I have one that has proven to almost be too nice of a house for a rental, I have one that had a felon cable-hacker, I have one a tenant changed all the locks on me when she moved out (convenient), I have the famous walked-out-with-the-appliances tenant, I've had evictions, I've been screwed by a turnkey company who upped the market rent tremendously and I got boned after when I had to re-rent it for real, I'm getting a tree cut away from one property right now, I have an insurance claim on a property right now since a thunderstorm blew a hole through the roof...I can go on...unless telling you stories about my properties isn't what will convince you of anything?

I am a very experienced investor and very successful house hacker.

Most sellers (or their agents anyway) should know these rules and many are timing the sale for when a unit is vacant.Bit of an aside, but if you're looking to buy a 3 or 4 unit property with an FHA loan (classic house-hacker strategy), you'll want to have a good understanding of the FHA rules.

To all aspiring house-hackers, a word of warning from an agent & house-hacker/investor:  be sure to reserve more than you think you'll need for rehab costs and unforeseen cap ex. 

@Gadiel Del Orbe I work with a lot of house hackers here in the Chicago suburbs, and I always tell them the same thing.

I've been a house hacker the last 7 years.

Thanks for your reply @Gene Hacker!

@Gene Hacker Hi Gene.

-Ben, aspiring house hacker 

Since you've been a house hacker, I'm guessing  you're going to have some great insight.My husband and I are investors - specifically flippers - but we're working our way towards buy and hold.