Is House Hacking Worthwhile in Houston? Seeking Safe Neighborhoods & Budget Insights

[Ben Omonira]

I'm considering a house hacking strategy in the greater Houston area, ideally within a 30-minute drive of Rice University (including Fort Bend County). Here are my questions:

• Is house hacking still a smart financial move in this market? Or are property prices and competition making it difficult?
• Where are some safe neighborhoods well-suited for house hacking? I'm prioritizing safety, good rental potential, and proximity to Rice.
• What's a realistic budget to get started? What kind of down payment and renovation costs should I plan for?
• What property types are best?Duplexes, triplexes, or other multi-family options?

I'd love advice from experienced investors familiar with the Houston/Fort Bend area or anyone aware of recent trends. Any additional tips or things I should consider would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance!

[Chris Kersey]

Hey Ben 

It's definitely a great, lower risk way to get into RE investing. It may be harder to set off the entire mortgage payment with house hacking, but any amount that you can lower your living expense is a win while simultaneously having your property appreciate. Then you move out and do it again in a couple years. 

I'm big on duplexes in central Houston. There are many new built duplexes near Sunnyside (closer to Rice) that may be a good fit for what you are looking for. 

You can typically get an investment property loan for these putting down 20-25% with a duplex cost of $400-450k. 

I'm a realtor, investor and Developer in central Houston so feel free to PM me with specific questions. 

- Chris Kersey