To house hack or not to house hack

[Abigail Veit]

I am 22 years old, a recent college graduate, and I live with my parents free from the big expenses of rent and groceries. I want to get started in real estate by house-hacking. I have no debt, I’m just funneling my paycheck into savings/mutual funds and I’m pre-approved. I don’t know whether or not I will still be in the Raleigh area in a year from now due to quick promotions offered in my line of work. I want to start real estate investing right away and have $25k ready for a down payment. Should I house hack now with the possibility of having to relocate in 6-12 months and losing my almost expense free lifestyle and ability to save 80% OR buy now, house-hack, furnish a house from scratch, and then start saving up for another down payment to house hack again in a potential new location with an unpredictable timeline. THOUGHTS???