The Co-Living Show
Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain
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/communityThere 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 2, 2026 • 1h 11min
EP 8 - Co-Living Operations Explained: Lessons from Managing 400+ Rooms
Scaling a co-living business isn’t about buying more properties.It’s about building systems that actually work.In this episode of The Co-Living Show, Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop sit down with Dave Edwards—an experienced co-living operator who has managed over 400 rooms—to break down the real operational systems behind scaling co-living rentals successfully.If you’re a real estate investor, house hacker, or co-living operator trying to increase cash flow, improve occupancy, and streamline property management, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to run co-living at scale.🚀 What You’ll Learn About Co-Living Investing: How to scale a co-living business from 1 property to hundreds of rooms The exact systems used to manage 400+ co-living units efficiently Common mistakes new co-living investors make (and how to avoid them) How to design your property and operations for long-term scalability The best lock systems, tenant management workflows, and maintenance processes Why most co-living operators struggle with operations—and how to fix it How to think like a professional operator, even with your first deal 🧠 Why This Episode Matters:Most real estate investors focus on acquisitions. But in co-living, operations determine your profit.Dave shares lessons learned from managing hundreds of tenants, testing multiple systems, and refining processes over time—so you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.This episode is especially valuable if you’re: Scaling beyond your first co-living property Struggling with tenant management or turnover Trying to increase occupancy and rental income Looking to build a repeatable co-living system 💡 Key Takeaway:You don’t need 400 rooms to build scalable systems. But you do need to think like someone who does.🔗 Connect with the Hosts:Miller McSwain (Co-Living Investor | Author of Co-Living Cash Flow) 👉 https://www.instagram.com/millermcswainCraig Curelop (Real Estate Investor | Author of The House Hacking Strategy) 👉 https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop🎙 About the Guest:Dave Edwards is a co-living operator based in Houston who has managed 400+ rooms and built scalable systems for operations, tenant management, and property optimization.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djedwards83/📘 Resources for Co-Living Investors: Get the book: Co-Living Cash Flow (https://millermcswain.com/book/) Join the Co-Living Community (Facebook Group) 👉 https://millermcswain.com/community/⭐ Enjoying The Co-Living Show?If this episode helped you: Follow the show Leave a 5-star review Share it with another investor
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 14min
EP 7 - From $400K Loss to Millions: The Co-Living Lending Comeback Story
From $400K Loss to Lending Millions: The Co-Living Comeback StoryIn this episode, we’re joined by Fernando Corona, a co-living lender who’s helped investors close hundreds of deals—and built his business after losing over $400,000.We break down the real path to success in co-living: failure, resilience, and learning how to solve problems most investors avoid.Fernando shares how he: Went from zero income to owning multiple co-living properties Built a lending business by solving his own financing problems Uses creative loan strategies to help investors scale faster We also dive into: DSCR loans vs. bank statement loans Financing renovations into your purchase Why most investors misunderstand risk How to think like an operator, not just an investor 👥 Connect with the Hosts & Guest:Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswain/ Craig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelop/ Fernando Corona: https://www.instagram.com/itsfernandocorona/🔔 Subscribe & Follow:Follow The Co-Living Show for weekly episodes covering: Deal analysis Operations & systems Financing strategies Real stories from active operators If this episode helped you, share it with someone who’s trying to get their first (or next) co-living deal.
Mar 18, 2026 • 54min
EP 6 - The Co-Living Operator’s Secret Weapon: Systems, Automation, and Scale
In this episode of The Co-Living Show, Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain are joined by Jordan Smith, a co-living operator who has built a 30-bedroom portfolio with a strong focus on systems, automation, and operational efficiency.Jordan breaks down how he got started with his first house hack, what the numbers looked like on that first deal, and how his background in management consulting shaped the way he now runs his portfolio. The conversation covers lead generation, pre-screening, automations, communication systems, maintenance workflows, tenant issues, and the operational mindset required to scale co-living well.They also discuss why co-living should be treated like a real business, not just a real estate strategy, and why investors need to think carefully about return on equity as they grow.If you want a more practical look at what it takes to build a sustainable co-living operation, this episode is for you.Connect with the hosts: Miller McSwain: www.instagram.com/millermcswain Craig Curelop: www.instagram.com/craigcurelopConnect with Jordan Smith: Instagram: www.instagram.com/smith.t.jordan
Mar 11, 2026 • 55min
EP 5 - How Clara Scaled Co-Living to 160 Rooms in 2.5 Years Without Ads
In this episode of The Co-Living Show, Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain are joined by co-living pioneer Clara Arroyave, who scaled a 160-room co-living portfolio generating nearly $2M annually using the arbitrage model.Clara shares how she filled rooms without paid marketing by partnering directly with employers, universities, and HR departments, how her portfolio grew rapidly in Boston, and what ultimately happened when COVID disrupted the arbitrage model.She also explains the lessons she learned from scaling quickly, why arbitrage shouldn’t be your long-term strategy, and how she’s now focused on purpose-built co-living developments.Topics covered include:• Building a 160-room co-living portfolio• Filling rooms through employer and university partnerships• The risks of the arbitrage model• Designing co-living properties that maximize occupancy• Why private bathrooms increase tenant retention• The future of co-living housingIf you're investing in co-living, house hacking, or room-by-room rentals, this episode provides real insights from someone who has operated at scale.Follow the hosts and guest:Craig Curelop – https://instagram.com/craigcurelopMiller McSwain – https://instagram.com/millermcswainClara Arroyave – https://instagram.com/lifeisrocknroll
Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 9min
EP 4 - 500 Rooms. One Strategy: How Harrison Scales Co-Living in 100+ Unit Buildings
In this episode of The Co-Living Show, Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain welcome Harrison DeMaira, a large-scale co-living operator with experience managing everything from small townhouse conversions to 100+ unit buildings and 400-unit purpose-built co-living developments.Harrison breaks down what changes when you scale co-living into multifamily—and what operators get wrong when they assume co-living leases like traditional rentals. We cover the real leasing funnel, scrappy marketing that still works (signage + employer outreach), the operational systems you must build early, and how to think about furnishing, unit design, and resident experience at scale.We also unpack:What Common Living was and why it went defunct (and what co-living operators can learn from it)Why Harrison avoids 2-bedroom co-living unitsThe bathroom-to-resident rule he won’t breakWhy leasing + marketing is the foundation that makes everything else easierOutsourcing earlier (and the accounting mistake most operators make)And an unforgettable operations story involving an emotional support duck and a missing snakeIf you’re trying to fill rooms faster, scale beyond one property, or understand what multifamily co-living really looks like—this episode is for you.Follow the hosts:Miller McSwain: https://www.instagram.com/millermcswainCraig Curelop: https://www.instagram.com/craigcurelopGuest: Harrison DeMairaEmail: hpd@harrisondemaira.comIf you enjoyed the episode, please follow the show and leave a rating/review, it helps more operators find the podcast.
Feb 25, 2026 • 55min
EP 3 - How Tanner Bought a $1.3M Property With Just $5K Down
Tanner Pyle, a Colorado Springs agent and investor who house-hacked multiple properties, recounts a creative $1.3M seller-financed purchase closed with just $5K down. He explains why this fourplex favored short-term rentals over co-living. Short, tactical conversations cover negotiating owner financing, monetizing garages, parking tradeoffs, and scaling operator-level strategies.
Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 3min
EP 2 - CoLiving Cait: The Systems, The Stories, The Reality
Caitlyn Verdugo, Atlanta-based co-living agent, investor, operator and coach who builds and converts shared homes. She discusses converting properties (including garage builds), screening beyond platforms with eviction checks, and designing themed homes that feel personal. She also covers systems to reduce conflict, using commissions to finance deals, and building women-focused co-living education and networks.
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 5min
EP 1 - Why We Built The Co-Living Show (And What Most Investors Miss)
They unpack why co-living is misunderstood and what most investors miss. They compare acquisitions and operations approaches to scaling room-by-room rentals. They tell personal origin stories, early house hacks, and the networking moves that accelerated growth. They explain practical topics like zoning, renovations, regulations, and real-world systems for building cash flow.
Feb 5, 2026 • 5min
TRAILER | The Co-Living Show with Craig Curelop and Miller McSwain
🎙️ Trailer: Welcome to The Co-Living ShowIn this official trailer, hosts Miller McSwain and Craig Curelop introduce The Co-Living Show—the first podcast built specifically for operators and investors who want real, scalable cash flow without pretending shared housing is simple.This show goes beyond surface-level advice and passive-income hype. It’s about what actually works in high-density residential real estate—and what breaks if you’re not prepared.🔍 What This Show Is AboutOn The Co-Living Show, we dive deep into:- Zoning and compliance that can make or kill deals- Insurance strategies that actually work with density- Designing properties that survive real tenants- Pricing rooms for true revenue (not theory)- Building systems to manage room rentals at scale- Finding, analyzing, and renovating co-living deals- Real operator stories, mistakes, and case studiesNo fluff. No fairy tales. No guru talk.Just real business, inside residential real estate.🤝 Why This Duo WorksMiller and Craig bring two complementary skill sets:Miller focuses on operations, systems, and scalable managementCraig focuses on acquisitions, analysis, renovations, and growthTogether, they cover the full lifecycle of a co-living business:Find it. Fund it. Build it. Run it. Scale it.🏘️ A Win-Win MissionWith housing affordability becoming a nationwide challenge, co-living offers a real solution—for both renters and investors.This show explores how to:- Create affordable housing responsibly- Build profitable, sustainable portfolios- Help residents progress toward financial independence- Align impact with incomeIf you want high cash flow and long-term value, this show is for you.📲 Connect With the HostsFollow along for behind-the-scenes content, insights, and updates:Miller: https://instagram.com/millermcswainCraig: https://instagram.com/thefiguy▶️ Who This Show Is ForThis podcast is for you if you’re:✔️ Running or scaling a co-living portfolio✔️ Exploring rent-by-room strategies✔️ Tired of surface-level real estate advice✔️ Serious about building a real business✔️ Focused on operations, not just acquisitionsIf that’s you—welcome.This is your room.#financialindependence #millionaire #househack #househacking #realestate #realestateinvesting #passiveincome #invest #investwisely #buildwealth #FIREmovement #retireearly #bedifferent #business #safetynet #invest #winning #realestateinvestor #wealthbuilding #entrepreneur #biggerpockets
Oct 29, 2025 • 7min
Episode 264 - Craig Curelop’s Final Invest2Fi Episode | 5 Years of Real Estate Growth & Co-Living
After over five years and more than 260 episodes, host Craig Curelop, known as The FI Guy and a leading voice in real estate investing and financial independence, announces the bittersweet farewell of the Invest2FI Podcast. In this short but heartfelt episode, Craig reflects on the podcast’s incredible journey, lessons learned from scaling and focus, and what’s next for his ventures in co-living, real estate investing, and coaching. Gain insight into his mindset shift, upcoming projects with The FI Team and HomeCrew.co, and how to stay connected as Craig continues to inspire investors nationwide. PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS: [00:19] Farewell announcement and reflections on five transformative years of Invest2FI.[00:29] Craig explains his decision to discontinue the podcast and lessons from Scaling.com. [01:18] Insights from Benjamin Hardy and learning to eliminate tasks “below the floor.” [02:02] Shifting focus to The FI Team’s mission to reduce the U.S. retirement age to 55. [02:20] Deep dive into co-living investments and operational scaling strategies. [02:52] Discussing future growth models including franchising and investor funds. [03:34] Why co-living aligns with solving America’s housing affordability crisis. [04:07] Craig assures continued real estate work and support for investors nationwide. [05:01] Details on property management structure and criteria for co-living homes. [05:52] Heartfelt goodbye, gratitude to listeners, and an invitation to stay connected. 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
