House Hacking a Duplex in Weehawken/JC with FHA in the $1M to $1.5M range?

[Jason Son]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone here has bought a duplex in Jersey City, Hoboken, or Weehawken in the $1M to $1.5M range using an FHA loan with 3.5 percent down to house hack?

I'm considering living in one unit and renting out the other, either long-term or mid-term. Here's what I’ve learned so far, but would love real feedback:

• Jersey City allows short-term rentals if you're owner-occupied, but has a 60-night limit if you're not on-site. A permit is also required.

• Weehawken seems to ban short-term rentals under 30 days completely. Can anyone confirm this based on experience?

• Hoboken appears stricter than JC, but I can't find consistent info.

I want to stay close to NYC without throwing away $4K a month on rent in Manhattan. Even without Airbnb, I'm thinking 30-plus day furnished rentals could still work well, especially for professionals, travel nurses, or corporate relocations.

Anyone doing this now? I'd love to hear:

• What kind of rent are you getting per unit?

• Did you use FHA or go conventional?

• Any headaches with tenant laws, inspections, or town rules?

• Would you still invest in these towns at this price point if Airbnb is off the table?

Appreciate any input. Trying to figure out if this is a solid house hack move or not.