House Hacking and Co-Living: How to Live for Free and Build Wealth | Craig Curelop

In this episode of the Launch REI Podcast, Craig Curelop shares how he went from working as a CPA at a Big 4 accounting firm to achieving financial freedom through house hacking and strategic real estate investing.Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.coCraig breaks down how buying a duplex changed his financial trajectory, how house hacking allowed him to eliminate living expenses, and how he scaled into multiple properties while maintaining a strong foundation in underwriting and risk management. He also shares lessons on mindset, leveraging low-down-payment loan products, and building long-term wealth through smart acquisition strategies.In this episode, we break down• How Craig transitioned from corporate accounting into real estate investing• What house hacking is and why it accelerates wealth building• Using FHA and low-down-payment loans to acquire properties• Eliminating living expenses to increase savings and reinvest faster• The importance of underwriting and conservative deal analysis• Scaling from a single property to a growing portfolio• Managing risk while investing in appreciating markets• Building systems and processes early• Mindset shifts required to leave a stable W2 career• Long-term wealth building through disciplined acquisition strategiesTimestamps04:35 – Discovering house hacking11:20 – Buying the first duplex18:45 – Using low-down-payment loan strategies27:10 – Eliminating living expenses & reinvesting35:30 – Underwriting fundamentals44:15 – Scaling beyond the first property52:40 – Risk management & market selection01:00:10 – Systems, mindset & long-term visionGuest Bio Craig Curelop is a real estate investor, author, and entrepreneur best known for popularizing house hacking as a strategy for achieving financial freedom. After starting his career as a CPA at a Big 4 accounting firm, Craig transitioned into full-time real estate investing. He has acquired multiple properties using low-down-payment strategies and has helped thousands of aspiring investors understand how to use house hacking to accelerate wealth building.Connect with Craig CurelopWebsite:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://homecrew.co/⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_fi_team/⁠⁠Connect with LAUNCH REINewsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.coPodcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermindYouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCraneWebsite: https://launchrei.coFollow Vince  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane#househacking#realestateinvesting#financialfreedom#passiveincome#realestatepodcast#launchrei#craigcurelop