What if you could turn one rented apartment into a thriving 2,000-room co-living empire? In this episode of Invest2FI, Sergii Starostin shares his journey from working in healthcare in Ukraine to pioneering co-living operations in New York City. Discover how Sergii turned a single 6-bedroom rental into a scalable business model. He shares how he attracted investors, navigated complex regulations, and built systems to handle massive growth.

In this conversation, Sergii also talks about strategies for negotiating with landlords, building a strong team, resolving conflicts, and adapting during crises like COVID-19.

Whether you’re curious about co-living as an investment strategy or simply want practical, scalable property management insights, you’ll find plenty of actionable tips here. Sergii dives into the future of co-living, nationwide expansion plans, and how to create real pathways to homeownership for residents.

If you want to learn how to scale quickly while keeping risks low, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a masterclass in operational excellence and real estate entrepreneurship.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:03] Sergii’s background from Ukraine to U.S. real estate start

[06:04] Launching the first co-living apartment in New York in 2016

[08:46] Overcoming landlord objections with strong business planning

[13:48] Raising $100K–$150K per project with investor partnerships

[16:54] Scaling units rapidly through multi-property landlord deals

[20:47] Navigating severe COVID losses and landlord negotiations

[23:51] Converting leases to a management model for business survival

[25:54] Acquiring failed competitor portfolios during market downturn

[28:37] Systems to maintain tenant satisfaction and cleanliness

[32:21] Managing conflicts and enforcing house rules effectively

[36:25] Team structure: sales, operations, customer service, tech, finance

[38:05] First hires and building a balanced sales–operations leadership

[40:00] Outpost Club’s expansion plans across the top 10 U.S. metros

[43:41] Sergii’s advice: find and secure good deals fast

[45:01] Current reads: sci-fi and EOS business methodology

[46:03] Sergii’s “why” – creating a path to homeownership for tenants

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

Sergii Starostin

🌐Website: https://outpost-club.com/
🔗LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiistarostin/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shailerz/

📧Email: sam@outposthyphenclub.com

How do you turn a seemingly bad investment into a profitable real estate venture? In this episode, Craig sits down with David Edwards, a Houston-based co-living operator, investor, and founder of CoLiving Operations. Dave shares how he left a shaky data analyst job to pursue real estate full time.

From his first $65K house in January 2020 (turned pink inside by accident) to converting dining rooms into bedrooms, Dave walks through his path to an 8-bedroom pad splits yielding $2K+ in monthly cash flow. Learn what it takes to thrive in Houston’s unique rental market, how to mitigate co-living risks, and how his 300+ doors under management started with one “stripper house.” If you're eyeing cash flow, shared housing, or white-glove turnkey co-living investing, this episode delivers unmatched ground-zero detail.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:07] Dave shares why he left data analytics for real estate stability.
[04:52] Describes moving from New York to Kingwood in 2019.
[06:46] Purchases $65K rental property in January 2020, adds $20K rehab.
[09:10] Discovers tenant abandoned the house after claiming COVID multiple times.
[09:45] “First thing I see is a stripper pole”—Dave on entering home.
[14:30] Rehabs trashed house and sells it, learning hard lessons.
[16:45] Discusses April 2020 Kingwood flood-damaged flip yielding $40K profit.
[20:45] Converts 5-bed home into 8-bed 3-bath co-living rental.
[24:04] “I was cash flowing just shy of $2,000 a month.”
[26:35] Sells property subject-to in order to fund duplex development.
[33:23] Planning to build 10-bed 10-bath duplexes compliant with local laws.
[35:29] Explains arbitrage model using 5-year leases with exit clauses.
[39:00] Looks for properties with 60% parking and near public transit.
[41:50] Reviews 12 deals weekly but only 3 usually make the cut.
[43:45] “12–16% cash-on-cash is realistic—20% is rare in Houston.”
[45:00] Uses Airbnb-style insurance in Texas due to co-living challenges.
[46:20] “You don’t need to be perfect. Just start moving forward.”
[48:30] “I don’t want to disappoint my wife—that’s my why

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

David Edwards

📱 Phone: (917) 482-5894 (text preferred)

👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djedwards83/

What if you could live rent-free and build over a million dollars in equity within just a few years? In this powerful solo episode of Invest2FI, Craig Curelop breaks down his real estate investing journey from his very first duplex in Denver in 2017 to building a portfolio of five house hacks that now generate over $10,000 per month in cash flow and nearly $1.2M in equity.

Craig shares raw details, including exact purchase prices, loan types, mortgage payments, and rental income. You’ll hear how he navigated market fears, COVID uncertainty, and even a costly $150,000 structural repair. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an aspiring house hacker, or an investor scaling your portfolio, this episode is packed with proven strategies, real numbers, and inspiration to help you take action in 2025 and beyond.

Highlights

[03:03] Craig explains his very first duplex purchase in Denver 2017.
[05:20] Shares FHA loan details and how he lived behind a curtain.
[07:06] Reveals $800 monthly cash flow and $400K equity growth.
[08:18] Talks about second house hack in Fortin Colorado in 2018.
[09:57] Explains converting four-bedroom home into six-bedroom rental.
[12:27] Discusses Airbnb strategy generating $2,000 monthly downstairs.
[13:54] Breaks down Arvada property during COVID with studio unit.
[15:19] Opens up about $150,000 structural issue and repair costs.
[17:45] Describes Cherry Creek six-bed house hack bringing $4,700 rent.
[19:45] Summarizes how five house hacks built $1M equity in 8 years.

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

What happens when you start with a 10-year prison sentence—and end up managing over $50 million in real estate assets? In this powerful episode of the Invest2FI, Craig Curelop welcomes Alex Donnolo: a real estate expert, public speaker, and former inmate with a story that defies the odds. Alex Donnolo’s life wasn’t always destined for success. Learn how he went from wrongful conviction to creating a thriving business in mobile home park investing through seller financing and operational discipline.

You’ll hear how he scaled from a lawn care hustle to an empire with 21 parks across 11 states and what it really takes to raise capital, build a hybrid investment model, and lead with resilience. Whether you're facing setbacks or looking for a strategic investing edge, this episode delivers inspiration and tactical wisdom in every minute.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[02:35] - Growing up with family of business owners

[03:02] Middle school hustling with t-shirts and skateboards

[03:10] Ran small business screen printing with friends

[03:49] Wrongfully convicted, sentenced to 10 years

[06:50] Became national news, withdrew from high school

[12:46] While incarcerated, Alex found spiritual guidance

[26:45] Started seller-financed mobile home park investing

[32:31] Alex manages 21 properties across 11 states, totaling $50 million

[34:31] Blended interest rate strategy at 8%

[35:59] Exit strategies and contingency planning

[38:21] "Hybrid model" gives lenders partial equity

[42:40] Doubled value of first MHP in 2 years

[45:31] Rent increase strategy done with transparency

[47:19] Solo growth after partnership split in 2020

[48:00] Why MHPs outperform storage and multifamily

[49:02] Seller-financed deals are harder in storage asset class

[51:01] Scaling challenges, building efficient team culture

[52:55] Plans to focus more on writing and speaking

[53:05] Upcoming book release in September

[53:51] Best advice: “Resilience not perfection” by Jim Collins

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

Alex Donnolo
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdonnolo/

📘 Pre-order his book: https://www.alexdonnolo.com/

🔍Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rurhFHovVKJgTxC3d5DBg

Are you wondering how real estate can fast-track your journey to financial freedom? In this episode of Invest2FI, host Craig Curelop sits down with Scott Trench, a real estate investor, author, and former CEO of BiggerPockets to talk about why he walked away after 7 years at the helm. Scott opens up about leadership, burnout, identity, and what’s next in his journey through financial independence. This conversation digs deep into his personal philosophy on business, freedom, and the evolving meaning of success.

Whether you're building your first portfolio or scaling a team, this candid conversation offers actionable insight and hard-earned wisdom for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Plus, Scott drops golden nuggets on managing teams, family balance, and staying purpose-driven post-FI. Tune in to catch exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and strategic mindset shifts from one of the most influential voices in financial independence.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:47] Scott’s background as real estate investor and former CEO

[06:23] Dealing with identity shifts after stepping down as CEO

[08:47]Why few investors don't "sell it all" and how long-term ownership builds wealth

[11:20] How financial independence changes your spending patterns and priorities

[14:19] The mindset shift of owning vs. managing property

[17:28] How Scott avoids buying at the market peak

[20:54] Understanding value and not overpaying in competitive markets

[24:03] Negotiating below market in today’s real estate climate

[27:29] The biggest mistakes people make on the path to FI

[34:04] How population growth impacts real estate strategy

[35:19] Limited supply = opportunity for smart real estate moves

[38:56] Deciding between different property types and investment vehicles

[42:41] Why Scott still values a bit of “earned income”

[46:10] Finding joy in the process, not just the outcome

[49:59] Scott’s current focus: family, investing, and the BiggerPockets podcast

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

Scott Trench

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

🔍Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22/

What would you do if you had no money, no job, and no local connections—but wanted to build a real estate portfolio? In this episode of Invest2FI, Craig Curelop sits down with Fernando Corona, a real estate investor and private money expert who leveraged out-of-state co-living properties to build wealth from scratch.

Fernando reveals how he went from quitting his job with debt and no income to structuring creative deals, working with partners, and managing high-cash-flow PadSplit properties without ever visiting them in person.

You'll learn what mistakes to avoid, how to work with contractors remotely, raise capital, and scale with the right systems in place. Whether you're new or seasoned in house hacking, partnership investing, or PadSplit rentals, this episode is packed with real-world advice and actionable strategies to grow your portfolio today.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:42] Quit job broke and in debt with no clear plan
[06:45] Reduced mortgage by house hacking with roommates out of necessity
[09:44] Started first PadSplit investment property remotely in Tennessee
[12:44] Chose ideal markets after analyzing cash flow and demand
[18:42] Built systems to manage contractors completely out-of-state
[21:44] Overlooked renovation costs weren’t included in contractor’s original quote
[24:46] Low purchase price markets improve rent-to-cost investment returns
[27:47] Mobile homes provide affordable entry with potential cash flow
[30:42] Creative financing gave investor-friendly benefits and cash flow
[33:42] Evaluates if deal makes sense based on location returns
[36:43] Tenant churn in co-living eats into profit margins
[39:46] Rental income used to qualify for better financing terms
[42:49] Compared co-living, Airbnb, and section eight investment strategies
[45:46] Shared personal story and investing journey through recent years

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

Fernando Corona

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

🔍Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-corona/

📲Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itsfernandocorona

What do soccer and real estate investing have in common? Grit. In this episode of Invest2FI, Craig Curelop is with former professional soccer player turned house hacker, Eric Lafon. Eric shares his remarkable transition from a European soccer league to climbing the property ladder in Denver—while cash flowing $1,500/month in 2024’s high-rate market.

This episode discusses co-living strategies, building resilience after layoffs, traveling frugally across 35+ countries, and how Eric turned a severance check into a financial pivot. Tune in to hear how he discovered BiggerPockets, mastered creative financing, and built a thriving real estate portfolio—starting with just one room.

Whether you're a traveling minimalist, athlete, or nine-to-fiver dreaming of financial independence, Eric's story will show you what’s possible with smart investing and community-minded real estate. Don’t miss this high-value episode.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:44] Transitioning from sports to a low-paying software job

[04:05] Discovery of BiggerPockets during COVID lockdown

[09:49] Told 15-year-old dreams don’t pay bills and shifted goals

[13:04] Took higher role realizing he needed purpose beyond career

[16:53] How frugality and long-term travel built financial discipline

[19:30] Moving to Denver without job and landing one Day One

[21:15] Volunteering in co-living in Oaxaca sparks new vision

[23:06] Using new W2 to get pre-approved and find right property

[26:00] Why co-living offered better ROI than duplex strategy

[28:50] Buying a 4-bed, 3,000 sq ft house optimized for co-living

[37:07] Biggest mindset shifts since becoming a property owner

[38:30] Dealing with property management and early co-living issues

[42:00] Learning lease management and tenant communication skills

[45:20] You don't need to hustle 24/7 if systems are working

[48:33] FI isn’t about retiring early but about intentional life design

[51:47] Inspired to help others find clarity, confidence, financial peace

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

Eric Lafon

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

In this episode of Invest2FI, Craig Curelop, shares his personal and professional journey in 2025. Reflecting on his goals for the year, Craig provides updates on his progress in key areas such as health, spirituality, personal growth, and real estate investing.

From intentional health choices and improving posture to deepening his faith and planning new business ventures, Craig opens up about the successes and challenges of staying aligned with his aspirations. Listen as he talks about the challenges of balancing relationships, fitness, and financial independence, while facing the ever-changing demands of life.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[00:20] Introduction to the mid-year reflection on personal and professional goals.

[02:40] Discussing health and fitness goals and tracking progress.

[03:59] Reflecting on spiritual growth and memorizing Bible verses.

[05:10] Shifting focus on lifestyle and less travel, prioritizing home and community.

[07:43] Personal growth through books, podcasts, and mentorship.

[09:39] Relationship with family, improving communication, and staying connected.

[13:04] Real estate goals, challenges, and a surprise property sale for cash flow.

[14:40] Plans for expanding co-living properties with investors.

[16:00] Closing thoughts on balancing personal life and work, staying focused on the big picture.

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