Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 54%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$69 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
×
Try Pro Features for Free
Start your 7 day free trial. Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties.
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Matthew Kwan

Matthew Kwan has started 7 posts and replied 462 times.

Post: House Hacking in Northern Virginia

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI Renee,

Try looking into zillow/Redfin and see what your potential rents you can get near the neighborhood by filtering the bedrooms/bathrooms of the intentional property that you are planning to buy. This will allow you give a reference point on how much potential rent you can receive. (Max vacated rents - your monthly mortgage payment) = +/- net cashflow. Happy to connect and assist you in your real estate investing journey.

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Post: Excited to expand into House Hack and Multifamily

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

Indeed, you can definitely househack in a multifamily by living one unit and renting out the other vacant units. The good thing about househacking a legal multifamily unit is that lender allows you to use the vacated units of 75% market rent as an income to offset the potential current mortgage. You can put a little as 5% down payment for conventional or 3.5% for FHA.

Alternative way, is to acquire the 2nd property as an investment property with conventional, while putting 15%-25% down payment. Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property. Imagine the 2nd property is a 4plex, each unit can be rented $1500/unit of 75% =$1125 x 4 units =$4500 worth of income to offset your that 2nd property.

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Post: build adu on property or purchase another property ?

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI Henry,

You would want to make sure your county allows you to condomize it so that you can two separate parcel numbers for the main house and the newly built DADU/ADU so that you can get appraised separately. However, based on regulations, only Seattle and San Jose allows you to have two separate parcel numbers. There are rumors that it will soon be for multiple counties in CA in June 2025. However, it's important to have your plans ready upfront so that you can execute it full speed when the time comes. @Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Post: House Hack Newbie in Oregon

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI Megan,

Indeed, you can definitely househack in a multifamily by living one unit and renting out the other vacant units. The good thing about househacking a legal multifamily unit is that lender allows you to use the vacated units of 75% market rent as an income to offset the potential current mortgage. You can put a little as 5% down payment for conventional or 3.5% for FHA.

Alternative way, is to acquire the 2nd property as an investment property with conventional, while putting 15%-25% down payment. Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property. Imagine the 2nd property is a 4plex, each unit can be rented $1500/unit of 75% =$1125 x 4 units =$4500 worth of income to offset your that 2nd property.

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Assuming it is conventional, the max seller concession can only be 

3% for less than 10% down payment 

6% seller concession 10%-25% down payment 

9% seller concession for more than 25% down payment


@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Post: Looking for a new start

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

You can take advantage on your VA benefits with 0% and perhaps acquire a property as a primary residence + renting out the vacant units out to offset your mortgage payment. Then, repeat the process every 1-2 years! However, your first 1-2 deals can be crucial and foundation for you to acquire more properties that can actually cashflow or net + so that you won't max out (not be able to qualify) on your next house.

@Carlos Valencia

@Carlos Valencia @Albert Bui

Post: New to Real estate and Bigger Pockets

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI James,

Indeed, you can definitely househack in a multifamily by living one unit and renting out the other vacant units. The good thing about househacking a legal multifamily unit is that lender allows you to use the vacated units of 75% market rent as an income to offset the potential current mortgage. You can put a little as 5% down payment for conventional or 3.5% for FHA.

Alternative way, is to acquire the 2nd property as an investment property with conventional, while putting 15%-25% down payment. Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property. Imagine the 2nd property is a 4plex, each unit can be rented $1500/unit of 75% =$1125 x 4 units =$4500 worth of income to offset your that 2nd property.

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

Post: Primary Residence Rules

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI Lue,

Indeed, you can definitely househack in a multifamily by living one unit and renting out the other vacant units. The good thing about househacking a legal multifamily unit is that lender allows you to use the vacated units of 75% market rent as an income to offset the potential current mortgage. You can put a little as 5% down payment for conventional or 3.5% for FHA.

Alternative way, is to acquire the 2nd property as an investment property with conventional, while putting 15%-25% down payment. Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property. Imagine the 2nd property is a 4plex, each unit can be rented $1500/unit of 75% =$1125 x 4 units =$4500 worth of income to offset your that 2nd property.

@Albert Bui @Carlos Valencia

yes renter insurance claim from the tenant or file a claim with your insurance as well.

Post: New to real estate investing.

Matthew KwanPosted
  • Lender
  • Seattle, WA
  • Posts 482
  • Votes 767

HI Timothy

The best way is to attend local meetups and connect with people within the community. You can always start off in real estate by acquiring a property as a primary residence. You can put as low as 3.5%-5% down payment and rent out the vacant units to offset your mortgage as we all call it Househack @Carlos Valencia @Albert Bui