You don’t need to buy a mansion to build wealth. One of my favorite strategies is house hacking. Buy a duplex, live in one unit, and rent out the other. It’s basically like getting paid to have neighbors (just hopefully not the noisy kind!).
House hacking helps cover your mortgage and can even let you live rent-free while building equity. Plus, it’s a great way to get landlord experience without diving into a full portfolio right away.
27 Likes
I’d only recommend house hacking if you’re ready for the realities of being a landlord. Even with a property manager, living next door means you’ll be the go-to for every little issue. Some tenants may test boundaries, so a strong lease and clear communication are a must. But if you’re looking for a low-barrier entry into real estate investing, it’s hard to beat the learning experience and wealth-building potential.
1 Like
Can confirm, house hacking works… but pick your tenants wisely 
1 Like
Totally agree, house hacking teaches you real landlord skills fast. It’s not always easy, but with clear rules and strong leases, the experience (and equity) is worth it.
Facts! Tenant screening makes or breaks the whole setup. Living next to the wrong person can be rough, choose wisely.
I want to house hack, but inventory where I am (SoCal) is either insanely priced or zoned single-family. It’s not that I’m against the idea I love it, but the actual duplexes available are $900K+, and the numbers don’t work unless you put a huge chunk down.