House hacking means buying a home and offsetting the mortgage by renting out part of it, cutting your biggest expense while building equity.

If rental income covers most of a 1,800-dollar monthly housing cost, your out-of-pocket cost can drop to a few hundred dollars, accelerating FIRE dramatically.

Options include multi-unit properties, renting spare rooms, converting a basement or garage where legal, and short-term rentals.

Owner-occupant financing often offers lower down payments and better rates, and some lenders count expected rental income toward qualification.

Run numbers conservatively with vacancy and maintenance buffers, and learn landlord basics like screening, written agreements, and local tenant law.