I am a house-hacker myself and it's been an excellent learning experience. 

Hey BiggerPockets Community, I just recently joined BP! I am 26 years old, living/working in PA, and looking for my first property to purchase. I am interested in "house hacking" - finding a duplex or triplex, using t...

If you go the FHA route (which many house hackers do), I believe FHA will count 75% of potential rents towards your purchasing power so in theory it could be easier to qualify for the loan because you can afford more on paper. 

Hi BP! I am a newbie in the Atlanta area and have been doing lots of research on how I would like to start my real estate journey. I have decided that house hacking would be my best avenue. Is anyone in the Atlanta, G...

May be ok with some house hackers if one of the units is vacant!

Well, during site work we discovered a "hot" spot (I love the phrase) by way of an unidentified pipe.

One every 2 years, which gives you the option to sell tax free (at least up to $250k in gains) after renting it out for 3 years or less, in nicer hoods with sweat equity and market appreciation potential (but maybe not as great cash flow, as long as it is positive), is a good pace and strategy in my opinion for a young hacker.

Currently, we have like 12 properties under contract that is a mix of house hackers, rentals, and small multis (a triplex, duplex, and two 8plexes). 

As a house hacker, can I deduct stuff for those rooms or the common spaces?

This isn't meant to be a long post but I have a lot of first time investors and house hackers or just investors that are new to Chicago that ask about charging a security deposit and my answer to them is NEVER charge a security deposit.