Little Known Hack for Young Homebuyers

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming—especially with today’s prices. A lot of first-time buyers feel priced out of the market, but here’s a little-known hack that can completely change the game: house hacking.

So, what is house hacking?

It’s when you buy a home and rent out extra rooms (or units, if it’s a duplex or triplex) to cover some—or even all—of your mortgage.

👉 Example: A young buyer in his late 20s just bought a home right down the street from us. He rents out three of the bedrooms for about $1,000 each per month. The rent from those rooms completely covers his mortgage. That means his out-of-pocket cost for owning a home? Zero.

And here’s the kicker:

• His roommates are all working professionals.

• If someone moves out, he simply relists the room and fills the vacancy.

• The rent he charges is still cheaper for his tenants than renting a full apartment on their own.

It’s a win-win.

If I were in my early 20s today and thinking about buying, this is the exact strategy I’d be looking into. Not only does it make homeownership more affordable, but it also lets you start building equity and wealth earlier than most people think possible.

💡 Pro tip: Before you buy, talk to a real estate professional about the rental potential of extra rooms or units in your area. Even if you can’t cover 100% of your mortgage, you might be able to offset a big chunk of it—and that could be the difference between renting forever and buying your first home.

💡  Bottom Line: House hacking isn’t just a trend—it’s one of the smartest moves young homebuyers can make in 2025.