Fiance (Spokane, WA) just graduated from college and is working on getting experience in real estate looking at property management.

When I graduated college I went through this exact tradeoff... was living rent-free or I could househack and own a place that builds equity, but I would need to put into it every month. 

The area I was in was a heavy medical and college district. 

We play games called, "lets show the property to a perspective tenant" and "lets go to closing together" and "lets deposit money in your bank account" and "lets review your college fund investments".

In addition, Abu sent all her kids to college -- some overseas!

Lessons learned?

The location is prime—adjacent to a college that has experienced 37% population growth over the past five years.

Maybe a college rental semi-house hacking could be an opportunity.

Lessons learned?

If this is your first job out of college, it could be a great opportunity to stack some cash and get those loans paid down.