What if your teenage side hustle grew into a real estate empire? In this episode of Invest2FI, guest Sam Wegert shares how he started his first martial arts studio, scaling it into multiple schools before pivoting into real estate. Today, Sam manages over $10 million in co-living and short-term rental properties across markets like Richmond, Austin, and Charlotte.  

He explains why 3,000–4,000 sq. ft. homes with good layouts can outperform traditional rentals, how a 2,500 sq. ft. property with 10+ rooms drives cash flow, and why public transportation access in Charlotte changes investment strategy. From his first Airbnb in 2015 to designing scalable housing solutions, Sam breaks down the real numbers, lessons, and growth systems that fueled his journey. Whether you’re new to investing or ready to scale, this episode delivers practical insights. 

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

[06:48] Co-living investments are still in their early stages 

[07:03] The First Airbnb in 2015 is still highly profitable today 

[08:04] Early adopters in co-living gain the biggest long-term advantage 

[09:57] Building strong tenant relationships ensures long-term stays 

[10:28] Mistakes from Sam’s first co-living house purchase 

[11:55] 2,500 sq. ft. property converted into 10+ rental rooms 

[14:59] Sam avoids buying anything under 3,000 sq. ft. today 

[18:10] Scaling co-living with multi-million-dollar design concepts 

[19:57] Why Charlotte investors prioritize homes near transit lines 

[22:48] Breaking down multi million portfolio across Richmond, Austin, Charlotte 

[34:12] Lessons from market expansion and operational challenges 

[40:01] Sam predicts a co-living price war, not amenity war 

[40:34] Even at $600 a room, cash flow stays strong 

[45:20] Creative financing approaches for scaling multiple properties 

[54:20] Sam emphasizes mindset shifts to avoid burnout and frustration 

[57:00] Final advice: stay consistent, focus on value, play long-term 

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 

Sam Wegert 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samwegert/ 

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wegert-a547ab54/ 

💻 Website: https://samwegert.com/ 

🎧 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scaleyourrealestate 

🎤Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/scale-your-real-estate-show/id1702820329