What to Expect
This strategy is the best way for a new investor to start building a portfolio of real estate! By leveraging low-down payment loan options only available when you live in a property, HouseHacking allows you to secure a home & a rental property, all in the same purchase. You can live with roommates (HouseHack “By The Room”) or not share any personal space like in a duplex or apartment (HouseHack “By The Unit”).
PROS
1-5% down payment options available, 0.5% - 1% lower interest rates, no experience required. Buy a property for just $20,000 in expensive Seattle.
CONS
You must live in the property for 1 year (unless a job change or other unforeseen circumstances necessitate a move). This means you can usually only buy a HouseHack once per year.
ROI
Because appreciation occurs on the total value of the property, not on just your down payment, overall returns of 50% - 300% are possible in Year 1! The low down payment also means great Cash-on-Cash Returns (5% - 20%), and the flexibility of the strategy can bring above average rental income (14 Gross Rent Multiplier, “GRM”, or less).
Property Types
For “By The Unit” HouseHacks: Small Multifamily (Duplex, Triplex, and Quadplex), or Single Family Homes with ADU’s and/or DADU’s (especially in ADU friendly cities like Seattle, Kirkland, Burien, Kenmore, Tacoma, Bellingham & Unincorporated Snohomish County)
For “By The Room” HouseHacks: Large Single Family Homes (4+ Bedrooms). Look for an area close to transit with ample parking, a spacious kitchen & no more than 2 - 3 bedrooms for each bathroom in the home.
Market & Competition
HouseHack by the Unit properties such as Single Family homes with ADU’s or Duplexes, Triplexes, & Quads tend to cost more and have higher levels of competition than HouseHack by the Room properties like single family homes with 4+ bedrooms.
