To buy a rental or a primary residence, that is the question...

To buy a rental or a primary residence, that is the question...

Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 2 votes

Hey everyone, I am brand new here!

My fiancé and I are looking at purchasing our first home. I've spent the last few months researching properties and working with various banks and credit unions to see what kind of mortgage we qualify for. We've looked at properties in Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawai'i (hot markets, I know, but this is where we are from and where our families are) and we've settled on central Oregon/Bend. 

In general, I am wondering if we should be looking to purchase a primary residence, a rental unit, a primary residence plus a renovation/RenoFi loan for an ADU buildout, or maybe even a multi-family where we occupy one of the units and rent the other(s). I know this question pops up quite a bit on here and I have read through quite a few of your thoughtful responses. I figured it bears repeating given inflation, rising interest rates, and current blast-off of the market, especially in the locations we are looking in.

A bit about us that may be somewhat helpful:

• We are first-time homebuyers with no debt to our names (thankfully!)

• We both have low 6-figures incomes or close to it

• We have adequate savings for a down deposit and we have family who have offered to help as well

• We are fairly frugal: we have no interest in fancy cars or clothes, our idea of a great vacation is a backpacking trip, and a night out is usually for some beers at a brewery

Thank you in advance for any insights you all have, I am trying to be as much of a information sponge as possible!

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Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
4y

@Sam Tanner dude consider house hacking. The most cost efficient is to find something already built: a large house where you can rent out bedrooms, a multi unit where you can live in one and rent the others, a house with extra square footage that allows you to add a private entry and create a little studio or 1 bd unit to LTR or STR (?), etc. I would not build an ADU in most cases from the ground up because you won't be able to get an increase of equal value in equity for the money spent. You're on the right track. House hack for a year. Rinse and repeat. Good luck!

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  • Member since 2022 · 1 post · 0 votes
    4y

    My opinion would be to do the BP house hack.  

  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Sam Tanner
    If you are looking to invest locally in those areas, you should buy a duplex and owner occupy it, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. There are lots of great loan products out there for owner-occupant first-time homebuyers that go away once you buy your first property. Learned that lesson the hard way. 

  • Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    @Patrick Drury, thank you for the input! Do you have any recommendations on what financial products I should be checking out. obviously an FHA loan is an option but 3.5% down would probably not be competitive in the current market

  • Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Sam Tanner dude consider house hacking. The most cost efficient is to find something already built: a large house where you can rent out bedrooms, a multi unit where you can live in one and rent the others, a house with extra square footage that allows you to add a private entry and create a little studio or 1 bd unit to LTR or STR (?), etc. I would not build an ADU in most cases from the ground up because you won't be able to get an increase of equal value in equity for the money spent. You're on the right track. House hack for a year. Rinse and repeat. Good luck!

  • Investor · Marin County California · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    Do what makes your wife happy. If her heart is set on a SFR she can call home right now, pull the trigger and save your funds for investment at a later date. A happy wife pays dividends like no other investment. My 2 cents after 30 years of this.

  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Sam Tanner
    I live in Columbus OH so the owner-occupant loan products I am accustomed to might not be offered by lenders in your area. For example, if someone is looking in Columbus OH I would recommend a certain lender who has a great owner-occupant loan for multi-family. It's 5% down no PMI and best of all, it's a conventional loan. I would post here in the BP forums asking people for good suggestions about owner-occupant loans in the market you are looking for. Investors, lenders, and even agents will reach out and give you suggestions.

  • Austin McClainBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · OH · Member since 2021 · 348 posts · 602 votes
    4y

    I'm looking to house hack a duplex myself. I like the idea of using a first-time home buyer loan on a multifamily since they're more expensive. That way you get the best possible loan with the most units long-term. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Portland, OR · Member since 2018 · 126 posts · 71 votes
    4y

    I also say House Hack. Either buy a duplex/triplex and owner occupy one unit or buy a SF with a basement that has an exterior access. Convert the basement to an ADU and then you have two units. Either way renting one of the units pays most of your mortgage. Live in it a year or two, save for another down payment and do the same thing all over again. I have clients that do this every couple of years. When they hit retirement they will have fabulous passive income and likely paid the first one off, if not more.

  • Realtor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2020 · 255 posts · 182 votes
    4y

    People say that you can do whatever for your first investment but I'm always team house hack!! You're building equity, potentially eliminating living expenses and trying your hand at property management in a controlled environment. Its a win win win. 

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    4y

    Why wouldn't 3.5% FHA loan work? Yes, some sellers are seeking all cash offers with no inspections, but you're not going to snag one of those anyways.

    Use the FHA to buy a 2-4 unit and you'll learn a lot!

    It'll also be a good base for your next acquistion - after 6 months you can look into refinancing out of the FHA, so you can re-use the FHA loan to buy another 2-4 unit.

    Of course, you can also buy a SFR to live in at any time.

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