I'm guessing an investor who could afford an $800K house wouldn't have trouble getting a loan, but maybe they would like being able to make a small or 0 downpayment. 

Spokane’s tenant-friendly laws could present challenges, but its lower home prices compared to other markets might provide more affordable entry points.

We have 40k in the bank and 100k equity in our current house (but we can't afford a larger payment on our current residence).

I didn't have much imagination for it. 5 years ago I started looking at buying a larger home I could house hack because it allowed me to get a larger property than I could afford.

Kicks off rent rate compression from lack of renter affordability.

Mortgage rates tend to fall as the supply of funds in the mortgage market increases, making homeownership more affordable.

With the prevalence of remote work policies, many people opted to leave affordable apartments living near work in and around metros to live an hour or two outside of their work location to get much more space for their money.

I started out with a house hack, and I would say that that was definitely safe for me when I was in college as I could afford the Mortgage even if my renter didn't pay.

Real Estate Investment in Canada has, in recent years, been strained in terms of affordability, and other rules creating an additional barrier of entry; especially for foreign buyer.Although I am investor in Ontario and Quebec, I'm not a lawyer, nor an accountant, nor an immigration consultant, so make sure you consult with the appropriate expert for accurate information.

It’s affordable and easy to set up, but not essential.