### How Jeff White and Suleyka Bolaños Retired in Their 30s Through House Hacking
Jeff White and Suleyka Bolaños achieved early retirement in their 30s by strategically building a real estate portfolio through **house hacking**—a method where they lived in and rented out portions of their properties to offset housing costs. Their goal was simple: acquire **one rental property per year** over a decade. By 2023, their rental income surpassed their salaries, allowing them to retire ahead of schedule. White, a corporate finance professional, and Bolaños, a sales expert and notary business owner, now enjoy an early retirement filled with travel and content creation on their YouTube channel, **”PTO for Life.”** Their success came from slow, steady investments, leveraging **owner-occupied financing** with **just 5% down payments**—far less than the typical 20% required for investment properties.
### The Power of Owner-Occupied and FHA Loans for Real Estate Investing
A key factor in White and Bolaños’ strategy was **owner-occupied financing**, which offers lower down payments (as little as 5%) compared to traditional investment property loans. By living in each property for at least **12 months**, they qualified for favorable mortgage terms before converting the homes into full rental units. Similarly, **FHA loans**—requiring only **3.5% down**—helped other investors like Karina Mejia and Ludomir Wanot enter the market with minimal upfront costs. Mejia purchased a $560,000 triplex at 22, while Wanot used an **FHA 203(k) loan** to finance both a home purchase and renovations for just $10,000 out of pocket. These strategies prove that **early financial freedom is possible without massive savings**, as long as investors leverage smart financing and disciplined property acquisition.
Would you consider house hacking to fast-track your financial independence? 🚀
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-buy-real-estate-investing-with-low-down-payment-2025-5.