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#587: 5 Proven Strategies For House Hacking In Denver's Tough Market
Manage episode 516190149 series 1509138
Bold market shifts in Denver are creating opportunities most investors miss. Two-to-four unit property purchases jumped dramatically in 2024—the biggest single-year house hacking strategy shift in Colorado real estate investing history. This dramatic change stems from new 5% down conventional loans. However, understanding how to leverage this window matters more than just knowing it exists.
Chris Lopez brings together Denver’s most active house hacking professionals for this second episode in a three-part house hacking series. The panel includes Jeff White (30+ closings annually), Katie Heinsohn (five properties without high W2 income), and Troy Howell from Nova Home Loans. These experts share actual 2024 transaction data and real client case studies. Additionally, they reveal specific loan structuring techniques that set investors up for multiple properties.
Five Working House Hacking Strategies for 2025
This episode delivers five working house hacking strategies for high-rate environments. First, you’ll learn why co-living and room-by-room rentals achieve 95% occupancy. Next, discover how Section 8 produces Class A rents in Class B properties.
Jeff breaks down his recent southwest Denver triplex example. In this deal, two Section 8 units cover the entire mortgage payment while he lives free. Meanwhile, Ganesh’s journey from Jeff’s basement tenant to four properties demonstrates consistent execution. Similarly, Carly’s progression from nonprofit income to three properties proves house hacking strategies build wealth without six-figure salaries.
Real Numbers and Loan Hacking Fundamentals
The $35,000 comparison between stock market and real estate returns reveals powerful insights. Specifically, 1% property appreciation with leverage outperforms 10% stock returns without it.
Troy explains essential loan hacking fundamentals throughout the episode. For instance, he covers optimizing tax returns to save $12,000 while still qualifying. Furthermore, he discusses how credit scores under 720 dramatically increase mortgage insurance costs. Most importantly, Troy shows how to structure property number one correctly. This prevents you from painting yourself into a corner on property number two.
Katie shares her personal journey to financial independence. She built five properties by age 37 without any employer retirement plan. As a result, she’s creating generational wealth through house hacking strategies her friends working traditional jobs won’t match.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In This Episode We Cover:
- Why multifamily house hacking dominates Denver’s 2024 market (up from previous years)
- Five house hacking strategies working in 2025: co-living, Section 8, subdivided singles, multifamily, and ADUs
- How to define your buy box using deal-breakers first, then goals second
- Stop chasing appreciation and make house hacking deals cash flow today at current rates
- Real numbers: $35k in real estate beats $35k earning 10% in stocks (leverage math explained)
- Why getting pre-approved matters before you waste time analyzing house hacking properties
- How Ganesh pre-rented rooms before his first mortgage payment was due
- Credit score impacts: dropping below 720 makes mortgage insurance expensive
- Tax return optimization saved Jeff $12,000 while still qualifying for his triplex
- Why five-year minimum hold time protects against any market correction
- And So Much More!
Taking Action in Today’s Market
Understanding market shifts matters less than knowing how to execute house hacking strategies. Jeff closed properties throughout 2024 while others waited for rates to drop. Meanwhile, Katie built five properties using house hacking while friends stayed stuck in analysis paralysis. In addition, Troy structured loans that set borrowers up for their next house hack purchase, not just their current one.
This episode provides the buy box framework, mindset principles, and loan structuring knowledge you need. Consequently, you can house hack successfully regardless of rate environment. Remember, waiting for perfect conditions means missing years of wealth building that can never be recovered.
Watch the YouTube Video
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Part 2 of Our House Hacking Series
04:41 Five House Hacking Strategies That Work in 2025
06:07 Why Room by Room and Co-Living Dominate Right Now
08:12 Section 8 Strategy and How the Voucher Process Works
16:39 Stop Chasing Appreciation and Make Deals Work Today
19:01 Why You Need a Five Year Minimum Hold Time
21:54 What is Your Buy Box and Why Does it Matter
25:00 Jeff’s Last 30 Transactions Reveal House Hacking Trends
31:18 Our 2025 Predictions for House Hacking Strategies
32:22 Real Client Examples Using Different Strategies
38:08 How to Build Wealth Without High Income
41:20 The House Hacking Mindset Where Patience Wins
43:56 Katie on Building Generational Wealth Without a 401k
45:48 House Hacking Leverage Compared to 401k Returns
48:21 Why 1% Real Estate Appreciation Beats 10% Stock Returns
50:59 Loan Hacking Fundamentals and Getting Pre-Approved
54:07 Common Loan Mistakes That Cost You Deals
56:20 Key Takeaways on Buy Box, Mindset, and Flexibility
Connect with our Guests:
Jeff White: [email protected]
Troy Howell: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: Troy Howell
- Website: https://www.novahomeloans.com/loan-officer/troy-howell/
Katie Heinsohn-Noah: [email protected]
Who is Nova Home Loans?
For over 40 years, we’ve been focused on helping homeowners find the perfect loan to fit their financial needs and personal goals. Working with NOVA is a personalized experience from initial application to final loan closing and beyond. We will be with you every step of the way toward successful homeownership. Start working with NOVA & Troy Howell today!
NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION, DBA NOVA HOME LOANS NMLS 3087/ EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY/8055 EAST TUFTS AVENUE, SUITE 101/DENVER, CO
304 episodes
Manage episode 516190149 series 1509138
Bold market shifts in Denver are creating opportunities most investors miss. Two-to-four unit property purchases jumped dramatically in 2024—the biggest single-year house hacking strategy shift in Colorado real estate investing history. This dramatic change stems from new 5% down conventional loans. However, understanding how to leverage this window matters more than just knowing it exists.
Chris Lopez brings together Denver’s most active house hacking professionals for this second episode in a three-part house hacking series. The panel includes Jeff White (30+ closings annually), Katie Heinsohn (five properties without high W2 income), and Troy Howell from Nova Home Loans. These experts share actual 2024 transaction data and real client case studies. Additionally, they reveal specific loan structuring techniques that set investors up for multiple properties.
Five Working House Hacking Strategies for 2025
This episode delivers five working house hacking strategies for high-rate environments. First, you’ll learn why co-living and room-by-room rentals achieve 95% occupancy. Next, discover how Section 8 produces Class A rents in Class B properties.
Jeff breaks down his recent southwest Denver triplex example. In this deal, two Section 8 units cover the entire mortgage payment while he lives free. Meanwhile, Ganesh’s journey from Jeff’s basement tenant to four properties demonstrates consistent execution. Similarly, Carly’s progression from nonprofit income to three properties proves house hacking strategies build wealth without six-figure salaries.
Real Numbers and Loan Hacking Fundamentals
The $35,000 comparison between stock market and real estate returns reveals powerful insights. Specifically, 1% property appreciation with leverage outperforms 10% stock returns without it.
Troy explains essential loan hacking fundamentals throughout the episode. For instance, he covers optimizing tax returns to save $12,000 while still qualifying. Furthermore, he discusses how credit scores under 720 dramatically increase mortgage insurance costs. Most importantly, Troy shows how to structure property number one correctly. This prevents you from painting yourself into a corner on property number two.
Katie shares her personal journey to financial independence. She built five properties by age 37 without any employer retirement plan. As a result, she’s creating generational wealth through house hacking strategies her friends working traditional jobs won’t match.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In This Episode We Cover:
- Why multifamily house hacking dominates Denver’s 2024 market (up from previous years)
- Five house hacking strategies working in 2025: co-living, Section 8, subdivided singles, multifamily, and ADUs
- How to define your buy box using deal-breakers first, then goals second
- Stop chasing appreciation and make house hacking deals cash flow today at current rates
- Real numbers: $35k in real estate beats $35k earning 10% in stocks (leverage math explained)
- Why getting pre-approved matters before you waste time analyzing house hacking properties
- How Ganesh pre-rented rooms before his first mortgage payment was due
- Credit score impacts: dropping below 720 makes mortgage insurance expensive
- Tax return optimization saved Jeff $12,000 while still qualifying for his triplex
- Why five-year minimum hold time protects against any market correction
- And So Much More!
Taking Action in Today’s Market
Understanding market shifts matters less than knowing how to execute house hacking strategies. Jeff closed properties throughout 2024 while others waited for rates to drop. Meanwhile, Katie built five properties using house hacking while friends stayed stuck in analysis paralysis. In addition, Troy structured loans that set borrowers up for their next house hack purchase, not just their current one.
This episode provides the buy box framework, mindset principles, and loan structuring knowledge you need. Consequently, you can house hack successfully regardless of rate environment. Remember, waiting for perfect conditions means missing years of wealth building that can never be recovered.
Watch the YouTube Video
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Part 2 of Our House Hacking Series
04:41 Five House Hacking Strategies That Work in 2025
06:07 Why Room by Room and Co-Living Dominate Right Now
08:12 Section 8 Strategy and How the Voucher Process Works
16:39 Stop Chasing Appreciation and Make Deals Work Today
19:01 Why You Need a Five Year Minimum Hold Time
21:54 What is Your Buy Box and Why Does it Matter
25:00 Jeff’s Last 30 Transactions Reveal House Hacking Trends
31:18 Our 2025 Predictions for House Hacking Strategies
32:22 Real Client Examples Using Different Strategies
38:08 How to Build Wealth Without High Income
41:20 The House Hacking Mindset Where Patience Wins
43:56 Katie on Building Generational Wealth Without a 401k
45:48 House Hacking Leverage Compared to 401k Returns
48:21 Why 1% Real Estate Appreciation Beats 10% Stock Returns
50:59 Loan Hacking Fundamentals and Getting Pre-Approved
54:07 Common Loan Mistakes That Cost You Deals
56:20 Key Takeaways on Buy Box, Mindset, and Flexibility
Connect with our Guests:
Jeff White: [email protected]
Troy Howell: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: Troy Howell
- Website: https://www.novahomeloans.com/loan-officer/troy-howell/
Katie Heinsohn-Noah: [email protected]
Who is Nova Home Loans?
For over 40 years, we’ve been focused on helping homeowners find the perfect loan to fit their financial needs and personal goals. Working with NOVA is a personalized experience from initial application to final loan closing and beyond. We will be with you every step of the way toward successful homeownership. Start working with NOVA & Troy Howell today!
NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION, DBA NOVA HOME LOANS NMLS 3087/ EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY/8055 EAST TUFTS AVENUE, SUITE 101/DENVER, CO
304 episodes
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