

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

Apr 12, 2024 • 14min
Invest2Friday: Real Estate Partnerships
Chad leads this episode off humbly saying he's no expert at partnerships, but he, like many real estate agents who invest, learn the ropes of partnerships to maximize their investments. Partnerships are a great way to get started in real estate when you don't qualify for a conventional loan - think a 1099 employee like an agent with less than 2 years of tax returns or a college student who wants to jump into a deal before their debt-to-income would allow them. Tune in to hear the step by step process & reach out to @rocketherealtor for help starting your first partnerships.

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 13min
Episode 183 - Raising Millions of Capital for Real Estate Deals With Paul Sparks
Curious to hear what your career could look like five to seven years down the line? In our latest episode, Paul Sparks shares his eye-opening real estate journey. From leaving his W2 sales job to starting a wholesaling business to raising capital for ten-million-dollar deals, Paul began his real estate career in 2017 and has seen incredible success. Join us as he shares the story of his first real estate deal and the early challenges and triumphs that shaped his career.Throughout the episode, Paul shares the wisdom he gained through experience, such as debunking the idea that cash flow is king. Instead, he emphasizes considering appreciation and tax benefits when evaluating investment opportunities. Moreover, Paul reflects on his life-changing decision to leave his W2 sales job, the power of overcoming mental barriers, and the importance of embracing entrepreneurship to achieve financial independence. If you’re interested in deal structuring and fundraising, tune in as we talk about practical strategies for raising private money and navigating partnerships in the real estate industry. From his soft offense approach for beginners to his step-by-step guide to securing investment capital, our guest today offers invaluable insights into the dynamics of deal-making and collaboration. So, if you’re ready to discover your real estate success, this episode can help answer some of your burning questions and shed some light on your next steps. Paul’s journey is another story of how charting your path to success will pay off with determination, optimism, and adaptability. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [5:40] Beginning of Paul’s Real Estate Career [8:50] Unpacking His First Real Deal [12:45] What Are Capital Gains? [14:10] Why Cashflow Isn’t Everything [20:10] On Leaving His W2 Sales Job [25:30] How Overcoming Your Mental Barriers Will Change Everything [32:41] Paul’s Soft Offense Approach for Beginners [34:53] Why Pivoting One’s Career Should Be Okay [40:18] On Shutting Down His Wholesale Business [43:00] A Step-By-Step Approach to Raising Private Money [47:00] What Goes First: The Deal or the Money? [1:00:08] A Glimpse Inside Paul’s Exciting New Business Partnership [1:02:23] What’s in Store for Paul’s Mastermind? [1:05:28] Best Advice for Newbies in Real Estate 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 Paul Sparks 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulsparksofficial/ 💻 Website: https://www.bunnyhillproperties.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_5xYIs7_cSgAaGkjH8ugyA 📞 Call with Paul: https://calendly.com/paulsparks 🌳 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/paulsparks

Apr 5, 2024 • 17min
Invest2Friday: NAR Settlement - Old News, New Spin
You've got to be hiding under a rock to not have watched at least one video or listened to one podcast about the NAR settlement. So why should you tune in to hear Craig's take? Because nothing Craig says here is newsworthy or clickbait-y it's just plain facts and an unemotional opinion. Tune in if you want the facts & the take from an agent who potentially could be affected the most.

Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 1min
Episode 182 - Learn How To Find Ideal Private Lenders, Venture Partners, and Real Estate Mentors with Andrew Freed
If you’re worried that making it big in real estate takes too much time, Andrew Freed’s incredible journey shows how your earning potential can skyrocket in three years. As a former project manager turned real estate entrepreneur, Andrew shares how he began taking real estate seriously in 2020. With a determination to build genuine wealth, Andrew dove into learning everything he could online (without paying for any expensive masterclasses!) and sought the help of a mentor, all of which landed him with more than 120 units on his portfolio in just three years. Tune in as Andrew lets us in on his approaches and mindsets to investing, emphasizing the importance of learning from mentors and investing in oneself. We talk about navigating appraisal disputes, capitalizing on market fears, and making it big in states prioritizing tenants over landlords. To truly scale up your portfolio, Andrew recommends learning how to identify ideal venture partners and connecting with private lenders -- all it takes is knowing how to provide value to others. With expertise in creative financing, multifamily investing, and house hacking, our guest’s passion for teaching others is a game-changer for people who want to take the leap and gain financial freedom in the next few years. So, if you’re ready to change the trajectory of your financial path, don’t miss out on this chance to learn from Andrew's journey and discover actionable strategies to accelerate your real estate investing goals! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:10] Andrew’s Life-Changing Realization About Net Worth [10:15] On First Deals and Helocs [16:00] Managing Appraisal Disputes [20:00] How Fear in the Market Can Be a Great Indicator to Buy [22:50] Capitalizing on Appreciation [26:50] Succeeding in Anti-Landlord States [30:07] Growing Through Mentorship [33:05] Finding the Ideal Venture Partner for You [35:05] How to Land Private Lenders Right Away [40:10] On Joint Ventures and Syndications [44:20] The Key to Building a Strong Team 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/investorfreed 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-freed-msm/ 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afreed2 🗣 Talk to Andrew: https://calendly.com/andrewfreedrealestate Linktree: https://linktr.ee/andrewfreed

Mar 29, 2024 • 11min
Invest2Friday: How an Agent Buys a House
Tune into today's episode of Invest2Friday to hear the process Chad Rocke took to buy his most recent house. Was there an investing angle & did it cover his mortgage?How much did he get in seller concessions & how did he use them?Why was a house on the market for that many days with price drops? Did he sell his previous house?Walk through the mindset of how an investor-friendly realtor purchases personal properties. Have questions about buying your next deal? Reach out to @rocketherealtor on IG.

Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 13min
Episode 181 - Living the Dream Nomad Life and Investing Internationally with Daniel Rusteen of OptimizeMyBnb.com
In this latest episode, dive into an insightful conversation with Daniel Rusteen, the founder of OptimizeMyBnb.com and the bestselling author of "Optimize YOUR Bnb: The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search." His unique perspective comes from his experience as a former Airbnb employee, a current Superhost, a full-time Airbnb guest, and a short-term rental investor and property manager. From escaping the dreaded 9-5 grind to establishing his own property management business, which he manages from anywhere in the world, Daniel's story inspires entrepreneurs and investors who want more out of life! Throughout the episode, don’t miss out on the practical tips and strategies on optimizing Airbnb listings for maximum profitability, gathering data for selecting markets to invest in, and navigating the complexities of international real estate investments. One of the episode’s key takeaways is Daniel’s emphasis on vetting and analyzing real estate deals, especially with the fluctuating regulations across different US cities. His insights into forecasting the future of Airbnb and adapting to evolving market dynamics are a must-have for hosts looking to stay ahead of the curve. Beyond his Airbnb management expertise, our guest today shares glimpses into his extraordinary travel nomad lifestyle, having lived in over 50 cities and exclusively stayed in Airbnb for over 1,000 nights. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting, this episode of Invest2FI is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their Airbnb game and achieve financial freedom through smart investments and optimized property management strategies! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:54] Daniel’s Financial Independence Journey [10:29] Escaping The 9-5 Dread [15:00] Starting His Own Property Management Business [22:29] What to Know as an Airbnb Manager [25:29] Optimizing Your Airbnb Listing [31:19] On Gathering Data for Choosing Markets [33:54] Buying International Real Estate Properties [43:22] Vetting and Analyzing Real Estate Deals [50:14] Regulations in Different US Cities [54:59] Forecasting the Future of Airbnb [59:06] Daniel’s Extraordinary Travel Nomad Lifestyle [1:05:14] His 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 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 Daniel Rusteen of OptimizemyBnb.com 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/dannybooboo0/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrusteen 💻 Website: https://optimizemyairbnb.com/ 💻Personal Website: https://dannybooboo.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dannybooboo 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielrusteen 🗣 Twitter:

Mar 22, 2024 • 14min
Invest2Friday: Side Hustles to Increase your Income by 20-30%
Explore 10 ways to boost your W2 income by 20-30%, from driving for ride-sharing apps to offering shopping services and becoming a successful handyman. Discover how side hustles can help you save for investments like a house hack and build wealth for the future.

Mar 20, 2024 • 1h 4min
Episode 180 - Building True Wealth In Your 30s with Rental Property Master Chad Carson
Join Chad Carson on the Invest2FI podcast as he opens the door to his world, sharing the pivotal role that real estate investing played in liberating him from the financial grind. Also known as Coach Carson, Chad is committed to sharing his expertise in rental properties through his exclusive learning and coaching community, Rental Property Mastery (RPM), and his vast community of 40,000+ investors tuned into his free weekly newsletter. Chad’s approach to building wealth and income through rental properties allowed him and his family to achieve financial independence in their 30s and enabled a transformative "mini-retirement" in Spain in 2023. Chad aims to empower listeners to live on their terms, contributing more fully to their families and communities, indulging in hobbies and travel, and breaking free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind. In this episode, our guest shares valuable insights on technical topics such as the difference between lease options and purchasing sale agreements, deal-sourcing strategies, finding private money lenders, and managing lifestyle creep. With 33 properties and 99 units, Chad shares his advice on scaling your real estate portfolio without burning out or finding yourself buried in debt. Tune in to learn how to finally step away from the financial grind and create true wealth for you and your family! PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [1:10] Craig’s Current Buy [4:05] A Sneak Peek into Craig’s Five-Year Investment Plan [7:35] Starting Real Estate Investing Right after College [11:20] Learning From Chad’s Dad’s Real Estate Journey [14:30] On Making a Lease Option [16:41] Chad’s Deal Sourcing Strategy [18:10] Why a Lease Option May Be Beneficial [28:38] Finding Private Money Lenders [31:35] How to Structure Money Lending Agreements [37:05] How to Scale Your Portfolio (Without Burning Out) [40:55] If You Could Restart Your Journey, What Would You Do Differently? [47:30] Aligning Property Types with the Market 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 Chad Carson 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachchadcarson/ 💼 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachcarson/ 💻 Website: https://www.coachcarson.com/ 🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachChadCarson 🎙️Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-investing-with-coach-carson/id1448707654 📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachchadcarson/ 🗣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachChadCarson 📞 Work with Carson:

Mar 15, 2024 • 8min
Invest2Friday: The Time Chad ALMOST Became Famous & A Market Update
Do you watch those HGTV and A&E reality shows about buying, selling & flipping homes? Chad made the final casting for a production, that unfortunately got put on hold. In this episode he walks us through the behind the scenes of reality tv - it'll give you insight on what's real or fabricated on those shows!Hang around until the end for market update for what our agents are seeing on the ground. Have more questions about the market? Reach out to Chad @Rocketherealtor on IG!

Mar 13, 2024 • 1h 20min
Episode 179 - Successful House Hacking in New York for Financial Freedom With Mike & Noor Bchara
In today's episode, we're joined by Mike & Noor Bchara, a power real estate couple who’s found great success in New York house hacking! Tired of living paycheck to paycheck and working for other people, these investors took the right risks and creative approaches to successful deal vetting, property acquisition, and maximizing Airbnb returns. So, if you’re interested in learning the behind-the-scenes steps they took to build an impressive portfolio across New York, join us for an insightful episode on technical and practical tips for building homes, renovating, and renting out units. We dive into an exciting discussion on the power of appreciation and understanding how to navigate the market to your advantage. Mike & Noor share with us the real numbers behind Noor's first properties and other house hacks that eventually helped Noor take home more money than her original job! From hiring contractors for renovations to navigating real estate as business partners and real-life partners, our guests today are an amazing example of harnessing an entrepreneurial spirit, using their skills to seize opportunities and maximize profits. As we wrap up, we talk about what the future holds for Noor and Mike’s future investments. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:[5:15] Escaping the So-Called American Dream [8:25] Strategizing for Her First House Hack in New York[13:20] Diving into the Numbers of Noor’s First Property [19:30] Hiring a Contractor for Renovations [23:25] On Personal Bank Loans and Loan Modifications [33:50] Mike’s First Venture into Financial Independence [37:50] How Mike Built His First House and Became a General Contractor [43:55] Noor and Mike’s Story [52:00] Their First Real Estate Deal As Business Partners [1:05:50] Must-Hear Advice for Investment Business Partners [1:07:15] What’s Next for Noor and Mike? 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 Mike & Noor Bchara 📸 IG: https://instagram.com/beherenowhomes 🏘️ Airbnb Listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/953041123800451564 📸Magazine Feature: https://hudsonvalleystylemagazine.com/high-falls-lodge-a-winter-wonderland-retreat-in-hudson-valley-airbnb-review/ 💻 Website: www.beherenowhomes.com


