If someone had told 21-year-old me that I'd own three homes by the age of 26, I probably wouldn't have believed them.

I didn't come from a real estate family.

I wasn't sitting on a huge savings account.

I didn't buy expensive investment properties with 20% down.

Instead, I used a strategy called house hacking—and it completely changed the way I looked at building wealth through real estate.

This isn't a "get rich quick" story. It took patience, planning, and a willingness to think long-term. But if you're hoping to own rental property someday, I want to show you exactly what worked for me.

It All Started With One Home

Back in 2021, at 21 years old, I bought my very first home.

• Purchase Price: $179,000
• Loan Type: Conventional
• Down Payment: 3%

Like most first-time buyers, I didn't have unlimited cash.

I bought a home I could afford and spent countless evenings and weekends updating it myself. I painted, repaired, learned new skills, and slowly added value to the property while living there.

Looking back, those projects taught me far more than just home improvement—they taught me that real estate is a long game.

I lived in that home for about two years.

Then Life Changed

In December of 2023, after getting married, my wife and I were ready for a new chapter.

We purchased a brand-new construction home.

• Purchase Price: $230,000
• Loan Type: Conventional
• Down Payment: 5%

Instead of selling our first house, we asked ourselves one simple question:

"What if we kept it?"

So we did.

We rented it out, and that rental income helped offset the mortgage while we moved into our new home.

Overnight, we went from owning one home to owning two.

One More Move

In September of 2025, we decided to move again.

Rather than selling our second home, we rented it out as well.

Then we purchased the cabin we live in today.

• Purchase Price: $215,000
• Loan Type: Conventional
• Down Payment: 5%

Today, at 26 years old, we own three properties—not because we were wealthy, but because we were intentional.

So...What Is House Hacking?

There are several ways to house hack.

Some people buy a duplex and rent out one side while living in the other! 

Others rent spare bedrooms out in a home they purchase if you don't mind having roommates. 

The strategy that worked for me was different.

I purchased each home as my primary residence, lived there, and when life naturally took us to the next home, I kept the previous one as a rental instead of selling it.

Each property became a stepping stone to the next.

Why I Chose This Strategy

One of the biggest advantages of buying a primary residence is that qualified buyers can often purchase with a much smaller down payment than they would need for a traditional investment property.

Investment loans frequently require 15–20% down or more.

I wanted to keep more of my money working for me instead of tying it all up in down payments.

That extra cash gave me flexibility for future opportunities and unexpected expenses.

For me, preserving capital was just as important as buying the next property.

"But How Do You Qualify for Another Mortgage?"

This is probably the question I'm asked most often.

Every lender and every borrower is different, but here's the basic idea:

Once you've legitimately moved out of your primary residence and rented it to tenants, a signed lease agreement may allow a lender to count some or all of that rental income when evaluating your debt-to-income ratio, depending on the loan program and your financial situation.

That can make qualifying for your next primary home more achievable than many people realize.

A good lender can explain exactly how this works based on your individual circumstances.

The Biggest Lesson I've Learned

Owning three homes didn't happen overnight.

It happened because I stopped thinking about each home as my "forever house" and started thinking of every purchase as a building block for the future.

Every move had a purpose.

Every property helped create another opportunity.

Real estate has been one of the greatest wealth-building tools in my life, and it all started with buying one home that I could actually afford.

Could This Work for You?

Everyone's financial situation is different, and house hacking isn't the right fit for everyone.

But if you've dreamed of owning rental property one day, don't assume you need to save up 20% for your first investment property before getting started.

Your first home could become your first investment.

If you're curious whether a strategy like this could work for you, I'd love to have a conversation.

I'll help you understand your options, connect you with a trusted lender, and build a game plan that fits your goals—not someone else's.

There's never any pressure. Just honest advice from someone who's walked the path himself.

Dylan Johnston, REALTOR®
Brokered by Howell Realty Pros
📱 501-628-2838

Disclaimer: Loan qualification requirements vary by lender, loan program, occupancy guidelines, and individual financial circumstances. Always consult with a qualified mortgage professional before making real estate decisions.