House hack tenants

[Elias Saarela]

I am an 18 year old college student in Boise Idaho, and am planning on doing a house hack next school year (26-27) with a one story 4-2 home. Since all my peers are already beginning to sign leases for houses or apartments for rent, and I won’t be purchasing a property until the summer, I am just wondering if chances are okay that I will find tenants for this house hack when the time comes. My tenants of course don’t have to be students, although that would be preferred. So if anyone has any knowledge about tenants and filling up rooms, would be greatly appreciated!

[James Jones]

Hey Elias, great thinking this early, most people don’t even learn about house hacking until years later. You’re already ahead of the curve just by planning now.

Boise actually has a solid demand for rooms, especially near colleges. As long as the home is in a decent location and priced fairly, you won’t have trouble finding tenants, student or non-student. The key is timing: advertise 60–90 days before move-in. That’s when students and young professionals start locking in housing.

A couple tips that’ll make your first house hack smoother:

• Don’t wait for summer to start marketing. Create demand early.
• Set clear house rules upfront. Saves you a ton of headaches later.
• Screen for personality fit, not just credit score. In shared housing, compatibility matters just as much as finances.

You’re thinking the right way. House hacking your first property is one of the smartest moves you can make at 18. If you keep the numbers tight and treat it like a business, you’ll be in a great spot next school year.