@Juan Pablo Murillo We have been in the business for a while, but we have helped others get started.

@Darrius LloydTo start your house hacking journey, research neighborhoods with potential for multifamily properties and balance affordability with tenant quality.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

My family will occupy one unit, while the other will be available for rent starting in the spring of 2025.

Why are you starting a new thread when you posted this same stuff on an existing thread? 

Proof of concept seems to be a key part of your strategy starting off.   

Getting started was the most challenging part of real estate investing for me and it seems like you made it look easy.What neighborhood is the property in?

Hi Kwanza,Bay Tek (650-204-1512) would be a great starting point, but I’d also recommend reaching out to Adler Builders (650-398-9030) and Mission Home Remodeling (415-855-7269) for comparable bids.In San Francisco, you’ll need a licensed General Contractor (GC) to pull the necessary permits.

Thankfully, we caught it during the plan review stage, and with a stamped structural design, they got the kitchen of their dreams—without jeopardizing safety or facing surprise delays.Here’s what to think about when renovating:Structural Changes: Even moving a wall can have ripple effects on the stability of your home.HVAC Systems: New layouts might need adjusted airflow or ductwork.Plumbing and Electrical: Moving sinks, showers, or outlets requires careful rerouting to comply with building codes.Before starting demolition or submitting permits, have your plans reviewed by a licensed engineer or architect to avoid costly surprises.

Once the work was complete, I refinanced to pay off the hard money loan and held the property as a long-term asset.This duplex also marked the start of my short-term rental journey—we ran our first Airbnb from one of the apartments before scaling to bigger projects.