05/22/2026
If buying a home feels out of reach, house hacking may be a way to make homeownership more affordable. House hacking in real estate is a way to own a home while earning rental income from it.
House hacking is popular with first-time homebuyers and people just getting started in real estate. It can help lower monthly housing costs while letting you build home equity and gain experience as a property owner.
The goal is simple. The rent you collect can provide extra income to help pay for your mortgage payment and other housing costs. Some people use house hacking to lower their monthly payment. Others use it to help afford a home they couldn’t buy on their own.
You are still living in the home. That’s what makes house hacking different from buying a rental property you don’t live in.