The goal of house-hacking is to eventually rent out the unit you live in, when you scale your portfolio by buying the next rental.

My down payment could be max $200K, but I would only consider this for a really good-looking investment unit in Southern California that I would live in (i.e. house hack). 

We’re in one of the last genuinely affordable metros in the country, and we have culture and character that most mid-sized cities would trade for in a heartbeat.

It's great that you're an alum, you've got a head start on understanding the market and a tenant's perspective.I've been a student housing specialist in Binghamton for almost ten years and have seen a lot of changes over that time.

Quote from @Tim Aiken: I have a house in Bellville and I would like some help on deciding to fix and rent or sell the house, so I may need an agent to discuss the options,  looking at a timeline of 1to 2 months before the house could be listed if that is the best direction.  

I too am interested in house hacking, with the plan of long term buy and hold for properties.

A house hack works because it reduces your housing cost, not because everything has to go perfectly.2.

The rehab number looks great if it’s mainly cosmetic and you’re handling it in-house — huge advantage there.

This is an area in which you need to be careful.

Jefferson Park’s above-grade units + coach house give you cleaner income.Lenders treat above-grade units as more “real” rent.