Profitable areas to house hack in Houston?

Question

I am looking to house hack in Houston area. Where are the most profitable neighborhoods to house hack? I will be working at the Texas medical center so I am not sure whether I should house hack near the medical center or further away. I want to live in the property and rent out other rooms. Anyone know where the best place for me to house hack is? Any real estate agents specialize in this in the area?

Thank you.

Collin Garbarino · Answer

It's tougher to house hack in Houston than some other major cities. There are duplexes and triplexes, but there aren't many compared to some other markets. In some of the suburbs, you'd be more likely to find a unicorn than a duplex.

Michael Dang · Answer

Without knowing your budget, what you consider safe\risk tolerance, how far you are willing to travel, asset type, your level of living expectations, lifestyle, local neighborhood expectations, the tenants\roommates you want to attract, and other criteria, it's hard to recommend an area.

Your Class A, B, or C asset type class expectations versus another's view maybe totally different.

Galleria area, Bellaire (some parts flooded), EaDo, are good starting points.

Jieh Larson · Answer

Not sure of your budget but the Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods have houses with garage apartments. Coming from California you might not get sticker shock too bad.

If you rent that out and a room or two on the main house you'll be sitting pretty good. Rents are nice in that area and it's not far from the medical center.

Gavin Snyder · Answer

@Jieh Larson Sticker shock has been one of my biggest hurdles. I came from a farming town in Ohio where 250k would get you a really nice house on a good amount of land. I go through areas like east downtown or third ward and have a hard time justifying the price to myself. Prices in the heights blows my mind, 400k for 1000sqft. "bungalow!"

Gavin Snyder · Answer

I have been looking for the same type of thing. I have come across some decent properties in EaDo (East Downtown) but they can get pricey, but not nearly as pricey as the heights. What i have also been looking into is finding something I can live in and flip at the same time. Unfortunately I haven't been able to nail down a good area for this. Good luck on your search.

Jonathan Bonck · Answer

I agree with @Jieh Larson

Get a house in the heights with a garage apartment. Those rent out for almost $1500 if they are nice.

Collin Garbarino · Answer

Sure. You can rent out bedrooms in a single family. I know someone who does that. It's the small multi-families that can be hard to find.

Tom Smith · Answer

What about townhomes, SFH, and condos? You can house hack those can't you?

Profitable areas to house hack in Houston?

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