Advice for Down Payments and Next Steps

[Colin Caporal]

Quick Question:

My plan is to house hack a single family in Plano, TX. The dilemma is this:
1) Do I move in the Spring of 2022 before the market gets hot again and collect rent from STRs (Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finder, Craigslist). In this case I would be putting down 5-10%. If I decided to this I would collect rent, most-likely see appreciation into the summer, gain real estate investing experience quicker and be able to move to the next property faster.
2) Or do I move later in the Summer of 2022 where I will be moving in some coworkers as their lease at their current residence ends on Sept 1st, 2022. If I decide to do this, I will be able to afford a 20% down payment and avoid pmi, it will be easier to get along with my roommates, and be able to enjoy the summer here in Virginia with my hometown friend group.

Keep in mind, I am itching to get the first property and I am ambitious to get to financial freedom. I have a fair amount of capital ready to go and I'm not sure which decision to go with. Any advice would be delightful.

[Jon Tripp]

First question is: why Plano? Do you have a network there or family? It’s always better to have a network if possible.

I have some clients here in Northern Virginia who I’ve worked with to house hack. Most recent, a client purchased an $800,000 house in Vienna and got a couple of roommates. All he pays a month: $350. But they moved with him from his previous rental. It’s always nice to have friends, rather than strangers, live in your house. 

In Plano - or wherever - find a community where your roommates will come from  

PMI is nice to not have to pay…but I wouldn't let that drive the decision. In fact, if you buy right, it may not even come into the convo.

As to your original question, I think you need to be moving there sooner than later if that’s your goal. To wait for a spring market is to wait for more people bidding against you and driving the market up. The roommates will come in the right time. You can’t really lineup the roommates until the house is there.

Good luck.