From that point, assuming another $500/mo, you'd then have 36k in 1.5 years, and so on.Also, real estate allows for much better tax benefits, debt retirement, and appreciation opportunities (as well as increasing rent over the years).Well what'dya know.

The benefit of a permit and inspections is to have an independent party verify work. 

However, this provides tax benefits over time rather than an upfront deduction.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

When you do move in, it will be important to separate out direct and indirect expenses.

Real estate's "gross rent multiplier" is Wall Street's "sales to revenue",  "cap rate" is roughly "P/E ratio".When evaluating markets and investments I tend to start with GRM (or lazily the 1% rule), then attempt to return a cap rate based on assumptions about costs, then I work my way to multiple years of projections (assumptions about inflation, amortization, tax benefits, etc), and if I am partnering with one of my smart friends I have to pull up an IRR (internal rate of return).I also look at regional employment levels, median income to rent ratio in the zip code etc. 

Our dollar is losing value so you need to be with a solid operator in institutional assets that cashflow in markets while hedging inflation with tax benefits. 

It's people like you who cause folks who would actually benefit from an ESA to be painted with the same broad scammer brush. 

All the other fancy ways people try and get creative with owning something typically only costs you money and provides zero benefit. 

This means you'll want to "write off" expenses related to a property you have in service because if those expenses don't benefit you this year they could in the future once you sell the property.We can get into a lot more details with the "if" "and" or "buts" BUT I think this would be the "simplest" answer without diving into your specific situation here.I hope this helps! 

Without house hacking, your figures would look like this:$1850+1850 = $3700 - $1500 - $3200 = $-1000 net in your pocket (let's skip principal paydown and tax benefits for now).With house hacking, your figures would look like this:$1850+650+1500 = $4000 - $3200 = $800 net in your pocket.