What is House Hacking?

When Macy first called me, she sounded a little overwhelmed—but also determined.

She was newly divorced, juggling life as a single mom, and working full-time. She’d always wanted to invest in real estate, but she was realistic. “I can only afford one mortgage payment,” she told me. “And I can only qualify for one.”

Totally fair. Totally common.
But also—totally solvable.

That’s when I introduced her to a strategy called house hacking.

She had no idea what it meant, and when I said the phrase out loud, she laughed. “That sounds illegal.” But once I explained it, everything changed.

Here's How House Hacking Works (and How Macy Did It)

House hacking is a simple concept with powerful results:
You buy a home, live in part of it, and rent out the rest. The rent helps cover your mortgage—sometimes all of it.

In Macy’s case, she didn’t even have her down payment saved up yet. But here’s where the magic happened: Macy had served in the Air Force, which meant she qualified for a VA loan—one of the best-kept secrets in real estate.

No down payment.
No mortgage insurance.
Competitive interest rates.
And yes—you can house hack using a VA loan.

The Plan

We looked for a home with a separate living area—something with a casita, a guest suite, or at least an extra entrance. In Las Vegas and Henderson, these layouts aren’t hard to find (especially with a little creativity and good agent connections 😉).

She ended up finding a beautiful single-story home in North Las Vegas with a private bedroom, bath, and den combo tucked away on the other side of the house. Perfect for a long-term roommate or traveling nurse.

The Numbers

Her mortgage came out to just under $2,100/month.
She listed the private suite and got a tenant within two weeks for $1,200/month.

Her new out-of-pocket?
$900/month.

Less than she paid in rent. And now she was building equity, getting tax advantages, and owning a home her son could grow up in.

The Best Part?

This is just the beginning for Macy.

She’s already planning her next move. Once she’s lived in the home for a year (required for VA loan occupancy), she can rent out the entire property and use her VA loan again for her next purchase. Rinse and repeat.

She’s not just a homeowner now—she’s an investor.

What If You're Not a Veteran?

House hacking isn’t just for VA loans. My preferred lender partner works with all types of buyers and can help you explore:

• FHA loans (as low as 3.5% down)

• Conventional loans with roommate income support

• First-time buyer programs with grants or assistance

• Multi-unit properties that help you qualify based on projected rent

You don’t have to be rich. You just have to be ready.

Final Thoughts

Macy went from feeling stuck to living in a home she owns, saving hundreds every month, and creating long-term wealth for her family—all by thinking outside the box.

And you can too.

If you’re curious about house hacking—or wondering how to get started with just one income and one mortgage qualification—I’m here to help.

I’ll walk you through it, connect you with my lender, and help you find a home that fits your life and your goals.

Keli James – Real Estate Advisor
S.56134 – Epique Realty
Your Home, My Priority!
Call/Text: 702-265-4323
Email: Kelijameslv@gmail.com
Website: LVLocalGuide.com