Living Off Rentals

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   

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: https://shawngwaltney.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 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: https://earnestinvesting.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   

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: https://www.wellingscapital.com/  Interested in getting into commercial real estate investing? Visit: https://www.wellingscapital.com/resources  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 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: https://allcityadjusting.com/  Contact Number: 708-655-4186   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 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: https://strsearch.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-jones-38997154/   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 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 

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   

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: https://www.theonebrokerage.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonebrokerage/  Youtube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidGreeneRealEstate  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 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: https://thekwakbrothers.comOrder Daniel’s book here: https://0to75units.com/book-order1587970091604       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 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   

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 

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   

Joining us on this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who’s helped Kirby secure five different DSCR loans over the past year and a half.  Jay Anderson is a lender with Visio Lending, a company that specializes in DSCR loans for investment properties.  A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan allows investors to qualify based on a property’s income—not their personal income.  It’s a great option for self-employed investors, those without W2 income, or anyone looking to scale without hitting debt-to-income limits. As an active investor himself, Jay knows what it takes to get deals done, especially in today’s market.  In this episode, he breaks down how DSCR loans work, what it takes to qualify, and why they’re such a powerful tool for scaling your portfolio.  You’ll also learn about how DSCR loans can supercharge your BRRRR strategy and common pitfalls to avoid when applying for financing.  Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Jay Anderson and his background [02:18] Getting into real estate lending [05:20] What are DSCR loans? [08:30] Qualifications for DSCR loans [13:19] Biggest reasons people get denied financing [20:20] Basic terms for DSCR loan [26:24] Jay's recommendation in terms of financing for someone who wants to do the BRRRR strategy [31:24] Location and type of property most profitable for investors [33:40] His advice for new real estate investors [38:33] Connect with Jay Anderson [39:44] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://visiolending.com/ae-directory/jay-anderson/ Email: jay.anderson@visiolending.com  Contact Number: 737-910-2344 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 Matt Aitchison — a hotelier, investor, and host of the Millionaire Mindcast podcast — whose journey through adversity is nothing short of remarkable. After hitting rock bottom in college and spending time in jail, Matt made a pivotal decision to transform his life. He went on to flip hundreds of homes, build a massive single-family portfolio, and is now scaling a commercial and hospitality real estate empire as CEO of Imagos Hospitality Group. Matt shares how he learned to fail forward, using early setbacks as fuel for success. He and Kirby dive into his transition from single-family rentals to commercial properties, the power of mentorship, and the creative financing strategies he's using to close deals in today’s challenging market. Key Takeaways: [01:00] Introducing Matt Aitchison and his background [02:00] The two types of people when facing adversities and setbacks [08:06] Getting a mentor as a real estate investor [13:59] If you want extraordinary results, be willing to do extraordinary things [17:49] Transition from single-family rentals to commercial real estate investing [23:23] There's a bull market in any bear market [24:17] Season of seller finance [31:22] The beauty of commercial real estate [36:45] The journey of real estate investing is every deal is going to have challenges [43:12] Real estate slowly becomes less about their money, and more about solving problems [48:10] Connect with Matt Aitchison [49:18] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://www.mattaitchison.com/ Imagos Group: https://www.imagosgroup.com/ Millionaire Mindcast Podcast: https://www.millionairemindcast.com/  Wise Investor Collective Mastermind Group: https://wiseinvestorcollective.com/ Show Links:  Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals Living Off Rentals Facebook Group -www.facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals Website -www.livingoffrentals.com Living Off Rentals Instagram -www.instagram.com/livingoffrentals Living Off Rentals TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals