Duplex to fourplex
Live in one unit, rent the others. Separate entrances and separate utilities make it the cleanest setup for you and your tenants.
House hacking in Baton Rouge · The new American dream
Let your tenants pay your mortgage
Buy a duplex or a home with room to rent, live in one part and rent out the rest. Your tenants help cover the payment while you build equity. We'll show you the real numbers.
Free giftSend us a property or your budget. We'll run the numbers for you.3.5% downFHA loans on 2 to 4 units*
Live for lessrent offsets your payment
Investors toowe own Baton Rouge rentals
5.0 ★from 60 client reviews
How it works
Four steps to living for less
The old American dream says buy a house and pay for it for 30 years. The new one says buy a home that helps pay for itself.
01
Buy a 2 to 4 unit home
A duplex, triplex or fourplex, or a single-family home with extra bedrooms to rent.
02
Live in one unit
Owner-occupant loans like FHA and VA can mean a much smaller down payment than an investment loan.
03
Rent out the rest
Your tenants' rent goes toward the mortgage, so your own housing cost drops, sometimes to zero.
04
Move up, keep the rental
When you're ready to move, keep the property as a rental and do it again with your next home.
House hack calculator
What would you actually pay?
Plug in a price and what the other unit could rent for. You'll see your estimated payment, how much the rent covers, and what's left for you.
Want us to check the numbers on a real property? Get a free house hack analysis.
Est. total payment$0
Rent covers$0
You pay$0
Estimate only, not a loan quote. Includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance and an estimate of FHA mortgage insurance when the down payment is under 10%. Your lender will give you exact numbers.
Ways to house hack
Pick the hack that fits your life
There's more than one way to do it. We'll help you figure out which one fits your budget, your timeline and how much landlording you want to do.
Rent out the extra rooms
Buy a single-family home with more bedrooms than you need and rent them to roommates. A simple way to start with a regular house.
Live in it, then rent it
Buy with owner-occupant financing, live there for at least a year, then move up and keep it as a rental. Repeat to build a portfolio.
Want to learn from other local house hackers?
Join our private House Hack Facebook group →Renting vs. house hacking
Renting
House hacking
Monthly cost
Full rent to a landlord, every month
Your tenants cover part or all of your payment
Equity
You build your landlord's
You build your own, every payment
Down payment
Deposit and first month's rent
As little as 3.5% down with FHA on 2 to 4 units*
Taxes
No write-offs
Possible deductions on the rented units (ask your tax pro)
A year from now
Renew the lease, rent goes up
Move up and keep a rental that pays you
Why work with us
Agents who own rentals
Brian owns duplexes and single-family rentals here in Baton Rouge, so we look at every property the way an owner does, not just a buyer.
Real rents
Rent numbers you can trust
We price the rent from what similar units actually rent for nearby, not wishful thinking.
No surprises
Flood zones and insurance first
Insurance can make or break a house hack here. We check flood zones and costs before you fall in love.
The right team
Lenders who do multi-family
We'll connect you with lenders who know FHA and VA loans on 2 to 4 unit homes, and inspectors who know older duplexes.
In our clients' words
They know the numbers
“Brian represented me in my purchase of a home… his expertise in all areas of the real estate market was (and continues to be) a tremendous asset for me.”
Ryan S. · Google review
“I have had the pleasure of working with Brian on multiple real estate deals… I am consistently impressed by his professionalism, drive, and meticulous attention to detail.”
Bradford S. · Google review
“Brian represented us in the sale of a rental property we had on the market and we could not be more satisfied with the experience… He is as good as it gets!”
Kimberly T. · Google review
“They truly are a dynamic duo! We’ve bought and sold several homes in the past five years, but this experience was by far the best we’ve ever had.”
Kim S. · Google review
Excerpts from Google reviews of Brian Mackey, Realtor. Individual results vary.
Free · no commitment · no pressure
Your free house hack analysis
Not sure if house hacking works for you? Brian will run the numbers on your situation and send you a plain-English breakdown. No sales pitch, just math.
- Tell us your budget or send a property. A duplex you found, or just a price range.
- We run the numbers. Realistic rents, an estimated payment, insurance and flood zone.
- You get the breakdown. What you'd pay to live there, and the loan options worth asking a lender about.
Our free gift to you
How to claim it
Answer a few questions
It takes about a minute. Then we'll get started on your numbers.
Rather text? Send HACK and your budget to 225-337-6363.
15 minutes · no commitment
Let's talk about your first house hack
Pick a time for a quick 15-minute chat about your real estate goals and whether house hacking makes sense for you.
Brian MackeyRealtor & investor
Janelle HernandezRealtor
Prefer to call or text?
225-337-6363
Not ready to talk? Get the free analysis instead.
What we'll cover
- Your goals. Living for less, building wealth, or both.
- Your options. Duplex, extra rooms or live-in-then-rent, and what each costs.
- Your next step. Lender intros and the kinds of properties to watch for.
Pick a time
Just want a regular home?
Two agents in your corner, tough negotiation and video tours from anywhere.
Brian & JanelleAbout a minute
Brian Mackey & Janelle Hernandez · Pivot Realty · 225-337-6363 · Equal Housing Opportunity
*Loan programs, down payments and rates are set by lenders and subject to approval. Not financial or tax advice.
*Loan programs, down payments and rates are set by lenders and subject to approval. Not financial or tax advice.