New Investor | Learning While Incarcerated | House Hacking Focus

Jersey City, New Jersey
House Hacking
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New Investor | Learning While Incarcerated | House Hacking Focus

Jordan Malave
New to Real Estate · New York/new jersey · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 5 votes

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.

4Reply
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Most Popular Reply

Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
8mo
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:)

[email protected]248-209-6824
Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
WebsiteView Page
4Reply
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7 Replies

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  • Jules Aton
    MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    8mo

    Hi Jordan, welcome! Do you have a solid income lined up and funds for expenses? If not while incarcerated in addition to RE education I would consider researching and planning what career path will allow you to pursue RE while paying the bills. 


    0Reply
  • Marcus Auerbach
    Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    8mo

    Jules is right, we all get the fascination of real estate, that's why we are here. But what you need first is a job and ideally a side husstle to build capital.

    Go to your favoite AI and write the following prompt: My current situation is (insert here) and my job skills include (insert here) and I want you to suggest 5 business models I can implement as a side husstle once released. My interests are (insert here) and I have alsways been good at (insert here). I am not very good at (insert here). I have an unfair advantage (insert here) and specific knowledge of (insert here).

    1Reply
    • Jordan Malave
      OP
      New to Real Estate · New York/new jersey · Member since 2026 · 2 posts · 5 votes
      8mo

      Yes, I’m currently taking plumbing classes to earn a certification so that when I go home I’m more desirable to employers. My plan is to work in plumbing for about a year to build capital. After that, I intend to purchase my first fourplex and begin house hacking.

      I’ve read many real estate books, including most of the BiggerPockets books and the house hacking book in particular. Where I know I need to improve is on the numbers side. That’s the only area that really intimidates me—I’ve never used spreadsheets before and I’m not a math whiz.

      If anyone can recommend a class, course, or resource that helped them get comfortable analyzing deals and using spreadsheets, I’d really appreciate the guidance.

      1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    8mo
    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:)

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    4Reply
  • Tre DeBragaPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Worcester, MA · Member since 2022 · 107 posts · 48 votes
    8mo

    man good for you and welcome. Seems like you have it all down! asking the right questions etc. 
    Keep studying exactly what you are studying. I would maybe add deal finding into your studies and you will be good off.
    Connect with investors in the area you want to invest maybe you dont have the capital right away but you can provide value to investors and in turn work out partnerships or get good deals from them. 

    0Reply
  • Jules Aton
    MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    8mo

    That is a solid plan. Plumbers make good money, often invest in RE and if they can't fix whatever is wrong with their own properties they have a buddy who can. 

    1Reply
  • Wale LawalBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Houston | Dallas | Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8mo

    @Jordan Malave

    First of all let me give you a big shout out for taking the time to prepare yourself, it will definitely be a big plus for you when you get out. I believe in Houston I would learn about the neighborhoods where fourplexes cash flow well first Southwest, North Houston and places close to developing job centers are some examples. I suggest you should analyze house hack underwriting in depth, get to know local property taxes, insurance and vacancy rates and connect with an experienced lender and property manager right away, so that when you are ready, you can act quickly and ensure the numbers work.

    Good luck!

    [email protected]832-776-9582Podcast Guest on Show #469
    NETWORTH BUILDERS5236 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
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