Buying your first property can feel overwhelming—especially when you factor in rising home prices, interest rates, and the burden of a mortgage.
But what if your first home could also be your first investment? What if you could live in it and have someone else help pay the mortgage?
That’s the idea behind house hacking—and it’s one of the smartest ways to break into real estate.
House hacking is a simple strategy: you buy a property, live in part of it, and rent out the rest.
That rental income helps cover your mortgage, utilities, or even generates a profit. In some cases, you could be living for free—or close to it—while building equity month after month.
This approach works with all kinds of properties.
Some people buy a small multi-family (like a duplex or triplex) and live in one unit while renting the others. Others rent out extra bedrooms in a single-family home, or finish a basement to use as a private suite.
With the rise of short-term rental platforms, even a guest room with a separate entrance can bring in serious income.
What makes house hacking so powerful is how it lowers your living expenses while turning you into a real estate investor almost by default.
You’re not just buying a place to live—you’re building long-term wealth, gaining landlord experience, and possibly setting yourself up to buy a second property sooner than you thought.
Even better? When you live in the property, you may qualify for better financing terms—like lower down payments or interest rates—compared to traditional investment properties.
That makes the barrier to entry much lower for first-timers who might not have tens of thousands saved up.
And it’s not just about the money.
You’ll also learn how to manage tenants, handle basic maintenance, and navigate rental laws—all real-world skills that pay off as your portfolio grows.
You’ll be getting paid to learn the business from the inside out.
There are some things to consider, of course. You’ll want to screen tenants carefully, set clear expectations if sharing common areas, and check local zoning or rental laws before jumping in.
But for many beginners, house hacking offers an unmatched mix of affordability, leverage, and learning.
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to get started in real estate, don’t overlook the one move that lets you invest, earn, and live—all in one property.
