What does it take to survive a market crash, build a real estate business in seven cities, and close 700+ deals, all starting from a CPA background?

In this high-impact episode of Invest2FI, Craig welcomes Brian Gubernick, who is the Chief Real Estate Officer at PLACE and is widely recognized as an experienced leader in the real estate industry. Who shares his incredible journey from Big Four accountant to leading one of the most successful short-sale teams in the country.

With roots in Phoenix, Brian breaks down how he entered real estate during the early 2000s boom, pivoted during the 2008 crisis, and built a team model that helped him scale with partners. If you're an investor, agent, or anyone in real estate, this episode is full of actionable strategies, market predictions, and raw lessons from experience.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:17] So why don’t we kick it off like any good story starts, in the beginning?

[04:39] Brian recalls climbing the corporate ladder before pivoting to real estate.

[06:17] What occurred during the economic and housing market downturn in 2008.

[08:25] We got kind of like 04 to 07—market felt like it was impossible to fail.

[10:19] Brian explains the role of REOs in his early real estate investment strategy.

[12:43] How he built a vertically integrated real estate business in Phoenix.

[14:27] “We were doing 80 to 90 transactions a month at our peak.”

[16:40] Why the 2008 crisis was a turning point in his investing career.

[19:04] Scaling the business with systems, not just hustle.

[21:58] “There are riches in the niches”—Brian’s insights on specializing.

[24:36] Transitioning from sales-focused to asset-ownership mindset.

[28:10] How owning property management gave him long-term leverage.

[32:22] Strategic hiring and leadership tips that drove sustainable growth.

[36:45] “You don’t scale chaos”—the importance of operations.

[40:17] Educating agents to think like investors (and why it matters).

[44:51] Brian talks about mindset and how to win long-term in real estate.

[48:35] Why he believes in coaching and constant skill improvement.

[52:12] Real estate cycles: timing, patience, and managing investor fear.

[56:09] “If I had to start all over again in 2025…” Brian shares what he’d do now.

[59:45] Final thoughts: “Play the long game, bet on yourself.”

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

Brian Gubernick

🎙️Podcast: https://nodaysoff.com/

🔗LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gubernick-b2ab953/

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

Episode 258 - Brian Gubernick on Scaling 700+ Real Estate Deals, Mastering Short Sales, and Growing Teams Across Phoenix and Beyond

The Co-Living Show