Put a bunch of boxes and crap in that newly converted storage closet. 

Cash out should be used as a 12-24 month loan so that you can buy another property and pull cash out at the next 12th or 24th month mark.At that point you take a portion to pay off or down the first loan and use the rest as a down payment on the next REI.

I took no money from the cash flow (when there was any) and I never made a late payment to the bank.This fall, nearly 12 years after the bank gave me that house, and over 15 years after I knocked on that door - after evictions, vacancies, insurance claims, and never taking a dime out of it - I sold that house and placed all of the proceeds in a 1031 exchange.

Find a down payment assistance program and see what that looks like. 

As others have suggested, you could get a conventional or FHA loan if you want lower down payment options.

@Madison SloanTo start house hacking, focus on saving for your down payment, researching target markets like Salt Lake City or North Idaho, and building a strong team of professionals, including an agent and lender.

Repayment options can be more flexible like in my case I do everything on accrual this really helps flippers when they dont have to make monthly payments.

It’s a great way to grow faster.HELOC or Equity Tapping: If you have equity in another property, using a HELOC or cash-out refinance could help cover the down payment without affecting your DTI as much.Seller Financing or Creative Deals: Look for sellers willing to finance directly, which bypasses traditional mortgage qualification hurdles.Scaling quickly often involves combining strategies—play around with what works best for your goals.

That's tax-free money, but your rents need to be able to support the new mortgage payment.

., Purchase Price: $475,000 ($197.9/sq. ft.).Estimated Market Value: $402,000 ($168/sq. ft.).Financing Terms: 2% interest rate, with a 9-year balloon.Unit B Income: $2,049/month (Section 8 tenant through November 2025).Unit A Income Potential: Similar rent or higher; Section 8 cap for the area is $3,234/month.Monthly Loan Payment (P+I): $1,386.Cash Flow Breakdown (if both units are rented at $2,049/month):Gross Rent: $4,098/month.Vacancy (10%): $410/month.Operating Expenses (37.3%): $1,376/month.Net Cash Flow: $943/month.Key QuestionsWould you be comfortable paying an 18% premium for financing at 2%, especially in a market where current mortgage rates are closer to 7%?