INVEST2FI

Craig Curelop aka The FI Guy
undefined
Mar 1, 2024 • 11min

Invest2Friday: A Case Study - Living for $100 a Month

In this episode of Invest2Friday, Chad Rocke walks through a a recent house hack case study where the owner was living for $100 a month (for housing...not all expenses!) This case study lays out the trade offs of real estate investing, highlights some of the more difficult aspects, but also brings home the reason investors do it - the loan paydown (paid by others) and appreciation by holding onto the asset. Shoot @rocketherealtor a note on Instagram and let him know your thoughts on this deal. Would you have done it? 
undefined
Feb 28, 2024 • 26min

Episode 177 - Readjusting Your Goals at Every Pivot Point with Ali Garced

Have you ever had to give up something you love for something else driving your life? In today’s bittersweet episode of the Invest2FI Podcast, we’rebidding farewell to our amazing co-host, Ali. Tune into to hear why Ali is leaving the podcast, what’s on deck for the future of her investments, her real estate team and family life.  Before we let her go, join us for an insightful reflection on Ali’s journey over the past six years, highlighting key milestones and lessons learned. From setting future goals to navigating the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, Ali's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and risk-taking in achieving financial freedom and retiring early. As she takes this time to focus on developing her business and continuing her house hacks, this episode serves as a timely reminder to honestly know what your 80/20 priorities are in 2024.  As Ali discusses her "big number" for retirement and reflects on her accomplishments, she sees the mindset and strategies propelling her toward success. Craig also shares his following big goals, offering a glimpse into the future direction of his portfolio and his ongoing pursuit of financial independence.  PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[2:25] Ali’s Big Announcement [6:10] Reflecting on Ali’s Overall Financial Journey [12:05] What Is Ali’s Number to Retire? [17:00] Craig’s Next Big Goals 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/  
undefined
Feb 23, 2024 • 15min

Invest2Friday: Debunking the 9 Myths of CoLiving

We have people asking how you can still house hack & live for free or how you can buy an investment property & cash flow $1,000 a month. The answer - CoLiving! Even though we know it works for cash flow, there are a lot of objections and myths out there that prevent people from doing CoLiving investments. Tune in to today's episode & listen to Craig debunk the myths of Co-Living! 
undefined
Feb 21, 2024 • 57min

Episode 176 - Becoming Financially Free at 33 and Avoiding Lifestyle Creep with Dean Valentini

Join us for an inspiring session as we sit down with Dean Valentini, current Chief of Test for the US Air Force, serial entrepreneur, and real estate investor. In today’s episode, Dean shares his remarkable journey to financial freedom, which began in 2017 with his first “accidental” house hack in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Since then, he has leveraged the power of real estate to build a diverse portfolio in multiple house hacks and business acquisitions, all while balancing a career in the military and pursuing his passions.Throughout the episode, Dean highlights tips for starting your real estate journey. From the surprising benefits of house hacking to the importance of setting up systems for self-managing properties, Dean is generous enough to share his firsthand experiences and hard-earned lessons learned along the way. We also discuss the nuances of real estate investing in different markets, particularly his ventures in Denver. We provide listeners with actionable tips for their first investments into the financial independence life. Tune in for a transparent discussion on his current portfolio, realistic investment figures, and plans for future acquisitions. We also have an honest conversation on the challenges of avoiding lifestyle creep and maintaining financial discipline on the path to FIRE. Join us as we explore Dean's extraordinary entrepreneurial mindset, his refreshing passion for real estate, and his deep commitment to helping others excel in their pursuit of financial success and early retirement! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:55] Dean’s First Accidental House Hack [14:50] Surprising Benefits for Your First House Hack [16:00] Setting up Systems for Self-Managing Properties [21:30] Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate [27:30] On House Hacking in Denver [29:00] Diving Into Realistic Real Estate Numbers  [32:50] What’s Next for Dean? [34:00] Basics of Business Acquisition 101 [40:45] Unpacking Dean’s Portfolio and Assets in 2024 [44:45] Avoiding Lifestyle Creep When Aiming for FIRE 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 Dean Valentini📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedeanofwealth/  💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-gogs-valentini/  📩 Cleared for Acquisition Newsletter: https://clearedforacquisition.com/subscribe  🌳 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thedeanofwealth    
undefined
Feb 16, 2024 • 11min

Invest2Friday: Who the Heck is Chad Rocke?!

Chad Rocke is a top performing, investor-friendly agent and The FI Team lead agent. But who is Chad Rocke to you, and why should you care??Chad's just a normal dude from the Midwest who  intuitively knew investing in real estate was the way to go. He didn't know about BiggerPockets or House Hacking, but he knew it was the path to financial stability and wealth building. Tune into this episode to hear how Chad snowballed his investment portfolio, retired his wife and built a solid real estate business in just a few years.If he could do it, so can you. Hit him up on IG and welcome him to the show: rocketherealtor
undefined
Feb 14, 2024 • 48min

Episode 175 - Embracing Early Retirement and Traveling the World at 27 With James Lowery

Join us on this week’s episode as we delve into James Lowery's inspiring journey to financial independence! While working in a physical therapy clinic, James quickly realized that retiring at 62 sounded far from what an ideal life looked like. James and his wife Emily then embarked on a relentless real estate journey and built a real estate portfolio from one condo to nine units in their first year! Since then, the couple retired at 27 & 28, which allowed them to launch Rethink the Rat Race, a brand committed to sharing their experiences and insights on achieving financial freedom before age 30! So, if you’re looking to escape the rat race and enjoy the nomad lifestyle worldwide, this episode is precisely what you’ve been looking for! Tune in as James provides pivotal moments and insights from his journey toward financial independence. From his start in house hacking to navigating the transition out of traditional employment, James shares unconventional strategies for building wealth through real estate investment. With a focus on cash flow and geographic appreciation, James discusses the importance of strategic decision-making and the considerations involved in managing a diverse portfolio of rental properties. From remote deal sourcing to evaluating property investments, James offers candid reflections and actionable tips for investors looking to experience the same kind of unique and fulfilling success. This enlightening episode is a true testament to the life-changing power of persevering, adapting, and continuously learning to pursue wealth-building and financial independence. Embrace early retirement just like James today! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [7:00] Learning About Financial Independence in 2016 [8:30] Living in His First House Hack [15:00] Making the Transition Out of a W2 [17:02] Buying Homes Without a Job [20:30] Advice on Condos and HOAs[26:00] Why Convert to Short-term Rentals [28:58] Which Units to Sell Off and Which Ones to Buy [34:00] On Putting in a Deal Remotely [37:40] Parting Words of Wisdom 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 James Lowery (Rethink the Rat Race) 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/rethinktheratrace/  💻 Website: https://rethinktheratrace.com/  📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RatRaceRejects/  🗣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/RethinkRatRace     
undefined
Feb 9, 2024 • 12min

Invest2Friday: House Hacking in an Expensive City

How do you make the numbers work in expensive cities? Are the current interest rates and high home prices cost prohibitive for house hackers? In today's episode of Invest2Friday Craig walks us through different house hacking strategies that can match where you are on the comfortability continuum and meet your criteria for monthly income. Hint from @thefiguy....stop fixating on the current rates or home prices. Focus on that monthly payment. If your rental income can cover that monthly payment...that's what matters! 
undefined
Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 2min

Episode 174 - Owning 176 Units and Counting at 24 with Donato Callahan

In this episode, we’re thrilled to hear Donato Callahan's inspiring story of how he went from a failed wholesaling business in college to growing a portfolio of 176 units and managing nearly $500M in assets by the young age of 24! With his passion for data-driven decision-making, he also co-founded BrightInvestor, a  real estate data visualization software that allows investors to vet potential deals based on the geograzphic data. Transitioning as a Geospatial Analyst in the Department of Defense to becoming the CEO of BrightInvestor and the Acquisition Coordinator for CREE Capital, Donato’s career journey is certainly one for the books. Join us as he shares his philosophies on taking risks, learning and failing fast, and pursuing difficult specialties that position you to make the most money. During the episode, our guest shares invaluable insights about shifting out of a pension-dependent mindset and embracing the risks that come with pursuing financial independence.   We also talk about what inspired Donato to develop a market research software for deal vetting. With his firsthand experience in investing out-of-state, Donato and his colleagues realized that you can vet deals in a faster and more efficient manner by visualizing much-needed geographic data, such as population information, job growth, crime rates, and more. Currently, this $4M real estate software platform is rapidly growing with over a 1000 users and a mission to empower beginner investors to pursue their real estate aspirations. Ultimately, Donato's story serves as a inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and real estate investors alike. Tune in to be inspired by Donato’s advice on the importance of reaching out to mentors, collaborating with others, and overcoming the mental barriers that tend to paralyze others into inaction. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[6:28] Introduction to Financial Independence [9:35] Shifting Your Mindset About Working Until Retirement [14:25] Diving Into the Numbers Behind Donato’s First Deal [18:00] How to Invest Out-Of-State for the First Time [22:40] On Syndications and Mutli-Million Dollar Purchases [25:25] Standing out in the Real Estate Industry [28:58] How Do You Get Paid for Commercial Multi-Family [32:15] The Power of Gaining Real Estate Mentorship [37:25] Bright Investor’s Inspiring Origin Story [46:50] How to Realistically Raise Capital  [52:25] Donato’s Best Piece of Advice 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 Donato Callahan 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/donato_callahan/  💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donato-callahan/  💻 Website:https://www.donatocallahan.com/  💻 Bright Investor: https://brightinvestor.com/ 
undefined
Feb 2, 2024 • 10min

Invest2Friday: Q1 Market Update with Chad Rocke

Tune in today for a market update from the field with FI Team lead agent Chad Rocke. Let's answer the burning questions:1. Are people still rate locked?2. Did you miss getting a deal?3. Is it a buyers or seller's market? 4. How to structure deals in this market?5. What will happen if rates come down?Will you be a buyer in this market?
undefined
Jan 31, 2024 • 54min

Episode 173 - Achieving the 1% Rule in Real Estate With Ian Hogan

Have you ever wondered what it takes to redefine your financial future? Join us as we dive into the hows and whys of financial flexibility with our guest, Ian Hogan. After discovering the stock market wasn’t the right fit for him, a Google search landed him on BiggerPockets and introduced him to the world of real estate investing. Ian's unique journey offers valuable insights to inspire both real estate newbies and veterans. Tune in as Ian dives into the technical intricacies of working with contractors, balancing the different kinds of financial loans, and managing a mixed-use property. Ian shares his critical lessons from undertaking a substantial house hacking venture and proves that house hacking can be highly profitable in nearly any market. Gain behind-the-scenes insights into how Ian achieved the 1% rule in real estate and the calculations behind achieving this monumental feat.  With his passion for helping others make data-driven decisions in real estate, Ian’s analytical and technical know-how might be just what you need to propel your portfolio forward! As an avid community builder at local meetups, Ian’s story is a testament that financial independence is possible for anyone willing to broaden their horizons and learn from others.  PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [5:45] Ian’s Introduction to Real Estate [14:30] Diving Into His First Real Estate Investment [16:55] Learning How to Work with Contractors [20:50] Behind the Scenes of Ian’s Mixed-Use Property Investment  [22:25] On Navigating HUDs and 203K Loans[30:35] Dealing with FHA and VA Loans [37:25] Achieving the 1% Rule in Real Estate [39:10] Understanding Section 8 Housing [44:24] A Glimpse Into Ian’s Future Real Estate Plans [47:45] Nuggets of Real Estate Wisdom and His 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 Ian Hogan 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/realestateengineered/  💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianhogan93/  💻 Website: https://www.engineerrealestate.com/  🗣 Meetup: https://www.facebook.com/simplifiedREImeetup/  ✍️ Medium: https://medium.com/@engineer-real-estate  

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app