House Hacking in Maryland during COVID

[Joy O.]

Hello all, i'm a newish member in the DC-Maryland metro area, looking to get started in REI with house hacking using an FHA loan, which I was recently pre-approved for. I currently live with my parents rent free closer to Columbia/Baltimore, but would like to move closer to the DC area, so Montgomery and PG Counties. My questions would be:

- Is now a good time to buy for a primary house hack if i'm in no rush? While the low interest rates are attractive, in this market I'm not the most competitive with the low FHA DP, and buying something over asking or with a larger than required DP doesn't make sense to me. I'm in no rush, if waiting even just a few months is better or be more convenient

- can one still fare well with a fairly retail, turn-key SFR?

- (local) What areas in MoCo/PG would be ideal for decent value and/or cash flow? I'm looking to stay within ~30-45 mins of Tyson's Corner/Fairfax, so mostly along the 495 corridors 

Thanks in advance for the guidance!

[Trevor Imlay]

Originally posted by @Christian Olivo:

@Trevor Imlay great insight! would like to get your perspective on your location if you don't mind; I got this crime map from Realtor.com. how do you feel the crime in your area and surrounding neighborhoods is? Do you feel safe walking around with your family? how about at night?

Its a very hit and miss area in terms of crime.  Theres houses just north of 495 in the area you highlighted that have great value and will cash flow positively if your play is buy and hold.  I feel very comfortable in my neighborhood because its kind of tucked out of the way.  Then again we did have someone stabbed and killed over a Popeyes chicken sandwich haha.