How to Finance Your House Hack in 2025
Think you need $100,000 to start house hacking? Think again. Here's how to get in with way less money. The Best Loan Programs FHA loans - Put down just 3.5% on properties up to four units. That's $10,500 on a $300,000 property. FHA 203k loans even give you extra cash to fix up the place. VA loans - If you served in the military, you can buy with ZERO down. No joke. No down payment, no PMI. USDA loans - Living in a rural area? Zero down here too. Works on properties up to four units. Conventional loans - Need just 3-5% down, and lenders now count your future rental income when deciding if you qualify. Creative Ways to Fund It Don't have enough saved? Get creative: Use your current home - Take out a HELOC (home equity line) on your current house to buy your next one. Find a partner - Split the property with someone else. They put up money, you manage it, both of you win. Crowdfunding - Pool money from multiple small investors through online platforms. Co-ownership - Buy with friends or family and share everything - the mortgage, the costs, the profits. Why 2025 Is Different Banks are finally getting it. They're counting your rental income BEFORE you even have tenants. That makes qualifying way easier than before. Plus, there are programs for ADU financing, short-term rental properties, and renovation loans all rolled into one. Bottom Line You don't need to be rich to start house hacking. You need the right loan and maybe some creative thinking. Start with as little as 3.5% down, or find a partner if you're broke. The money part isn't the hard part anymore. Taking action is.