Rookie Couple from Glendale AZ

[Crismae Salamat]

Hi! Excited to get started with Real Estate Investing by learning from each and everyone of you all ❤️ we would like to get  started by renting our house and house hacking near midwestern umiversity area. Any thoughts are welcome! 

[Patrick O'Sullivan]

Hi Crismae — welcome to the community and congrats on starting your investing journey!

If you’re open to small multifamily (like a duplex, triplex, or fourplex) instead of just renting rooms, that’s another smart way to house hack. A few things to keep in mind with multifamily:

✅ Separate units = separate cash flow: Having multiple units gives you more income streams to cover your mortgage and expenses — if one unit is vacant, the others help pay the bills.

✅ Financing can still be residential: Anything up to 4 units usually qualifies for residential loans (like FHA or conventional), so you can still lock in lower rates and lower down payments — a big plus for first-time buyers.

✅ Run your cash flow numbers conservatively: Estimate realistic rents, factor in vacancy, maintenance, property management (even if you do it yourself for now — your time still has value!), and make sure you have a buffer for unexpected repairs.

✅ Live in one unit, rent the others: This is classic house hacking — you get tenant income while building equity and experience as a landlord.

✅ Location matters: Being near Midwestern University could be perfect — students or staff often like the privacy of their own unit vs. just renting a single room.

You’re already asking the right questions — wishing you and your partner lots of success as you find that first property!