Negative cash flow on my first duplex property house hack

[Kobey Heberling]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy my first multi family in the coming months and have read all about cash flow, 1% and 50% rule. I am still wondering is it bad deal if i buy a duplex that covers most of the mortgage but not all of it? For example, the mortgage is $1000 and i can collect rent for $750, leaving me to pay the remaining $250 for the mortgage plus utilities. Ideally we all want positive cash flow but with house hacking, i feel like that will be harder to obtain also living in the property. 

I am looking for opinions for those of you who have come before me if y'all would do something like that. Thanks

[Bill B.]

I don’t think ANYONE read the title of your post or even the body of it. 

OBVIOUSLY if you’re only renting out half of it and living in the other half. You have to pretend you are paying market rent when running the numbers. Heck, it’s actually better than that since your not paying rent with after tax dollars. Instead of earning $900 to pay $600 in rent you are simply covering the $250 shortfall instead. Sounds like a big win. 

Very few properties have good numbers half empty.