How can i push house hacking to build real wealth beyond covering the mortgage?

[Abigail_D]

So I’ve been house hacking for a couple years now, renting out the other units while I live in one, and it’s mostly worked. But I’m starting to feel a little stuck—like I’m just covering the mortgage but not really building real wealth or equity fast enough. I keep hearing about forced appreciation through strategic renovations, but I’m not sure where to even start or if it’s worth the headache on a property I actually live in. Has anyone else hit this plateau?

[John_T]

I get that vibe too. After a couple years of house hacking, I felt like I was just padding the mortgage and not really building real wealth. Forced appreciation sounds good in theory, but renovations cost time, money, and risk. My first move was to map out which upgrades actually move rents and which ones just look nice. The math mattered more than the hype.

[Aria.D]

If forced appreciation is your goal, treat it like a mini project portfolio by estimating capex, impact on rent, and the hold period. On a live in multi unit, you can model a rent bump from each upgrade and compare it to financing costs if you refinance later. The key is to separate value to tenant from value to you and track ROI.

[Ethan_J]

Forced appreciation on a live-in duplex can feel like chasing rain. Rents might not rise enough after a kitchen upgrade, and if you’re carrying high debt, the math can sour quickly. It’s not a trophy project; it’s an expense that may or may not pay back. I’m not ruling it out, just saying the timing and market matter.

[Avery_T]

I misread it at first and thought you could just flip the other unit while you live there and force equity every weekend. Real life isn’t that tidy. You might end up with higher rents but also higher maintenance, and the remodeling process can disrupt tenants.

[EvelynJR]

Maybe the frame isn't about forcing appreciation but about lowering effective costs and building flexibility. Could you use a refinance to pull cash out, or convert common spaces into more efficient layouts that tenants value? House hacking could be about long term option wealth rather than instant equity.

[PenelopeSM]

Start with what tenants notice about value such as durability, safety, and reliability. A small update like solid doors, good lighting, and fresh paint can push rents more reliably than a flashy splash. And consider the vibe of the unit and who your ideal renter is.

[Ella_J]

Do you want to chase forced appreciation or just improve your buffer to weather vacancies? Maybe a different approach, like adding a cash flowing accessory unit or reworking leases, could hit a different niche.