Frequently Asked Questions

House hacking is when you buy a home that has a rentable space — like a basement apartment, ADU, or duplex — and use the rental income from that space to offset your monthly mortgage payment. Instead of paying your full mortgage out of pocket every month, your tenant helps cover it.

ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit — a secondary living space on the same property as a primary home. In Utah, this is commonly a basement apartment, a detached backyard cottage, or an attached unit with its own entrance. ADUs are the most common house hack setup I work with.

It's one of the best moves a first-time buyer can make. Instead of paying 100% of your mortgage yourself, you have a tenant helping cover the cost. You build equity, reduce your monthly housing expense, and get a foothold in real estate — all at the same time.

In many cases, yes. Certain loan programs allow lenders to count projected rental income from an ADU toward your qualifying income, which can increase how much home you're able to purchase. I work with lenders who understand house hacking and know how to structure this correctly.

You do take on a landlord role, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. I co-founded HomeLord specifically for house hackers to help you navigate the post-purchase side — from finding a tenant to managing your rental with confidence.

Yes — I do everything in the residential space. I work with buyers, sellers, and investors all the time. I just choose to niche down in the house hacking space because it's where I can add the most value for my clients.

I primarily serve Salt Lake County, Utah County, and the surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether I cover your area, reach out and we'll figure it out together.

Not every home with a basement qualifies. In fact, most homes that show up with the ADU filter on Zillow are illegal. I know how to identify whether a house hack is legally compliant and whether the numbers actually make sense for your situation.

The easiest first step is booking a free strategy call. It's just a conversation — no pressure, no commitment. We'll talk through your situation, what you're looking for, and whether house hacking makes sense for you right now.