What does it take to house hack in a high-cost city like Denver? In this episode of Invest2FI, Craig sits down with Gabe Slind. He is a Naval Academy graduate and U.S. Navy officer currently stationed in Denver, Colorado. With a passion for financial independence and discovered real estate investing. Determined to make the most of his time in Denver, Gabe took a calculated risk and purchased a six-bedroom house hack using a VA loan. Despite facing $40,000 in unexpected repair costs, he successfully rented out all the rooms, generating cash flow while living for free.

Now, he shares his insights on choosing the right real estate team, managing tenants, and maximizing house hacking opportunities in a high-cost market. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to scale, Gabe’s story proves that house hacking is still viable in 2025. Learn how he secured financing, negotiated a deal, and managed tenants—all while serving in the U.S. Navy. If you’re ready to start investing, this episode is packed with practical insights to get you there.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
[2:59] Gabe transitions from the Naval Academy to Denver and discovers real estate investing.
[7:13] House hacking’s impact and how Scott Trench’s talk introduced Gabe to investing.
[12:12] Why Gabe chose Denver and structured his VA loan for success.
[15:01] Challenges finding the right property and negotiating seller credits in a competitive market.
[18:49] Gabe’s six-bedroom home cost $518K with $18K in seller concessions secured.
[21:55] Unexpected repairs included $20K foundation fixes and a $15K sewer replacement.
[25:22] Gabe successfully claimed insurance, covering 90% of his expensive sewer repair.
[28:02] Finding tenants using Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, and other rental listing platforms.
[30:15] Mortgage costs $3,400, rental income exceeds $4,700, boosting cash flow significantly.
[33:05] Lessons learned about repairs, realtors, emergency funds, and long-term financial security.

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
Gabe Slind
Email: gabeslind@gmail.com

Episode 227 - From Naval Academy to Real Estate Success: Gabe Slind’s House Hacking Journey in Denver

The Co-Living Show