New Investor | Learning While Incarcerated | House Hacking Focus

[Jordan Malave]

What’s up BiggerPockets community,

I’m a brand-new real estate investor currently incarcerated, and I’m using this time to learn as much as I possibly can so I’m prepared to execute the moment I come home.

I’m scheduled to be released in November 2026. My primary goal out the gate is house hacking, specifically purchasing my first fourplex and living in one unit while renting out the others. Long term, I plan to build toward multifamily and commercial real estate, but I want to do this the right way—starting with fundamentals and strong mentorship.

I’m currently studying:

House hacking strategies

Multifamily underwriting

Financing options (FHA, conventional, creative where appropriate)

Property management basics

Market research, with a strong interest in Houston, TX

I’m here to learn, ask smart questions, and add value where I can, even as a beginner. I’m also open to connecting with experienced investors or mentors—whether formally or informally—who believe in helping someone who’s putting in the work early and taking accountability for their future.

If you were starting over and preparing before your first deal, what would you focus on most?

And if anyone has advice specific to house hacking a fourplex in Houston, I’d be grateful to hear it.

Appreciate this community and everything it offers.

[Drew Sygit]

Quote from @Jordan Malave:

What’s up BiggerPockets community,

I’m a brand-new real estate investor currently incarcerated, and I’m using this time to learn as much as I possibly can so I’m prepared to execute the moment I come home.

I’m scheduled to be released in November 2026. My primary goal out the gate is house hacking, specifically purchasing my first fourplex and living in one unit while renting out the others. Long term, I plan to build toward multifamily and commercial real estate, but I want to do this the right way—starting with fundamentals and strong mentorship.

I’m currently studying:

House hacking strategies

Multifamily underwriting

Financing options (FHA, conventional, creative where appropriate)

Property management basics

Market research, with a strong interest in Houston, TX

I’m here to learn, ask smart questions, and add value where I can, even as a beginner. I’m also open to connecting with experienced investors or mentors—whether formally or informally—who believe in helping someone who’s putting in the work early and taking accountability for their future.

If you were starting over and preparing before your first deal, what would you focus on most?

And if anyone has advice specific to house hacking a fourplex in Houston, I’d be grateful to hear it.

Appreciate this community and everything it offers.

Figure out how to househack a 2-4 unit using FHA mortgage.

Research FHA 203(k) mortgages, which allow you to finance repairs. Houses that need repairs are avoided by many buyers, so less competition means lower purchase price.

Start underwriting houses and learning to work backwards:
1) Start with target rents
2) Deduct property taxes & insurance
3) Deduct maintenance & vacancy estimates (use at least 10%, not 5%!)
4) Then use current mortgage rate to determine a mortgage amount
5) Then add the FHA required 3% downpayment to determine purchase price to offer.

Oh, pick 2-3 neighborhoods ONLY and focus on them! You should learn everything about those markets.

Compare your purchase price offer to asking price. You'll find most properties have a higher asking price than your calculated offer price.

Don't be deterred!

You may have to analyze 100 properties, make 10 offers to MAYBE have one accepted.

If none accepted, keep at it.

Investing is work!

Old investor saying, "you make your money, when you buy".
Means you can't fix a deal work that you overpaid on.

By the time you get out, you should know your 2-3 target neighborhoods inside & out and be prepared to write offers:)