Living Off Rentals
We believe that a high quality rental property is the best investment a person can make. This podcast equips listeners to build a rental portfolio of their own. Each week host, Kirby Atwell, interviews someone who is living off rentals and identifies best practices, advice, and potential investing pitfalls to avoid!
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#307 - Building a W-2 Exit Plan with Short-Term Rentals - Stephen Arnaud
12/31/2025
#307 - Building a W-2 Exit Plan with Short-Term Rentals - Stephen Arnaud
In this episode of Living Off Rentals, host Kirby Atwell sits down with Stephen Arnaud, an engineer, W-2 employee, and father of three, who’s intentionally building his path out of the 9-to-5 through short-term rentals. Stephen shares why, even though he enjoys his career, the demands of a W-2 job started to conflict with family life and long-term freedom. Like many high-performing professionals, he realized that traditional investing alone wasn’t going to give him the flexibility he wanted anytime soon. That realization led him to short-term rentals. If you are still working a 9-to-5 but thinking seriously about building income outside of it and a pathway to financial independence, this episode offers a realistic roadmap. Listen and enjoy! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Stephen Arnaud and his background [02:21] Getting into the real estate through short-term rental [06:33] The moment he realized short-term rentals could replace earned income [09:45] How Stephen picked his market [11:59] Deciding on the properties that he purchased [13:43] Details on Stephen’s first two STR properties and why he targeted larger homes [16:25] Financing with conventional loans as a W-2 investor [17:18] Using IRA funds strategically for down payments and furnishings [18:12] Stephen’s perspective on retirement accounts vs. building income today [21:08] Building a reliable cleaning and support team [23:36] The biggest challenge on the flip side: Neighbors [25:30] Screening guests and avoiding party issues [28:15] Balancing a W-2 job with managing STRs during the early stages [31:38] How virtual assistants can outperform owner-operators with the right systems [34:24] Stephen's advice for people wanting to exit their 9-5 and get into short-term rentals [37:55] A real mistake with scheduling cleaners and how communication saved the situation [39:52] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#306 - Saving Historic Buildings and Creating Value Through Smart Redevelopment - Kevin Kreger
12/24/2025
#306 - Saving Historic Buildings and Creating Value Through Smart Redevelopment - Kevin Kreger
Joining us for today's episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who specializes in historic preservation projects that many investors overlook, but can be transformed into high-performing rental assets. Kevin Kreger is Kirby Atwell's longtime friend and a construction expert. He is the founder of On Point Construction and Fiddle Leaf Development. He breaks down how he transitioned into design-build work and eventually into restoring historic downtown buildings with serious cash-flow potential. Listen as they dive deep into why historic properties aren’t as intimidating as they seem, how to uncover hidden square footage, and why cities are often willing to offer grants and incentives to make these projects pencil. This episode will completely change how you see opportunity. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Kevin Kreger and his background [03:22] From high school football to entrepreneurship [05:18] Starting On Point Construction in 2016 and how it evolved from management into full design-build work [08:55] How early exposure to historic homes sparked Kevin’s interest in preservation [10:17] How to make a historic property profitable? [13:14] Ways to identify grants, incentives, and funding that a city is offering [15:30] How reimbursement-based grants and TIF-style programs work [18:32] Why walking downtown and looking up is one of the best deal-finding strategies [20:07] Managing higher construction costs in older buildings [23:34] A real-world breakdown of Kevin’s Frankfurt redevelopment project [25:52] Combining retail tenants with short-term rentals for stability and upside [28:10] Real numbers: acquisition costs, rehab budgets, and performance [34:00] Connect with Kevin Kreger Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#305 - Building $50K/Month in Passive Income Without Wall Street - Joey Mure
12/17/2025
#305 - Building $50K/Month in Passive Income Without Wall Street - Joey Mure
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who teaches people how to build income streams on their own terms. Joey Mure is the co-founder of Wealth Without Wall Street, a platform dedicated to helping people rethink traditional money advice and create passive income that gives people more control over their lives. Once a high-earning corporate professional who felt constantly pulled away from his family, Joey now generates over $50,000 a month in passive income and guides others through the system for building passive income streams that helped him reclaim his time. Listen as he shares how he went from missing precious time with his five daughters to taking back his calendar through passive income. He opens up about the faith-driven philosophy behind his work, why “active income is not freedom,” and how most people unknowingly follow Wall Street’s script instead of building income streams that free their time. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Joey Mure and his background [02:31] Why financial freedom has to start with spiritual freedom [03:36] The moment Joey realized high active income wasn’t true freedom [06:33] Passive income begins with knowing your “freedom number.” [09:07] Knowledge does not equal financial freedom [12:34] Income streams vs. wealth building [14:45] The Passive Income Operating System [19:04] How to start trusting yourself instead of outsourcing everything to Wall Street [20:05] Investor DNA [23:40] Active vs. passive: What passive income really looks like in the real world [27:00] Common passive income streams students are succeeding with today [31:54] Market trends Joey is watching [35:23] How much money do people really need to get started [36:43] The “REDNECK M.O.T.E.R.” framework [38:43] Connect with Joey Mure [39:39] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#304 - How Short-Term Rentals Let Her Quit HR and Take Back Family Time
12/10/2025
#304 - How Short-Term Rentals Let Her Quit HR and Take Back Family Time
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is a Navy veteran and mom of three who went from a high-pressure military career to building a real estate business that allowed her family to take back their time. Karin Ventresca is a Naval Academy graduate, former nuclear engineer, HR professional, and now a full-time real estate investor and short-term rental operator. After years of long commutes, daycare drop-offs, and COVID-era burnout, she and her husband built a short-term rental portfolio that gave them the freedom to reshape how they spend their days. Listen as she shares how they made the shift from demanding military roles and corporate careers to creating a business that supports the life they want to live. She also opens up about the mindset shifts, goal-setting, and action steps that ultimately allowed her to quit her HR job and be fully present with her kids, without sacrificing financial stability. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Karin Ventresca and her background [03:21] Growing up in Alaska and why she chose the Naval Academy [05:25] Becoming a nuclear engineer and the unconventional path to HR [09:28] Another twist in career progression: From HR to real estate investing [09:50] COVID, burnout, and the moment she and Andrew realized they needed a way out [14:02] Their first big move: building a family cabin in West Virginia and turning it into an STR [19:01] How they furnished an entire STR with creativity, thrifting, and smart systems [22:10] The power of deadlines in STR setup and how it saved them thousands [26:28] 2025 goal: reclaiming their family’s time [30:02] The mindset behind intentional living and goal setting [34:26] Their newest move: a house hack with 7 acres, a furnished ADU, and a vision for a guest-friendly garden [39:49] Goals must be written [40:31] How a strong network reduces fear [44:04] Connect with Karin Ventresca [44:55] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#303 - From 9th Grade Dropout to Early Retirement with 150 Real Estate Units - Matt Hawkins
12/03/2025
#303 - From 9th Grade Dropout to Early Retirement with 150 Real Estate Units - Matt Hawkins
What does it take to go from dropping out of school in ninth grade to owning more than 150 rental units and retiring in your 40s? Matt Hawkins, also known as the Lumberjack Landlord, is a self-taught investor who now manages over 50 buildings and 400 tenants with just one employee — all from his phone. He joins us on this episode of Living Off Rentals to unpack his incredible journey from humble beginnings to financial freedom. Listen as he shares how early mistakes, creative deal-making (like buying a city-owned police station), and consistent systems helped him build a real estate empire that now provides freedom, flexibility, and purpose. Enjoy the show! Chapters: [00:00] Introducing Matt Hawkins and his background [01:45] From dropping out of high school to becoming a real estate investor [05:40] Investing in the stock market and losing everything [07:41] How his first real estate deals evolved over time [08:44] Use house hacking as the ultimate foundation for financial freedom [13:49] Retire early by designing a business that funds your ideal life [18:21] Scale a rental portfolio efficiently using systems and one key employee [20:52] Think like an asset manager, not just a landlord [24:34] Win competitive deals using the “reverse offer strategy” [28:00] Why great deals matter more than more deals [29:03] Connect with Matt Hawkins [30:51] Outro Guest Links: Website: Instagram: YouTube: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#302 - Leveraging the 30-Year Fixed Loan to Create Generational Wealth Through Rentals - Adiel Gorel
11/26/2025
#302 - Leveraging the 30-Year Fixed Loan to Create Generational Wealth Through Rentals - Adiel Gorel
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who has spent more than four decades helping people build wealth through simple, long-term rental investing. Adiel Gorel is an investor, educator, and the author of Remote Control Retirement Riches. He has helped thousands of people buy brand-new rental homes in strong U.S. markets, using the 30-year fixed loan as the foundation for building lasting wealth. Listen as he shares how he went from an engineer in 1980s Silicon Valley to a global real estate investor, why he believes that the 30-year fixed loan is the greatest financial gift available to Americans, and how ordinary people can create generational wealth by holding rentals long term. He also explains the key criteria he uses to choose markets, why now is still a great time to buy, and how inflation becomes your greatest ally when you invest the right way. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Adiel Gorel and his background [01:56] How he transitioned from Silicon Valley to real estate [05:49] The unwritten rule back in the 1980s [09:20] How owning 22 rental homes changed his life and inspired his company [14:35] The evolution from older properties to brand new homes under warranty [17:39] Adiel’s four criteria for choosing where to buy rental homes [19:50] The power of the 30-year fixed loan [23:19] Real examples of investors who retired early using this strategy [27:24] Why waiting for the perfect time is the biggest mistake investors make [34:34] How ICG helps investors simplify buying and managing out-of-state rentals [39:22] Markets and metrics to determine a great deal [42:01] What types of homes Adiel recommends and what to avoid [45:29] Connect with Adiel Gorel and grab his book [46:31] Outro Guest Links: Website: Instagram: YouTube: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#301 - Sam Wegert - How Co-Living Creates Affordable Housing and Big Profits
11/19/2025
#301 - Sam Wegert - How Co-Living Creates Affordable Housing and Big Profits
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who turned a simple idea—renting out spare rooms—into a thriving real estate empire. Sam Wegert is the founder of Scale Your Co-Living Real Estate and leads the largest co-living mastermind in the world. He and his wife reached financial freedom by their early 20s and have since built a 2,500-door portfolio that blends strong cash flow with affordable housing. Listen as he shares how he went from running a martial arts school at 16 to discovering the co-living model by accident, why shared housing can outperform traditional rentals, and what systems make it work sustainably at scale. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Sam Wegert and his background [02:27] Getting into real estate from the martial arts business [03:50] Creating a second financial engine in your life [07:10] How Sam discovered co-living by accident [09:48] Why co-living outperforms Airbnb and traditional rentals [13:43] Key differences between Sam’s model and PadSplit [14:40] Typical co-living members and lease lengths [18:00] Handling tenant conflicts and maintaining harmony in shared homes [20:17] Using membership agreements instead of traditional leases [22:58] What rent pricing looks like in the co-living model [27:18] Turning square footage into rentable rooms [33:55] Can you resell co-living homes? [36:32] The invoice authorization strategy [39:34] Sam's advice for first-time real estate investors [42:46] Connect with Sam Wegert [43:08] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#300 - Top 10 Real Estate Investing Lessons After 300 Episodes - Kirby Atwell
11/12/2025
#300 - Top 10 Real Estate Investing Lessons After 300 Episodes - Kirby Atwell
Joining us on this milestone 300th episode of Living Off Rentals is... me! I can hardly believe it’s been five years and 300 episodes since launching this show back in January 2020. What started as a way to document my own journey—transitioning from Army officer to full-time real estate investor—has turned into something much bigger. In this episode, I look back on what’s changed since those early days of flipping houses, what I’ve learned from hundreds of conversations with other investors, and the lessons that have shaped how I live and invest today. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [03:00] The surprising journey from episode 1 to 300 [04:53] Reality of running a podcast [06:19] Lesson #1: Recognizing your stage in real estate investing [11:13] Lesson #2: Simplicity always wins in real estate [15:37] Lesson #3: Your deals will always deliver the lowest return you’re willing to accept [20:25] Lesson #4: Build cash flow before chasing net worth [25:03] Lesson #5: Keep an active income stream while building your portfolio [28:33] Lesson #6: Buy based on fundamentals, not speculation [34:20] Lesson #7: Why quality trumps quantity [38:12] Lesson #8: Think in decades, not years, in real estate investing [41:34] Lesson #9: Invest in strategies that produce outsized returns [44:11] Lesson #10: Choosing the right spouse as the most important investing decision Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#299 - From Firefighter, to Flipping Boston, to Real Estate Empire - Dave Seymour
11/05/2025
#299 - From Firefighter, to Flipping Boston, to Real Estate Empire - Dave Seymour
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who knows what it takes to rebuild from the ground up. Dave Seymour is a former firefighter, star of the hit TV show “Flipping Boston,” and now a respected multifamily investor and educator. After working 120 hours a week and nearly losing everything, a chance radio ad about real estate became the turning point that changed his life. Listen as he shares how he went from the firehouse to financial freedom, the lessons that shaped his approach to business and leadership, and why financial literacy and discipline are the real keys to lasting success. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Dave Seymour and his background [02:15] Dave’s early days as a firefighter [05:15] His wake-up call to financial freedom [07:18] Pivotal moments that led Dave into real estate [15:22] The power of discipline from firefighting to real estate investing [16:58] Proven systems and failure in business [19:23] How he structured his business in his first deals [25:40] Transitioning from single-family flips to multifamily investing [29:54] How to identify your special gift and bring it to the marketplace and partnerships {31:30] What is Legacy Alliance? [33:09] Dave's insight about multifamily investing in the present and future [38:27] His competitive advantage over other businesses [39:48] Building partnerships that actually work [41:17] Dave’s real advice for anyone stuck in a 9-to-5 job [44:15] Outro Guest Links: Website: INFLATION NATION: FREE Multi-Family Masterclass: https://legacyalliance.link/Pod-Multi-Family-Class Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#298 - How to Structure Creative Real Estate Deals - Ronnie Walker
10/29/2025
#298 - How to Structure Creative Real Estate Deals - Ronnie Walker
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who has built multiple successful real estate businesses and learned firsthand what it takes to recover after things go sideways. Ronnie Walker is a real estate investor and founder of Cedar Rock Homes. He shares his journey from working as a private banker at JPMorgan to leaving his 9-to-5 and diving headfirst into wholesaling, subject-to deals, and creative financing —scaling quickly but learning hard lessons along the way. Listen as he shares the realities of rapid growth, the financial missteps that nearly derailed his business, and how he rebuilt a more intentional and sustainable investing model that prioritizes profit and peace of mind over volume. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Ronnie Walker and his background [01:56] Before getting into the real estate [02:30] How he scaled his flipping business to 30+ projects a year [05:30] Learning about subject-to deals and closing eight in one month [10:57] What is Wrap Mortgage? [12:08] Leaving his corporate job with savings and a clear plan for freedom [13:33] Paying more than its actual worth [19:44] Getting a premium on the sale price and interest rate [21:56] The crash and burn in scaling too fast [24:55] How to use “impasses” and follow-ups to build creative deals [29:35] The concept of financial dominance in demonstrating credibility [33:07] How messy books and poor accounting nearly cost him everything [36:05] The $130K tax wake-up call that changed how he ran his business [40:02] How to build a client's trust through confidence, integrity, and transparency [45:31] Ronnie’s advice for new investors [48:12] Connect with Ronnie Walker [48:40] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.youtube.com/@WalkWithRonnie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithronnie/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#297 - How to Shred Years Off Your Mortgage and Avoid Costly Interest - Adam Carroll
10/22/2025
#297 - How to Shred Years Off Your Mortgage and Avoid Costly Interest - Adam Carroll
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who’s helped countless people escape the trap of long-term loans that can end up costing nearly twice the original amount. Adam Carroll is a financial educator, speaker, and founder of The Shred Method. Through this approach, he’s helped families and real estate investors accelerate their mortgage payoff timelines through smart money management and the strategic use of lines of credit. Listen as he breaks down a simple but powerful strategy that turns traditional banking upside down and helps homeowners and investors eliminate debt, build equity faster, and save thousands in interest. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Adam Carroll and his background [02:36] What makes Adam interested in The Shred Method? [04:40] The Shred Method defined [06:28] How The Shred Method optimizes your cash flow and what it actually does [09:05] Understanding amortization and how most payments go to interest [10:51] How lump-sum payments speed up principal payoff [11:59] Turning rental income into a faster wealth-building tool [13:57] Why simple interest (HELOC) beats compound interest over time [15:10] Using short-term borrowing to save long-term interest [16:50] The benefits of the Shred Method [18:50] Why traditional banking habits keep most people stuck [22:45] Paying off vs. leveraging. How to decide what’s right for you [23:45] Why paying properties to zero isn’t always the best move [27:09] Can you get a KLOC on a rental property? [32:51] Success stories from Shred Method [38:47] How small wins create a financial snowball effect [41:00] Most people don’t have an income problem; they have a payment problem [44:04] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#296 - Understanding Bonus Depreciation and the STR Loophole for Tax Savings - Ryan Carriere
10/15/2025
#296 - Understanding Bonus Depreciation and the STR Loophole for Tax Savings - Ryan Carriere
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps investors keep more of what they earn by using powerful, legal tax strategies. Ryan Carriere is a Client Services Manager at Hall CPA, a firm that specializes in helping high-income earners maximize tax savings through real estate. As both a CPA and real estate investor, Ryan has worked with hundreds of clients to save millions by leveraging strategies like bonus depreciation and the short-term rental (STR) loophole. Listen as he shares how to make the most of these tax advantages, what a cost segregation study actually involves, how to qualify for the STR loophole, and how even everyday investors can use these tools to build long-term wealth. He also breaks down creative tax-saving strategies like shifting income to your kids—and why documentation is key to staying audit-proof. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Ryan Carriere and his background [02:06] Getting into the niche of tax strategy in real estate [07:12] How he combined CPA work with real estate investing [11:00] Bonus depreciation is back to 100% and why it matters [12:40] How bonus depreciation works [14:41] 100% bonus depreciation explained in plain English [16:31] Real-world example of $35,000 in tax savings on a $500K property [17:52] The most common kind of tax strategy for short-term rental investors/W-2 earners [19:05] How the short-term rental loophole works and who qualifies [20:30] Meeting the 100-hour material participation test [25:32] The beauty of being married: Seen as one taxpayer instead of two [26:47] Is it too late to use tax-saving tools? [28:42] Determining the price point for the cost segregation study [31:36] Bonus depreciation beyond real estate—vehicles, equipment, and more [35:44] Benefits of shifting income to your kids [42:05] Does using these strategies increase audit risk? [48:08] Best practices for bookkeeping and compliance [49:28] Connect with Ryan Carriere [50:47] Outro Guest Links: Website: LinkedIn: Cost Segregation Study Affiliate: Get 10% off on Rental Property Refund's tax tool by checking out their free webinar here: https://www.livingoffrentals.com/costseg Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#295 - How 20 Minutes a Day Led to 8 Rentals and a $13M Care Facility - Aaron Ameen
10/08/2025
#295 - How 20 Minutes a Day Led to 8 Rentals and a $13M Care Facility - Aaron Ameen
What if you could build a rental portfolio and launch a multimillion-dollar business in just 20 minutes a day? Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who built eight cash-flowing rentals across three states while working full-time and raising three young children. Now, alongside his wife Andrea, he’s developing Everwood Reserve — a $13M, 32-bed luxury assisted living and memory care facility in Texas. Aaron Ameen is a real estate investor, business strategist, and host of the Hybrid Real Estate Professional Podcast. Listen as he proves that you don’t need endless hours or massive capital to start. By focusing on strategy, consistency, and purpose-driven investing, he shares how you can build lasting wealth while creating a business that makes a meaningful impact. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Aaron Ameen and his background [02:28] The “20 Minute Investor” mindset and how to apply it [04:16] Defining your real strategy: What is the end goal? [07:32] Getting into real estate [10:50] Balance between career and building additional income through real estate [16:15] Lessons from going from local to long-distance rentals [21:50] Financing strategies when you think you’re out of money [28:04] Transitioning from rentals to senior living investments [30:23] The assisted living project [31:44] Why senior housing is a massive opportunity right now [34:39] Development process of Aaron's assisted living facilities [39:18] The need for a premium offering [46:03] The biggest lessons Aaron learned from building his portfolio [47:25] Connect with Aaron Ameen [48:06] Outro Guest Links: Website: Free resources: 20-Minute Investor Workshop: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#294 - Turning a Cabin Property Into a Profitable, Purpose-Driven STR Brand - Eric Moeller
10/01/2025
#294 - Turning a Cabin Property Into a Profitable, Purpose-Driven STR Brand - Eric Moeller
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who is redefining what it means to travel, disconnect, and create meaningful experiences through short-term rentals. Eric Moeller is the co-founder of Freewyld, a design-forward short-term rental brand that helps guests truly unplug through nature. From flipping his first house at 19, to navigating the 2008 crash, to building a business that blends hospitality with intention, Eric’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and bold decisions. In this episode, we talk about the tough lessons he learned early in real estate, why he went all-in on Freewyld during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he scales the real estate side of his business while running Freewyld Foundry, the revenue management side of Freewyld that oversees 1,700+ Airbnb listings worldwide. Whether you’re just getting started or dreaming about something bigger, this episode is full of honest insights on building a brand that’s meaningful to you from the ground up. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Eric Moeller and his background [01:56] Eric’s blue-collar roots and first flip at 19 [04:27] Buying a vacation rental before Airbnb even existed [06:59] Going against the norm made Eric stay in real estate [09:07] The whole process of winning and losing [12:17] The journey from the 2008 market crash to building Freewyld [14:13] Why he moved to San Diego and discovered STR arbitrage [15:36] Three things Eric loves in the short-term rental business [16:39] Epic Entrepreneur House in San Diego [20:20] The moment he went all-in on Freewild during COVID [24:25] How Freewyld Foundry now manages $60M in Airbnb revenue [28:45] About the revenue pricing business [33:24] Building a hospitality brand that helps guests unplug [35:04] Developing unique properties [37:38] Finding the perfect property [41:52] Energy and time management lessons from top entrepreneurs [47:18] Connect with Eric Moeller Guest Links: Website: Instagram: LinkedIn: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#293 - Raising Private Money and Building a Real Estate Business While Putting Family First – Matt Faircloth
09/24/2025
#293 - Raising Private Money and Building a Real Estate Business While Putting Family First – Matt Faircloth
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who has mastered the art of raising and deploying private capital. Matt Faircloth is the Founder & CEO of The DeRosa Group and has been a full-time investor for 15 years. Today, he has amassed a portfolio of nearly 2,000 units and raised millions of dollars from passive investors to fund his projects. He’s also the author of Raising Private Capital, a best-selling book published by BiggerPockets, which has sold over 50,000 copies. From starting with small BRRRR deals funded by friends’ IRAs to scaling into large multifamily and hotel acquisitions, Matt shares how any investor can use other people’s money to grow, without losing themselves or their relationships in the process. If you have ever felt stuck because you “don’t know any millionaires” or worry about asking people to invest with you, this conversation will change your perspective. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Matt Faircloth and his background [02:35] How Rich Dad, Poor Dad sparked his start in real estate [04:34] After Matt quit his full-time job [05:33] Rebuilding and learning to raise capital [06:51] The misconception of raising money [11:22] The challenge of getting an appraisal [12:40] Using self-directed IRAs and retirement accounts to fund deals [17:12] The best way to educate people about investing [20:37] The right way to combine private money with bank loans [22:10] What Matt looks for in deals today: cash flow first [24:48] Your spouse is... [27:24] Separating work and personal issues [32:53] Educating your kids about finances [35:30] What incentive-based landlording is [37:32] Residents, not tenants; communities, not apartments [41:04] His advice for people who want to leave their jobs [45:52] Clear goals to keep you moving forward [48:30] Connect with Matt Faircloth [50:16] Outro Guest Links: Website: YouTube: Instagram: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#292 - How to Optimize Your Real Estate Marketing to Rank Higher and Close More Deals - Trevor Mauch
09/17/2025
#292 - How to Optimize Your Real Estate Marketing to Rank Higher and Close More Deals - Trevor Mauch
Joining us on this week’s episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who isn't just focused on building businesses, but is also passionate about building a life that actually matters. Trevor Mauch is the founder of Carrot, the software platform that has helped thousands of real estate investors and agents generate leads online. Beyond business success, Trevor is a strong advocate for designing your company in a way that supports your health, freedom, and purpose, rather than becoming a trap that drains you. In this conversation, Trevor shares the habits, marketing strategies, and mindset shifts that allow entrepreneurs to scale without sacrificing their personal lives. He breaks down why most real estate websites lose deals, how to build online authority that ranks in both Google and AI searches, and why stacking credibility signals like testimonials and local content is now more important than ever. If you’ve ever felt like your business owns you instead of the other way around, this episode will give you the clarity and tools to make a change. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [02:15] Introducing Trevor Mauch and his background [04:09] Building Carrot and lessons from scaling a software company [10:39] Off-market vs. MLS. Why the best discounts come from networking and probate deals [15:18] Why website performance directly impacts your deal flow [18:38] How to optimize marketing for different real estate models [19:17] Offline + online marketing work together [23:47] Carrot sites are already ranking in ChatGPT results [25:06] The future of search: one trusted answer, not endless results [28:50] Building authority so algorithms rank you higher [31:10] Trevor’s take on the biggest opportunity for investors today [34:21] How to build online credibility with content, reviews, and testimonials [37:47] Why your business will never outgrow your personal identity [39:09] Breaking free from limiting beliefs that hold entrepreneurs back [41:40] The Entrepreneur Freedom Formula explained [46:37] What to do if your business is pulling you away from family, health, and faith [51:42] The repeatable process builder that helps you delegate effectively [55:28] How coaching helped Trevor grow Carrot to where it is today [58:42] The “big unlock” that changed everything for him [01:01:51] Evaluating the value of a business [01:04:24] Carrot’s buy vs. build decision in acquiring InvestorFuse [01:11:04] New AI tools that instantly summarize leads and streamline deal flow [01:12:29] Outro Guest Links: Carrot Website: https://carrot.com/ Trevor Mauch Website and Podcast: https://www.trevormauch.com/freedom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevor.mauch/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrevormauch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetrevormauch Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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#291 - Building Wealth Through Private Money and BRRRR Deals - Austin Rutherford
09/10/2025
#291 - Building Wealth Through Private Money and BRRRR Deals - Austin Rutherford
In this episode of Living Off Rentals, we’re joined by an investor who has mastered one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies in real estate: the BRRRR strategy. Austin Rutherford is an investor, developer, and author who built a $35 million rental portfolio by leveraging private money and executing BRRRR deals at scale. In this episode, you’ll learn what the BRRRR strategy is and how to execute it like a pro, how to raise and use private money effectively, and the key pitfalls to avoid when scaling a portfolio with this model. Austin’s story shows what’s possible when you stop flipping, start holding, and combine creativity with consistency. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Austin Rutherford and his real estate journey [04:39] The BRRRR method explained and how it works [05:32] How does someone get a free house? [06:14] The direct-to-seller marketing [11:11] Chasing social media and chasing what somebody else was doing [13:46] How to evaluate a good deal [15:16] Two numbers to focus on when evaluating a deal [19:28] Importance of due diligence in real estate investing [20:34] How did Austin raise money for his investments [21:40] Changing the mindset on money and giving people an opportunity [26:13] Build-to-rent deals [31:05] Austin's market recommendation, price point, types of property, and more! [35:53] Biggest mistakes he made in his real estate investing journey [37:23] His goal after a $35 million portfolio [41:41] Connect with Austin Rutherford [42:13] Outro Guest Links: Website: Instagram: YouTube: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#290 - Military Service as a Launchpad for Real Estate and Long-Term Wealth - Chase Kincer
09/03/2025
#290 - Military Service as a Launchpad for Real Estate and Long-Term Wealth - Chase Kincer
In this episode of Living Off Rentals, we are joined by an Air Force veteran turned real estate entrepreneur to discuss how military service can lead to financial freedom through real estate. Chase Kincer is a cybersecurity professional, licensed real estate agent, and investor who has built a successful brokerage and investing business in Maryland. With over 140,000 followers on TikTok, he has become a voice for educating service members on how to maximize their military benefits and discover financial independence through real estate. Listen as he shares how he went from driving hearses at 18 to closing his first real estate deals, the lessons he learned flipping houses, and how he helps other veterans avoid common mistakes with the VA loan. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Chase Kincer and his background [04:18] Learning about the VA loan and the benefits of the military [06:06] Why most service members underutilize their housing benefits [07:16] Helping enlisted members build wealth through education [08:29] The real intention behind joining the military [11:00] Why intentionality separates successful investors from the rest [13:39] Chase's contractor issues and lessons from his first flip [14:48] The AMEX hack: Using a military credit card to fund renovations [17:40] Expensive mistakes: Flooded basements, permits, and learning the hard way [22:52] Balancing the role of agent vs. investor [24:58] Great lead source and great prospecting through cold calling [27:20] How did Chase fund his first deal? [30:13] His social media strategy [32:32] Consistent posting, evolving strategy, and finding your niche [38:19] His best piece of advice for someone working a full-time job and wants to get into real estate [39:23] Chase's long-term goal in real estate [42:15] Connect with Chase Kincer [43:37] Outro Guest Links: Website: Instagram: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#289 - How to Go from Fear to Freedom One Rental at a Time - Shawn Gwaltney
08/27/2025
#289 - How to Go from Fear to Freedom One Rental at a Time - Shawn Gwaltney
Joining us on this week’s episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who proves that you don't have to start big to change your life. You just have to start. Shawn Gwaltney is a real estate investor and author of a new book called "Fear to Fortune: Rental Property Investment, The Side Hustle Blueprint to Financial Freedom." Over the past 35 years, Shawn has built several multi-million dollar businesses in manufacturing and real estate from the ground up. Listen as he shares how he started without huge capital, how he overcame fear in the early days, why slow and steady growth beats high-risk moves, and the lessons he learned about financing, property management, and maintaining momentum. If you’re waiting for that perfect time to invest, this episode will inspire you to act now! Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Shawn Gwaltney and his background [02:30] Getting into real estate and what his first deal looks like [05:42] Overcoming fear and taking the first step into rental investing [09:21] Rebuilding after a crash [11:06] When you move, things happen [12:58] Why one rental at a time can change your financial future [16:13] What comes after financial freedom [18:39] "Good cop, bad cop" [21:13] How to choose the right properties for your first investment [22:35] What are premium rentals [26:33] Profiling a potential tenant [30:39] Shawn's advice for other parents who want to be involved in the real estate business [36:26] You can never reach a goal without clarity [39:30] The importance of steady, consistent growth over time [44:20] Connect with Shawn Gwaltney [45:30] Outro Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#288 - Note Investing 101: The Hands-Off Way to Cash Flow in Real Estate - Nathan Turner
08/20/2025
#288 - Note Investing 101: The Hands-Off Way to Cash Flow in Real Estate - Nathan Turner
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who has built a career around one of the most overlooked paths to passive real estate income: note investing. Nathan Turner is the founder of Earnest Investing and an experienced mortgage note investor known as the “Canadian Note Guy.” Since 2009, he’s been buying and managing notes to generate steady cash flow, and he also runs the Diversified Mortgage Expo, a leading annual event for the note investing community. Listen as he shares what note investing is, how it compares to owning rentals, where to find good notes, and the key due diligence steps to avoid costly mistakes. He also talks about his first deal, the biggest lessons he’s learned, why note investing can be such a powerful, hands-off strategy for building long-term wealth, and how it’s a strategy that can go hand-in-hand with rental property investing. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Nathan Turner and his background [02:13] How he got interested in real estate investing [03:55] Note Investing: Getting the same kind of cash flow without owning the property [04:54] What exactly is note investing? [06:18] Difference between being a lender and a note investor [07:28] The pros and cons of owning real estate [10:16] Minimizing the tax liability [11:22] Nathan on investing notes on a specific type of deal [14:08] How to find a seller finance note? [18:08] Residential Mortgage Loan Originator [18:27] Making sure that the borrower will continue to pay [20:10] The foreclosure process [24:18] Note investing is a cash business [26:54] Average amount of time to hold the notes [29:10] Common mistakes new note investors make [31:25] Connect with Nathan Turner [35:00] Think like the bank Guest Links: Website: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#287 - How to Build Market-Resilient Wealth and Invest with Purpose - Paul Moore
08/13/2025
#287 - How to Build Market-Resilient Wealth and Invest with Purpose - Paul Moore
In this week’s episode of Living Off Rentals, we are joined by someone who has spent decades helping people align their investments with long-term impact— all while insulating wealth from market chaos along the way. Paul Moore is the founder of Wellings Capital, a firm that helps investors create generational wealth through diversified commercial real estate. With over 26 years of experience and 85+ deals under his belt, Paul brings a deep, time-tested perspective to what makes a real estate investment truly sustainable. Listen as he shares why self-storage, mobile home parks, and other overlooked asset classes offer long-term stability, how to avoid chasing “shiny object syndrome” in real estate, and what it means to make money while making a difference. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Paul Moore and his background [03:14] Getting retired early and going through all the work and stress of real estate [04:17] The difference between speculation and investing, and why most people confuse the two [05:42] Trading FOMO for FOMU [08:32] Reason #1 to pass on deals: Lack of investor alignment [11:55] The metrics and benefits of the deals Paul decided to invest in [18:34] What makes mobile home parks and self-storage facilities recession-resistant [19:10] Intrinsic value opportunities with self-storage [22:22] What is true wealth? [24:07] How impact investing can multiply your returns and legacy [27:01] Investing should be boring [32:05] Paul's biggest mistake and his warning for first-time investors [37:36] Paul’s advice on choosing the right operator and syndicator [41:31] Seven different paths for people to exit their 9-5 job [43:00] Connect with Paul Moore [43:42] Outro Guest Links Website: Interested in getting into commercial real estate investing? Visit: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#286 - How to maximize a property insurance claim with a public adjuster - Andy Gurczak
08/06/2025
#286 - How to maximize a property insurance claim with a public adjuster - Andy Gurczak
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps property owners navigate one of the most stressful (and misunderstood) parts of real estate investing: insurance claims. Andy Gurczak is the founder of AllCity Adjusting, a public adjusting firm that advocates on behalf of property owners to ensure they get the full payout they’re owed—not just the first offer the insurance company throws at them. In this conversation, Andy breaks down the difference between public adjusters and insurance company adjusters, when to bring a public adjuster on board, and why most owners unknowingly leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table. If you’re a rental property owner, this is a must-listen conversation that could save you serious money when disaster strikes. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Andy Gurczak and his background [02:22] What a public adjuster is and how they differ from insurance company adjusters [04:49] What to do if your rental property burns down and any kind of other peril? [06:40] Why you shouldn’t let your contractor handle the insurance claim [09:40] How their fee structure works [13:15] Why insurance companies don’t offer fair compensation upfront [16:05] Common mistakes property owners make when filing a claim [20:21] Specific coverages to look for when buying insurance [23:28] Navigating major storm damage claims and the “games” carriers play [28:03] Specific claim size to work with a public adjuster [30:05] Connect with Andy Gurczak [32:52] Outro Guest Links: Website: Contact Number: 708-655-4186 Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#285 - How to Use Data to Find and Buy Profitable Short-Term Rentals - Taylor Jones
07/30/2025
#285 - How to Use Data to Find and Buy Profitable Short-Term Rentals - Taylor Jones
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps short-term rental investors find the best deals and scale faster using real data. Taylor Jones is a short-term rental investing specialist at STR Search who helps investors build and grow profitable Airbnb portfolios. Listen as he explains how to spot strong STR opportunities using real market and property data—and what red flags to watch for before you buy. You’ll also learn how amenities like pools, pickleball courts, fire pits, and even string lights can seriously boost your booking rates, and why great photography might be the most valuable amenity of all. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Taylor Jones and his background [02:05] How he got into the short-term rental data analysis space [04:56] What makes a good, profitable Airbnb? [08:45] Different means to identify the best properties [13:46] What is bad data, and how to eliminate it? [19:33] Improving data confidence and making an informed decision in rental data analysis [21:21] Taylor's definition of market saturation [30:04] Make the best available decision based on the data you have today [35:50] How to analyze STR comps and project revenue with realistic low-mid-high ranges [37:41] Pool vs. no-pool revenue boosts: $20K–$70K, depending on market [41:26] Why photography is the most powerful STR investment [44:58] STR investing is 80% data, 20% art [45:32] Two paths to higher rates: More luxury or more value [46:38] Matching amenities to your ideal guest demographic [50:14] Outro Guest Links: Website: LinkedIn: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#284 - Building Wealth Across Real Estate Asset Classes for Long-Term Freedom - Brandon Rickman
07/23/2025
#284 - Building Wealth Across Real Estate Asset Classes for Long-Term Freedom - Brandon Rickman
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who turned grit, experience, and strategy into over 500 successful home flips and now uses that same knowledge to build long-term wealth through long and short-term rentals, and self-storage. Brandon Rickman is a seasoned real estate investor based in Atlanta who scaled his flipping business to over 100 deals a year. He now owns 865 self-storage units, short and long-term rentals, and a private lending company. In this conversation, Brandon walks us through his journey from learning construction with his dad to building scalable, freedom-generating real estate systems. Listen as he breaks down the evolution of his strategy, what made him pivot into self-storage, how to raise private money effectively, and why time freedom, not just financial freedom, is the ultimate goal. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale sustainably, this episode offers a playbook for building wealth without burning out. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Brandon Rickman and his background [02:17] Getting into real estate and his first deal [05:10] Brandon on being a cop and doing real estate on the side [08:14] Just take imperfect actions; you are not going to have all the answers [09:52] Hope is never a good strategy [10:16] Why short-term rentals became more viable than long-term rentals [16:19] Recognizing the risk of transactional businesses [19:10] Why self-storage offers time freedom and lower maintenance headaches [24:19] Market demand, square footage per capita, and self-storage resiliency [28:09] His advice for people raising private money for the first time [33:34] How Brandon raises 100% of funds without using his capital [35:36] The non-paid marketing [40:53] Structuring a flexible real estate business around family and lifestyle [42:49] Financial freedom is a great thing, but time freedom is even better [45:35] Connect with Brandon Rickman [46:41] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.theflipgenius.com/ Email: brandon@theflipgenius.com Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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#283 - Build Wealth While Protecting Your Time: The Zen Investor’s Mindset - Jonathan Greene
07/16/2025
#283 - Build Wealth While Protecting Your Time: The Zen Investor’s Mindset - Jonathan Greene
In this episode of Living Off Rentals, we're joined by a thought leader in the real estate investing space who has built a diverse and intentional portfolio, all while designing a lifestyle rooted in peace, purpose, and efficiency. Jonathan Greene is the host of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing and has been investing in real estate since his early twenties. Raised by a real estate-savvy father, Jonathan learned firsthand the power of buying smart and holding long-term. But for Jonathan, it’s never been just about building wealth: it’s about doing it without sacrificing time or values. In this wide-ranging conversation, listen as Jonathan shares how he developed what he calls “time freedom,” why he doesn’t answer phone calls, and how prioritizing self-care has made him a better investor. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Jonathan Greene and his background [02:04] How he gets into the real estate investing world [03:23] The shift from old school to the updated way of investing [05:25] First deals, lipstick flips, and early career in law [09:49] How his background in law and art impacts his investing strategy [14:27] Being an asset hunter [20:16] His main deal source for his deals, especially in Main Street mixed-use [21:41] Hybrid development of Main Street [25:05] The Origin of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing [27:49] Why phone calls are the biggest time-wasters in business [32:49] Scheduling self-care and maintaining boundaries as an entrepreneur [35:34] Effective ways to prioritize things that are important as a real estate investor [41:55] Lifestyle architecture [43:58] How to build your investing network without being pushy [46:28] Why most new investors should stop rushing and start showing up [49:05] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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#282 - How to Choose the Right Financing for Your First (or Next) Real Estate Deal - Christian Bachelder
07/09/2025
#282 - How to Choose the Right Financing for Your First (or Next) Real Estate Deal - Christian Bachelder
Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who brings clarity to one of the most confusing parts of real estate investing: financing. Christian Bachelder is the co-founder of The One Brokerage and one of the most trusted lending advisors in the real estate investing space. He is a UC Berkeley graduate, and a former chemical engineer turned seasoned investor. He now helps others invest in real estate by connecting them with the right financing strategies. Listen as he breaks down the different types of loans available to investors—from traditional mortgages to DSCR and hard money loans—and how to use them strategically to grow your portfolio. We also talk about how to qualify for your first loan, when to use each lending product, the truth about BRRRR strategy funding, and why some “creative” financing methods may be more dangerous than they seem. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Christian Bachelder and his background [02:35] From being a chemical engineer to being an investor and real estate lending [04:55] The spark that ignited Christian’s obsession with real estate [08:38] Partnering with David Greene and building The 1 Brokerage [11:32] How to stay competitive with a large variety of multiple loan products [14:01] The three buckets of loans every investor should know [15:55] What is a DSCR Loan, and why do investors love it [19:27] How the BRRRR loan flow works [24:44] DSCR loan terms explained: Rates, down payments, and pitfalls [29:21] Three ways of calculating a rent [31:35] Talk to your lender first before anybody [32:48] Loan options for first-time investors [35:35] 5 proven ways to find down payment funds [43:00] Why good short-term rentals still win despite market noise [46:08] Two main things that encompass the creative financing world [52:58] Connect with Christian Bachelder Guest Links: Website: Instagram: Youtube Podcast: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#281 - How to Scale a Rental Portfolio with $0 by Finding Overlooked Sellers - Daniel Kwak
07/02/2025
#281 - How to Scale a Rental Portfolio with $0 by Finding Overlooked Sellers - Daniel Kwak
Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who proves that starting from scratch doesn’t mean staying stuck. Daniel Kwak is a real estate investor, coach, author, and one half of the renowned Kwak Brothers. By age 23, he and his brother had already syndicated over $10 million in real estate deals—but what makes Daniel’s journey remarkable is how it started: no money, no credit, and no connections. Yet in just one year, he scaled to 87 rental units. In this episode, Daniel shares exactly how he achieved financial freedom by focusing on overlooked sellers and creative strategies like seller financing. He also dives into the mindset, urgency, and resourcefulness investors need to succeed in today’s market. If you're looking for a game plan to start building a rental portfolio from the ground up, this is the episode to listen to. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Daniel Kwak and his journey [04:26] The start of 'Kwak Brothers' [08:24] The power of urgency and how it fuels success [13:42] Understanding the unique economics behind your supply and demand [20:23] Starting the real estate journey with no money, no income, and terrible credit [23:03] Why seller financing was the key to Daniel’s first deals [26:13] How to find older landlords who are ideal for seller financing [31:32] The Reason why a lot of people fail [36:16] "Do it first." [39:18] The shiny object syndrome [49:57] Real estate opportunities to do something fun [56:27] A look at Daniel's week [58:38] Connect with Daniel Kwak Guest Links: Website: Order Daniel’s book here: Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – Living Off Rentals Website – Living Off Rentals Instagram – Living Off Rentals TikTok –
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#280 - The Co-Host Model That Built a 130-Property STR Empire - Julie George
06/25/2025
#280 - The Co-Host Model That Built a 130-Property STR Empire - Julie George
Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who went from burnout in corporate sales to building and selling one of the most impressive short-term rental empires in the world. Julie George is the author of Million Dollar Host and the founder of a short-term rental business that scaled to 130 properties and generated $8 million in just three years. She did this through a unique co-hosting model where she scaled by empowering her team to take ownership within her business. In this episode, she breaks down how she turned a single Airbnb listing into an empire, the systems she put in place, the challenges she faced (including a story you won’t forget), and how she exited the business at the perfect time - right before COVID hit. Whether you're a short-term rental host, property manager, or investor, you'll walk away with invaluable insights from Julie’s honest and inspiring journey, along with practical strategies you can apply to your own STR business. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Julie George and her background [02:50] How she transitioned from real estate broker to STR entrepreneur [06:21] Her approach to the first potential property owners [09:12] Unique way of scaling your business [14:25] Training co-hosts and a hilarious lesson learned [17:12] What she would do differently if starting again today [25:18] Business valuation and selling a property management company [31:59] Create an LLC and put a management contract in place [34:11] Surviving COVID and the importance of being able to pivot [39:09] Success stories from her coaching clients [45:10] The power of industry community and collaboration [48:46] Connect with Julie George [51:18] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.milliondollarhost.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarhost LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-george-milliondollarhost Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milliondollarhost/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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#279 - Inside the Assisted Living Model That Nets $40K/Month - Brett Chotkevys
06/18/2025
#279 - Inside the Assisted Living Model That Nets $40K/Month - Brett Chotkevys
Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who is redefining the way investors think about real estate—and doing it in one of the country's most needed and profitable niches. Brett Chotkevys is the co-founder of Platinum Assisted Living Luxury and the creator of a revolutionary assisted living mansion model that blends top-tier residential luxury with world-class elder care. After flipping 200+ homes, Brett transitioned to developing 16-bed luxury assisted living homes that generate $40,000 in monthly net income per facility. In this episode, Brett explains how assisted living became the next big opportunity for real estate investors, what sets his model apart, and how he helps others do the same—even with no prior medical background. If you’ve ever considered blending real estate, business, and purpose, you’ll want to hear this conversation. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Brett Chotkevys and his real estate background [03:10] Transitioning from house flipping to assisted living [07:03] Some of the lessons Brent learned from the flipping experience [10:20] Creating the “Assisted Living Mansion” model [14:42] Licensing and zoning considerations by state [17:17] Assisted Living is different from a hospice house [20:11] What it costs to build and how SBA loans make it possible [26:52] The team, staffing, and operations behind the scenes [35:14] Marketing: How to keep a waitlist of residents [36:31] The Strategic 20 [40:36] Brett’s blueprint for those interested in getting started [43:28] Connect with Brett Chotkevys Guest Links: Website: https://www.assistedlivingmansion.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistedlivingmansion/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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#278 - How to Use Accelerated Depreciation to Save Thousands on Taxes - Dawn Polin
06/11/2025
#278 - How to Use Accelerated Depreciation to Save Thousands on Taxes - Dawn Polin
Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who helps rental property investors unlock huge tax savings through accelerated depreciation. Dawn Polin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years of experience, including managing the cost segregation practice at a large CPA firm. Today, she’s the Managing Director of Rental Property Refund, a platform that simplifies and automates accelerated depreciation studies so everyday investors can take full advantage of this powerful tax strategy. Listen as she explains what cost segregation is, how this strategy can dramatically reduce your tax burden and even offset W-2 income, and what’s on the horizon for bonus depreciation laws. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Dawn Polin and her background [01:33] Dawn's background and her journey into tax strategy [02:08] What is Cost Segregation and why does it matter? [03:23] The step-by-step cost segregation process [06:45] Strategies people use to offset asset depreciation [08:25] The difference between short-term and long-term rentals [09:44] Long-term rentals are going to be passive [12:50] Streamlining with rental property refund [14:42] Common mistakes real estate investors make Guest Links / Special Links: Get 10% off on Rental Property Refund's tax tool by checking out their free webinar below ⬇️ https://rentalpropertyrefund.com/aff-wh-refersion.php?rfsn=8663927.c9edf7 Plus, get an extra $150 off by using the promo code KIRBY150, exclusively for the Living Off Rentals community. Website: https://rentalpropertyrefund.com/ Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/ Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals
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