Most of us have roommates when we're younger, so no real difference here. 

@Oleg Enik we house hacked it before it was coined “house hack” lived in it while going to ASU while my roommates paid for my living expenses through rent.

He admitted it up front so there's a pretty good chance he'll be honest and smoke outside, particularly if the roommate doesn't smoke.

My wife and I were very successful with a house hack the last 6 years but are no longer interested in having 4 roommates!  

Depending on your market, you may be able to find a small SFH and get roommates or you could get a multifamily property (duplex, tri or fourplex) and rent out each unit separately.

Air BnB might be simpler than having a true roommate once we have our own home.

It's only a stepping stone to break free.While you are slaving, eat ramen, roommate up or live in trailer, avoid Starbucks and tuck every dollar you can squeeze out into a bank account. need 20% down and money for materials. so for 80K home (trashed), you will want 35K banked to get started, just a rough idea.Then, get pre-approved.

Brought roommate in to live with me and split the cost of one of the apts.What was the outcome?

@Jordan PrattAnother idea is if you have the cash in hand, maybe could combine the strategies.Buy a mobile home cash.Improve the property at whatever pace you desire.Bring in roommates and pay yourself back over time.Either keep the property if it’s cash flowing or If you want to sell, do seller financing when you are ready to move on to the next property.There are a million options in real estate and you can mix and match to make something fit your goals and situation.

I’m house hacking with roommates right now, luckily I’m a bachelor and don’t have to worry about the extra concerns a family brings.