I am Sanford, and I am interested in learning more about house hacking.

@Amir GermanHouse hacking with an FHA loan is a smart move, especially in high-priced markets—low down payment, flexible credit requirements, and you can live in one unit while renting the others.

So many times I meet house hackers who want fixers and then I explain that yes, there is value (both of my house hacks were fixers), but there is down time without tenants and you could be doing higher income producing activities.

In this scenario you'd bring in no money to the deal other than your documented income, credit, and promise to hereby pay on time.Some DPA programs are only allowed on 1-2 units so if you're house hacking a fourplex you might have to go with the standard FHA or 203k (if you're in need of cosmetic repairs 203k streamline or the overhaul of rehabs with a standard 203k FHA program).We've never experienced a lender we work with that required cash reserves on a FHA loan other than in specific circumstances like with a fourplex (min 3 months) or if you're under 600 fico some lenders add on an overlay which requires some reserves but overall in 95% of FHA situations there are no cash reserves required that I've seen over the last 15 years.I've personally house hacked over 4 properties (condo, townhome, 2 fourplexes) and the xperience you're gain from them and managing your own tenants will definitely help ease you into rental game.

House hacking a 4-plex is a fantastic first move, but keep in mind you’ll likely need a full-time job lined up to qualify for a mortgage.

If you use the same lender and have a relationship, they will probably let you use equity in the house as a "down payment" but if you put 3.5% down on an FHA loan, you likely will not have that much equity, so you will need a considerable amount of cash out of pocket to "take over" the loan.

With around $70K and a flexible starting point in Macon, you're in a strong position to house hack in areas within 1–2 hours of Dallas, GA.

That is what I did on my 1st house hack deal, and it went very smoothly.

If you're house hacking, I'm guessing you're working with a lower down payment—which is totally fine and often the smartest way to start.

What do you mean by house hacking?