Living Off Rentals

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a Naval Academy graduate, retired Navy pilot, and lifelong entrepreneur who quietly built real estate wealth while serving 20 years in the military. Stu Grazier's journey started long before real estate podcasts were mainstream. From flipping raw land and house hacking in San Diego before the term even existed, to private lending during deployments, he shares how he built wealth by taking action, learning through failure, and staying disciplined while others partied away their paychecks. This episode is packed with real-world perspective and hard-won wisdom. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Stu Grazier and his background [03:05] How a 14-month deployment to Iraq sparked Stu's deep dive into real estate investing [06:42] How living below his means during deployments accelerated his investing journey [07:54] Managing a full-time job and real estate at the same time [09:05] Strategies, tactics, and niches in real estate that don't require a lot of time and effort [10:34] How his financial goals evolved from "making money" to time freedom and family presence [13:02] The personal motivation behind building passive income as a present father [14:14] Why Stu stayed in the military and how to know when it's time to leave [18:47] The failure that led to launching a turnkey business [21:44] What a turnkey investment is supposed to look like [25:40] The hidden stress and risks of scaling a real estate business too fast [29:41] Growing through referral word-of-mouth marketing [30:31] Why COVID forced a hard pivot away from flipping [33:03] Evaluating deals today: relationships come before numbers [35:48] Why values alignment matters more than contracts [38:48] Why the Military Investor Network was built around trust and relationships [40:20] Creating community by connecting high-integrity people [43:59] Time-blocking, routines, and rebuilding daily structure post-military [47:50] Why focused, shorter workdays often produce better results [48:54] Outro   Guest Links: Website: https://www.militaryinvestornetwork.com/  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stuartgrazier  Join Stu's monthly Free Community Call: https://www.militaryinvestornetwork.com/contact-us/   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   

What happens when a former cancer researcher and college professor applies a data-driven mindset to short-term rentals? Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who spent 12 years teaching college biology and advising future doctors and pre-med students. Today, he's a short-term rental investor focused on building cash flow and flexibility through data-driven decisions. Drew Ivey shares his journey from academia into real estate investing, and how one well-researched short-term rental deal reshaped his financial future. He breaks down how data, patience, and intentional design helped him land a high-performing duplex in a secondary market, navigate major setbacks, and still come out ahead. Listen and enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Drew Ivey and his background [02:31] Going into the real estate direction [03:33] Getting a taste of freedom during COVID [06:49] How a scientific mindset translated perfectly into market research [08:32] Education alone doesn't guarantee success in real estate [10:29] Why Drew shifted away from Tennessee and Texas after running the numbers [16:05] Recognizing a deal instantly once you truly understand a market [18:08] Why a stacked duplex stood out as a rare value-add opportunity [22:38] Renovation setbacks that turned a $28K rehab into a $92K project [27:10] Competing in overlooked markets with intentional design and communication [27:54] Over-communicating with guests to drive better reviews [31:50] How Drew's vision and idea in real estate evolved over time [35:55] Making a friend vs networking [39:44] Finding off-market deals through relationships [41:20] Why mistakes are part of the process, not the end of it [43:42] Find the "why" that is worthy and sustainable through ups and downs [47:03] Outro 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   

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: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1389202306719070032  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

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: https://www.fiddleleafdevelopment.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

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: https://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.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   

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: https://riversidehavenwv.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   

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: https://www.lumberjacklandlord.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumberjack_landlord/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LumberjackLandlord  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   

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: https://adielgorel.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adielgorel/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdielGorel  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   

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: https://scaleyourrealestate.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   

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 – 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   

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: legacywealthmasterclass.com INFLATION NATION: https://legacyalliance.link/Pod-Inflation-Nation FREE Multi-Family Masterclass: https://legacyalliance.link/Pod-Multi-Family-Class 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   

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 – 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   

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: https://theshredmethod.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

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: https://www.therealestatecpa.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancarriere/  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 – 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 

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: https://aaronameen.com/ Free resources: https://aaronameen.com/free-resources/ 20-Minute Investor Workshop: https://20minuteinvestor.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   

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: freewyldfoundry.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayfreewyld  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller  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   

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: https://www.derosagroup.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/derosagroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/ 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 

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 

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:  https://theaustinrutherford.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinrutherfordofficial/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AustinRutherford  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   

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: https://thekincergroup.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasekincer  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