First Time House Hacking

[Austin Haynes]

Hi, 

I am in the process of buying my first rental property in South Jersey and I plan on house hacking a 2-4 unit property. I have done a plethora of research on real estate and house hacking through bigger pockets as well as some other resources but I am coming to the realization that i can learn best from someone who has already gone through this process and house hacked before. 

What would you say was something you wish you had known before you began house hacking? 

[Kayla Givens]

Hey, @Austin Haynes! Congrats on getting started on your real estate investing journey! For some, the hardest part is getting started and it sounds like you have a pretty good strategy in place. 

I got my first house hack back in April--SFH with 4 beds and 2 baths. My boyfriend and I lived in the basement and rented out the upstairs rooms with only common areas being the kitchen and laundry. One thing I wish I had really considered is just how much going from one roommate (my boyfriend) to multiple roommates would impact my stress levels lol. If I could go back, I would get myself into a house that had a separate entrance or try to go for a multifamily property.

If you haven't already, I would check out Craig Curelop's book about House Hacking - tons of great information in there for first time house hackers like yourself. Best of luck!!