Multi-Family Benefits in current market?

[Devin Voelker]

I'm going to buy a multi-family property in around 6 months as my first investment and house hack it. I'm using the VA home loan so 0% down and no PMI which helps. I talked to my real estate agent and he told me in the current market it's mathematically impossible to cash flow even when I move out and rent all the units (Duplex or Triplex) he told me I will still be losing some money on the property. Can someone explain to me the benefits of still getting in the market even if the other units don't cashflow or even break even? I understand going from $1700 in rent currently to house hacking and maybe paying like $1200 while living in one unit will save me money but how could I grow like this? Also, I'm trying to get into a B-class area not trying to buy a fixer-upper in a shady part of town, and I have a wife and kid so having a roommate in the unit I will stay in is out of the question. Would love to hear what you guys think about the current market, and why it's still a good idea to jump in.