What if one “smelly” condo became the springboard to financial independence, luxury short-term rentals, and a reverse 1031 into a waterfront Arizona home? In this Invest2FI episode, Craig is with Maui-based investor and former firefighter Mike Neubauer about turning creative strategy into real results. You’ll hear how Mike and his wife Caroline targeted hotel-zoned lockout condos on Maui, bought a $540,000 fixer that “smelled like cat urine,” DIY-renovated on a tight deadline, and optimized pricing to hit ninety-seven percent blended occupancy and 10,000–12,000 monthly revenue.

Mike breaks down the numbers behind a $ 7,000 net cash flow, then explains selling that unit for $ 1.365 million and using a reverse 1031 exchange to acquire and upgrade a $ 1.0 million lakefront home in Gilbert, Arizona, with a $ 400,000 remodel. What’s for you? A repeatable playbook for markets, zoning, lockouts, pricing levers, and exchanges you can apply now.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[04:32] Mike’s background in photography and graphic design

[05:56] Earning his first passive income through Amazon book royalties.

[06:42] A firefighter mentor in Maui introduces him to short-term rentals.

[07:15] Mike reflects on the fire tragedy and retiring before 2021.

[08:53] He discusses building an ADU to house hack their first property.

[10:58] Strategy focused on Maui lockout condos with hotel zoning advantage.

[13:45] He details buying a $540k condo and budgeting $40k renovation.

[15:29] Handyman backed out, forcing Mike to learn DIY via YouTube.

[22:41] Occupancy soared to 97%, generating $10–12k in monthly revenue.

[23:19] Net profits hit $6–7k monthly after all operating expenses.

[25:08] They sold the Maui condo for $1.365M, using reverse 1031.

[26:42] Invested $1M in Gilbert lake house, adding $400k renovations.

[36:36] A preview of a 20-unit glamping development near Zion National Park.

[40:49] Mike emphasizes picking syndicators carefully, investing in operators not assets.

[42:42] His future plans include Coeur d’Alene living, Caroline’s Maui realtor expansion.

[52:05] Advice to invest early, network hard, and stay consistent.

HOST

Craig Curelop

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy

📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy

🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze

GUEST

Mike Neubauer

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeyneu/?hl=en

🎙️Podcast: https://ourfamilyinvests.com/

📱Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.maui/

What if your “safe” job was the very thing keeping you from true financial independence? In this episode of Invest2FI, Craig Curelop interviews Dustin Heiner, founder of Master Passive Income and REWBCON. Dustin shares how he left his county IT job in California in 2006 and built a real estate portfolio in Phoenix, Arizona, that generated enough cash flow to retire by 37.

This conversation covers the mindset shifts that led him to challenge the traditional “work until 65” narrative, the exact strategies he used to buy single-family rentals with less than $20,000 saved, and the freedom number that set him free.

You’ll hear how Dustin built scalable systems, overcame costly mistakes, and now teaches thousands how to create generational wealth. If you’re ready to break out of the J-O-B cycle and start investing with purpose, this episode is your blueprint.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:17] Dustin opens by sharing how traditional career paths often trap workers.

[06:09] He recalls the moment his job felt like “led bricks.”

[08:41] Dustin explains being laid off despite having a good boss.

[11:32] He notes there weren’t great YouTube videos to learn investing.

[13:59] Dustin describes deciding to approach real estate differently from others.

[16:49] He compares earning 25 cents profit on every rental deal.

[19:38] Dustin recalls people doubting his ability to build passive income.

[22:02] He details branching out from California to Texas and Arizona.

[24:36] Dustin explains why families became his best long-term tenants.

[27:07] He emphasizes the importance of scaling a rental portfolio.

[29:41] Dustin shares building systems that made $300–$500 each month..

[31:58] He stresses helping people while becoming financially independent.

[34:18] Dustin advises cutting expenses to accelerate financial freedom.

[37:37] He reflects on challenges faced with early property acquisitions.

[40:41] Dustin reveals buying into a $35 million apartment complex.

[44:06] He responds passionately about lessons learned along the journey.

[47:22] Dustin shares attending conferences to network with real estate investors.

[50:46] He warns that tough times will strengthen investors over time.

[53:41] Dustin offers his best single piece of real estate advice.

[56:53] He closes with a lighthearted reference to a favorite movie.

HOST

Craig Curelop

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy

📘 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy

🏘️ Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze

GUEST

Dustin Heiner

🌐 Website: https://masterpassiveincome.com/

📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedustinheiner

🔗Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MasterPassiveInc/

▶️YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MasterPassiveIncome

What does it take to leave the Army Infantry and build a 25-year real estate career across Arizona and beyond? In this episode, Craig sits down with Jim Boad, a seasoned investor who has seen every cycle of the housing market. Jim shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Army to navigating his first deal with just $15,000, tackling properties with galvanized pipes, and making his mark in Sun City, Arizona. He opens up about lessons learned, the mistakes he avoided, and the strategies that worked when others didn’t.

Learn how Jim transitioned from military life into investing, how he evaluates properties, and why mindset is critical in real estate. If you’re looking for insights, financial independence tips, and stories from the trenches of property deals, this episode is packed with value for aspiring and seasoned investors alike.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:39] Jim shares how his journey into real estate first began.

[05:04] He explains leaving the Army without a high-ranking position.

[06:27] Jim recalls selling properties even when markets weren’t favorable.

[07:59] The housing market then wasn’t booming like it is today.

[09:33] He describes coming up with about $15,000 for his deal.

[11:04] Jim remembers facing issues with galvanized pipes in early properties.

[12:19] He reflects on how sales principles apply across different careers.

[15:50] Early investing left him thinking, “I’m only going to make 40.”

[17:46] A quick but impactful reaction shows lessons learned the hard way.

[20:26] Listings taught him where real profits could actually be made.

[24:08] Jim realized he’d be a strong buyer’s and listing agent.

[27:59] Looking back, he admits wishing for better timing on sales.

[31:52] Craig asks when Jim finally sold one of his properties.

[35:47] Negotiations stalled when both sides couldn’t reach agreeable terms.

[39:56] Jim offers advice on how to never pay rent again.

[43:53] He talks about targeting homes with minimum four bedrooms.

[47:45] Sun City, Arizona, becomes a highlighted market in their discussion.

[51:48] Jim explains programs that help people qualify for affordable housing.

[55:23] He stresses hiring skilled people to handle specialized adjustments.

HOST

Craig Curelop

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefiguy

📚 Book: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-strategy

🏡 Buy Real Estate: https://bit.ly/3V3QDze

GUEST

Jim Boad

📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567072777563

💼 Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-boad-aba962b5