18 years old. How can I get started in House Hacking?

[Hyuma Takamatsu]

Hello, my name is Hyuma Takamatsu, an 18 years old, college student at Rutgers University. Over the past few months, I have been researching a lot about real estate investing through books and podcasts. I gotta admit, I am very excited!

I have about $20,000 saved up over the years from working part-time minimum-wage jobs during high school and in college. I have also applied for a credit card last year and still working towards building my credit. I've come across a popular strategy, called house hacking through the books I've read and podcasts that I've listened and I am looking to do this myself in the next two-three years. What would you guys recommend I start doing now, so I can take this first step? Or, what are other ways I can get started? 

Any insight and advice will be appreciated! Thank you! 

[Jonathan Greene]

Start learning the markets around Rutgers to see what you would need to save up to do an FHA house hack there. You would need 3.5 pct down, with credit built, plus 3-4 pct closing costs and 1k for inspection. House hacking requires being a landlord as well so you need to prepare for that and decide if you are ready to do that. It's especially hard now since there is a moratorium on evictions because you can't buy occupied properties if the tenants are not signing a notice to quit and moving.