I just recently received my masters and started working as a government contractor, doing program management and budget work for Dept of the Army.

I am looking to get into REI, I was originally looking to save for my first home but quickly realized the my tastes far exceed my budget. 

With your budget I'd have a ball in my area!

As far as the best way to house hack, it depends on your budget.

Mind you, you will have to spend money on repairs, so budget for that in your analysis.

As a baseline, we budget 135 a Sq Ft for renovation.

Rehab budget was 600k and might be up for sale soon.

This assumes that these are not retirement funds that you would incur penalties and taxes to access.HOWEVER, I would make a detailed budget and identify where I could squeeze extra money out of your cash flow from employment to take down this debt first.  

Create a budget so you know where your money is going.3.  

The best options I've found are occupied properties in C/D neighborhoods in Sacramento that would generate around 12% COC, but where I likely wouldn't be able to recoup significant capex and where tenants *might not* consider rent their top budgeting priority.