How much cash do you actually need to house hack?

It's more than the down payment (but less than you think)

Everyone focuses on the down payment.

• “I need 3.5% down.”

• “I need 5% down.”

• “I can do VA with nothing down.”

Cool. But that’s not the whole picture.

Let me break down what you actually need to have in the bank—or at least accounted for—before you house hack.

First, yes, the down payment. Most house hackers go with 0%, 3%, 3.5%, or 5% down using owner-occupa…