55] How Did Dan Start Investing? [8:00] When Did You Know Real Estate Was for You? [12:00] Understanding Rental Arbitrage in Action [13:30] Diving Into Dan’s First House Hack [18:20] Buying a House at the Start of COVID [21:15] Mistakes to Avoid for First-Time Investors [28:06] On Screening Tenants [36:30] The Power of Appreciation [41:57] Dan’s Experience Getting A HELOC [44:35] Investing in a Second House Hack [50:12] Dan’s Portfolio Numbers [52:50] Best Words of Wisdom for an Investor HOST 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 GUEST Dan McDonald 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/househackandhustle/ 📘 Free Roadmap to House Hacking: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64aea758e181ddda00ff253a 🏘️ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/househackandhustle
Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 15min
Episode 201 - Kicking Off Success! Sam's Story from Buying a Martial Arts School at 16 to Becoming a Co-Living Investor
Have you ever wondered what buying your first business at 16 is like? In this episode of the Invest2Fi podcast, I have Sam Wegert, The CoLiving Guy and Founder and CEO of UpLevel Martial Arts. Sam is a coach, investor, and entrepreneur who shares his story of buying his first business, a martial arts school, at just 16 years old. He talks about growing and scaling that business to a seven-figure exit and the transformation he underwent after exiting a business that had been his whole life. Now, he has transitioned his identity into a real estate co-living investor. Throughout his career, Sam taught martial arts for a decade and began investing in real estate through short-term rentals and co-living properties. Now, he owns eight short-term rentals and 115 co-living beds. Curious about how he did it? Don’t miss this exciting episode on co-living real estate investing! Tune in to hear Sam Wegert's incredible journey from martial arts to real estate and learn valuable insights on how to succeed in the co-living and short-term rental markets. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[00:00] Introducing the Guest [03:18] Starting from the beginning of Sam's story [06:44] Martial arts training and teaching experience [10:37] How was running a school at 16 years old [19:27] How did he manage the finances of the school [25:34] How would you find people to put in charge of business [30:00] Importance of cash flow in real estate investing [33:48] Sam’s first deal [43:31] Cash cow: Real estate or martial arts studio [49:01] Starting the co-living venture and recognizing its potential [54:02] Challenges in tenant onboarding and room-filling [59:07] Diversification and managing risks in coliving investments[01:06:14] The Final Four Game! HOST 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 GUEST Sam Wegert 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/samwegert/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wegert-a547ab54/ 💻 Website: https://samwegert.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scaleyourrealestate 🎤Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/scale-your-real-estate-show/id1702820329
Aug 7, 2024 • 55min
Episode 200 - Scaling Success: Ben Kinney’s Journey to the Top of the Real Estate Game!
In this episode of the Invest2FI podcast, we’re thrilled to sit down with Ben Kinney, an entrepreneur, professional speaker, author, real estate agent, brokerage owner, and co-founder of PLACE, Inc. PLACE is an all-in-one real estate services and technology platform for top teams, employs over 2000 people, and operates in over 70 locations across North America. Ben shares his story from a difficult childhood to becoming the number one agent in the country. Our guest’s success in real estate began with his decision to switch majors in college. Just a semester away from graduating, he was sidetracked when he realized he wasn’t cut out to work in IT. It didn’t fit his personality strengths. Ben cut his teeth in sales by selling cable. His drive led him to a six-figure career in sales by selling cable TV! This success snowballed, leading him to where he is now at the top of the real estate industry. Don’t miss Ben’s insights on real estate strategies, investing, and properties including his ah-ha moment when he learned about “living for free”. His first real estate deal was not unsimilar from many of yours, he house hacked a duplex paying just $10 a month after collecting rent. He discusses various techniques for real estate investing, including holding onto properties for the long term and partnering on deals to build wealth. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of being financial savvy and the power of compounded wealth over time. Tune in now to hear Ben’s insights into real estate investing! Don’t forget to subscribe to the Invest2FI podcast for more expert advice and inspiring stories from the world of real estate. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:37] Motivation behind entrepreneurial success [11:40] Cable job and early career decisions [17:58] Ben’s first real estate deal [23:56] Thoughts on partnering in real estate for shared income [28:28] Ben’s Transition from starting to reaching the top spot [34:56] Overcoming challenges and staying motivated [36:40] How Ben’s Idea in Real Estate Worked [42:16] Planned Strategy vs Figuring It Out [45:35] Real Estate Tax Strategies [48:06] The Final 4 Game! 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 GUEST Ben Kinney 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrbenkinney 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkinney/ 💻 Website: https://www.benkinney.com/ 🎧 Youtube: youtube.com/@caseygregersen
Jul 31, 2024 • 1h 3min
Episode 199 - Partnership Profits: Your Guide to Real Estate Success
This episode of the Invest2FI podcast dives deep into the world of partnership deals with real estate expert Julie Leckey. As a vital member of the FI team, Julie recently celebrated a significant deal win, leveraging her family's support and a fresh strategy. We'll follow her real estate journey from the beginning, uncovering how she shifted from a hesitant investor to a savvy deal-maker. From reinvestment strategies and the optimal timing for property acquisitions to the intricacies of partnership agreements, Julie shares invaluable insights. She also weighs in on the property management dilemma: hire or DIY? Unleash your investment potential with Julie's proven strategies. Tune in now! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:02] Julie’s Journey in Real Estate [6:50] What Made Her Interested to Start Real Estate [14:05] When Did Julie Get Out From Her Backwards Mindset in Real Estate? [19:45] Reinvesting and Refocusing Their Investment Money[28:35] Now Is Always The Best Time to Buy [34:55] A Partnership Deal Breakdown [42:23] Should You Hire A Property Management Company or DIY? [48:07] Treat Your Investors and Tenants Well HOST 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 📒 See show notes: https://invest2fi.com/
Jul 24, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 198 - From College Townhouse to 100-Unit Portfolio: Tips and Tricks from Serial Entrepreneur Casey Gregersen
In this episode of the Invest2Fi podcast, we’re pumped to hear from Casey Gregersen, a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur with over 100 rental properties, multiple Pure Barre franchises, and a W2 job in petroleum engineering. As the founder of Gregersen Properties, Casey shares his story of going from buying his first property to becoming the manager of his own integrated real estate company specializing in buying/selling real estate, fixing and flipping property management, and so much more. Our guest’s story began ten years ago when he bought his college townhouse, opening up our discussion on investing in college towns and mitigating the unique challenges of managing properties in such locations. We then dive into how Casey’s real estate journey kicked off when he built an effective remote team to expand investments to new markets like Fort Worth and Houston, Texas. Don’t miss Casey’s unique insights on direct-to-seller investing, buy and holds, and property appreciation rates in different states. As a firm believer in the advantages of investing in multi-family units, Casey shares his strategies for securing financing and managing a long-term construction team. So, if you’re an investor balancing real estate with a W2 job, this episode offers many great tips and tricks for scaling your operations! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[4:00] Beginning His Investing Journey in College [10:00] How Refinancing Upped His Passive Income [14:35] On Building a Remote Team [15:53] On Investing in a College Town [20:05] Building His Own Companies[23:18] Direct to Seller Investing [26:40] Comparing Appreciation in Different States [31:25] Building Out Property Management Company [36:15] Building Trust With Virtual Assistants [39:30] Casey’s Approach to Securing Financing [44:50] Managing a Construction Team [48:20] Why Invest in the Multi-Family Space? 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 GUEST Casey Gregersen 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/caseygregersen 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseygregersen/ 💻 Website: https://caseygregersen.com/ 🎧 Youtube: youtube.com/@caseygregersen 📩 Email: info@gregersenproperties.com 📞 Personal Number: 307-317-2494
Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 197 - Playing The Long Game: How Brian Tibbs Retired at 44 Through Real Estate
In this episode, we’re pumped to have Brian Tibbs, a long-time investor who has proven that time can be your greatest asset. In his 16 years working as a missionary, Brian barely made over minimum wage - but still managed to build enough wealth to retire by 44 years old. How? By knowing how to play the real estate game. Tune in as Brian shares his unique insights on the importance of shifting your mindset towards wealth creation and starting today to reap the benefits of your investments. From holding onto a top-priced duplex for 20 years to sticking it out through every real estate up and down, Brian’s experiences showcase his "superpower" of remaining firm in his investment strategies. This stubbornness has enabled him to thrive in this wildly competitive field and adapt to the constantly changing property laws and market conditions. This episode also has excellent nuggets of wisdom as we discuss how Brian scaled his portfolio through the power of short-term rentals. After realizing that short-term rentals generate twice the revenue and three times the profit, Brian found that this significant profit margin boost gave him enough leverage to expand his 38 short-term rental properties portfolio. Overall, this episode offers listeners a ton of useful advice on playing the long game through strategic cash flow and appreciation, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to build generational wealth through real estate. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [4:10] Shifting Your Mindset for Wealth [10:20] Diving Into His First Deal in ‘96 [14:50] On Selling His Long-Term Hold Duplex [19:50] Opening a Fund With Investors [22:20] Discovering Airbnb in 2016 [24:00] Increasing Profit Margins With Short Term Rentals [27:20] Diversifying Options for Properties [32:25] Adapting to Recent Property Laws [38:05] Buying in a High-Cost Area for Appreciation [43:25] Learning How to Identify a Great Deal [47:50] Thriving in the Unexpected Investor Community [56:40] Best 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 Chad Rocke 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadrockerealtorinvestor/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/da_rock_22/ 🏘️ Work with Chad: https://www.thefiteam.com/team/chad-rocke/ GUEST 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/unexpectedinvestor/ 🗣 X: https://x.com/unexpectinvest 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-tibbs-1880079a 💻 Website: https://theunexpectedinvestor.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unexpectedinvestor 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unexpectedinvestor ♪ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unexpectedinvestor 📚Book: The Hacker Method -
Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 196 - From Retail to Real Estate: Brian Green's $25M Investment Journey
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to get into real estate, this episode is perfect for you! Today, we’re sitting down with Brian Green, long-time real estate investor and co-founder of Green Springs Capital Group, an investment and management company specializing in heavy value-added real estate. Brian’s story begins with his experience launching a successful retail store series, eventually leading to him selling it in a remarkable 4 million dollar deal. Since then, Brian has catapulted his real estate career with a 25-million-dollar portfolio and 128 doors of short-term rentals, multi-family properties, and more. In this episode, Brian hopes to help beginner investors navigate everyday challenges, such as landing their first deal and understanding financing strategies. Brian shares his experiences with seller financing, including tips on talking with sellers, making compelling offers, and structuring deals that benefit both parties. We also discuss the concept of delayed financing, explaining how it can be a powerful tool for real estate investors. When the market goes haywire, staying calm and focused is crucial - Brian offers strategies for maintaining composure and making sound decisions in a volatile market. He also emphasizes how to prepare for scaling up your real estate ventures. His proven-and-tested approach to scaling is rooted in hands-on management and strategic acquisitions, demonstrating how to achieve growth without sacrificing quality or profitability. From being a retail entrepreneur to a real estate mogul, Brian’s story proves that succeeding in real estate doesn’t require formal training - just perseverance and grit, which will get you farther than you ever imagined. So tune in today and finally take control of your financial destiny! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [3:20] Beginning of His Entrepreneurship Journey [6:05] On Opening Verizon Branches [7:50] Advantages of Being an Entrepreneur [11:45] The Power of Mentorships [14:50] Selling His Businesses for a 4 Million Dollar Payout [19:20] Landing His First Deal [23:20] Mastering the BRRRR Method [27:00] On Raising Private Money[30:25] Buying a Residential Property on Commercial Financing [34:10] Insider Tips for Buying Properties [36:50] Why Mailers Are Still Extremely Effective [40:45] Unlocking the Power of Seller Financing [44:45] Diving Into His Current Portfolio [50:25] On Keeping Investors Happy HOST 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 GUEST Brian Green 📸 Brian’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebrian.green/ 📸 Green Springs Capital IG: https://www.instagram.com/greenspringscapital/ 💼 Website: https://greenspringscapitalgroup.com/ 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-green-5ab866a9/
Jul 3, 2024 • 1h 9min
Episode 195 - Turning $8 into $500K: Ryan's Tried-and-Tested Steps for Real Estate Success
In this episode of the Invest2Fi podcast, Ryan shares his extraordinary journey from saving $8 a month to building a half-million-dollar real estate portfolio. Ryan's story illustrates how real estate is the wealth-building strategy, with 95% of the wealthiest individuals owning real estate. Tune in to learn how our guest today completely transformed his financial future in just four years despite the risks and challenges he faced early on. If you don’t have any formal training or technical skills for renovations, don’t let your worries hold you back! This episode explores how Ryan tackled his first fixer-upper using only YouTube videos and a resourceful mindset. Within just a year, Ryan significantly grew his equity, enabling him to acquire more properties and build the momentum necessary to expand his portfolio. Ryan’s story is yet another testament that determination and adaptability are all you need to succeed in the realm of real estate. He also emphasizes the importance of adopting a long-term mindset and focusing on the potential for equity growth. Ryan’s experiences remind us that substantial growth is achievable even in such a short period with the right mindset and strategies. Overall, this episode serves as a potent reminder not to let your fears keep you from living the life of your dreams. It’s time to take action today and build wealth for you and your family’s future. The first steps you’ve been looking for are here in this episode! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[3:45] Ryan’s Initial Financial Struggles [8:55] Why the Education System Is Failing Us [12:30] Taking the Leap With Ryan’s First Deal [16:50] Navigating a Fixer-upper in Denver [19:10] Why You Can Househack Without Any Technical Skills [23:20] Overcoming Doubts When Investing [28:25] Getting Into the Numbers [34:40] Adopting a Long-Term Mindset for Success [37:00] How You Should Approach Real Estate [44:10] Why Real Estate Is the Strategy for Wealth [52:15] Diving Into Ryan’s Portfolio [1:02:30] Embracing Your 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 Chad Rocke 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadrockerealtorinvestor/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/da_rock_22/ 🏘️ Work with Chad: https://www.thefiteam.com/team/chad-rocke/ GUEST Ryan Russell 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rvanrvssell/
Jun 26, 2024 • 1h 10min
Episode 194 - Investing in Real Estate and Relationships: The Blueprint for Becoming a Conscious Investor with Julie Holly
In this episode of the Invest2Fi podcast, Craig is joined by Julie Holly, founder of Three Keys Investments and host of the Conscious Investor podcast. She shares the ups and downs of her real estate journey, starting with her accidental house hack and overcoming the not-so-glamorous challenges. Her story highlights how initial hurdles often lead to exponential growth that pushes us to achieve our highest potential. Join us as we discuss a crucial part of growth—choosing the right partners in life. We discuss must-have traits for a potential romantic partner and how they can apply to finding partners in real estate as well! Julie shares how she and her partner support each other's growth, emphasizing how a strong, value-aligned partnership can significantly enhance your personal and professional development. Embracing change is a central theme in Julie's beliefs. We dive into how shifting her perspective allowed her to see change as opportunities for growth, such as her unexpected move to North Idaho and changes in her career journey. We close the episode on a high note, with Julie sharing must-hear advice for becoming a conscious investor and honing the mindsets for success. At the end of the day, Julie reminds us all that leading the life of our dreams is always within our reach—we just have to take the first steps. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [3:10] Julie’s First Encounters With Real Estate [5:10] The Key to Finding the Right Partner [12:05] Why You Should Be Doing the Inner Work [14:30] Helping Each Other Grow [18:15] Why Investing in Your Relationship Takes Time [21:30] Julie’s Not-So-Glamorous First House Hack [24:30] Tackling Her Mortgage Payment [27:55] Vetting Your Tenants and Making Exceptions [33:20] Shifting Your Perspective on Investments [36:40] Renovating a House in California with Kids [43:55] Moving to North Idaho [49:10] Why Syndications? [56:15] Becoming a Conscious Investor [1:00:15] The Secret to Enjoying the Journey [1:03:50] You Are Doing Enough! 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 GUEST 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/happyjulieholly/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-holly/ 💻 Website: https://www.threekeysinvestments.com/julie-holly 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEY9W5EViA6xywagC3mk2MQ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyjuliewaltonholly/ 📞 Call: https://calendly.com/threekeysinvestments/20-minute-call?month=2024-06 📚E-Book: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/t2mSQeW0WectN2tHgMvX 🌳 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/julieholly
Jun 21, 2024 • 13min
Invest2Friday: Buying When it Feels Tough
Hey listeners, we're taking a pause on Invest2Friday. We're all about putting out content that is valuable to you, so if you miss these episodes reach out and let us know. We'll bring them back!But I'll leave you with this episode today - what it's like to buy a property in what feels like tough times. Continue to tune in on Wednesdays!
