Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this data-packed episode of In The Lab, we sit down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former President of Vrbo, Chief Strategy Officer at HomeAway, and COO of Expedia Group. Jeff brings decades of experience in travel and hospitality tech to a fast-growing platform that has quietly become a powerhouse in the midterm rental space. Under his leadership, Furnished Finder has doubled its team, modernized its infrastructure, and doubled down on transparency—offering rare insights into tenant demand, booking trends, and platform economics.

Jeff walks us through how Furnished Finder is fundamentally different from traditional OTA platforms—highlighting landlord control, flat-rate pricing, and a commitment to empowering hosts with direct lead access. He unpacks the tenant segments behind over 2 million inquiries per year, including construction crews, relocating families, digital nomads, and healthcare workers. From scalable furniture ROI to market mismatch signals, Jeff shares actionable insights that today’s operators can apply immediately.

If you’re looking to scale with better data, more control, and deeper tenant insights, tune in now to learn how Jeff Hurst is leading a marketplace revolution—one booking request at a time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

12:14 Jeff talks about pricing transparency

42:58 Jefftalks about chasing shiny objects

KEEPING IT REAL:

08:25 – How Furnished Finder differs from OTA platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo

11:00 – Why tenant experience and pricing transparency matter

14:00 – The role of data in trust-building and growth

17:00 – Tenant breakdown: business travelers, relocation, and digital nomads

19:45 – Rise of renovation relocation and local stay trends

22:30 – Super agents and power users: Furnished Finder’s enterprise use case

24:30 – Jeff’s product roadmap and replatforming efforts

26:30 – 130% YoY growth in relocation booking requests

29:30 – Room count and pricing by bedroom type explained

34:00 – 10% of tenants are large families—how to meet that demand

37:00 – Extended stay hotels vs. MTR: the real comparison

40:00 – Life hacking with Furnished Finder and furniture savings

43:00 – Product philosophy vs. chasing shiny objects

47:00 – How private ownership shapes Furnished Finder’s decision-making

52:00 – Operators vs. entrepreneurs and solving real problems

54:00 – Advice to 20-year-old Jeff and early-career insights

59:00 – What’s next for Furnished Finder: messaging, sort order, and tools

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hurst-atx/

#MidtermRentals #FurnishedFinder #RealEstateInvesting #CorporateHousing #TemporaryHousing #InsuranceHousing #FurnishedRentals #MTRStrategy

Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect

Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this insightful episode of In The Lab, we’re joined by Gabriel Wacker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Transitions Group—a vertically integrated firm providing solutions in corporate housing, furniture rental, and temporary accommodations. Gabriel has been a key player in the evolution of furnished housing since the early days of Oakwood and Marriott’s foray into corporate housing. His background spans decades of leadership at Executive Stay, Vicinity, and Furniture Options, positioning him as an authority on scalable housing solutions across the Midwest and beyond.

Through Gabriel’s lens, we explore the challenges and opportunities in temporary housing—from military and intern housing to large-scale insurance displacements. He unpacks the history of corporate housing, including Oakwood’s rise and exit, and reveals how today’s midterm rental operators can scale by leveraging supplier networks, CHPA partnerships, and match leases. Gabriel explains how controlling logistics, furniture, and housing—without owning property—can unlock cash flow, using real-world examples of 100+ unit contracts built on strategic relationships.

If you’re looking to scale your rental operation, tap into legacy networks, or grow through strategic partnerships without owning property, this episode is for you. Tune in now to learn how Gabriel built a vertically integrated platform, secured complex 100+ unit contracts, and unlocked cash flow—one strategic relationship at a time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

21:22 Gabriel talks about having a realistic path to scaling

41:53 Gabriel talks about how insurance housing fits into their business model

KEEPING IT REAL:

07:00 – Differences between midterm rental and corporate housing terminology

10:05 – Why corporate housing began in multifamily apartments

11:45 – The scale and strategy behind Oakwood’s 15,000+ units

13:33 – How Oakwood and Marriott transitioned executive housing brands

16:00 – The journey from Executive Stay to Transitions Group

20:48 – A realistic path for operators scaling from 5 to 100+ units

24:00 – Unlocking growth with furniture rental as a scaling strategy

27:01 – Intern housing, FEMA, and other complex housing projects

29:00 – How Transitions Group partners and bids on major housing contracts

32:00 – Logistics and warehousing behind 100+ furnished unit deployments

34:00 – How pricing and net terms are structured with corporate clients

36:00 – The origin story of Furniture Options and its corporate housing pivot

40:00 – What’s ahead: volatility, post-COVID trends, and the new normal

42:30 – Insurance housing’s place in the midterm rental strategy

47:00 – How CHPA supplier networks drive collaboration and opportunity

50:30 – Franchising, licensing, and the Marriott model for revenue sharing

54:02 – Final advice: mentorship, partnerships, and playing the long game

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://www.transitionsgroup.net/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielwacker/

#CorporateHousing #MidtermRentals #InsuranceHousing #CHPA #RealEstateScale #TemporaryHousing #FurnishedRentals #HospitalityBusiness

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this energizing and introspective episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Corey Ryan Bevilacqua and Cory Jacobson, co-founders of the Wealth Juice brand and podcast. These two long-time friends and partners share their inspiring journey from college roommates to building a real estate portfolio, launching a top-performing media platform, and now mentoring others on the path to financial freedom.

Corey and Cory pull back the curtain on how documenting their real estate journey in real time—not after reaching the mountaintop—opened unexpected doors and landed them interviews with Brandon Turner, David Greene, and other major figures. They reveal how starting with just a few properties and staying radically consistent for five years helped them grow a real estate and education business that is now scaling toward seven figures.

The conversation touches on key topics like navigating the 9-to-5 while building your dream, managing partnership dynamics with trust and clarity, and why mentorship, room selection, and mindset are the true multipliers. Ruben, Corey, and Cory also explore how reverse charisma and deep curiosity have helped them grow their influence by amplifying others—an underrated skill in business and life.

If you're building something from scratch, struggling with impostor syndrome, or dreaming of turning your passion into a full-time pursuit, this episode is a playbook for showing up, building intentionally, and trusting the long game. Tune in now to learn how Corey and Cory built momentum, overcame self-doubt, and turned a simple idea into a real estate and media brand with lasting impact.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

20:47 Cory talks about the value of finding people that are on the same path.

33:40 Ryan talks about reverse charisma and making others feel good, heard, and seen.

KEEPING IT REAL:

06:36 – From college friendship to real estate and brand building

11:53 – Impostor syndrome and documenting the journey in real time

17:04 – Getting in the right rooms and the power of proximity

23:45 – Reverse charisma and building trust through curiosity

30:58 – Navigating W2 life while scaling a business

38:56 – Full-time entrepreneurship and redefining success

47:00 – Scaling mentorship through ads, systems, and intention

1:05:20 – Legacy, gratitude, and building something worth remembering

1:07:30 – The power of partnership, trust, and showing up for each other

1:14:06 – Paradigm shifts from being in the right rooms

1:25:00 – Final thoughts, legacy goals, and where to find the Wealth Juice team

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://start.juice-enterprises.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthjuiceofficial/#

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wealthjuiceofficial

#MicroResorts #ExperientialHospitality #VisionaryLeadership #RealEstateDevelopment #ShortTermRentals #STRtoResorts #MindsetMatters #BuildWithPurpose

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this immersive episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Melissa Darnay, founder of Choose Panama and host of The Panama Podcast. Melissa shares her remarkable story of turning personal tragedy into purpose by relocating to Panama and building a thriving real estate and hospitality business. What started as a leap of faith became a decade-plus journey of entrepreneurship, lifestyle freedom, and helping hundreds of expats find their own piece of paradise.

Melissa reveals the practical and financial benefits of living in Panama—from 50% lower living costs to property tax exemptions and affordable beachfront real estate. She breaks down residency options, cultural differences, and how her vertically integrated business helps newcomers transition smoothly through real estate, rentals, and concierge services. Ruben and Melissa also explore mindset, manifestation, and how building a life abroad is both a financial and personal evolution.

If you’re looking to design a lifestyle of freedom, explore international real estate, or discover what’s possible beyond U.S. borders, this episode is your invitation. Tune in now to learn how Melissa built a 40+ unit short-term rental business, developed a powerful expat network, and created a life by design—one bold decision at a time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

08:59 Melissa talks about the “richness of life in Panama

48:19 Melissa talks about breaking down hard things to make them easier to deal with

KEEPING IT REAL:

05:00 – How grief and change led to a new life abroad

10:08 – What “richness of life” means in Panama

13:16 – How far your dollar goes: real estate, insurance, and cost of living

20:05 – 50% cost savings and comparison with Dallas & Miami

22:05 – Real estate journey and early education

26:03 – Transitioning into Panama real estate and finding her niche

29:16 – Using vacation rentals to help expats experience Panama

32:02 – How to buy property or establish residency in Panama

36:20 – Building a property management and STR business from scratch

40:43 – Why concierge services matter for expats

43:04 – Learning through mistakes and building a team

47:00 – Navigating culture and building a high-end brand abroad

48:44 – Melissa’s mindset on grit, problem solving, and manifestation

53:11 – Choose Panama’s vertical integration: buy, manage, rent, repeat

54:04 – The Panama Podcast: content formats and funnel strategy

59:06 – Sneak peek at virtual reality tour experience launching soon

1:01:16 – Final thoughts on taking your life and talents overseas

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://www.choosepanama.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadarnay/?originalSubdomain=pa

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melissadarnayuncorked/

#ChoosePanama #ExpatsInPanama #InternationalRealEstate #LifestyleDesign #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #LiveAbroad

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this inspiring episode of In The Lab, we're joined by Brian Hatcher, founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, and Aaron Appleton, his trusted partner in Hatch Capital property management and founder of Mirror Haus Collection micro resort. Together they’ve moved from managing short-term rentals to curating branded micro resort experiences— both collectively and individually building their own respective brands Orenda by Brian Hatcher and Mirror Haus Collection Hauss by Aaron Appleton.

Brian Hatcher is the founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, a real estate investment and consulting firm focused on experiential hospitality and lifestyle-based asset creation. Brian started in the real estate space by house hacking and building data-driven systems that evolved into a vertically integrated business as seen in our previous episode Real Estate Hacking: Serial House Hacker to Developer. Now, he leads development efforts on branded micro resorts designed to deliver intentional guest experiences and long-term value.

Aaron Appleton is the Founder/CEO - Mirror Haus Collection, a real estate entrepreneur, strategic operator, and creative mind behind several real estate ventures. He has a background in short-term rental management and is now spearheading operations, team culture, and design strategy for the duo’s micro resort developments. Aaron brings a strong emphasis on intentionality, vision, and brand alignment to every aspect of their projects, pushing the limits of what hospitality can look and feel like.

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of vision, mindset, and aligned partnerships. Brian and Aaron share how their journey began with managing short-term rentals and evolved into developing bespoke micro resort experiences that serve both investors and guests. The conversation highlights how vision clarity, execution discipline, and long-term alignment create meaningful and sustainable business models.

We explore the mindset shifts required to level up in real estate—from chasing cash flow to building brand equity and hospitality that lasts. Ruben, Brian, and Aaron also reflect on personal growth, the impact of mentorship, and why leaders must be intentional with their direction, community, and legacy.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

20:42 Brian talks about having a vision as an important part of leadership

24:38 Aaron talks about redirection.

KEEPING IT REAL:

04:00 – Presence, mindset, and living where your feet are

05:00 – Knowing who you are vs. who you're not

07:00 – Avoiding goal paralysis by letting go of the “how”

09:30 – Defining a clear vision and creating from intentionality

11:00 – Visualization and the neuroscience of future-building

14:00 – Breaking free from society’s agenda and asking what you want

16:20 – Core values: Health, wealth, love, and happiness

18:50 – The balance between manifestation and doing the work

20:10 – Levels of leadership and visionary communication

22:00 – Blocking out noise to stay on mission

23:40 – Redirecting vs. exiting: Knowing the difference

26:00 – Why micro resorts are the next evolution beyond STRs

30:30 – Building irreplicable hospitality brands

33:00 – The global vision for boutique experiential stays

36:00 – Success clues, mentorship, and modeling behaviors

38:00 – Giving flowers, building community, and reflecting legacy

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Brian

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hatcher-82034450/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatch_capital/

Aaron

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-appleton-86228323b/

#MicroResorts #ExperientialHospitality #VisionaryLeadership #RealEstateDevelopment #ShortTermRentals #STRtoResorts #MindsetMatters #BuildWithPurpose

Want to work with me and learn the power of Mid-Term Rentals Insurance?https://experimentrealestate.com/submit

Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this game-changing episode of In The Lab, Ruben links up with serial house hacker and investor and close friend Brian Hatcher to unpack the real estate cheat codes most people overlook. From their San Diego yacht-side conversation to boots-on-the-ground investing plays, this episode is packed with insider knowledge on how to hack your way into wealth without cutting corners. Brian shares his real-world blueprint for finding properties with in-law units or ADUs, leveraging low down payment loans, and eliminating your biggest expense—housing.

Ruben and Brian also go deep on the importance of playing the long game, why real estate is the ultimate end goal for wealth parking, and how you can build a sustainable portfolio without quitting your 9-5. They break down strategies for short-term and midterm rentals, cover the realities of e-commerce “fake wins,” and reveal how to make clean, sleep-at-night plays that actually last and build a legacy.

If you’re tired of the flashy quick wins and want a real plan that builds wealth over time strategically, this is the blueprint episode you need. Tune in now to discover how to stack smart real estate plays, house hack your first (or next) deal, and build long-term financial freedom the clean way.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

06:28 Brian talks about why entrepreneurs will always come back to real estate

14:28 Brian talks about really helping people

KEEPING IT REAL:

02:00 - The blueprint that helped Ruben house hack his first property

03:45 - Finding single-family homes with ADUs and in-law suites

04:50 - Why house hacking beats multifamily for first-time buyers

06:00 - How to stack equity, appreciation, and cash flow legally

07:00 - Renting vs. real estate: What the wealthy do with their money

12:00 - What high earners and doctors are realizing about short-term rentals

12:45 - Cost segregation, taxes, and keeping more of what you earn

15:00 - Credit hacking vs. credit literacy: What's ethical and what's not

17:00 - The myth of $100k months in e-comm and what gets left out

18:30 - Scaling from house hacks to short-term rentals and resorts

Connect with Brian:

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

#HouseHacking #ADUInvesting #ShortTermRentals #FinancialFreedom #RealEstateHacks #PassiveIncome #CleanPlaysOnly

In this eye-opening episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with public adjuster Andy Gurczak of All City Adjusting for a second time to unpack the misunderstood world of insurance claims and temporary housing. Andy explains why most homeowners and investors are at a major disadvantage when filing insurance claims and how public adjusters can help recover tens of thousands of dollars more—often without the property owner having to lift a finger. Ruben and Andy walk through the lifecycle of a claim, the different players involved (staff adjusters vs. CAT adjusters vs. public adjusters), and how midterm rental operators can better serve displaced families by understanding Coverage D and building stronger relationships with adjusters, agents, and vendors.

You’ll learn why calling the insurance company first could cost you, how to shift deductibles strategically, and how to frame your housing proposals so they actually get approved. Andy also reveals how his team inventories personal property for families after a fire and why personal property often becomes the biggest overlooked payout opportunity.

If you’re in real estate—especially the midterm rental or insurance housing space—this is a must-listen conversation that could dramatically change how you approach claims and partnerships. Tune in now to learn how to build trust with adjusters, navigate insurance timelines, and position yourself as the go-to housing solution.

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

08:59 Andy talks about calling a public adjuster first before talking to your insurance company.

29:59 Andy talks about why you should choose the home instead of the hotel.

KEEPING IT REAL:

05:00 - What a public adjuster does and how they get paid

10:45 - Why you should never call your insurance company first

14:00 - The difference between staff adjusters vs. CAT adjusters

18:30 - Adjuster motivations: bonuses, overwhelm, and bias

22:00 - Understanding Coverage D and relocation budgets

28:30 - Can relocation funds be extended or shifted?

32:00 - Should families stay in hotels or homes?

36:20 - How to build relationships with public adjusters and agents

44:00 - How PA services help investors inventory personal property

54:00 - How to speed up proposal approvals with adjusters

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://allcityadjusting.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-gurczak-528b9b64/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allcityadjusting/

#PublicAdjuster #InsuranceClaims #CoverageD #MidtermRentals #TemporaryHousing #RealEstateInvesting #PolicyholderAdvocacy

Want to work with me and learn the power of Mid-Term Rentals Insurance? https://experimentrealestate.com/submitGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this high-energy behind-the-scenes episode of In The Lab, Ruben and Vivian sit down to unpack the real wins, surprises, and life-changing conversations that happened before, during, and after their sold-out MTR event in San Diego. From laughter to legacy, they reflect on the power of collaboration, the emotional feedback from attendees, and the unexpected impact of simply showing up in the room. They also break down what went right, what could be better, and how the event has inspired even bigger plans—including international retreats and future workshop-style summits.This episode is a front-row seat to what it really takes to build community, plan memorable experiences, and maintain momentum after a successful event. Ruben and Vivian open up about parenting while building businesses, staying grounded with AI tools, and their shared immigrant values that fuel their work ethic. They share the unfiltered wins, from a surprise $1,000 donation to the LA Fire Department to attendees booking last-minute flights just to be in the room.If you’re looking to host your own event, level up your network, or simply get inspired to turn impact into action, this conversation is a masterclass in keeping it real while building big. Tune in now to catch the spark, laugh along, and get a glimpse into what’s coming next.KEEPING IT REAL:05:30 - Immigrant communication styles and empathy in business13:45 - Reflections on the event turnout and ticket sales16:00 - Event planning challenges and team contributions18:30 - Ideal event size, feedback, and vision for future meetups24:00 - MTR bootcamp and insurance housing pitch27:00 - Life-changing relationships born from the event31:30 - Next year’s MTR Summit changes and potential rebrand34:00 - Technical issues, sandwiches, and Gen Z slang explained36:00 - Should the MTR meetup go national or quarterly?42:00 - STR vs MTR: Breaking down the difference46:00 - Vivian’s global connections and superpower as a connector49:00 - Workshop format ideas and role-playing B2B outreach52:00 - International MTR experiences and the “foodnominal” concept57:00 - Las Vegas vision: work first, then experience59:00 - Post-event follow-up plans and future directions #MidtermRentals #EventStrategy #RealEstateNetworking #RentalCommunity #CollaborationOverCompetition