DFW First-Time Buyer: A House Hack Multifamily vs. Buy SFH Home - Advise Needed

[Nitin Chhabra]

Hello, 

I’m a 39-year-old first-time homebuyer based in the DFW area with two school-aged kids. My budget for a single-family home is $700k–$750k (planning to put 20% down), and I have a separate savings pool set aside for real estate investing. I’ve been actively searching for several months, have a pre-approval letter, and am working with a good agent, but I haven’t found the right home yet. My main requirements are: • At least 2 bedrooms downstairs (for family needs) • Within a 30-minute commute to my office • Family-friendly area Given my goal to start investing in real estate soon, I’m considering two options: • Option 1: Buy a 2–4 unit multifamily property (duplex, triplex, or fourplex), live in one unit (house hack), and rent out the others. This would let me both secure a home and start investing right away, while continuing to look for a single-family home without pressure. • Option 2: Buy a single-family home first for my family, then look for a multifamily investment property later. Currently, I’m renting an apartment and paying $2,600/month. For families in a similar situation or experienced investors in DFW: • What are the pros and cons of house hacking with a small multifamily as a first purchase in this market, especially with kids? • Would you recommend prioritizing the single-family home for stability, or is it feasible to house hack with a family in DFW? • How do you weigh lifestyle needs vs. investment strategy for a first purchase? Appreciate any advice or experiences you can share!

[Kyle Mccaw]

@Nitin Chhabra 

Great questions, Nitin — you’re thinking strategically, which already puts you ahead.

House hacking a small multifamily can absolutely work, even with kids, if you find the right setup — like a duplex with good separation and its own yard. It gets you started as an investor while reducing your monthly housing cost. That said, in DFW, small multifamily options are limited and often older, so you may deal with more maintenance and tighter living quarters.

Buying the SFH first gives your family stability, especially with school-aged kids. Then you can shop for investment properties with no pressure. This route works well too — especially since you’ve already earmarked capital for investing.

Ultimately, it comes down to urgency vs. comfort. If you're patient and want flexibility, buy the SFH. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in, house hack.

Also — if you’re not already working with him, @Joe Funari is one of the few agents in DFW who really understands the investing side and could help you weigh both paths.