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eff White and Suleyka Bolaños, a Denver-based couple in their 30s, attribute their early retirement to a savvy real estate strategy called house hacking. By buying properties with owner-occupied loans, they've been able to finance homes with just 5% down.

    The key to their approach is renting out a portion of their primary residence to offset or eliminate mortgage payments. They've lived in various configurations – duplexes, triplexes, and single-family homes with roommates – moving once a year to take advantage of owner-occupied financing's more favorable terms. This strategy has allowed them to live rent-free since 2016.

    Their journey began when they stumbled upon a book that introduced the concept of house hacking: buying a multi-unit property, living in one unit, and renting out the others. They sold their condo and used the proceeds to fund a down payment on a fourplex, which provided enough rental income to cover their mortgage entirely.

    As they expanded their portfolio, their rental income grew, surpassing their day jobs' earnings by 2023. Even after achieving financial independence, they continued house hacking, currently living in a triplex while searching for their ninth property. They plan to reach ten properties by 2026.

    White and Bolaños attribute their success to sacrifices made along the way – downsizing personal space and managing tenants – but emphasize that these are short-term trade-offs for long-term financial freedom. Their advice is to consider non-negotiables before starting a house hack, such as having separate bathrooms from roommates.

    House hacking can be adapted to various situations, including families with children. White believes it's worth trying, even if it's not a good fit, as the potential benefits – reduced or eliminated housing costs for one year – are significant. He encourages people to keep an open mind and visualize their life without a housing payment, highlighting how quickly a year passes.

    By sharing their story, White and Bolaños aim to inspire others to explore house hacking as a path to financial independence and early retirement.