Question 1

What is house hacking?

Accepted Answer

House hacking means buying a multi-unit property (duplex, triplex, fourplex) or a single-family home with extra rooms, living in one unit or room, and renting out the rest. The rental income offsets your mortgage and housing costs, often reducing your effective housing expense below what you'd pay to rent.

Question 2

How much can house hacking save compared to renting?

Accepted Answer

Savings depend on purchase price, rental income from other units, and your current rent. In many markets, house hacking can reduce effective housing costs by 50–100%, and in some cases tenants cover the entire mortgage. You also build equity in the property.

Question 3

Can I use an FHA loan to house hack?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down on owner-occupied properties with up to four units. You must live in one unit as your primary residence for at least the first year. This makes house hacking accessible with a much smaller down payment than a traditional investment property loan.

House Hack Calculator

Property & Financing

Ownership Costs

Rental Income

Current Rent (Comparison)

Projections

Effective Housing Cost

Monthly Savings vs Renting

Rent Covers

Total Monthly Ownership

Cumulative Cost: House Hack vs Renting

Year-by-Year Comparison