House Hacking Story

[Keith Mintz]

I moved to Sacramento California last year to build co-living spaces and test the concept in this market. I tried it out by renting a house I found and subleasing the rooms out. It was registered as a 5b/3b house for $3,950/m but the 2 car garage was converted into a bedroom studio deal, so I was really getting a 6b house. I saw this as a perfect opportunity so I rented it. I got $1,300/m for the garage, $1,400/m for the master bedroom, and every other room I got $1,000/m. I lived in one room for the year. Covered all my expenses plus profit. 

Now to just do it with a property I purchase. 

[Keith Mintz]

For furniture I got a lot of it free off Facebook marketplace. I turned the front room into a co-working area and put several desks and a couch. Living room, has a 65inch tv and 3 couches with a second fridge. Upstairs had a loft with another tv and couch for upstairs roommates. It turned out to be a really cool and fun set up. Everyone made friends and they all started as strangers. Throughout the journey I realized I was solving a problem of loneliness too as my tenants would often vent to me. They spend most of their time on career with little time for social life besides the socializing they get to do with their roommates at home. 

So there were 3-4 main common areas..Upstairs loft, laundry room, garage, co-working area, living room, backyard, and kitchen. I created a system that regulated the community to maintain healthy communication and conflict resolution, and keep the house clean.