House hacking is a lot more of a "recession resistant" buying strategy than just buying a massive SFR at the top of your budget.

I hear that the weather is pretty intense this spring, how long have you worked in real estate law?

Resist the temptation of simply picking the one projecting the highest return.  

It is the rare individual in the convenience-selling segment of the service industry who can recognize this tendency and stoutly resist acquiring it over time or allowing it to fester in the people who work for them.

If you buy right you should be able to weather a set back in rents.

and you can more easily weather hard times if/when they come. 

PERIOD (sorry, couldn't resist).

Rentals, especially in this market, will typically rise in value over time plus you have tenant income providing cash flow to weather a storm which will eventually happen. 

@Todd Dexheimer HGTV calls that a "drought resistant" lawn.

Not sure with the colder weather but if the price is good you can roll the dice.