What if your first investment property only required $3,000 down?That's exactly how Andres Martinez got started.In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Andres to unpack how he went from working as a full-time waiter to building a portfolio of 14 co-living homes using creative finance.Instead of waiting years to save for a large down payment, Andres shares how he used strategies like subject-to financing, seller financing, and private money to acquire properties and create cash flow through co-living.But this episode isn't just about buying houses—it's about solving a real housing problem for working adults who earn too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to comfortably afford an apartment.If you've ever wondered whether you need a lot of money to get started in real estate, this conversation might change the way you think.What we cover:✅ How Andres built 14 co-living homes using creative finance✅ His first deal with only $3,000 down✅ Subject-to financing and seller financing explained✅ Why co-living is growing across the country✅ Finding properties that work for shared housing✅ Using private money to scale a portfolio✅ Marketing rooms and building a waiting list✅ Lessons learned from renovations, contractors, and tenant management✅ Why resilience matters more than having the perfect planOne of the biggest takeaways from this episode:You don't always need more money to get started—you need to understand the right strategies and be willing to take action.Whether you're interested in co-living, independent living homes, or creative real estate investing, this episode is packed with practical lessons from someone who's built a successful housing business one property at a time.👉 Ready to start your own housing business?Join The Housing Dept. Community:https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing✅ Follow Terence:https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarciahttps://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia💸 Work With Terence:https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Building one Independent Living Home is challenging.Building a 75-bed housing operation is a completely different game.In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Kevin Anderson to break down how he built a 75-bed Independent Living Home business, the lessons he learned along the way, and what operators need to know to grow beyond their first property.After experiencing major setbacks in a previous real estate business, Kevin rebuilt from the ground up and created a housing operation that now serves dozens of residents while generating consistent cash flow.This conversation is packed with practical insights for both new and experienced operators.What we cover:✅ How Kevin built a 75-bed Independent Living Home business✅ The biggest differences between small and large housing operations✅ Why larger homes can create better cash flow✅ How referral partnerships keep homes occupied✅ The role of case managers and community organizations✅ California housing opportunities and challenges✅ Rental arbitrage vs. owning property✅ Recuperative care partnerships and higher-paying referrals✅ Common mistakes new operators make✅ How to scale without losing sight of your missionOne of the biggest lessons from this episode:The business isn't built by finding one property. It's built by creating systems, relationships, and referral partnerships that consistently fill beds.Whether you're looking for your first property or trying to scale your existing operation, Kevin shares real-world lessons from building one of the larger Independent Living Home portfolios in the space.👉 Want help building your own housing business?Join The Housing Dept. Community:https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing✅ Follow Terence:https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarciahttps://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia💸 Work With Terence:https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia#grouphomebusiness #grouphome #businessideas group home business, how to start a group home, starting a group home, group home startup, group home business plan, launch a group home business, start a group home company, group home for beginners, group home business for beginners, assisted living business, how to start an assisted living business, start an assisted living business, residential assisted living, transitional housing business, nursing home business, cost of starting a group home, costs of starting a group home, budgeting for a group home, group home rent costs, group home profit, group home regulations, licensed group home, unlicensed group home, group home operations, group home operations manager, group home property manager, group home mistakes, group home startup mistakes, group home business challenges, group home success tips, group home business advice, group home business journey, how to start a business, new business ideas, business ideas, real estate

Most housing operators are focused on finding their next property.Remy is focused on changing entire communities.In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with community developer Remy Jeus to discuss how housing providers can work alongside cities, nonprofits, and local organizations to create larger housing solutions that go far beyond a single home.While many people are focused on filling beds, Remy shares how community impact partners can gain access to city initiatives, housing committees, development opportunities, funding resources, and even underutilized buildings that can be transformed into housing.This conversation opens the door to a side of the housing industry that most operators never see.What we cover:

• How to partner with cities and local governments
• What community impact partners actually do
• Affordable housing initiatives and development opportunities
• How to join local housing boards and committees
• Working with nonprofits and community organizations
• Turning vacant or neglected buildings into housing
• The role of grants, funding, and community partnerships
• Why operators should think beyond a single house
• Creating long-term housing solutions in your community

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:Don't just learn how to get in the game. Learn how to see the entire chessboard.If you've ever wondered what comes after your first house, this episode will challenge you to think bigger about the impact you can make through housing.👉 Ready to build your housing business and connect with other operators across the country?Join The Housing Dept. Community:https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing✅ Follow Terence:https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarciahttps://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia💸 Work With Terence:https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Some businesses start with an opportunity. Others start with a personal mission. For Darnell, it was both.

In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Darnell Gibson, founder of Gibson Way, to share how his experience with homelessness as a teenager shaped his desire to help others find safe and stable housing. What started as a vision to serve people in need eventually became a growing independent living home business—built while working a full-time job and raising a family.

Along the way, Darnell and his wife learned how to market their homes, build relationships with local organizations, find landlord partners, and create systems that allowed them to grow without sacrificing their everyday responsibilities.

What we cover:

• How Darnell got started in the independent living home business
• The marketing strategy that landed his first referrals
• Finding landlord partners and getting past rejection
• Building a waiting list before opening another home
• Operating housing homes while working a 9-5
• Creating systems that save time and reduce stress
• Lessons learned from serving people in need
• Why action beats waiting for the "perfect" time

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is hearing how Darnell turned a difficult chapter of his own life into a mission to help others create a better future.

👉 Want to learn how to start your own housing business?

Join The Housing Dept. Community:

https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing✅

Follow Terence:

https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarcia

https://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia

💸 Work With Terence:

https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Can you really run an independent living home business inside a mobile home?

Most people would immediately say no.

But in this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Larry — a Las Vegas real estate investor and housing operator who shares how he successfully turned a mobile home into a profitable shared housing opportunity.

From buying a manufactured home in cash…to filling beds through case manager relationships…to helping people transition into stable housing…

Larry breaks down the reality of operating independent living homes in unconventional properties — while still working a 9-5 job.

What we cover:

• Can you use a mobile home for an independent living home business?
• How Larry filled his first shared housing property
• Using case manager relationships to get referrals
• Mobile home investing for shared housing
• The difference between Airbnb vs. group homes
• Why Larry transitioned back into the housing space
• Mistakes, lessons, and challenges in the business
• Why beginners should market BEFORE getting a property
• Renting vs. buying your first group home property
• What landlords actually want to hear from operators

This episode is a great reminder that you do not need the “perfect” property to start helping people and building a housing business.

👉 Want help starting your own independent living home or shared housing business?Join The Housing Dept. Community:
https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing

✅ Follow Terence:
https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarcia
https://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia

💸 Work With Terence:
https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Most beginners think they’re too late to start an independent living home business.

Too old.Too inexperienced.Too far behind.

But Michelle’s story proves otherwise.

In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Michelle — a former nurse who started her independent living home business later in life after major career and life changes.

She had no background in real estate, no perfect roadmap, and no experience running shared housing. But despite landlord rejection, uncertainty, and fear, she still took the first step.

Today, her home is full.

What we cover:

• How to start an independent living home business as a beginner
• Starting a shared housing business later in life
• Finding landlord partners for group homes
• Filling rooms using Facebook Marketplace
• Building confidence as a first-time operator
• The reality of starting from scratch
• Why consistency matters more than perfection

If you’ve been thinking about starting a group home, sober living home, co-living space, or shared housing business… this episode is the reminder that it’s never too late to begin.

👉 Want help starting your own housing business step-by-step?Join The Housing Dept. Community:
https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing

✅ Follow Terence:
https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarcia
https://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia

💸 Work With Terence:
https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Before the homes… before the systems… before the results…There was someone who believed in the vision from Day 1.In this episode of The Housing Dept. Podcast, Terence sits down with Alyssa—his now fiancée—to talk about the journey of building a group home business from the ground up, the early struggles, and what it really looked like behind the scenes.From putting up flyers at bus stops in the rain to dealing with doubt from people close to them, this episode shows what it takes to build something real—and why having the right person in your corner matters.What we cover:

• What it looked like starting a group home from scratch in 2021
• The role of support and having the right partner around you
• Dealing with doubt from family and close circles
• Early marketing strategies (flyers, bus stops, hustle phase)
• The reality of handling residents, challenges, and tough moments
• Lessons from building the business together over the years
• How consistency and belief turned into growth—and now a new chapter

If you’re building something from the ground up… this is a reminder that who’s with you matters.👉 Want the system, support, and community to build your own housing business? Join The Housing Dept. Community (formerly Kingdom Housing): https://www.skool.com/kingdomhousing✅ Follow Terence: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarcia https://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia💸 Work With Terence https://stan.store/Terence-Garcia

Most people think you need money, credit, and experience to get a rental…She got her first home with no deposit, no first month’s rent, and no credit check.In this episode, we break down exactly how she did it—and how you can start finding landlord partners in 2026.What we cover:How she got her first rental with $0 upfrontThe exact Zillow message that gets landlords to respondWhy most beginners fail to get approvedHow many landlords you actually need to contactThe biggest mistake that leads to empty homesIf you’re trying to start a group home or shared housing business… this is the part most people miss.✅ Connect with Nicole:https://rentalhomelocator.com/https://www.instagram.com/rentalhomelocator/✅ Follow Terence:https://www.tiktok.com/@iamterencegarciahttps://www.instagram.com/iamterencegarcia💸 Work With Terencehttps://stan.store/Terence-Garcia