🏠 House Hacking Calculator 2026
Buy a duplex, triplex, or fourplex with 3.5% down (FHA). Live in one unit, rent the others. Calculate how much of your mortgage your tenants will pay — maybe even live for FREE.
⚡ See if you qualify for FHA 3.5% down on a 2-4 unit property
Get Pre-Approved Free →No SSN required • Soft credit pull • 60 seconds
Enter Your Numbers
FHA: 3.5% • Conventional: 5% • Investment: 25%
How House Hacking Works
House hacking means buying a multi-unit property (duplex, triplex, or fourplex), living in one unit, and renting out the others. The rental income offsets your mortgage payment — sometimes eliminating it entirely.
Why House Hacking Is Powerful
- FHA 3.5% down: Owner-occupied 2-4 units qualify for FHA with just 3.5% down — vs 25% for investment properties
- Tenants pay your mortgage: On a fourplex, 3 units of rent can cover 80-100%+ of your PITI
- Build equity for free: Your tenants pay down your mortgage while you live nearly free
- Future rental: After 1 year (FHA requirement), move out and rent all units for full cash flow
Real Example
A $450K duplex with FHA 3.5% down ($15,750) at 6.5%: PITI = ~$3,100/mo. Unit 2 rents for $1,800/mo. After 8% vacancy + 10% maintenance: net rent = $1,476/mo. Your effective housing cost: $1,624/mo — vs $1,800/mo renting a similar unit. You save $176/mo AND build equity.
House Hacking FAQ
Can I use FHA for a duplex, triplex, or fourplex?
Yes! FHA allows 3.5% down on 1-4 unit owner-occupied properties. You must live in one unit for at least 1 year. For 3-4 units, the property must pass the FHA self-sufficiency test: 75% of total rent (including your unit) must exceed the PITI.
→ Get FHA pre-approved for house hacking →How much down payment do I need for house hacking?
FHA: 3.5% down (580+ credit). Conventional: 5% down (620+ credit). On a $450K duplex, FHA = $15,750 down. Conventional = $22,500. Compare to investment property: 25% down = $112,500.
→ Get FHA pre-approved for house hacking →Can I count future rental income to qualify?
Yes! Both FHA and Fannie Mae allow you to use 75% of projected market rent from the tenant units to offset your mortgage payment. This can dramatically lower your DTI and help you qualify for a bigger loan.
→ Compare lenders for multi-unit properties →What is the 75% rule for rental income?
Lenders count only 75% of gross rental income toward qualifying. The 25% deduction covers vacancy, maintenance, and management costs. Example: $1,800/mo rent × 75% = $1,350/mo counted as income.
→ Compare lenders for multi-unit properties →What happens after 1 year?
After the 1-year owner-occupancy requirement, you can move out, rent your unit, and repeat the process with another multi-unit property. This is how many investors build portfolios with minimal down payments.
→ Compare lenders for multi-unit properties →