The Co-Living Show

Hosted by Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Episodes

341

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Co-living is one of the most misunderstood, and highest-potential, strategies in residential real estate investing. Most investors hear the buzzwords, see the cash-flow claims, and immediately assume it’s either too risky, too operationally intense, or too complicated to scale. The truth is simpler: coliving work exceptionally well when built on systems, governed by operational clarity, and executed like a real business, not a side hustle. The Co-Living Show exists to make that clarity accessible for serious professionals who want smarter returns without gambling on guesswork. Hosted by BiggerPockets authors Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain, The Co-Living Show goes far beyond surface-level real estate content. This is the only real estate investing podcast dedicated exclusively to the economics, operations, regulations, and strategic frameworks that drive high-density co-living and shared housing at scale. Whether you’re new to the model or a high-earning, time-poor professional seeking exposure to a sophisticated cash-flow real estate strategy without becoming an operator, this show delivers the confidence, understanding, and insight needed to invest intelligently. Each episode takes you inside the real-world systems behind co-living performance. You’ll hear from operators running multi-market portfolios, attorneys specializing in zoning and compliance, designers who understand space optimization and profitability, lenders financing room-by-room rental strategies, and property managers and city officials shaping the future of affordable housing innovation. You’ll also hear from the Co-Living Cash Flow Community, everyday investors solving operational challenges and executing the exact frameworks discussed on the show. 👉 Join the community: www.millermcswain.com/community There is no fluff here. No hype. No motivational noise. Every conversation is grounded in data, regulatory insight, operational logic, and investor-level clarity. Co-living is not “passive income.” It’s not a shortcut. It’s a system. And systems — when executed correctly — produce scalable, predictable returns that outperform traditional rental models. This is not speculative theory. It’s cash-flow real estate strategy in action. Craig brings acquisitions, underwriting, and market strategy. Miller brings operations, pricing systems, and standardization frameworks that make coliving scalable. Together, they deliver an operator’s perspective of an asset class most investors only see from the outside. As BiggerPockets authors, educators, and practitioners, they simplify complexity without diluting truth: coliving works, but only when done correctly. You’ll hear underwriting breakdowns, operator case studies, deal teardowns, regulatory realities, tenant strategy, market analysis, and the economic logic behind high-density residential investing. You’ll learn how to invest passively, partner with experienced operators, or simply understand the business model in depth, even if you never plan to manage a property yourself. The Co-Living Show does not claim co-living works. It proves when, why, and under what conditions it works. If you want confidence instead of conjecture, systems instead of speculation, and clarity instead of chaos, this is your source of truth for professional-grade residential real estate investing. Subscribe and join thousands of investors building deeper understanding, stronger portfolios, and smarter strategies, without wasting time on noise. This is the future of residential real estate investing. And now you’ll finally understand how it works.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 2026Episode 3743 min

EP 37 - The 8 Must-Haves for Smooth and Profitable Co-Living Operations

What separates a profitable co-living property from one that's constantly creating headaches for its owner? In this solo episode of The Co-Living Show , Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain break down the eight must-haves for running co-living homes smoothly, efficiently, and profitably. With approximately 300 rooms under management , Craig and Miller have seen what works, what doesn't, and which seemingly small property decisions can create major operational challenges. From parking and bathroom ratios to storage, security, and reliable internet, they share practical lessons from their own portfolio, including mistakes they've made, systems they've improved, and the non-negotiables they now look for in every property. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why parking can make or break a co-living property's operations The ideal resident-to-bathroom ratio and when overcrowding becomes a problem How organized storage helps prevent conflicts between housemates Why common areas matter for resident satisfaction and retention How smart locks and security cameras help protect residents and properties What every co-living kitchen needs to function efficiently How to approach laundry setups in larger co-living homes Why reliable, high-speed internet is a non-negotiable How to balance adding more bedrooms with maintaining a great resident experience The biggest takeaway? More bedrooms don't automatically mean a better investment. A truly profitable co-living property is one that's designed to operate efficiently, minimize unnecessary headaches, and keep residents happy. Whether you're purchasing your first co-living property or scaling an existing portfolio, these eight essentials can help you make smarter decisions. Resource & Connect With Us 📘 Get the Co-Living Book: https://colivingbook.com 📸 Follow Craig Curelop on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ 📸 Follow Miller McSwain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Co-Living Show and share it with another investor or operator looking to build a smoother, more profitable co-living business!

October 14, 2026Episode 3653 min

EP 36 - How to Buy Real Estate with Creative Financing (Without Getting Burned)

What if you could buy a rental property with a 3% interest rate in today's market? Creative financing can make that possible, but one poorly structured deal could cost you thousands. In this episode of The Co-Living Show , Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop sit down with Caleb Christopher , real estate investor and owner of Creative Title, to break down how subject-to deals, seller financing, and wraparound mortgages actually work. Caleb shares how he went from accidental landlord to creative financing specialist, including a deal where he took over a property with a 3.65% mortgage rate and the sellers actually paid him to take it off their hands. But creative financing isn't just about finding great deals. Caleb explains the risks investors often overlook, how to protect both buyers and sellers, and why doing things ethically matters just as much as making money. In this episode, you'll learn: How subject-to financing works and why investors use it to acquire properties with existing low-interest mortgages The differences between subject-to deals, seller financing, and wraparound mortgages How Caleb acquired a property with a 3.65% interest rate and almost nothing out of pocket What happens when a lender enforces the due-on-sale clause How to structure creative deals to reduce risk for both buyers and sellers Why creative financing isn't always a zero-money-down strategy How combining creative financing with co-living can improve investment returns The importance of transparency, ethical negotiations, and having multiple exit strategies Whether you're buying your first rental or looking to scale your co-living portfolio, this episode offers practical insights into structuring creative real estate deals without exposing yourself to unnecessary risks. Connect with Caleb Christopher: Personal website and resources: https://calebchristopher.io Creative Title: https://creativetitle.io Connect with the Hosts: Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ Learn More About Co-Living: Property Management: https://www.homecrew.co The Co-Living Book: https://colivingbook.com If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Co-Living Show and share it with another real estate investor!

October 7, 2026Episode 3536 min

EP 35 - How to Run Co-Living Properties From Halfway Around the World

What does it actually take to run co-living properties when you live halfway around the world? In this episode of The Co-Living Show, Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop sit down with Oren Kachel, an investor based in Israel who owns and operates U.S. real estate remotely, including co-living properties in smaller markets like Clarksville, Tennessee and Montana. Oren shares how he went from fix-and-flips and multifamily investing to deciding to go all-in on co-living. He explains why he prefers smaller markets, how he evaluates properties from thousands of miles away, and why finding the right boots-on-the-ground team matters even more than finding the perfect property. They also discuss: • How Oren manages U.S. co-living properties from Israel • Why he prefers smaller markets over major metros • How he found a traditional property manager willing to learn co-living • What he looks for when interviewing property managers • Why he chose not to use PadSplit for his current properties • How he markets rooms without PadSplit • His ideal co-living property criteria • Why HOAs, septic systems, and smaller homes can be deal breakers • Using seller financing and creative finance to acquire properties • Why Oren plans to sell his non-co-living properties and focus on co-living • How stepping away from daily operations can make scaling possible Whether you are investing 100 miles away or halfway across the world, this episode offers practical lessons on building a team, choosing markets, managing remotely, and creating a co-living business that does not depend on you being physically present. Connect with Oren Kachel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oren_kachel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oren.kachel Connect with the hosts: Miller McSwain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ Follow The Co-Living Show for more conversations about co-living investing, acquisitions, property management, operations, creative finance, and building profitable shared-housing portfolios.

October 1, 2026Episode 341 hr 1 min

EP 34 - Build With the Exit in Mind: Co-Living Resale with Josh Stanton

Build With the Exit in Mind: Co-Living Resale with Josh Stanton Most co-living investors spend a lot of time thinking about how to buy a property, renovate it, fill the rooms, and maximize cash flow. But what happens when it’s time to sell? In this episode of The Co-Living Show , Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain sit down with Josh Stanton , a longtime co-living investor and real estate agent in Atlanta who has been involved with PadSplit since its earliest days. Josh started with a simple house hack, buying a home and renting rooms to lower his own housing costs. That eventually led him into co-living, where he became one of PadSplit’s earliest hosts and began helping other investors buy, operate, and eventually sell co-living properties. The conversation goes deep into one side of co-living that does not get discussed enough: the exit. Josh explains why the decisions you make during your renovation can have a major impact on your resale options later. Adding bedrooms may increase cash flow, but unusual layouts, eliminated common areas, unpermitted square footage, and financing complications can make a property much harder to sell. They also discuss appraisal challenges, finding lenders who understand co-living, selling occupied properties, creating comps for the industry, and what Josh learned from helping sell everything from individual PadSplits to large co-living portfolios. In this episode: How Josh went from house hacking to becoming an early PadSplit host Why you should think about resale before starting your renovation How property configuration can affect your eventual sale price What makes a co-living property harder for lenders and appraisers to understand Why permitting matters, especially when adding finished square footage When a high-performing co-living property may command a premium How Josh has sold occupied co-living properties Lessons from selling co-living portfolios How to position a co-living property for investors Why having co-living-savvy lenders, appraisers, and agents matters Josh has also been building a network of real estate agents who understand co-living so investors can connect with knowledgeable professionals in markets around the country. Connect with Josh Stanton Stanton Team Co-Living: https://stantonteamcoliving.com Stanton Team: https://stanton.team Email: josh@stanton.team Lenders Mentioned in This Episode Jeffrey Weller / Jay Hussey | Coast2Coast Mortgage NMLS #376205 | MLO NMLS #385022 Office: 904-500-LOAN (5626) Jay: 904-322-4340 Jeff: jeff@coast2coastmortgage.com Jay: jayhussey@coast2coastml.com https://www.coast2coastmortgage.com Theodore Alexander Palacino | Autumn Financial Group VP & Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist NMLS #1672515 Tel: 864-373-1015 Office: 864-643-9998 Theodore@autumnfinancialgroup.com https://www.autumnfinancialgroup.com Fernando Corona | RemoteLendr NMLS #2479804 | DRE #02073669 626-714-2440 fernando@remotelendr.com FOLLOW THE HOSTS Miller McSwain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Co-Living Show, leave a comment, and share it with another investor who needs to start thinking about their exit before they build. #Coliving #RealEstateInvesting #PadSplit #HouseHacking #RealEstate #RentalProperty #CashFlow #RealEstateInvestor

September 24, 2026Episode 331 hr 1 min

EP 33 - Everything Co-Living Investors Need to Know About Financing | Jeffrey Weller

Financing a co-living property can get complicated fast—especially when traditional lenders, underwriters, and appraisers don’t fully understand the model. In this episode of The Co-Living Show , Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop sit down with Jeffrey Weller, CEO of Coast 2 Coast Mortgage , to break down what co-living investors need to know about financing their properties. Jeff shares how his own experience buying and converting a PadSplit led him to recognize the challenges investors face when trying to finance room-rental properties. That experience eventually pushed him deeper into developing lending solutions specifically for co-living and PadSplit investors. The conversation covers everything from acquisitions and renovations to appraisals, DSCR loans, refinancing, master leases, individual room leases, BRRRR strategies, and what investors should look for when choosing a lender. They also discuss: How Jeff went from electrical engineering to mortgage lending and real estate investing What happened when Jeff converted his first property into an eight-bedroom PadSplit Why appraisals can become one of the biggest obstacles in co-living financing How experienced co-living lenders approach appraiser panels Why some traditional lenders reject co-living and room-rental properties PadSplit-specific loans versus other co-living financing structures Master leases versus individual room leases How investors can prepare for underwriting and appraisal Financing large bedroom-count properties Using the BRRRR strategy with co-living conversions How bedroom counts, closets, basements, kitchens, and flex spaces can affect an appraisal Questions investors should ask before choosing a lender Where Jeff believes co-living lending is headed as the model becomes more mainstream Why building a team of professionals who actually understand co-living can save investors significant time and frustration Whether you're buying your first rent-by-the-room property or already operating a larger co-living portfolio, this episode provides a detailed look at how the financing side of the business actually works. Connect with Jeffrey Weller Jeffrey Weller CEO, Coast to Coast Mortgage Website: https://investorxperts.com Office: 904-500-LOAN Phone: 904-500-5626 Email: jeff@coast2coastmortgage.com Calendly: https://calendly.com/coast2coastmortgage Connect with the Hosts Miller McSwain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ Follow The Co-Living Show for more conversations about co-living investing, acquisitions, operations, property management, financing, and building profitable shared-housing portfolios.

September 16, 2026Episode 3250 min

EP 32 - From House Hacker to 56 Rooms: How Networking Built Yoni Kaszynski’s Co-Living Business

Yoni Kaszynski is back on The Co-Living Show nearly a year after his first appearance — and a lot has changed. What started with a house hack has grown into a 56-room co-living operation across properties he owns and manages in the Seattle area. Along the way, Yoni has expanded beyond simply buying properties into real estate sales, consulting, property services, and helping other investors launch their own co-living homes. In this episode, Yoni joins Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop to break down what changed as he scaled — including his decision to finally give PadSplit a try after operating his first properties independently. They discuss: How Yoni grew from house hacking to 30 owned rooms and 26 managed rooms Why networking became one of the biggest drivers of his growth His transition from off-PadSplit operations to using PadSplit PadSplit vs. running your own co-living systems Lead generation, resident acquisition, pricing, fees, and operational control Why larger bedroom counts can be necessary in expensive markets like Washington Screening residents and how Yoni uses Forewarn The opportunities he found in property services, consulting, and real estate sales Lessons from difficult contractors Leaving the W-2 world and building a full-time real estate career Yoni’s story is a great example of how relationships, reputation, and being willing to rethink your systems can open up new opportunities as a co-living business grows. Connect with Yoni Kaszynski: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yonikaszynski/ Website: https://cascadecoliving.com/ Connect with the hosts: Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/

September 10, 2026Episode 3143 min

EP 31 - How to Negotiate Real Estate Deals: The SCALE Framework

Negotiating a real estate deal isn’t just about getting the lowest price. In this solo episode of The Co-Living Show, Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop break down the SCALE Framework , the negotiation process they use to structure deals that work for both the buyer and the seller. They walk through how to understand seller motivation, create valuable terms beyond purchase price, use new information from inspections and due diligence to renegotiate, establish your limits before emotions take over, and ultimately engineer a win-win deal. You’ll also hear real examples from deals they’ve negotiated, including seller financing, subject-to financing, inspection credits, flexible closing timelines, renovation considerations, and knowing when it’s better to simply walk away. The SCALE Framework: S — Study the Seller Understand why they’re selling, what they actually need, and which terms matter most to them. C — Create Valuable Terms Look beyond price and negotiate things like seller credits, closing dates, financing terms, repairs, furnishings, and flexibility. A — Analyze New Information Use inspections, contractor estimates, sewer scopes, roof evaluations, and other due diligence findings to strengthen your negotiation. L — Lock In Your Limits Know your investment criteria before entering the negotiation and don’t let FOMO convince you to buy a deal that no longer works. E — Engineer a Win-Win Structure the final agreement so both sides can walk away feeling like the deal accomplished what they needed. Whether you’re buying your first rental property or actively scaling a co-living portfolio, this framework can help you negotiate with more confidence, discipline, and creativity. Follow the hosts: Miller McSwain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ Learn more about HomeCrew: https://homecrew.co/landlords

September 3, 2026Episode 3054 min

EP 30 - How We Negotiate Real Estate Deals to Save Five Figures

Most investors focus almost entirely on purchase price when negotiating a real estate deal. But price is only one piece of the offer. In this episode of The Co-Living Show , Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop break down how they structure and negotiate real estate offers, including the different levers that can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars or dramatically improve your cash-on-cash return. They walk through the major components of an offer, including purchase price, closing timelines, inspection contingencies, appraisal gaps, financing contingencies, earnest money, seller concessions, and closing costs. Miller and Craig also dive into more creative strategies such as assumable loans, subject-to financing, seller financing, invoice authorization, and using agent commissions strategically. You’ll also hear the difference between Miller and Craig’s acquisition approaches. Miller shares his numbers-driven system of determining the exact price needed to hit a target return, submitting offers based on how far the property is from that number, and consistently following up with sellers. Craig explains his more seller-focused approach of understanding the seller’s situation first, then structuring the terms around what matters most to both sides. In this episode, we cover: Why purchase price isn’t always the most important number How closing dates can strengthen or weaken an offer Inspection, appraisal, insurance, and financing contingencies How seller credits can improve cash-on-cash returns Assumable mortgages and when they make sense Subject-to and seller-financing strategies Using invoice authorization to finance renovations How earnest money impacts the strength of your offer Miller’s return-based acquisition strategy Craig’s seller-first negotiation approach Why consistent follow-up can lead to significantly better deals A single negotiation strategy can sometimes mean the difference between an average investment and a great one. Connect with the hosts: Miller McSwain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/

August 26, 2026Episode 2951 min

EP 29 - The 9-Point Due Diligence Checklist That Has Saved Us Thousands

A co-living property can look like a great deal on paper, but one overlooked sewer, structural, zoning, or insurance issue could cost you thousands after closing. In this episode, Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop break down the nine-part due diligence checklist they use before buying a co-living property. They explain which inspections are worth paying for, how inspection findings can create negotiating leverage, and when a serious issue should make you reconsider the deal. You’ll learn how to evaluate: • General property inspections • Sewer scopes • Electrical panels and capacity • Roof condition • Plumbing systems • Structural integrity • Permits and previous renovations • Zoning and occupancy limits • Insurance for co-living properties Miller and Craig also share real examples of issues they have uncovered, seller credits they have negotiated, and costly surprises this process has helped them avoid. Whether you’re buying your first co-living property or adding another home to your portfolio, this episode will help you complete your due diligence with fewer surprises and greater confidence. Connect with the hosts: Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/

August 20, 2026Episode 2857 min

EP 28 - Inside the Country's Largest Co-Living Operation

How do you scale a co-living company from a small operation to nearly 4,000 units across major U.S. cities? In this episode, Miller and Craig sit down with Sergii Starostin, co-founder and CEO of Outpost Club, to explore the strategies behind one of the country’s largest co-living operations. Sergii explains how Outpost expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including taking over properties from Bedly, Quarters, Common Living, and June Homes. He also shares how the company evaluates acquisition opportunities, determines which markets make sense, and chooses between master leases, revenue-sharing agreements, and property management contracts. The conversation also covers: Why Outpost focuses on large projects with 100–200 rooms How acquisitions helped the company enter new markets Why some previously strong co-living markets are now struggling How Outpost evaluates property management companies using EBITDA Why market concentration helps lower customer acquisition costs How AI increased each leasing representative’s capacity from roughly seven leads to 40–50 leads per day How AI is changing leasing, marketing, customer service, and financial operations Why Sergii believes traditional software-as-a-service could disappear Outpost’s upcoming free property management platform, Nebo What the future may hold for co-living operators and property managers Whether you currently operate a few rooms or hope to build a national co-living company, this episode provides a rare look inside co-living at an entirely different scale. Connect with Sergii Starostin: Email: ss@outpost.me Nebo: https://mynebo.co Follow Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Follow Craig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/

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