Common Fears and Misconceptions about House Hacking

[Ryan Thomson]

Here are the most common fears and misconceptions I hear when people talk about house hacking. 

Myth: It takes a lot of money to buy a house.

One of the biggest myths about buying a home is that it requires a lot of money upfront. While it's true that buying a home is a big financial commitment, you don't need to have a massive amount of savings to get started. There are many loan options available that require a low down payment, such as conventional loans, which only require a 5% down payment, or FHA loans, which require only a 3.5% down payment. Additionally, there are down payment assistance loans that allow you to purchase a home with 0% down payment. By taking advantage of these options, you can get started with house hacking even if you don't have a lot of savings.

Myth: I won’t be able to pay the mortgage.

The fear of not being able to pay the mortgage can be overwhelming, but the truth is that with proper education and guidance, you can find a property that will pay for itself even in the worst-case rental scenario. Work with a good realtor who understands your investment goals and can help you find a property that has the potential to generate enough rental income to cover the mortgage payment. Additionally, learning about how to properly manage your finances and expenses can help you avoid overspending and ensure that you can comfortably afford your mortgage payment.

Myth: Buying a home will tie me down to a place.

Another common myth about house hacking is that it will tie you down to a particular place. However, by investing in real estate, you can actually gain more freedom. Real estate has four ways of generating income: appreciation, cash flow, loan paydown, and tax benefits. By owning a home and generating rental income, you can enjoy the benefits of these four sources of income, which can ultimately give you more financial freedom. And if you ever decide to move, it's easy to hire a property management company to handle the rental of your home for you.

Myth: It will take a lot of time to manage tenants.

Many people shy away from house hacking because they think it will take too much time and effort to manage tenants. While it's true that being a landlord can be time-consuming, it doesn't have to be. By screening tenants thoroughly and setting clear expectations, you can avoid many of the common issues that arise with rental properties. Additionally, you can always hire a property management company to handle the day-to-day management of your rental properties, freeing up your time to focus on other things.

Myth: It's too risky.

Another common myth about house hacking is that it's too risky. However, investing in real estate is no riskier than investing in the stock market or keeping your money in the bank. In fact, real estate can be a more stable investment because it's a tangible asset that generates income. Additionally, real estate has the potential to appreciate over time, providing a valuable long-term investment. By educating yourself on the risks and rewards of real estate investing, you can make informed decisions that minimize your risks while maximizing your returns.

Myth: I need to put 20% down on my house to avoid PMI.

Many people believe that they need to put down 20% on a home to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), but this is simply not true. It can take years to save up that kind of money, and in the meantime, you could be missing out on the benefits of homeownership. In fact, you can buy a house with as little as 0-5% down, and even if you do have 15% on top of the 5% down payment, it may be wise to keep that money and invest it in the stock market instead of putting it all towards a down payment. You are likely to make more in the stock market than the premium you are paying towards PMI. By doing so, you can enjoy the appreciation, loan paydown, and cash flow of a house while still paying a small amount in PMI. Don't let the myth of needing 20% down payment hold you back from the many benefits of house hacking.