The idea is simple: buy a 2–3 unit home, live in one, rent the rest. In SF, with rents of $3,200–4,200, that genuinely covers a large share of the payment.
Why it works:
- As owner-occupied — lower down payment and a better rate
- Rental income counts toward qualification
- Over time — depreciation and appreciation
Run your own scenario in the House Hacking calculator on the homepage — in a minute you’ll see your housing cost.
Estimates only. Taxes — with a CPA.