It's an exciting journey that can offer both financial rewards and personal satisfaction.

To avoid unnecessary liabilities, delaying acceptance or exploring a cash alternative may be the safest financial option.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Can you share some financial numbers related to your house hack?

If it does go to probate, hopefully your brothers and you can amicably go the informal route vs formal (I've worked with families in both when buying properties out of probate and informal is FAR easier).Since there's no debt on the house, maybe you could sell with financing or maybe you could even buy out your brothers with financing -- that way you maintain ownership and just pay them a monthly amount.

I know that the general guidance is that emergency funds aren't to be invested, but given our financial security and the fact that we already have a personal e-fund in a safe, non-volatile location, would it still be crazy/unwise to invest this 15k in an S&P500 index fund in a brokerage? 

Thank you for the financial breakdown!

If they have paid off property (especially if the investor is much older), they probably have a healthy stock portfolio as well :) Debt has worked for me, and I'm glad it works for you too!

(Due to some financial issues with him in the past, I'm not willing to cosign for him)  Would a rental agreement with the roommates suffice? 

The key is understanding your risk tolerance, time commitment, and financial goals to find the right balance.

I even try to unsell them on the business by sharing my financial losses, litigation,  market shifts, permit purgatory, shady contractors,  clouded title issues,  paranormal activity, squatters, mold, etc.