Off Grid with Zoey B

In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Drier—founder of Roost North Rentals, Airbnb community leader for Michigan, and founding board member of the Michigan Short Term Rental Association. She’s also a mom, a business owner, and someone who has built a thriving portfolio over the past decade—all while staying rooted in her hometown and raising her son.

We talk about:

• How Carrie accidentally got into real estate and ended up building a rental empire
  
  
• What it looks like to grow slowly, intentionally, and without outside partners
  
  
• Building with your partner while preserving your marriage (and your sanity)
  
  
• Renovation nightmares, playing the long game, and trusting your gut
  
  
• Why sometimes the smallest properties bring in the biggest profits
  
  
• How Carrie sets boundaries with guests, manages her properties without burnout, and still makes time for travel and family
  
  
• What’s next: her vision for an 18-unit retreat-style resort—and why she’s going slow, on purpose

This is one of those conversations that reminds you why you started in the first place. It's about building a lifestyle—not just a portfolio.

Learn more about Carrie and Roost North: https://www.roostnorth.com
Follow Carrie on Instagram: @roostnorthrentals and @carrie.drier

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Exclusive discounts and free trials from brands Zoey loves for her listeners. Unlock them here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/resources-

In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest myths in the short-term rental world: Do you really need a mega property to generate mega revenue?

Drawing from my own experience building a lifestyle-aligned real estate portfolio, I break down why smaller, unique stays—like our 1,000 sq ft cabin earning up to $175K/year—can outperform large properties when it comes to ROI, stress, and sustainability. I unpack the hidden costs of big properties, the true weight of amenities, and the often-ignored logistics of cleaning, upkeep, and guest management.

Whether you're deciding between building a micro-resort or buying a 16-person vacation home, this episode will help you choose a path that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and financial goals.

Topics Covered:

• The hidden costs of mega properties most people don’t talk about
  
  
• How smaller properties can outperform on cash flow
  
  
• The importance of amenities—and why they might be hurting your ratings
  
  
• A look inside the actual revenue from our small properties
  
  
• Why your guest experience (and stress level) might be better with less
  
  
• How to find the right real estate strategy for YOU

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Exclusive discounts and free trials from brands Zoey loves for her listeners. Unlock them here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/resources-

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Exclusive discounts and free trials from brands Zoey loves for her listeners. Unlock them here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/resources-

Welcome to the very first episode of Off Grid with Zoey B! In this solo kickoff, I’m sharing the heart behind the show—why I started this podcast, what “Off Grid” really means to me, and what you can expect in the weeks ahead.

I’m diving into:

• My journey from Michigan to California to Arizona to Colorado (and 45 states in between)
  
  
• How I went from freelance marketing to building a real estate business with my now-husband
  
  
• Our wild love story that started as neighbors and turned into building multiple businesses, a life of travel, and parenting on the road
  
  
• What it’s really like raising a toddler while scaling our short-term rental portfolio
  
  
• Why I’m obsessed with podcasting and how this show will bring you behind the scenes of real estate, finances, entrepreneurship, and more

Whether you’re here to learn, feel inspired, or just want real talk about building a life on your own terms, I’m so glad you're tuning in.

New episodes drop every Monday.

👉 Follow along on social: @zoeyberghoff
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if this episode resonated with you!

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Exclusive discounts and free trials from brands Zoey loves for her listeners. Unlock them here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/resources

Ready to build a lifestyle aligned real estate portfolio? Apply for the Rooted in Rentals Mentorship and Interview with Zoey to join the community: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/rnrmentorship

Get Zoey’s free resources for her listenings and stay in the know with the monthly Rooted Report here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/tools

Exclusive discounts and free trials from brands Zoey loves for her listeners. Unlock them here: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/resources-