THE ISAACS TEAM
HOUSE HACKING | DC
The Isaacs Team | Compass
There are many ways to house hack in the District.
Office
NW DC
20005
CONTACT
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What is ‘House Hacking’?
What does the term mean?
In simple terms, ‘house hacking’ is finding ways to earn money from the residence(s) you own.
Possibilities include creating an income stream by renting out the entire residence, or a portion of it while living in another portion, either long or short term.
Why House Hack?
House Hacking income can be very useful in off-setting mortgage payments and property taxes, or padding your monthly cash flow if you own the residence outright or rent at a profit. It also offers flexibility in case you decide to relocate, or upsize.
It’s often a first step for aspiring investors.
Even if the rental income intake doesn’t cover fully overhead, house hackers benefit from reducing housing costs, building equity in the property, and saving interest by shortening the term of a mortgage if proceeds are used to pay off a portion of principal monthly. House hacking can also be a tax saver by taking expense and depreciation deductions. Finally, house hackers can borrow against their increased equity when they decide to invest in their next property.
Financing Advantages
House Hacking is a form of investment that allows buyers to obtain owner-occupant financing in lieu of higher interest rate investor loans. It also offers down payment advantages. While real estate nvestment loans typically require larger down payments, primary residence owner-occupants may see downpays as low as 0% for VA and HPAP, 2.5% for FHA, or other conventional loans from 5% to 10%.
What type of properties can I House Hack in DC?
CONDOS | CO-OPS
Condos and cooperatives are not good candidates for house hacking, unless you are renting a bedroom on a 6+ month lease. This type of ‘roommate’ house-sharing is typically allowed by associations, with provisions set by individual communities.
Keep in mind that if you own a unit and rent out a room, you’ll be considered a landlord and will need to be licensed.
Find DC rental housing business rules & regulations here
SINGLE FAMILY
House Hack single family homes by sharing the space (roommate), or renting a basement, attic or other accessory unit (ADU), long or short term.
Since you’ll be a DC landlord, you’ll need a license and possibly a certificate of occupancy. Read the rules here.
Plan to build or convert property for an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Washington DC? Download the SmarterGrowth.net manual here.
MULTIFAMILY
Multifamily dwellings are designed for house hacking.
The RAAP (Residential Accessory Apartments Program) was est. for FY 2022 and FY 2023 budgets, providing over $2.5M in funding for the establishment of an accessory dwelling unit pilot program. This initiative, the Residential Accessory Apartments Program (RAAP), is intended to support the creation of residential accessory apartments at existing residential properties throughout the District.
Disclaimer
Our Investment content is posted for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, tax, or other specialized advice. We not financial advisors. Seek advice from professional legal, financial, taxation, or other experts before making investment decisions.
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