House hacking — buying a multi-unit property, living in one unit, and renting the others — can eliminate your housing costs entirely and build significant wealth over time.
House Hacking Strategies
- Duplex/triplex: rent other units to cover mortgage
- ADU/basement apartment: add rental income to single-family
- Room rental: rent spare bedrooms ($500-1,500/room)
- Short-term rental: Airbnb spare space
A buyer purchasing a $400K duplex with an FHA loan (3.5% down) might have a $2,500 mortgage and collect $2,800 in rent from the other unit — living for free while building equity.
