As a somewhat new transplant to the Sacramento area, I'm startled to see so much vacant retail, office, and general commercial RE. 

It's possible to house hack and live rent free but you might have to adjust your expectations and get creative. 

As a former Sacramento resident and A now Bay Area transplant, I found it entertaining and insightful.

Lots of lessons learned, but it has allowed us to live rent free for the past three years.

The monthly rent from my leased unit covers my mortgage allowing me to live rent free.

I am a recent transplant to Milwaukee (from LA) and looking to put in my first FHA offer in a 2-4 unit in about 2 months so that I can househack.

Has anybody entertained the idea of raising rent above market say +$75 and allowing up to three animals (Max 2 of any 1 kind) to live “rent free?”

One thing to remember is that while your intent is to create a situation where they can live rent free, the property won't be paid off so there will be monthly costs involved that someone has to cover to ensure this is a reality. 

Then you can start to rent the units and hopefully live "rent" free plus continue saving.  

I've placed an ad in CL about a place to live rent free in exchange for work.