Starting a house hack in college
Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 7 votes
Starting a house hack in college
Most Popular Reply
Arman AhmedPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 905 votesQuote from @Jacob Nguyen:
I am a college student who has two more years of school. I am about to end my internship in May and will be living at home for the next two years. I have been wanting to get a house hack with a small multi family near my campus, but I do not have a stable enough income to get a loan. I asked my parents to be co borrowers but they don't like the idea of investing in real estate. I have 20k saved and I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not it's feasible for me to get started on a house hack. I was planing to get a server job but commission based incomes are not very good for getting loans. Any ideas on what jobs would pay well and be stable enough to do while in school and any other advice on getting started?
Honestly, with two years left in school and $20k saved, the smartest long-term play is to stack as much cash as you can and line yourself up for a stable W-2 job after graduation. Lenders love consistency, and once you have that, options like FHA or even a 3–5% down conventional make house hacking way easier. In the meantime, grab a job with steady hours and verifiable income, think campus jobs, admin roles, or anything hourly where your paychecks are predictable. You're not behind at all, you're actually setting yourself up to hit the ground running the moment you graduate.
7 Replies
- Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2026 · 23 posts · 9 votes5mo
Hello Jacob,
I am currently in the same boat as a Junior in college as well. Reading over your situation, I think the smartest plan might be to work and save as much as you can before graduation. After graduation, with a stable job, loans like the FHA should be able to be applied for and you can dive right in.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We are taking the same path in the same area!
- 5moArman AhmedPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 905 votes
Quote from @Jacob Nguyen:
I am a college student who has two more years of school. I am about to end my internship in May and will be living at home for the next two years. I have been wanting to get a house hack with a small multi family near my campus, but I do not have a stable enough income to get a loan. I asked my parents to be co borrowers but they don't like the idea of investing in real estate. I have 20k saved and I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not it's feasible for me to get started on a house hack. I was planing to get a server job but commission based incomes are not very good for getting loans. Any ideas on what jobs would pay well and be stable enough to do while in school and any other advice on getting started?
Honestly, with two years left in school and $20k saved, the smartest long-term play is to stack as much cash as you can and line yourself up for a stable W-2 job after graduation. Lenders love consistency, and once you have that, options like FHA or even a 3–5% down conventional make house hacking way easier. In the meantime, grab a job with steady hours and verifiable income, think campus jobs, admin roles, or anything hourly where your paychecks are predictable. You're not behind at all, you're actually setting yourself up to hit the ground running the moment you graduate.
- Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2026 · 23 posts · 9 votes5mo
Quote from @Arman Ahmed:
Quote from @Jacob Nguyen:
I am a college student who has two more years of school. I am about to end my internship in May and will be living at home for the next two years. I have been wanting to get a house hack with a small multi family near my campus, but I do not have a stable enough income to get a loan. I asked my parents to be co borrowers but they don't like the idea of investing in real estate. I have 20k saved and I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not it's feasible for me to get started on a house hack. I was planing to get a server job but commission based incomes are not very good for getting loans. Any ideas on what jobs would pay well and be stable enough to do while in school and any other advice on getting started?
Honestly, with two years left in school and $20k saved, the smartest long-term play is to stack as much cash as you can and line yourself up for a stable W-2 job after graduation. Lenders love consistency, and once you have that, options like FHA or even a 3–5% down conventional make house hacking way easier. In the meantime, grab a job with steady hours and verifiable income, think campus jobs, admin roles, or anything hourly where your paychecks are predictable. You're not behind at all, you're actually setting yourself up to hit the ground running the moment you graduate.
This is great advice, thank you so much!
- 5moWale LawalBusiness MemberReal Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
You are in an excellent situation. Honestly, the best thing right now is to land a stable paying job W-2 even part-time and keep saving. I think lenders require 1-2 years of steady income. With 20k you are almost there- combine that with an FHA online, in- person there are many lenders that do FHA and you could house hack a 2-4 unit once you qualify for this mortgage. Keep learning and saving in the meantime!
Good luck!
NETWORTH BUILDERS5236 Reviews- Member since 2025 · 6 posts · 7 votes5mo
Hi Wale, thanks for the response! I appreciate the advice. What are your thoughts on going in on a deal with a business partner? I have a friend in college in a similar situation as me and we are considering working together.
- 5moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votesHey Jacob, you’re thinking about this the right way and starting early is huge, but I’ll be honest, with $20K saved, no stable W2 income, and no co-borrower, getting approved for a house hack right now is going to be pretty tough through traditional financing. Lenders are mainly looking for consistent, documented income over time, so commission or tip-based jobs like serving can be harder to use unless you’ve got a solid history showing it on tax returns. If your goal is to qualify in the next couple years, I’d focus on finding a part-time or entry-level W2 job that gives you predictable pay, even if it’s not super high, since stability matters more than upside early on. At the same time, keep stacking savings, build your credit, and learn how to analyze deals so you’re ready to move fast when you do qualify. Another angle some people explore is partnering with someone who has income but not the time or knowledge, though that takes trust and clear communication. You could also look into smaller steps like renting a place with roommates and managing it like a house hack to build experience. You’re in a really good position being able to live at home and save, so if you use the next 1–2 years to strengthen your income and financial profile, you’ll set yourself up to execute that first deal much more smoothly. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
Quote from @Jacob Nguyen:
I am a college student who has two more years of school. I am about to end my internship in May and will be living at home for the next two years. I have been wanting to get a house hack with a small multi family near my campus, but I do not have a stable enough income to get a loan. I asked my parents to be co borrowers but they don't like the idea of investing in real estate. I have 20k saved and I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not it's feasible for me to get started on a house hack. I was planing to get a server job but commission based incomes are not very good for getting loans. Any ideas on what jobs would pay well and be stable enough to do while in school and any other advice on getting started?
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews - Realtor · OH · Member since 2026 · 122 posts · 76 votes5mo
Quote from @Jacob Nguyen:
I am a college student who has two more years of school. I am about to end my internship in May and will be living at home for the next two years. I have been wanting to get a house hack with a small multi family near my campus, but I do not have a stable enough income to get a loan. I asked my parents to be co borrowers but they don't like the idea of investing in real estate. I have 20k saved and I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not it's feasible for me to get started on a house hack. I was planing to get a server job but commission based incomes are not very good for getting loans. Any ideas on what jobs would pay well and be stable enough to do while in school and any other advice on getting started?
Jacob, your $20,000 savings is a fantastic starting point for a Cincinnati house hack, but the hurdle in college is the "Debt-to-Income" (DTI) ratio, as lenders typically require two years of stable, non-commission income to qualify for a traditional FHA loan. Since your internship ends in May, look for an entry-level "Property Management Assistant" or "Junior Leasing Agent" role; these jobs offer the stable W-2 income lenders love while giving you a front-row seat to the local rental market near campus. If traditional financing remains out of reach, use your savings to secure a Seller Financed deal where the owner cares more about your down payment and character than your tax returns, or consider a "co-signer" who isn't your parents, such as a mentor or a partner with a strong balance sheet who can help you bridge the gap until graduation. I hope that helps.
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