If you have a $400k duplex and you live in half and rent halfOr if you have a $200k rental property Your deductible rental expenses will be the same. 

I have owned 3 homes in the past that I lived in.

But I live abroad.

If you are not planning to live in the property, then you are not going to qualify for an FHA loan.

I just moved from Houston after living there for about a dozen years.

House hacking can certainly be a great way to build equity and reduce living expenses, but it’s essential to have a cushion in case your rental income doesn’t come in as expected or renovations take longer than planned.

The area where i live, land is very expensive.

I would like to keep it as there are two doors on the property and it would cash flow nicely with my insanely low mortgage/interest.However, I’m leery of managing while living internationally.

Quote from @Danny Johnson: I purchased 2 condos so that my two married daughters had a place to live.  

Quote from @Gabrielle Cutler: HI there,That’s partly why I’m on here, I’m not quite sure the best route, especially living in the Bay Area where everything is a bit more expensive.